Ruth Virginia Parker, 83, of Portage, died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003 at her residence.

She was born Dec. 29, 1919 in Gary, the daughter of Harry and Grace Mae (Hill) Hatton, who preceded her in death.

On Nov. 9, 1940 in Morocco, Ind., she married Edison Parker, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Sheila Raye of Portage and Kaye Statler of Tunkhannock, Pa.; 6 grandchildren, Billie Sue (Ed) Childress, Joyce Ann (Chris) Zaragoza, David W. (Connie) Shaffer, Stephanie B. (James) Franzen, David (Sandy) Nelson and Timothy (Marlene) Nelson; 12 great-grandchildren, Billy (Melissa) McCall, Ricky (Ruby) McCall, Christopher Zaragoza, Amy Zaragoza, Jessica Shaffer, Courtney, Bethany, Katie, Emily, Ashley and Corey Nelson and Samantha Smith and 4 great-great-grandchildren, Christian, Briannah, Rayann and Ricky McCall.

She was preceded in death by a brother Harry Hatton and two sisters Betty (Robert) Gill and Leone Puett.

She was a homemaker and was a former manager at the Dolly Madison Hotel. She was also known for her crochet work.

Funeral services, Chaplain Betty Green officiating, are scheduled at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave., Portage. Cremation will be at Heritage Crematory, Portage.

Visitation is scheduled from 1p.m. until time of service at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to VNA Hospice, 501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, IN 46383-2508.

Posted 12/9/2003