Diana R. (Parker) McClure
GLADSTONE — Diana R. (Parker) McClure, of Gladstone, age 80, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Murray’s Country View in Gladstone.
Diana was born on July 9, 1942, in Manistique, Mich., the daughter of Hugh and Lucille (Frenette) Lamirand. In 1961, she married Paul G. Parker in Lansing in the Grace Methodist Church. They were married for thirty years and had three sons. When her sons were growing up, she enjoyed watching them compete in all their many sports activities.
Diana married Harvey McClure II in November of 1990 in the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. She loved traveling with her husband and vacationing in Mexico, Jamaica, Arizona, Florida and many other places in the United States to escape the harsh winters.
Her employment took her to many positions in her life, beginning with long distance operator in Lansing, accounting, secretary for Gulf Oil, to executive secretary for Harnischfeger and the last job, secretary for Baybank’s loan department. She managed the branch in Escanaba for a year.
During her employment with Harnischfeger, she wore many hats. She was also secretary and recruiter for P&H Technical Services.
She attended Bay College in her thirties and trained as a reporter with the “Delta Reporter.” She loved interviewing people for stories and wrote a series of articles, which were all published.
Writing short stories and poetry was enjoyable to her, and she was editor of “The Beacon” a monthly newspaper for Bay College. When she attended the creative writing class there, she was also the editor of a yearly book with stories and poetry written by the students called “Serendipity.”
She was a 4-H leader for beginners sewing. She was on the first Gladstone beautification committee, and was a member of the Escanaba Women’s Club (GFWC) for many years and was Publicity Chairman on the Charity Ball committee, Auditor, and photographer of all events and was known as “The Picture Lady.”
Diana loved her family above everything. She especially enjoyed having them all together for holidays. She also enjoyed singing, interior decorating, sewing, gardening, dancing and listening to old records of all kinds.
Diana is survived by sons, Paul (Suzanne) Parker of Gladstone, Jonathan Parker of Gladstone, Robert (Karen) Parker of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; stepson, Michael (Leslie) Haehn of Waterford, Mich.; brother, John (Donna) Lamirand; sister, Joan (Octavius) DeRose; and six grandchildren, Alexis, Paul, Rian, Paige and Brett Parker and Maxx Haehn.
In addition to her parents and former husbands, Diana is preceded in death by brothers, Paul and Elwin; sisters, Betty Larson and Priscilla Benson; nephew, Tim; three brothers-in-law and several aunts and cousins.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A closing prayer will be conducted at 3 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A luncheon will follow at the Gladstone Yacht Club. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the McClure family. Please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com to offer an online message of sympathy to the family.