OBITUARIES

Steve Franklin Parker Jr.

Steve Franklin Parker Jr., of Cortez, died on Jan. 22 at the age of 64 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a lifelong commercial fisherman and an amazing painter. He was creative and able to master any task put before him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Denny Parker, of Cortez; children, Lori (Mike) Sobeski, Steve F. Parker III, Heather (Alex) Conyers and Cameron Parker; 18 grandchildren; his loving mother, Shirley Parker; two brothers, Victor (Mary) Parker, Randy Parker and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was loved by fatherand mother-in-law Charles and Laurella Staigerwald. He was preceded in death by his father, Steve F. Parker Sr.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brown and Sons Funeral Home, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton.

Michael Paul Jenson

Michael Paul Jenson, 74, of Chicago and Holmes Beach, died on Jan. 4. He was born on March 7, 1948 and grew up in Saybrook, Illinois, and although his adult years were spent in Chicago, he never forgot his central Illinois roots.

Mike graduated from SaybrookArrowsmith High School and Eastern Illinois University with a degree in history and attended John Marshall Law School. He had a long career as a private investigator and process server in Chicago. Guided by his principle of "Go as far as you can until someone stops you" and protected from the conflicts inherent in his work by his easygoing nature, he maintained the balance needed to succeed at his work.

Mike married Nancy Zabel on Sept. 22, 1984. Mike and Nancy enjoyed many years of vacationing on Anna Maria Island and in 2012, fulfilled his dream of owning a home there. On sunny afternoons he could frequently be found relaxing with his dogs on the dock behind his house.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; brother, Greg (Kathy); and sisters, Ann (Mike) Young, and Julie (Chris) Kemp. Also surviving are his nephews, Mat and Ty (Hannah) Young; and great-niece and nephew, Lyla and James Young.