John Parke Channing

After a long, full life, John Parke Channing, “Jack”, passed away peacefully on June 16th, 2017 at the Oscar G. Johnson V.A. Medical Center in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Born the first child and only son of R. John and Ida E. (Wolfe) Channing on November 12, 1927, in Ishpeming, MI, he grew up in several towns throughout the Upper Peninsula. Jack was devoted to outdoor sports and activities and developed what would be a lifelong love of hunting, fishing, camping, boating, hiking, skiing and anything to do with being in the woods. Jack appreciated all of nature and spent many hours observing and admiring the wild life that surrounded him in his home. After graduating from Iron Mountain High School in 1946, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army serving from 1950 to 1952. With the help of the G.I. Bill, he earned a degree in Education from Northern Michigan University in 1955 and a Masters of Education Degree in 1961. He began his teaching career in Port Huron, Michigan but an opportunity to teach at Kingsford High School in his beloved Upper Peninsula brought him back to the area. He raised his own family in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Jack retired from Breitung Township Schools in 1986 after 32 years of teaching Industrial Arts and Driver’s Education. He was proud of his work and of his students and loved to hear from them as the years went by. He told his family that he wanted to thank all the parents of the young men and women entrusted to his care and instruction during his tenure in the Breitung Township Schools (1957-1986). As a husband and father, brother, teacher, grandfather and friend, Jack was always loving, supportive and encouraging. He was a man eager to help where he could and took delight in and praised the accomplishments of others. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Howard “Jay” Uren, son-in-law, Dr. Brian W. Alquist, and stepson, Richard Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary of Maryhill Manor, Niagara, WI; sister, Linda Uren of Spread Eagle, WI; his five children, Deborah (Michael) Berger of Marquette, MI; David (Jessica) Channing of Los Angeles, CA; Julie Alquist of Iron Mountain; Paula (Jon) Pryor of Iron Mountain; and Michele (Don) DeShazo of Westerville, OH. His ten grandchildren, Brian (Lydia) Berger, Kimberly Berger, Benjamin Berger, Samara Berger, Jared Alquist, J. Miles Alquist, Sophia DeShazo, Olivia DeShazo, and Abigail DeShazo. His great grandchildren, Jordan Berger and Elaina Berger. Stepchildren, Thomas (Julie) Johnson of Marquette, MI; Julie (David) Rosen of New Port Richey, FL; and Michael (Lynn) Johnson of Marquette, MI and his dog Woodson. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 5:00 pm at the funeral home. Dr. Aaron Scholnik will officiate. Burial will be in the Park Cemetery in Marquette, MI. The family would like to acknowledge and extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Oscar G. Johnson Veterans Community Living Center for the excellent care, love and support given to our beloved Father and his family over the last five months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Temple Beth Sholom in Marquette, MI Condolences may be expressed to the family of John “Jack” Channing online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

John Parke Channing

November 12, 1927 - June 16, 2017