(Former Bus Driver For North Central Schools)
Parker, Lewis L., age 88, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away Monday, March 16, 2026. He has been set free from Lewy Body Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
Lewis was born on July 23, 1937, in Montpelier, Ohio, to parents Henry and Helen Parker. Lewis was a graduate of Montpelier High School.
He lived in the Pioneer area most of his adult life until he became a snowbird later in life. Lewis was a truck driver for 32 years before retiring.
He finished out his driving career with Preston 151 Line. He had driven over a million miles operating an 18-wheeler with zero accidents.
Lewis also drove a school bus for 18 years during his children’s school days for the North Central School district. Lewis had several different trades as a welder and fabricator, and he operated a crane to lay trusses for local builders.
If you needed something made with steel, he was the person for the job. Whether the item was something for horse racing or cattle gates, he was ready for the challenge.
In his retirement, Lewis enjoyed camping, fishing, watching NASCAR, riding his three-wheel bicycle, sunny weather, and hanging out with family — especially his granddaughter.
Lewis is survived by his children, Lynn and Tammy Parker; granddaughter, Mailey Mowel; his sister, Phyllis Waldron; nieces, Joni Hurd, Jean (Jim) Stambaugh, Janon (Tim) Perez, and Debra (Mark) Pickford; nephews, Larry Jones, Todd (Amy) Hendricks, and Troy Hendricks; and his significant other, Madalynn Dietrich.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; his parents, Henry and Helen Parker; his sister, Phoebe Jones; and his niece, Susie Krabbe.
Lewis’s family is having a celebration of life on July 25, 2026. A graveside service will be held at Floral Grove Cemetery at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the Pioneer Community Building in Pioneer, Ohio.