Roberta “Bobbie” A. Parks, 88, of Bronson passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home of Bronson officiated by Pastor Terry Siler and the eulogy will be read by Charles Bell. Interment to follow the service at Matteson Cemetery.
A memorial gathering will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home of Bronson.
Roberta was born November 12, 1935, to Kenneth and Louise (Fall) Bullock. She lived in Union City, MI during her childhood and then moved to Bronson, MI where she was raised by her maternal grandparents. She graduated from Bronson High School in 1953 where she was a member of the vocal Double Sextet and played the bass clarinet in the band.
Bobbie married Roy A. Bell in 1955, and together they owned and operated Bell’s Mobil Service and later, Bell’s PRO Service until their divorce in 1972. They had three children, Brian, Robert, and Charles. In 1976 Bobbie married Jeffery D. Parks. That marriage ended in divorce.
Roberta had many occupations over the years. She worked as a short-order cook as a teenager, was a secretary and accountant for McDonald’s Business Service, bookkeeper for Bell’s Mobil Service, was a receptionist and accountant for People’s State Bank, and was a rural mail carrier for the Bronson US Post Office. In the early 1980’s she became the Director of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging.
In the mid-1980’s she found her dream job as Director of Marketing/Hospitality for the Oldsmobile Scramble Golf Tournament. During her time with the Scramble, she traveled extensively and often played practice golf rounds with the PGA tour players including names like Palmer, Nicklaus, and Trevino. She loved playing golf and won many awards playing in local tournaments and leagues.
Bobbie was an avid bowler, often winning trophies for 600 and even 700 series. She always bowled in State Tournaments and travelled yearly to Nationals no matter where they were held across the US.
Roberta retired when the Oldsmobile Scramble closed. Shortly after, she met her soul mate, John C. Kraus. They had nine wonderful years together playing golf, boating, fishing, travelling, and going on overnight casino trips until John’s passing in 2015.
Bobbie lived for over 60 years on Matteson Lake, which she loved dearly. She loved pontoon rides with neighboring friends, cocktails during sunsets, bird watching on the deck, and of course, fishing and doing jigsaw puzzles with John.
Roberta is survived by her sons Bob (Robin Sprow) Bell of Elkhart, IN, Chuck (Loraine) Bell, daughter in law Beth Bell, former daughter in law Cheryl Ludwick all of Bronson, granddaughters Mellissa (Ryan) Murphy, Jennifer (Jon) Marble, great-granddaughters Makenzie, Aubrey, and Raegan Murphy, and great-grandson Jackson Marble, all of Battle Creek, and her new house mate Webster the kitten.
She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, her soulmate John, and her eldest son Brian Bell.
Memorials may be directed to the Twin Lake of Matteson Lake Association Fish Fund.
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