Philip Eugene Parks passed away peacefully at age 99, Sunday, February 5, 2023, at Villas of Holly Brook in Mt Carmel IL. He was born September 18, 1923 in Harco, Saline County IL, to Henry Parks and Madge (Abney) Parks. Phil married Jean Beatrice Mann on September 16, 1944 in Galatia, Illinois.
Philip joined the U S Navy in 1942, trained as a Torpedoman, and saw service on the islands of Kiska and Attu in the Aleutians in the early years of World War II. Later he was stationed at Ventura, California, and Camp Parks, in Dublin, California, and then at Whidbey Island in Washington State. On a furlough home, he met Jean, and they later married. A son, Duane, traveled with them from post-to-post during the war. A second son, Glenn Allen, was born in 1945.
After the war ended the family settled in Harrisburg, Illinois, where Philip operated a Shell Service station, before relocating to nearby Galatia, where he ran a restaurant. In Galatia, Phil and Jean built a house on the edge of town, where their third child, Sherry Renee, was born. Following his father’s occupation, Phil worked underground for several years in a Peabody coal mine. He trained as a member of a mine safety team which excelled in team competitions. In 1957 the family moved to Crete Illinois, where a new home was built and Philip began working at the new Ford stamping plant in Chicago Heights, retiring three decades later as a welder repairman.
All his life Phil was devoted to his church, serving as a deacon and in other positions. He loved to hunt quail, and through adult life trained many hunting dogs, both his and those of other people. He was conservative by nature, always wanting to “make do” and was a Mr. Fixit to his many friends and generous with his time in helping others. He worked outdoors whenever possible, through his 97th birthday cutting and hauling firewood as his primary source of heat.
Phil will be remembered by a son, Duane (Jane) Parks of Orio, and daughter Sherry (Jerry) Ogor of Crete, IL; grandchildren, Tasha Brown (Richard) of West Chester, OH, Shannon Parks (Katrina) of Poulsbo, WA, Dana Carr (Nick) of Bourbonnais, IL, and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean, son Glenn Allen, brother John Darwin, sister Betty Jackson.
Visitation will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, February 10 at Wabash Presbyterian Church in Orio. The funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Kevin McGinnis officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military honors.
The family wishes to express appreciation to Villas of Holly Brook for the good care they provided. Also, thanks to the many friends who were involved in his life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Wabash Presbyterian Church, 11188 N 2300 Rd, Allendale, IL 62410. Envelopes will be at the church or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mt Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Philip’s tribute wall and leave condolences for the Parks family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
