Ralph Parks
Bethalto | Saturday, November 24 2012
Ralph Parks, 73, passed away at 11:33 am on Saturday November 24, 2012 at Barnes Jewish Hospital with his family by his side.
He was born on September 11, 1939 in Nokomis, IL the son of Harold and Mary Lou (Dilley) Parks. He married Carolyn (Travis) Parks on December 11, 1964 in Hillsboro, IL.
Ralph was a Furnace Builder for Olin Corporation for 42 years and retired in 2002. He was a lover of sports and sports trivia participating in bowling and softball leagues most of his life. He enjoyed watching football, NASCAR and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan. Ralph served actively as a deacon and church elder and was a faithful bus driver for over twenty years picking up children so they could attend Sunday school and church services. Most important of all was his faith and longtime commitment to his savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife Rev. Carolyn Parks of Bethalto; two sons and daughters-in-law, Randy & Bonnie Parks of Bethalto and Richard and Sherry Parks of Crawfordville, FL; six grandchildren, Eric, Aaron, Travis, Noah, Lyndsie and Dara Parks; two sisters and a brother-in-law and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Delores Payne of Hillsboro, Harold Dean & Marlene Parks of Hillsboro, Mary Ellen & Gene Herndon of Kingdom City, MO, and Ronald & Terri Parks of Greenville; four nieces, five nephews, and several great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7:30 pm Tuesday November 27, 2012 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. A celebration of Life will be held at 11 am Wednesday November 28, 2012 at New Wine Fellowship Church, 1121 Polar Street in Wood River with Pastors Daryl Dolbe and David Hale officiating. Church information and map can be found online at www.newwinefamilychurch.org.
Burial will be private at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto, IL. Memorials may be made to the Family for medical expenses.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
