PAUL E. PARKS

Paul Parks

Paul E. Parks, 95, of Macomb, formerly of Vermont, died at 11:15 a.m. Aug. 15, 2026, at Bickford of Macomb.

He was born in LaMoine Township on the family farm in McDonough County on Feb. 21, 1931, a son of Everett and Bertha Robinson Parks. He married Marjory Holstine on Nov. 18, 1951, near Fandon. She preceded him in death in 1983, after a battle with cancer.

He also was preceded in death by two sisters, Doris (and Lawrence “Tommy”) Matthews and Mary Cook; and one brother, Merle (and Ruth) Parks.

Surviving are four children, Paula (and Jere) Greuel of Industry, Randy (and Sharon) Parks of Adair, Rodney (and Brenda) Parks of Table Grove and Patricia (and Rick) Cook of Macomb; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade. After graduating from Colchester High School in 1950, he attended Gem City College School of Business in Quincy and earned his degree in 1951. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He completed his basic training and Marjory graduated from Western Illinois State College with a teaching degree in the Spring of 1952. The couple then moved to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey where he was stationed until his discharge from the Air Force in December of 1955.

Upon returning to Illinois in December of 1955, he became a tenant and 50/50 farmer on a grain and livestock farm with Homer Page near Vermont and Table Grove. He continued farming until age 79 in 2010. He farmed the Page ground for 52 years. His son Randy purchased the farm in 2009 and Paul continued living on the S-curves with the big white barn until his move into skilled care in 2022 and assisted living in 2023.

He loved God and his church family and had been a faithful and active member of his church for 70 years. He served as a deacon or an elder for over 50 years.

A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, Aug. 22, at Vermont Christian Church with Pastor Cody Stinnett officiating. Burial was in the Vermont Cemetery with military rites provided by the Vermont American Legion and the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials in Paul’s memory may be made to Vermont Christian Church or the Table Grove Fire and Rescue Squad.

Condolences may be sent to www.shawgomemorialhome.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 8/26/2026

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Paul Parks

Paul E. Parks, 95, of Macomb, formerly of Vermont, died at 11:15 a.m. Aug. 15, 2026, at Bickford Cottage in Macomb.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Vermont Christian Church in Vermont with Pastor Cody Stinnett officiating. A visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Burial will be in the Vermont Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Vermont Christian Church or the Table Grove Fire and Rescue Squad.

Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 8/19/2026