Obituaries

Paul E. Parks

February 21st, 1931 – August 15th, 2026

Paul E. Parks, 95, of Macomb, IL, formerly of Table Grove, IL, passed away at 11:15 am on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Bickford of Macomb. He was born in LaMoine Township on the family farm in McDonough County, IL on February 21, 1931. He was the son of Everett and Bertha (Robinson) Parks and was the youngest of four children. 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, IL and earned his degree in 1951. Paul then enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. On November 18, 1951, Paul married Marjory Holstine at West Bethel Church near Fandon, IL. 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 Paul was stationed until his discharge from the Air Force in December of 1955. Two of their four children were born while in New Jersey, Paula in 1953 and Randy in 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, IL. Two more children were born, Rodney in 1958 and Patricia in 1963. The Page farm was a perfect place to settle down and raise a family. Paul lost his wife, Marjory in 1983, after a long battle with cancer. He continued farming until the age of 79 years in 2010. Paul had 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.

Paul was a deeply devoted Christian man who was kind and genuinely interested in everyone he talked to. He would willingly help a neighbor or anyone who needed a favor. He knew the names of every care person at Bickford Assisted Living and could tell us where they lived, something personal about each one, and most likely who their parents were. He read his Bible daily. On Sunday, Paul would watch the Vermont Christian Church live stream of their church service on his iPad. 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. He lived his faith by being kind, humble and loving.

Paul loved his family and hearing about each one’s activities from his children down to his 19 great-grandchildren. He attended their games when he could, numerous graduations and weddings. He enjoyed attending family reunions and catching up with his cousins, nieces and nephews. He had a great memory and could talk genealogy and who married who and how they were related. Paul subscribed to three local weekly newspapers to keep up to date with local news and great-grandchildren’s sports and activities.

Paul loved the farm. He worked hard on the farm sunup to sundown in his younger years. There were always livestock chores and cows that needed milking morning and night. In his later years, Paul especially enjoyed taking the side by side out to check on fence rows, dig up some sourdock, check on the cows in the pastures, or take great grandkids for a ride. After moving from the farm, he kept up on the cows and which one was calving, what piece of equipment broke down, grain prices and how planting or harvest was progressing from his two sons. At 95, he still wanted to keep updated and read the weekly Farm Week newspaper.

Paul is survived by his children; Paula (Jere) Greuel of Industry, IL, Randy (Sharon) Parks of Adair, IL, Rodney (Brenda) Parks of Table Grove, IL and Patricia (Rick) Cook of Macomb, IL, 12 grandchildren; Amanda (Mark) Behymer of Industry, IL, Levi (Katie) Greuel of Macomb, IL, Nathan (Mallory) Greuel of Milan, IL, Branson (Brenda) Parks of Table Grove, IL, Brian (Christen) Parks of Table Grove, IL, Brecken (Rodney) Reimolds of Rushville, IL, Kourtney (Mark) Mellendorf of Newton, IL, Brennan (Cassie) Parks of Macomb, IL, Matthew Cook of San Mateo, CA, Joshua Cook of Chicago, IL, Caleb Cook of Macomb, IL and Kaitlyn (Evan) Bailey of Bloomington, IL, and 19 great-grandchildren

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marjory, two sisters; Doris (Lawrence "Tommy") Matthews and Mary Cook, and one brother Merle (Ruth) Parks.

A Celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Vermont Christian Church. Pastor Cody Stinnett will officiate. Visitation will take place on Friday, August 21st from 5-7 pm at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, IL. Interment will be in the Vermont Cemetery with military rites provided by the Vermont American Legion and the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Memorials in Paul’s memory may be given to the Vermont Christian Church or the Table Grove Fire and Rescue Squad. Shawgo Memorial Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Paul has gained his heavenly home and he surely heard the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Condolences

August 17th, 2026

Thinking of your family and lifting prayers for all. Lynn Bubb

August 17th, 2026

If you knew Uncle Paul, you had to love and respect him.
Sincere Condolences to all his loved ones. Beth n Jerry Biswell

August 17th, 2026

If you knew Uncle Paul, you had to love and respect him.
Sincere Condolences to all his loved ones. Beth n Jerry Biswell

August 17th, 2026

Our sincere condolences to the family.
Steve and Julie Terstriep

August 17th, 2026

So sorry to hear of Paul's passing. He was such a sweet man. So comforting to know he is home with the lord and reunited with his loved ones. God bless and keep all of you. Beth (Hall) and David Crabb Sr.

August 17th, 2026

So Sorry for your loss!prayers for all the family!

August 17th, 2026

I’m so very sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. He was such a sweet man. Sharon Stracker

August 18th, 2026

Our condolences for your loss. Herb and Kathy Snowden

August 18th, 2026

Our condolences to Paul's family! Wayne Demott

August 18th, 2026

So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.
Tomm & Liz Beck

August 18th, 2026

So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.
Tomm & Liz Beck

August 18th, 2026

Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Linda and Dale Pittman

August 18th, 2026

So sorry for your loss. Norma Meehan

August 18th, 2026

So sorry for your loss. Marsha McCormick

August 18th, 2026

Our deepest sympathies to the family.
Adam and Cindy McClintock

August 18th, 2026

Many thoughts and prayers for your entire family!

August 18th, 2026

So sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers.Alan and Georgiana Clemens

August 18th, 2026

Prayers for comfort and peace after your loss. Kathy Cox

August 19th, 2026

He was such a great man and friend to my parents and my gr. uncle Charlie. We always will recall his kindness to others. Sending hugs, thoughts and prayers to the entire family.

August 19th, 2026

Kathy and Rick Heller

August 19th, 2026

To the entire Parks family...my sincerest condolences. May God bless and keep him. Janis Weaver

August 19th, 2026

Sincere condolences to his family..Jim and Vicky Ackley

August 19th, 2026

The obituary is excellently written. If ever there was a man who deserved the title of a Christian Gentleman, it would be Paul Parks. He was loyally devoted all his life to his dear wife Marjory, to his family, and God. This is a sad loss for everyone who knew this great man. To his family, we are sharing your loss and will keep you all in our prayers; may our Heavenly Father grant you comfort. John & Sandy Bybee

August 19th, 2026

We are sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort and strength. Bob and Melba Baker

August 19th, 2026

My deep prayers and sympathy at this time of loss.He was a great guy and exemplary farmer.
Dr.JaneHarper-Reneau

August 19th, 2026

Sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you and the family,
Joe Hughes

August 19th, 2026

I got to know Paul better through doing Sunday afternoon church services at Bickford. He was such a kind gentle spirit and the epitome of a gentleman. I will miss him on Sunday afternoon. Praying God‘s comfort for your entire family.

August 19th, 2026

A fine gentleman who will be greatly missed. Prayers for the entire family.

August 19th, 2026

I’m so sorry to hear about the passing Paul. May God bless the family during this difficult time.
Merkle Cherry

August 19th, 2026

My deepest sympathy and prayers for all the family. I know he will be missed. Chris McMullen Wiseman

August 19th, 2026

What an honor to have known and cared for Paul. He was truly the kindest and sweetest man. My prayers are with the whole family during this time. Nicole Morgan

August 19th, 2026

Condolences

August 19th, 2026

So sorry for your loss. He was such a nice and friendly man. I hardly ever saw him without a smile. LaMerle and Jim

August 19th, 2026

Deeply sorry to read of Paul’s passing. Was a classmate & we graduated CCHS in 1950. Sending sympathy to his loving family.

August 19th, 2026

Heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the family.
Jamell Adkisson

August 19th, 2026

What a great guy, always good for a smile. Prayers to his family…Wesley Stoneking

August 19th, 2026

Hugs and prayers to Paul’s family. He was the nicest man. I got to see him most days at the senior center in Vermont back in the day. I enjoyed visiting with him. Judy Wilson

August 20th, 2026

Condolencess to Tricia and the entire family. Cristy(Savage) Ramos

August 20th, 2026

What a life your dad had giving joy to all he met. Celebrate a life full of love. Martha Clyde

August 20th, 2026

What a life your dad had giving joy to all he met. Celebrate a life full of love. Martha Clyde

August 20th, 2026

My sincere condolences to all the family and friends of Paul Parks. Respectfully, Linda Bean Windsor

August 20th, 2026

Such a nice man. A great loss for the family. Joyce Pittman Angell

August 20th, 2026

Uncle Paul was a blessing to so many. My thoughts are very much with you Paula, Randy, Rodney, Tricia and your families. Nita Cherry

August 21st, 2026

Deepest sympathy for the loss of a outstanding man. He will be greatly missed. Ora and Mary welch

August 21st, 2026

Paul was a very special man. We go back a long time with Paul and his family. He farmed with our father and then with Fell-Harris farm. He was always a kind and caring gentleman. He will be missed. Our sincere sympathy to Randy and his family. Joe, Melba, and Alex Harris; Nelda and Kathy Fell

August 21st, 2026

Our condolences to Paul's family from the Effland family. It was a pleasure and honor to know him. We have always enjoyed talking with him. We are grateful to him and all the Park family for what they have done for us. We truly loved Paul and will miss him. Bob and Pat Effland, Dick and Ursula Effland, Branden and Dave Feist.

August 21st, 2026

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all. Stephanie Pittman Gustin

August 22nd, 2026

A fine Christian man who truly lived his faith. Sincere condolences and prayers for all the family. May God's love give you comfort and peace. Gary & Cheryl (Cox) Matteson

August 23rd, 2026

Paul hired me to help put up hay about 64 years ago. What a kind and humble man! He set a high bar for those who knew him and he'll long be remembered by so many. My sincerest condolences to his family. Dennis Bassett

August 25th, 2026

Paul always had a broad smile on his face and always greeted you with genuine enthusiasm. You could meet him at anytime and feel like he was an old friend. We will miss greeting him on our trips to Illinois from Wisconsin to visit with Paula and Jere? Our condolences. Phil and Dawn Riebling.