Paul E. Parks, 95, of Macomb, IL, formerly of Vermont, IL, passed away at 11:15 am on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Bickford of Macomb, Illinois.
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 on 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.
