Ralph Parks, 73, passed away at 11:33 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at Barnes Jewish Hospital with his family by his side.
He was born on Sept. 11, 1939, in Nokomis, Ill., the son of Harold and Mary Lou (Dilley) Parks.
He married Carolyn (Travis) Parks on Dec. 11, 1964, in Hillsboro, Ill.
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 20 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, the Rev. Carolyn Parks of Bethalto; two sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Bonnie Parks of Bethalto and Richard and Sherry Parks of Crawfordville, Fla.; 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 and Marlene Parks of Hillsboro, Mary Ellen and Gene Herndon of Kingdom City, Mo., and Ronald and Terri Parks of Greenville, Ill.; four nieces; five nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at New Wine Fellowship Church, 1121 Poplar St. in Wood River, with Pastors Daryl Dolbe and David Hale officiating. Church information and map can be found online at www.newwinefamilychurch.org.
Memorials may be made to the family for medical expenses.