Daniel Thomas Parks, 76, of Bluford died 1:30 a.m. Nov. 20, 2004, at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor Nursing Home.

He was owner/operator of Parks Transportation. He provided bus service for special education students.

Mr. Parks was born June 25, 1928, in St. Louis to Emery and Margaret (Martin) Parks.

He married Carol (Arent) Parks Jan. 4, 1964, in St. Louis; she survives.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church. The Revs. Daniel Jurek and Von Deeke will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. A Biblical wake will be conducted at 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Parks is survived by his wife, Carol Parks of Bluford; two sons, Dan E. Parks and wife Shannon of Bluford and David T. Parks and wife Deidra of Mt. Vernon; a daughter, Debbie M. (Parks) Dunn and husband Steve of St. Charles, Mo.; nine grandchildren, Patrick Dunn of St. Charles, Mo., Thomas Dunn of St. Charles, Mo., Kristen Parks of Bluford, Kelsey Parks of Bluford, Kayla Parks of Bluford, Karmen Parks of Bluford, Michael Parks of Bluford, Jacob Parks of Mt. Vernon and Brendan Parks of Mt. Vernon; two brothers, Robert Parks and wife Holly of Wildwood, Mo., and Donald Parks and wife Shelia of St. Charles, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Sylvester Parks; and three sisters, Margaret Gray, Rosemary Russo and Donna Hathaway.

Mr. Parks enjoyed his flower garden and was an avid bowler. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of St. Mary Church, Knights of Columbus Third Degree, AMVETS Post 4, Mt. Vernon Elk Lodge BOPE 1678, Mt. Vernon Bowling League, Bluford Ruritan Club and the Bluford Grade School Board.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association or St. Mary School and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call 242-3348 for obituary information at any time.

Source: The Register-News, Mt. Vernon, IL
Date: November 24, 2004
Submitted by Robert W. Loman