LaVerne "Parky" R. Parkinson

LaVerne R. “Parky” Parkinson, 90 of Aledo, died Friday, April 16, 2021 at Heartland Healthcare Center, Moline. Private family services will be held, with burial in Aledo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aledo United Methodist Church, where Parky was a lifelong member. Speer Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be left at speerfuneralhome.com.

LaVerne Raymond Parkinson was born on July 2, 1930 in Mercer County, Illinois to Raymond C. & Esther M. (Wangelin) Parkinson. Parky was a graduate of Aledo High School and attended Iowa State University. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, before coming home to Mercer County to Farm with his father in Millersburg and Mercer Townships.

Parky married Marilyn Mason on June 23, 1951 in Aledo. From this union, three children were born. She preceded him in death on May 31, 1997. He married Beverly Welch Hunter in 1998. She preceded him in death on March 20, 2012.

Parky was an active member of the community serving on many boards, which included: Svea Insurance; Joy State Bank, Aledo School Board and was a member of the Aledo Exchange Club and the Mercer County VFW.

Parky was positive, upbeat, religious and a cheerleader for the rest of us. From his upbringing, Parky developed a strong faith, especially enjoying his Sunday School class and United Methodist Church Family. He had a desire for lifelong learning and respect for hard work, especially out on the farm working in the dirt. He loved his farm life. Parky had a particular gift for making others feel good about themselves through his infectious enthusiasm and unbounded confidence in them. He always had a poem or story to tell.

Parky and Marilyn had a special bond with their classmates and were referred to as “The Aledo Group”. He enjoyed their friendships and their many trips, especially to see the Wisconsin Badgers.

Parky cherished the time with his grandsons, especially when he would tuck them in at night with bedtime stories. With as long as the stories were, it was often thought that Parky was the one tucked in.

Those left to cherish Parky’s memory include his daughters and son-in-law: Cindy & Roger Hutchins of Aledo; Lisa Parkinson of Centennial, CO; and Grandsons:  Alexander; Andrew & Ana and Adam & Megan and their new son, Parky’s great-grandson, Aidan.

Parky was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Violet; wives, Marilyn and Beverly; son, Jeff; sister, Kathleen Joseph; and Brothers, Clair and Harry Parkinson.