Monty R. Parker

MARION- Monty R. Parker, 74, of Marion passed away at 8:45 AM, Thursday, February 3, 2005 at the VA Medical Center in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 5, 2005 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Dr. Joey Brent officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Friday, February 4, 2005 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Murdale Garden of Memories in Carbondale. Military rites will be held at the cemetery VFW Post 1301 and American Legion Post 147. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Parker was born on May 30, 1930 in Mounds, Illinois to Arlie Ralph and Anne Parker. He married Katherine Tanner on October 10, 2003 in Marion, Illinois and she survives. Other survivors include niece, Karol and John Burns of Marion; great niece and nephew, Kellie and Nate Lavender of Bloomington, Indiana and Jeff and Melanie Pecord of Marion; great great nieces and nephew, Katie Lavender, and Chelsea, Taylor and Brennan Pecord; step-daughter, Crystal and Deon King of Marion; and step-granddaughter, Whitney King. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bob Parker. Mr. Parker was a member of the Marion First Baptist Church. He retired from Illinois Central Railroad, where he worked as a dispatcher. He served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. He loved to play golf and was a member of the Lake of Egypt Country Club