Gilbert E. 'Gib' Parks

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Gilbert E. "Gib" Parks, 90, passed away at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at his home at Crab Orchard.

Gib was born in Stonefort Aug. 15, 1919, the son of Robert Lee and Opal (Newton) Parks. He married Anna M. Powell on Aug. 17, 1940, in Charleston, Mo., and together they shared more than 65 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on March 24, 2006.

Gib proudly answered the call to serve his country in the Army during World War II. He retired from Amax Coal Company, where he had worked in the Delta Mine. He was of the Baptist faith and he was a member of UMW of A Local Union No. 7031.

Survivors include three sons, Gaylon Parks and wife Carolyn of Galatia, Rob Parks and wife Dinah of Carrier Mills and Grubby Parks and wife Denise of Marion; six grandchildren, Minty Waide, Jeff Parks, Monty Parks, Tim Parks, Shawn Parks and Shannon Parks; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Evelyn Davis of Creal Springs; a beloved dog, Charlie; and his cat, Sugar.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers, George Parks, Ezra Parks and Carl Parks; and a sister, Flossie Furlow.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow in Coal Bank Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at the funeral home.

For those who prefer, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 N. Market St., Marion, Ill. 62959.

For additional information or to sign the guest memorial register please visit the Internet site www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.