KENDALLVILLE — Joann Helen Parks, age 79, of Kendallville, died on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Mrs. Parks was born in Noble County, Indiana, on January 4, 1931, to the late Walter and Wilma

(Slagle) Swinehart.

She married Clifford Eli Parks on January 22, 1961, in Avilla, Indiana, and he preceded her death on

April 7, 2003.

Joann was a homemaker and enjoyed her spending time with her family.

She was an IU and Colts fan, and enjoyed gardening, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables, having Sunday dinners with her family, cooking and baking.

Survivors include her daughter, Kelly and Bob Bolen of rural Kendallville; son, Kevin and Tami Parks of Kendallville; stepson, Larry Parks of Tallahassee, Florida; seven grandchildren, Jillian and Andy Schultz of Ligonier, Brooke and Scott Haney of Kendallville, Kaitlyn, Kelsey and Eli Parks all of Kendallville, and Kristen and Mark Collins and Keith and Mary Ann Parks of Florida; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Bill and George Swinehart, and her sisters, Norma Spriggs, Carol Boyles, Thelma Kruse and Violet Swinehart.

Visitation will be Monday, February 22, 2010, from 3-7 p.m. at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville, with funeral services at 7 p.m.

Officiating the funeral service will be the Rev. Dr. Leonard King.

Preferred memorials are to Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla.

Send condolences to the family at www.hitefuneralhome.com

View a video tribute at: http://videos.lifetributes.com/121531