Helen (Eley) Parks

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Helen Marie Parks, age 90, of Avilla, died Monday, May 20, 2019 at Presence Sacred Heart Home, Avilla.  Mrs. Parks was born June 12, 1928 in Lewistown, Montana to the late Herbert M. and Dorothy Isabelle (Veneman) Eley. She graduated from Avilla High School in 1946 and married the love of her life, Donald Kenneth Parks on July 13, 1946 in Albion, Indiana. They were married 63 years before Don preceded her in death in 2009.  Helen attended Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla where she frequently volunteered her time at church functions and with the food pantry.  She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.  She worked many years at her Avilla voting precinct on election days.  She also worked part time taking care of babies at McCray Hospital in Kendallville. Helen and Don loved to travel all across the lower 48 states delivering recreation vehicles.  She also loved gardening, reading, playing cards, and caring for the farm animals and her barn cats.  She also enjoyed ballroom dancing and square dancing.  She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. 

Survivors include:
Son, Bruce and Karen Parks of Rome City.
Son, Jim and Karen Parks of Avilla.
Son-in-law, William Whitcomb of Hart, Michigan
Daughter-in-law, Cheryl Parks of Avilla.
Daughter-in-law, Esther Parks of Wolcottville.
Daughter-in-law, Rebecca Parks of Avilla.
17 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; four children, Evelyn Whitcomb, Steven Parks, Rev. William Parks, and Paul Parks; and brother, Herbert William “Bill” Eley.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 23rd from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Calvary United Methodist Church with visitation an hour prior to the service. Rev. Shalimar Holderly will officiate the funeral.
Burial will follow at Avilla Cemetery. 
Memorial donations may be made to the Presence Sacred Heart Home, Memory Care Unit.
Share a memory or send a condolence online at www.hitefuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Hite Funeral Home, Kendallville.

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