Richard Allen Parks, 80, of Valparaiso, died Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005 at Porter Valparaiso Hospita Campus.

He was born Aug. 24, 1925 in Ferndale, Mich., the son of James and Eva (Schultz) Parks, who preceded him in death.

On Oct. 4, 1958, he married Muriel Lois Ferrell, who preceded him in death Feb. 2, 1999.

He is also survived by three sons, Richard (Carol) Parks of Valparaiso, Robert (Kimberly) Parks of Chesterton and William (Sarah) Parks of Lake in the Hills, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; a brother, James (Betty) Parks of Canadian Lakes, Mich.; a sister SSJ. Margaret Parks of Nazareth, Mich. and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, John.

Richard, an attorney in private practice for 56 years worked at Lawyers Title Insurance Co. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Valparaiso, the Knights of Columbus, Elks Club in Hobart and Men’s Club at St. Paul Church. He was a cofounder of the Andrean Athletic Association and was inducted into the Andrean Athletic Hall of Fame and was a Past President of St. Mary’s P.T.A. n Crown Point. Richard was a corporal second class in the U.S. Army in WWII in Europe and was awarded a Bronze Star.

A Funeral Mass, Fr. Joseph Pawlowski officiating, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 in the Queen of Apostles Chapel of St. Paul Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Valparaiso.

Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. at Bartholomew Funeral Home, 102 Monroe St. Valparaiso, and at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Memorial donations may be made to the Andrean Athletic Association.

Posted 9/15/2005