Submitted by: Dan Rich

Marian E. Parks

Aug. 25, 1914 - May 19, 2008

South Bend Tribune 6/26/2008
SOUTH BEND - Marian E. Parks, 93, passed away peacefully in the early evening hours of Tuesday, May 19, 2008, in St. Louis, MO. Family members were with her. Marian was born on August 25, 1914, in West Chicago, IL, as the daughter of Edwin and Jennie (Flint) Bulow. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilson; a brother, Edwin; and a sister, Jean Bulow Cecil. She graduated from West Chicago Community High School in 1931 as valedictorian of her class. In 1935 she graduated with highest honors from North Central College in Naperville, IL, with a B.A. degree in English.

As Marian Bulow, on June 17, 1936, she was married to Wilson S. Parks in West Chicago, IL. She served with him as a pastor's wife in the United Methodist Church. They had four children: David Wilson, who died soon after birth; Sylvia (George-deceased 2007) Hardin of Las Vegas, NV, Marjorie (Thomas) Williams of Petoskey, MI; and Elizabeth (Jack) Parker of St. Louis, MO. She also had eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Marion taught in the South Bend Community School system, was active in the churches where Wilson served within the Northern Indiana United Methodist Conference, and in the former United Council of Churches. In later years she did volunteer work for Meals on Wheels and the South Bend Saint Joseph Hospital.

Honoring the wishes of Mrs. Parks, a memorial worship service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 28, in First United Methodist Church, 201 E. 3rd Street, Mishawaka. Rev. Ron Bowman will conduct the service. Cremation will already have taken place. Interment will be at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Marian's name to Habitat for Humanity or to the First United Methodist Church. Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, has been entrusted with handling the arrangements.