Orlie Vernelle Parks Jr.

     Orlie Vernelle Parks Jr., age 82 of Carrier Mills, passed away on June 24, 2023 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.  

     Orlie was born on January 13, 1941 in Benton, Illinois to the late Orlie Vernelle Parks Sr. and Belle Parks.  On April 23, 1960, he married Patricia “Patty” Chaney at Dorrisville Baptist Church and she resides in Carrier Mills. Orlie retired from Sahara Coal Company after 30 years.  Orlie loved his family. He was always looking out for them and putting their needs ahead of his. He also loved to hunt and fish; he was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Orlie attended the first Baptist Church of Carrier Mills. He was truly “One-in-a-Million”.

     In addition to his wife Patty, Orlie is survived by three children, daughter, Kim Jolly and husband Dion of Carrier Mills; daughter, Rox Anne Van Dyke and husband Keith, of Harrisburg; and son, Shayne Parks and wife Veronica, of Carrier Mills; five grandchildren, Trevor Jolly of Harrisburg;  Taryn Jolly-Winder and husband Matt Winder, of Carrier Mills; Blake Parks and wife Kirstie of Steeleville; Dylan Parks of Carrier Mills; and Allyson Parks of Carrier Mills; one step grandson, Jackson Van Dyke and wife Megan of Evansville, Indiana; four great grandchildren, Hayden, Emmalynn, Isla, and Kenleigh; three step great grandchildren, Carter,  Cooper, and Charlotte; sister, Barbara Thurauf of Ballwin, Missouri; sister, Brenda Raben and husband Bill of Ridgway;  brother, David Parks and wife Cecilia of Carrier Mills; sister, Kathy Dunn and husband John of Marion, Kentucky; sister, Rhonda Felty and husband Blaine of Stonefort; brother, Mark Parks of Stonefort; and several nieces and nephews.

     Orlie was preceded in death by his parents, Orlie Sr. and Belle; grandson, Joseph Parks; sister, Lula Belle Field; brother, Luke Parks; brother, Jackie Deason; and sister, Dorothy Parks.

    Graveside services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills. Pastor Ryan Beck and Blaine Felty will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Salem Cemetery or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery.  Condolences may be left for the family on his obituary page at www.stricklinfuneralhome.com.

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