Raymond W. Parker

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Raymond W. Parker, 92, of Elkville, passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009 at the Fairview Nursing Center in Du Quoin.

He was born Nov. 14, 1916 in Du Quoin, a son of Clarence and Mabel (Wilson) Parker. The 1920's were fun years and life was really good 'til in 1929 the Stock Market crashed and the great Depression followed immediately, bringing a complete, radical change of life for everybody.

Raymond was 12 years old in 1929. He continued in school somehow and graduated high school in 1935. Now 18 years of age, he went to Milwaukee, Wisc. to live with an uncle and aunt and to search for employment.

After a hitch in the United States Marine Corp in W.W. II he returned to Milwaukee, met and married Rita E. Zimmer on Feb. 7, 1948. For all the following years she had always been his best and most trusted friend. Two sons from this marriage, Mark C. and Robert R. reside in Florida.

Raymond never met a stranger. He had the gift of somehow knowing how to approach and what to say in any given situation. He was an excellent salesman and he used this gift in various ways. Some were as Sales Manager of the Welding Product Div. of the Air Reduction Co. in Murray, New Jersey, as an IDS (investors diversified services) Stock Market Repr., as Auditor of the Du Quoin National Bank, and more.

It was his wish to be cremated and internment was to be held in IOOF Cemetery in Du Quoin at a later date. Parker-Reedy Funeral Home in West Frankfort is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to sign the guest register visit www.parkerreedyfuneralhome.com.