Kenneth W. Parks of Cary, IL. Kenneth W. Parks, 63, passed away Sept. 30, 2012, at Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington. He was born Aug. 9, 1949, in Evergreen Park, IL, the son of Chester and Virginia Parks. They preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Kathie (nee Ptak), whom he married Sept. 12, 1971, in Chicago. He is also survived by two sons, Benjamin Parks and Andrew Parks; his grandchildren: Kody and Noah Parks; his siblings, James (Cheryl) Parks and Chester Parks; his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Anna (Mike) Lieberman, Susan (Harold) Earle, Joe (Maria) Ptak and John (Maria) Ptak; his nieces and nephews, Justen (Eileen) Parks, Josh (Rachel) Lieberman, Stephen Lieberman, Robert (Jessica) Ptak, Stephanie (Vinnie) Rudolfo, Christina (Kyle) Mead, Cassie Ptak, Bianca Ptak, Chris Earle, Bryan Earle, Mike Earle and Steven Earle; his great-nephews, Tyler Parks and Lucas Ptak; and his mother- and father-in-law, Emma and Wally Ptak. He was raised in Chicago having graduated from Maternity BVM Grade School and St. Mel High School. He received his Associate degree from McCormack Business College. He worked at Atols Tool and Mold in Schiller Park for 30 years, where he served his apprenticeship and retired as vice-president of operations. He also worked eight years as plant manager for Technotrans in Wheeling. He was an avid woodworker and turned his hobby into building functional art. He won first prize at the Foundation 300 Art Fair in Algonquin and showed his work at various juried art shows in the Chicago suburbs. He had a tremendous fondness for his dog "Charlie." Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Kahle-Moore Funeral Home, 403 Silver Lake Road, Cary, IL. A funeral service Thursday, will be private.
Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on October 2, 2012