Evelyn Annette Parks, 86, of Urbana, died at 2:50 p.m. on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 20, 2011 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana; the Rev. Ed Potts will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Mayview. A reception will be held at Renner-Wikoff Chapel one hour prior to the service from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Mrs. Parks was born on June 8, 1924 in Urbana, the daughter of Clarence W. and Blendeana (Towner) Bensken. She married William Parks on August 22, 1942 in Alexandria, Louisiana; he survives.

Also surviving are grandchildren; Christina Bethel (Kelly), of Columbia, Missouri, John Parks (Donna), of Urbana, Kathleen Neufeld (Blake), of Queen Creek, AZ, Allison Hensleit, of San Leandro, CA, Carl Parks (Heather), of Sidney, Meredith Ponce (Tomas), of San Carlos, CA, eight great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, three sons; John David Parks, Richard Carl Parks, and William A. Parks, Jr., and one brother; Clarence W. Bensken, Jr.

Mrs. Parks was a Personnel Director for Goldblatt Bros. Department Store for more than 17 years. After working at Goldblatt's, she worked as a book keeper for more than 15 years for the National Council of Teachers of English. She was also a past president of the American Legion Post 71 Women's Auxiliary. Evelyn attended New Life Christian Fellowship Church in Urbana. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice.