Alice C. “Dizzy” Parker, age 87 of Maquon, Illinois, died at 5:35 p.m. on Saturday December 7 , 2024, at Graham Hospital in Canton, Illinois surrounded by her family.
She was born on October 18, 1937, in Farmington, Illinois, the daughter of Waldo and Mildred (VanHoose) Ray. She attended and graduated from Spoon River Valley High School and then received her nursing degree from Cottage Hospital Nursing School in Galesburg, Illinois. She married Dennis Parker on December 16, 1977, at the Maquon United Methodist Church in Maquon, Illinois.
Surviving is her husband, Dennis Parker of Maquon, Illinois; four children: Jimmie (Rick) Moody of Elmwood, Illinois, Jodie (Kevin) Wyant of Farmington, Illinois, Judi Tilghman of Chicago, Illinois, and Tony (Reagan) Tilghman of Charleston, Illinois; two step-children: Stephanie (Walt) Knox of Maquon, Illinois and Stacy Dikeman of Peoria Heights, Illinois; nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald (Mary Jo) Ray of Maquon, Illinois; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-son, Steve Parker, one sister, Bertha “Pookie” Thomas and one brother, Waldo “Johnny” Ray.
She was a nurse for many years at the Knox County Nursing Home and the former Abingdon Nursing Home. She was a member of the Maquon United Methodist Church, where for many years she enjoyed teaching Sunday school. She was a lifelong animal lover and never turned away a stray that came to her house. But more than anything her greatest joy was spending time with her family.
Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at United Methodist Church in Maquon, Illinois, with funeral services beginning at 2 p.m. She will be laid to rest at Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Illinois. In-lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be made to the Maquon Sunday School or to the Knox County Human Society. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois is assisting the family with her arrangements. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
