Freeport – Lila L. Parks of Freeport, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, and sister, died on June 21, 2024 in Freeport, Illinois.  She was born on October 20, 1930 in Sanborn, IA on 10-20-1930.  She always loved to say that!

She was the daughter of Floyd and Lillian (Vrooman) Merchant.  In 1948 Lila and Edward L. "Bud" Parks were united in marriage.  Lila enjoyed spending time with her family, fishing, camping in the Winnebago camper, decorating her home, celebrating special events with her family, playing cards, doing puzzles and games, watching mystery movies, going to casinos and listening to late night radio.  She was a great cook and she was also an avid Chicago Bears and Nascar fan.

Lila is survived by all of her 7 children; Laura L. (Jim) Martin of Freeport; Edward L. (Debbie) Parks III of Freeport; Pamela (Dave) Brand of Lewiston, MN; Michael (Karen) Parks of Cedarville; Suzanne (Gary) Lingbeck of Lena; Linda (Greg) Corwin of Lena; Jeff (Mary) Parks of Lena.

She has 1 brother, Franklyn Merchant of Spencer, IA; sister-in-law, Shirley Parks of Spencer, IA as well as several nieces and nephews.

She had 17 grandchildren; Scott J. Martin; Amy L. (Rod) Korte; Marci (Greg) Millerschone; Chris (Wendy) Peck; Sarah (Jake) Lindquist; Hope (Magan) Peck – Callaway; Adam (Briana) Peck; Johanna (Andrew) Parks; Chad (Shira) Parks; Seth Lingbeck; Rachel (Jayson) Dittmar; Danielle (Jesse) Deyo; Ben (Ashley) Harnish; Maxwell (Alyssa) Parks; Madison (Ethan) Pickard; Sam (Hannah) Parks and Elliot Parks.

Lila had 24 great grandchildren; Justin J. (Amber) Martin; Haley Martin; Caleb J. Reid, Payton and Corbin Peck; Austin Vaughn; Anterra Prince; Sophie and Madie Lindquist; Jace, Jordan and Jaxson Tolley; Evelyn, Jaylee and Jayden Dittmar; Eliana and Rowan Peck; Maeve Callaway; Lyla and Ella Harnish, Kinsley and Kade Deyo; Cadence and Preslee Pickard.

Her legacy also includes 3 Great-great grandchildren; Paxton J. Martin, Zaydin Reid and Lincoln Reid.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 62 years, Edward L. "Bud" Parks; one sister, Margaret Santage; daughter-in-law, Jane E. Parks; grandson, Michael Floyd Parks Jr.; great grandsons, Bailey Martin Reid and Ayden T. Dittmar.

There will be a visitation held at Walker Mortuary on Thursday, June 27th beginning at 10:30am.  A service will immediately follow at 11:30am also at Walker Mortuary.  Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery of Freeport.  A memorial has been established in her name.  Lila's family invites friends to extend condolences, share a memory, or light a candle in her honor at www.walkermortuary.com.