Our beloved brother and uncle Steven Rex Parks passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family the age of 62 on August 8, 2024. He has been lovingly reunited with his Dad, Mom and Brother!
He was born August 13, 1961, in Carson City, MI to Dale and Bonnie (Lanshaw) Parks. He graduated from Ithaca High School, class of 1982.
Some of his hobbies included roller skating, bowling and going to stock car races. But his true love was drumming! He was a fantastic drummer!!! He played in several bands: Night Rovers, Blue Express (with HUGE blue BLOOMERS), Bustin Loose Band and Curb Side Cadillac. He met a lot of people during that time. He continued to have people coming up to him throughout his life stating how great he was. It always put a HUGE smile on his face, he was always so very PROUD.
He was a HUGE fan of the University of Michigan Wolverines (just ask his neighbors – LOL). He wouldn’t leave the house when there was a game on. A couple of Aunts (and cousins) are Michigan State Fans, so there was always a friendly family rivalry going on. But as Stevie would always say “GO BLUE”! He even had the inside of his house painted Maize and Blue. He recently designed a custom-made golf cart, all in U of M colors and logo’s (with a drum sticker here or there as well), he loved it! And just waved and grinned to everyone that told him it was “Awesome”, or say “GO BLUE” or just waved.
He worked at Ashcraft’s from 1991 to 2000. He then worked at Hutchinson Aerospace from 2000 to 2019.
He is survived by 2 sisters: Debra (Travis) Branson of St. Louis, MI and Lori Wymer of Ithaca, MI. One niece Melissa (Parks) Suhy, a great-nephew Jackson Suhy and great-niece Makenna Suhy. Aunt Kathryn (Jerry) LaLonde, Uncle John Lanshaw and Aunt Carol Lanshaw. Many other family members and friends that he loved and cherished.
He is preceded in death by his father Dale, mother Bonnie, brother Danny, paternal grandparents Henry Lynn & Eva Alice Parks and his maternal grandparents Vern & Daisy Lanshaw.
We want to thank Dr. Chrisopher Murray, Dr. Milena Jani and all the doctors and staff at U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor for all his excellent care. Also, a BIG thank you to MyMichigan Hospice for helping him transition, what a fantastic team - Lara, Carol, Hailey, Don, Joe, Dawn, Deb and Hilda.
A celebration of his life will be Saturday Aug 31, 2024 at 1:30 – 4:30pm at the Ithaca Community Center, 120 N Maple Street, Ithaca, MI. A private Burial will be at Ithaca Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Stevie’s memory can be made to MyMichigan Hospice at 6810 Eastman Ave., Midland, MI 48642.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.