Parks

Joan L. Parks, 55, of Parker died at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at her home after a 2½-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS.

Born in Oil City, Sept. 4, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Leonard "Bud" and Frances Joan Latschaw Confer.

She was a Protestant.

Mrs. Parks, a 1970 graduate of the Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District in Foxburg, was a custodian at the Parker branch of Citizens National Bank, now NexTier, for years. She also did housekeeping for Parker-area families and served as caregiver for several Parker residents confined to their homes due to illness.

In 2006, the Parker Recreation Committee embarked upon a 13-year plan of selling Christmas tree decorations. Joan's work of design appears on the 2006-07 issues and will appear on the remaining 11 decorations in the future years. Knowing her working time of artistry was limited, she worked diligently so the committee would have these treasures to earn money for projects.

In addition to caring for her husband and children, she was known as a dedicated worker, artist and writer of both prose and poetry. She was able to have two books of her poetry published and countless families treasure notes written to them by her when ill health or ill fortune beset them.

In 2005, she was recognized by the Parker Rotary for her selfless time and effort given to Parker City and residents. That same year, she was presented recognition by the Parker City Volunteer Fire Department for Outstanding Community Service. In 2006, she was recognized by Parker City Fire Department as Citizen of the Year, as well as receiving recognition from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as Citizen of the Year through the efforts of state Rep. Fred McIlhatten.

She enjoyed bird watching and working crossword puzzles.

Surviving are her husband, D. Scott Parks, who she married July 11, 1971; two sons, Mike Parks and his wife, Kristie, of Parker and Kris Parks at home; a granddaughter, Mackenzie Parks of Parker; a sister, Terry Taylor of Smethport; a brother, Alan Confer of Emlenton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

<B>PARKS </B>— Friends of Joan L. Parks, who died Saturday, April 13, 2008, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Wayne Street, Parker. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dan Myers, a United Methodist pastor, officiating. Burial will be at the Parker Presbyterian Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Parker Recreation Committee, c/o Mrs. Carol Bowser, P.O. Box 350, Parker, PA 16049.Information also is available at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.