Eldon "Parky" V. Parkman

Eldon V. “Parky” Parkman, 73, a lifelong resident of rural Emporia, died Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kansas.

Eldon Parkman was born August 2, 1940 in Emporia, the son of Virgil E. Parkman and Ethel (Rice) Parkman Cunningham. He grew up and lived in the area east of Emporia. Parky married Sharon K. Benson on June 3, 1961 at Marion, Kansas. She survives.

Other family members include: daughter, Shelly Parkman, Cushing, Oklahoma; sons, Greg (Jil) Parkman, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Jeff (Michelle) Parkman, Emporia, and Tim (Shelley) Parkman, Emporia; stepmother, Margaret Parkman, Emporia; sister, Linda Black, Litchfield, Arizona; ten grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, and two sisters.

Parky was a lifelong farmer east of Emporia. For 28 years, he was the serviceman at the Emporia Sears store, and for six years, he worked in the HVAC shop at Emporia State University. He had been retired for six years.

He served in the Kansas National Guard for eight years, and had also served as a member of the U.S.D. #252 School Board for eight years.

A graveside service will be held at Union Cemetery, east of Emporia, at 11:00 AM on Tuesday March 18, 2014. The service will be conducted by Pastor Lee Hoskins. Casual dress is requested, and due to the nature of a graveside service, lawn chairs are welcome.

The family will receive friends at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Monday evening, March 17, 2014.

A memorial has been established with Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home.