Joe A Parkin

Born August 3, 1936 in Manito to Frederick Donald and Mary Elizabeth (Cranwill) Neikirk Parkin, he married Meta Christina Henry of Derry, Northern Ireland in 1960. She died in 1986 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He also was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are two daughters, Erin Parkin of Manito and Susan (Jim) Coatney of Dodgeville, Wisconsin; two sons, Danny Berry of Carol Stream and Joe Thomas (Robin) Parkin of Albuquerque, New Mexico; six grandchildren, Randa (Nathan) Golub, Morgan Berry, Stephanie Slack, Shawn Parkin, Aiden Parkin and Amber Lieuallen; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bobbie (Tom) Regan of Olivenhain, California and Patricia Parkin; and three brothers, Larry (Virginia) Parkin of Temecula, California, Butch (Sharon) Parkin of Pekin and Ronald (Mary) Parkin of Phoenix, Arizona.

Joe had worked as a heavy equipment operator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local #649 in Peoria.

His passion was promoting Native American art and jewelry for nearly 40 years. He owned and operated his store, White Buffalo, in Peoria for a number of years.

A celebration of life gathering will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 15, 2012 at the Hole in the Wall in Pekin. Cremation arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.