Melinda Jane Parker

She was born in Frankfort, Indiana to Henry B. and Carol M. Parker, who, along with her sister, Susan Brierton, preceded her in death. She is survived by her twin brother, Scott Parker, her sister, Anne Parker, and her niece, Sara Brierton.

Melinda graduated with a degree in Political Science from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. While enrolled at DePauw she studied in Athens, Greece, at the Hellenic-American Institute, and in Washington, D.C., at American University. Nearly the entirety of her career was in government, politics, and real estate management and development. She considered herself fortunate to begin her career in the United States Senate, just 12 days prior to the break-in at Watergate, and to observe up close the two-year political struggle which ensued. Melinda was also able to travel much of the world as manager of the State of Illinois’ international business program.

The very best times of her life were with dear friends -- several of whom she has known since grade school and earlier -- and family. The greatest peace, contentment and joy in her life came always from riding in a little red truck in the fifties and sixties with her grandfather, among the corn and soybean fields of northwest Ohio. She was a good and decent soul as well as a loyal, generous friend with an occasionally wicked sense of humor. She was deeply loved by family and friends, blessed to know her.

Melinda will be laid to rest beside her parents and sister at a private family service in Mayview, Illinois. Although she felt lucky to have lived many years in Athens, Washington, D.C. and Chicago, she was always a rural Midwesterner at heart, and glad, surely, to be home at last.