Joseph "Joe" Parker

Joseph “Joe” Parker, age 90 and lifelong resident of Savanna, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at Rock River Hospice Home, Sterling. A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savanna. Burial will take place at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Savanna. Visitation will be held 9:00 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at Law-Jones Savanna.

Joe was born October 18, 1930 in Savanna, the son of John and Bessie (Yochem) Parker. He attended St. John’s Grade School and graduated from Savanna High School with the Class of 1950, where he liked playing basketball and high-jumping in track. Like many young men in Savanna after high school Joe went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad. In 1951, Joe enlisted in the US Army, serving in Korea until 1953. After returning to Savanna, he was able to continue his work at the railroad until his retirement in 1988.

On July 6, 1957, Joe married Betty Cox in Galena. They resided in Savanna, raising two children, Todd and Kerry, and celebrating forty-three years of marriage. Joe and Betty were members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, The Savanna Moose Lodge, and the Savanna VFW & American Legion. He loved to golf, fish and hunt, especially with family. Joe coached little league teams for his son, and he also coached the St. John’s Basketball team to a Diocese championship. Joe liked watching sports, dancing with Betty, lunches with the Class of 1950, and hanging out with the coffee gang at McDonalds or lately in Howard’s garage.

Joe will be dearly missed by his two children, Todd Parker of Savanna and Kerry (Gary) Kuhl of Sabula, Iowa; a sister, Ruth Ann (Jiggs) Kasbohm of Savanna; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Betty; both parents; two sisters, Mary Nichols and Betty Miller; and a brother, James.