John Parkhurst

PEORIA - John Carlton Parkhurst "Parky," 89, of Peoria died at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at Lutheran Hillside Village, surrounded by his loving family.

Born July 14, 1920, in Springfield, Ill., to Laird and Pauline Wiley Parkhurst, he married Harriet Vance "Hattie" on Jan. 5, 1946, in Peoria. He was preceded in death in 1996 by Harriet, the love of his life and wife for 50 years.

Surviving are his six children, Vance C. (Jeanne) of Peoria, Christina L. Pfanschmidt of Dunlap, John W. (Kristina) of Normal, Peter L. (Jean) of Dunlap, Nancy A. Hinnen (John) of Peoria and Robert C. (Jennifer) of Germantown Hills; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Parky graduated in the famous Peoria "Central" High School class of 1938. A 1942 graduate of Wabash College, he served in World War II in the Army Air Forces from 1942-1945, earning the Bronze Star.

He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1948.

Parky served a decade on the Peoria County Board, where he was chairman, and a decade in the Illinois Legislature, where he was House Minority Whip, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and co-chairman of a group of legislators known as the "Economy Bloc." He was elected in 1969 as a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention, where he was known as the "Con Con Tiger," served as chairman of the Local Government Committee, and provided many words and thoughts included in our state constitution.

He will forever be remembered as the "Father of Home Rule," creating the powers of local government later used by the City of Peoria to finance the Peoria Civic Center. He also served as Assistant Illinois Attorney General in charge of pollution prosecution and consumer fraud from 1969-1972. He retired from politics undefeated and returned to Peoria to raise his family and pursue his legal career.

He practiced law in Peoria from 1948 to 1992, was a member of the Illinois State and Peoria County Bar associations, and was a co-founder of the law firm of Leiter, Newlin, Fraser, Parkhurst & McCord. Parky and Hattie were dedicated to serving the City of Peoria and the community they loved. They received numerous awards and recognitions for their public service, including the Fourth Annual Easter Seal Tribute. They were supporters of arts and music, including Lakeview Museum and Corn Stock Theatre.

He was a faithful servant and member of First Federated Church, where a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. The Rev. Dr. Forrest Krummel will be officiating, assisted by Pastor Paul Park. Visitation will follow the memorial service at the church. Cremation rites have been accorded. Private inurnment of ashes will be in First Federated Church Columbarium. Arrangements were made by Wright and Salmon Mortuary, 2416 N. North St., Peoria, Ill.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Health Center at Lutheran Hillside Village or to First Federated Church.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.