Donald Lee Parkinson

Donald (Don) Lee Parkinson, 89, previously from Lewistown, IL passed away on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at the Renaissance Care Center in Canton IL.
Donald Lee Parkinson was born on January 26, 1936 in Macomb, IL, the son of Jessie and Mildred (Owens) Parkinson. He graduated in 1953 from Lewistown High School.
Don married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Judith (Judy) Ann Gilkerson, on October 9, 1955 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lewistown, IL. To this union they were blessed with three children: Cynthia, Brian, and Derek.
Don began working at the local grocery store in Lewistown at the tender age of fourteen and he continued to work there through his senior year of high school. After Don married, he worked in the meat department at Kroger stores throughout central Illinois including in Canton, Galesburg, Monmouth, three times in Kewanee, and in Davenport, IA. After leaving Kroger, he worked in a meat warehouse and even sold insurance for a short time before he opened up his own small grocery store in Atkinson, IL called Don's Clover Farm. Unfortunately, the grocery store didn't work out and Don moved his family back to Lewistown in 1972 where he worked at a few different places before taking a job as the meat department manager for Oney's Grocery where he worked until retirement. For many years, Don also operated a small side business out of his garage in Lewistown called Don's Small Engine Repair where in his spare time he was happy to offer his expertise in repairing lawn mowers for the local community. Don was a conscientious and dedicated worker who took pride in providing many years of honest and friendly service to all of his customers.
Early in Don and Judy's marriage, you could find them at a few local dance halls cutting a rug on the dance floor showing off their square-dancing talents. Don enjoyed being the Boy Scout Leader when his boys were younger. Don and Judy were active members and parishioners at the First Presbyterian Church in Lewistown. Every single year Don and Judy would look forward to participating in church activities such as the Strawberry Festival and the local Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive.
In Don's retirement he was curious about his own ancestors and spent many hours investigating and compiling his genealogy tree. Don donated his time and skills by building a few doll houses to be raffled off as a fundraiser for the Presbyterian Church. Don was an avid lifetime reader and was very fortunate to live right next door to the town's library in his later years.
Don was a wonderful husband to his dear wife and was always there to provide his unwavering support, care, and devotion to her throughout her health battles. We are all at peace knowing that Don is now reunited with his loving wife, along with his family and friends who have departed before him. He will be forever cherished in our hearts and memories.
Don is survived by his children: Cynthia Decker, Greenbrier, AR, Brian (Julie) Parkinson, Wichita, KS, and Derek (Eileen) Parkinson, Burlington, WI, and his sisters: Hilda Driskell, Dorene (Vernon) McClausland, and Doris Hughes along with many nieces and nephews. Don was blessed with three grandchildren: Stephine Myers, Ryan (fiancé Cassie) Myers, and Genevieve "Evie" Parkinson, five great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Don was preceded in death by his wife Judith Ann Parkinson, Parents: Jessie and Mildred Parkinson, Brother: Charlie Parkinson, Half-brother and Half-sister-in-law: Bob and Margaret Parkinson, Son in-law: Tim Decker, Grandchild-in-law: Krystal (Jenkins) Myers, Brother-in-laws: George Hughes and Wendell Driskell, Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law: Larry and Linda McKinley, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law: James and Berniece Gilkerson, and his beloved dog, Smokey.
A joint graveside service to honor the lives of Don and Judy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown. Their ashes will be interred together in a final resting place that reflects their enduring bond. The service will be officiated by Pastor Penny Frame. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Lewistown. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend and share memories of Don and Judy. In lieu of flowers, please make any memorials to a charity of your choice. To make online condolences you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.