John W Parkin

John (Jake) W. Parkin, 96, of Dubuque died Saturday, March 14, 2026. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 pm Thursday, March 26 at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road. Visitation will also be held on Friday, March 27 from 9:15 to 10:15 am at the Cathedral of St. Raphael, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 am. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Jake was born February 16, 1930, in Dubuque, son of Willard and Frances (Martelle) Parkin.

After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School in 1949, he went to work for the Dubuque Packing Company. While there, he met Mary Fink and they were married on April 30, 1955, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. They raised 10 children.

Despite a rough childhood, Jake worked hard and strived to be the best at whatever he pursued. He worked at the Pack for 33 years and prided himself as a skilled ham boner. He then worked at CyCare for 15 years before his retirement.

Jake demonstrated his love by being a stable provider for his family. He was especially proud of the family home that he and Mary built on West Fifth Street in 1965.

Jake loved the outdoors. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, bowling and a good cigar! He also loved watching his kid's and grandkid's sporting events. Jake absolutely relished a good bon fire and the "Chili Dipper", the annual family chili feed held at Miller Park each October.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Parkin of Dubuque; nine children, Lucy (Steven Nailor) Parkin of Arroyo Grande, CA, Jenny Parkin of Dubuque, Polly (Dan) Fleming of Dubuque, Penny (Dan) Sacco of Dubuque, Jess (Sholanda Williams) Parkin of West Hartford, CT, Ben (Cheryl Evans) Parkin of Brooklyn Park, MN, Guy (Beth) Parkin of Dubuque, Ned Parkin of Dubuque and Chad (Heather) Parkin of Dubuque; 17 grandchildren, Jamie (Ryan) and Brody; Noah and Micah; Jillian (Riley) and Christopher (Jacq); Jackie (Bobby), Lauren (Jaymes), Elizabeth (Matthew); Natalie (Jon) and Gabe (Amanda); McKenzie (Jake); Lucas (Morgan) and Trevor (Shelby); and Alec, Paige and Nora.

He is also survived by 14 great grandchildren, Riley, Evelyn, Mason, Max, Navey, Friedrich, Louis, Juliana, Prudence, Patrick, Rosalie, Teller, Lewis and Felix.

Others survived by Jake include family members Sharon Fink, Rita Parkin, Ken Werth, and Annice Parkin, all of Dubuque.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents; his son Sam Parkin; father and mother in-law Elmer and Agnes Fink; siblings Bob Parkin, Delores (Ralph) Van Nett, Phyllis Baumhover, and Carol Davis; in-laws Shirley (Duane) Deutmeyer, Jackie (Derry) Jacobs, Karl (Janaan) Fink, and Elmer Fink Jr.

Memorials will be given to the organizations that Jake supported.

The family would like to especially thank Dr. Gina Moran and her nurse Laurie who were always so kind to Jake and Mary; Kristin, Peggy, Nichole, and Becky from Hospice of Dubuque; and Michelle from A Place Called Home.