Submitted by: Dan Rich

Parks A. Byrum

April 12, 1920 - March 18, 2003

South Bend Tribune 3/20/2003

Parks A. Byrum, 82, of Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Ind., passed away of natural causes in St. Paul's Retirement Center. Mr. Byrum was born April 12, 1920, in Chicago, Ill., to Harry and Deborah (Neill) Byrum.

On Aug. 6, 1943, Parks married the former Ms. Vera Bowron. She preceded him in death, passing away Nov. 1, 1990. Mr. Byrum was also preceded in death by his brother, Harry Byrum, and by a sister, Dorothy Hayes. On June 16, 1991, Mr. Byrum married Barbara Shields. She survives. He is also survived by his son, Neill Byrum, and his wife, Linda of Elkhart, Ind.; his daughter, Barbara Gracin of Gary, Ind.; and by five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Mr. Byrum served his country in the Marine Corps during World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1945. Parks was employed by Gary Public Schools for 30 years as a custodian before his retirement.

There will be a memorial service for Mr. Byrum at noon on Saturday, March 29, in Evangelical Covenant Church of South Bend, 3025 E. Edison Road, South Bend. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Services of Northern Indiana, to Hospice of St. Joseph County, or to the Camp Fund of Evangelical Covenant Church of South Bend. The Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Osceola, Ind., is handling arrangements.