Earl E. Parkhill – Benton, IL

Earl E. Parkhill, “Gene”, age 93, of Benton, IL, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 15, 2019.

Gene was born on February 13, 1926 in Benton, Illinois, the son of Earl and Grace Smith Parkhill. He grew up in Southern Illinois before joining the Navy in 1944. Gene served in the Philippines at Subic Bay Naval Base during World War II. After the war, he married Geneva Barnfield and moved to Carbondale, Illinois to attend school. At SIU, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and a Master of Arts in Journalism. Children Janet Lynn and Dennis Eugene were born in Carbondale.

Gene accepted Jesus as his Savior at a young age. He was a devoted member of several Baptist churches across the country including University Baptist in Carbondale and, most recently, Immanuel Baptist in Benton.

Gene is proceeded in death by his parents, Earl and Grace Parkhill; Geneva Barnfield Parkhill; Bonnie Johnson Parkhill and son, Dennis Eugene Parkhill.

He is survived by is daughter, Janet Parkhill Miller; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Parkhill; stepson Kevin Johnson; grandchildren Alex and Zac Parkhill; David and Jon Miller and Max Johnson. Great grandchildren Aurora Parkhill; Danielle, Cate, Becka and Hayden Miller, Alissa and Callie Moses; brother, Harry D. Parkhill and sister, Ruth Parkhill Penrod.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 18, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Immanuel Baptist Church, 516 N. Main St., Benton, IL.

Funeral services will follow visitation at 2:00 p.m., at Immanuel Baptist Church with Rev. Eddie Paul Davis, Officiating. Burial will be held at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL., with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the United States Navy Honors.

Condolences may be given online at www.patefh.com