Date of Birth:
Saturday, June 11, 1921
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Age:
89 years old

Lloyd Milton Parkin, Sr.

The funeral service for Lloyd Milton Parkin Sr. will be at 11:00AM Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Homestead United Methodist Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Becky Jo Thilges officiating.  Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.  The American Legion Post 92 will be providing military rites.  Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00PM on Friday, March 4, 2011 at River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Mr. Parkin, 89, died Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at Maple Manor Nursing Home in Rochester.

Lloyd married Beulah Martha Bilderback of Rochester on September 26, 1947 at the E.U.B. Church on East Center Street in Rochester.  The Rev. Vernon Hilton presided at the ceremony.  Beulah was employed at Rochester Methodist Hospital.

Lloyd was born June 11, 1921 in rural Pine Island, Goodhue County, Minnesota to George and Alzada Parkin.  He attended school in Pumpkin Hollow, Dodge County, Pine Island, Minnesota.  Lloyd was brought up on the family farm and later worked for Ovan Box factory prior to going into the Army.  He served in the Army Air Force 89^th transport squadron fromJune 1942 until October 1945.  He saw duty in England and Ireland and was discharged with the rank of Sargeant.  Lloyd went overseas on the Queen Mary and returned on the Queen Elizabeth.  After release from service, he worked on construction for Frazer and Leon Joyce.  Lloyd drove city bus from January 1948 until April 1966.  In April 1966 he went to work for the City of Rochester Department of Park and Recreation, and then transferred to Eastwood Golf Course retiring on April 1, 1985.  After he retired from the City, he drove school bus for Strain Bus Company.  He drove the Olmsted County veterans van to the VA hospitals in Minneapolis, St. Cloud and Hastings.  He also drove for Channel One and Senior Citizens and church.  He entertained people at nursing homes with his music tapes.  He belonged to the American Legion Post 92 and 40-8.  He drove the box car, served on color guard, funeral escort and many other activities  at the Legion until his health failed.  He was a clown for the Eagles Club.  He was a member of the Homestead United Methodist Church and also a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers 49D.

Lloyd received many awards: courtesy award while driving Rochester City Bus; Certificate of Recognition from Olmsted County on  April 4, 1989; Voluntary Service Award from Veterans Administration on April 11, 1988 in Minneapolis; volunteer for DAV Transportation Network on October 31, 1989; Veterans Transportation  Program on November 11, 1989; outstanding service for Justice and Social System Volunteer Program on April 10, 1990; Voluntary Service Award, US Department of Veteran Affairs in recognition of 2164 hours served on  April 24, 1991; volunteer certificate from Channel One; safe driving awards while working for Park and Recreation Department; 35 years service in for Operating Union (49); and currently Commander of the  American Legion World War II, Last Man’s Club.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah; three sons, Lloyd  (Valerie) Parkin Jr. , L. Michael (Linda)  Parkin both of Rochester, and Randy Lee (Donna) Parkin of Merrifield, Minn; 6 grandchildren; 2 step-grandsons; 8 great-grandchildren; and 4 step-great-grandchildren.

He enjoyed doing things for other people, family and grandchildren.  He also enjoyed camping, traveling, photography, music, especially country western, and loved to visit people.  He liked to cook, and spent part of the winters in Arizona and Florida.

Memorials are preferred to Homestead United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post 92.  Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.