MIKE PARK

Charles Michael “Mike” Park, age 66, of Elburn, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, September 10, 2022. Gone without being able to say goodbye, Mike leaves a legacy of family, friendship and a million memories to cherish until we meet him again in Heaven.                                                                            

He was born April 20, 1956, in Kenton, OH, to loving parents, Robert and Wilma Park.                      

Mike grew up in Ada, OH, and attended local schools. After graduating from Ada High School with the class of 1974, he continued his education at Ohio Northern University. Mike actually met his wife after their first date. Karen Marshall elected not to attend a blind date set up by her mom and Mike’s boss, but fate would have none of it. After officially meeting Mike at a local softball game, Karen was persuaded to try a second “first date”, one in which would lead to a string of others before Mike hit a home run by marrying her on September 25, 1982, in Mattoon, IL. They began their new life together in Mattoon before making stops in Charleston, IL and Bolingbrook, IL. Eventually they would settle in Elburn in 1994.   

Mike started his working career as a digital telephone installer before working his way up to Project Manager with GTE. After 25 years in the telecommunication business, Mike “retired” only to find himself back in college and earning his teaching certificate which led to 15 years as a P.E. teacher at Alice Gustafson Elementary School in Batavia. No matter where he worked, or his position, Mike made a name for himself and was beloved by his colleagues, staff and students alike.   

Mike, a longsuffering Cleveland Browns fan, never gave up hope season after season as one of their biggest fans. Ohio State victories became a balm for his fanatic soul and helped him to believe in his much-repeated Cleveland Brown mantra, “Wait ‘Til Next Year.” He loved being outdoors and camping underneath the stars after road trips to the Arkansas Diamond Mine and all across Canada while his son played in the Western Major Baseball League. He was a proud league bowler always chasing the perfect game, as well as an accomplished league cornhole player, “drinkin’ and sinkin” with the best of them. According to Mike, he was often the funniest person in the room. If he didn’t get you laughing at first, which was also often, Mike would only try harder until he did, but it was Mike’s heart that won over everyone he met. Mike never met a stranger that didn’t become a friend and was generous, sometimes to a fault. His smile and laugh has been sewn into the fabric of countless lives who will never forget him.      

He is survived by his loving wife, Karen Park; one son, Austin (Rachel) Park; sister, Sandy Peyton; sisters-in-law: Kathy (Mike) Liay, Theresa (Max) Swango and Teresa (Dave) DiPiro;  brothers-in-law: Mike Marshall and Reg Sampson; several nieces including Lori (Donny) Clapsaddle, Lana (Brad) Richards, Lynn (Ryan) Longbrake, Amy (Mike) Lump, Kim (Jim) Cooper, Patty (John) Cupp and Whitney (Brian) Brown; two nephews:  Michael (Colleen) Liay and Geoffrey (Brandi) Liay, Craig Peyton, James (Mary) Peyton and Wes (Cristin) Orr; several great-nieces and nephews; 2 great-great nephews and a countryside full of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Wilma Park, big sister, LouAnn Sampson and a brother-in-law Chuck Peyton.                                                                                                            

Visitation will be from 12-5 p.m., at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, on Saturday, September 17, 2022. A Remembrance Service will begin at 5 p.m. when we celebrate his life and loves through music and memories. All are open and encouraged to share. Burial will follow Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 10 a.m., at Blackberry Twp. Cemetery, Elburn, IL.                                                

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Mike’s name to benefit the American Heart Association and Alice Gustafson Elementary School.  Checks may be made to the “Charles Michael Park Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can find his full life story.