Richard Earl (Dick) Parker, age 73, of Marshall, IL passed away at 4:30 PM on October 6, 2015 at Casey Health Care Center in Casey, IL.

Mr. Parker was born on April 17, 1942 in Jacksonville, IL. the son of the late James and Margaret Parker. He married his high school sweetheart, Cheryle Cogswell, on June 12, 1965. Dick received both his BS and MS degrees from Eastern Illinois University where he played football.

After Graduation, he taught physical education and was head football and head basketball coach at Mahomet-Seymour High School in Mohomet, IL. From there he had a graduate assistantship at the University of Illinois where he coached the freshman backs. He then took a position as head football coach at North Central College in Naperville, IL. In 1972 Dick came to Marshall High School in Marshall, IL as a teacher and head football coach where he finished his coaching career.

In 1980, he left teaching and coaching to go into the insurance business as a partner in the Shore-Parker Insurance Agency in Marshall. In 2002 he was chairman of the Illinois Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, (IAMIC). Dick retired at the end of 2002.

He and his wife loved touring on their motorcycle. Dick was very proud of his certificate from the Iron Butt Association in 2007 for driving the Saddlesore 1000, which required riding 1000 miles in 24 hours! In 2010 he was presented with the prestigious Lautum Award from IAMIC, and in 2011 was inducted into the Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Mr. Parker is survived by his loving wife, Cheryle, his son Reid Parker of Decatur, GA, his daughter Paige Parker Salazar (Melesio) and granddaughters Isa, Lexi, and Eva Salazar of Plainfield, IL, and his Father-in-law Francis Riffey of Jacksonville, IL. Mr. Parker was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Marshall, IL. Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 AM Friday at Marshall Cemetery in Marshall, IL. Visitation will be 3:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday evening at the Pearce Funeral Home. For those desiring memorial contributions can be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation or to the Marshall Quarterback Club.