John Lawrence Parks, age 69, of St. Helen, MI, passed away on July 1, 2021 in Auburn, MI. He was born on November 11, 1951 in Jackson, MI, the son of John Edward and Genevieve (Guinan) Parks. He married Donna Jean Karnes in July of 1986, and she preceded him in death after 33 years of marriage.

He served our country in the US Navy, and his favorite pastimes were trapping, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his horses. He loved his Native American heritage. John was his own person, and he visited and experienced every state in the continental US via hitchhiking.

Survivors include his siblings, Jane Schertzing, Dan Parks, Eric Parks, Alicia Parks, and Annie Hoard; his half brother, Bobbi Lazurus; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his wife, Donna, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lela Parks, and brothers-in-law, Richard Hoard and Christopher Schertzing.

A Funeral Service is scheduled for Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 1:00 p.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, with Craig Goodlock officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Munith Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of John to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.