Gene A. Park

Gene Allen Park, of McPherson, Kansas, died Saturday, September 6, 2014, at The Cedars in McPherson at the age of 85. Gene was born in Chillicothe, Missouri on Thursday, February 14, 1929, the first son of Leslie Allen and Hazel Faye (Moore) Park.

In 1946, Gene met Bonnie Mae Helsel at Central College in McPherson. On Wednesday, June 9, 1948, Gene and Bonnie were united in marriage at Eden Valley Free Methodist Church in Iuka, Kansas. Together they celebrated 66 years of marriage.

Gene was a family man and people-person who had a tender heart and loved to laugh and share stories. A lifelong railroader, he retired in 1991 after more than 43 years with Frisco, Santa Fe and Burlington Northern railroads. Upon retirement, Gene and Bonnie returned to McPherson and spent their time traveling to see family and taking bus tours with friends. Gene had several hobbies, including family genealogy, gardening, and making improvements to homes they owned.

Survivors include wife, Bonnie of McPherson, daughter Joyce Siniard and husband Tom of McPherson, Kansas, son Ronald Park and wife Kathy of Fort Worth, Texas, and son Michael Park and wife GeorgeAnn of Tempe, Arizona. Grandchildren include Tim Siniard and wife Misty, Sarah House and husband David, Jerad Park and wife Katie, Bryce Park, Aubrey Park, Courtland Park and wife Bethany, and Garron Park and great-grandson Tyler Siniard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Hazel and brother Ralph Park.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 AM, Thursday, September 11, 2014, at McPherson Free Methodist Church. Burial will follow at McPherson Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Neva Helsel Memorial Scholarship at Central Christian College of Kansas in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gene A. Park please visit our Sympathy Store.