Wilbur Duane Park

Wilbur was born July 30, 1936 in Holt MO to Eldon Lawson Park and Luella Virleen (Moffit) Park.  He graduated from Lathrop High school in 1955 and attended business college in Kansas City MO.

He married Eleanor Rumbo November 27, 1958 and they shared nearly 65 years of marriage.  He was drafted into the Army in 1959 and they spent 18 months of their marriage in Germany.  They have three children.  Marvin (Gwen) Park, Jerry Park and Becky (Bill) Pierce.  They have several grandchildren, Nicole Kimiecik, Amy Mabee (Allen), Ron Blalock Jr (Liz), Ryan Blalock, Nathan Pierce, Katie Park and great grandchildren Sara Matranga, Vincent Matranga, Tori Kimiecik, Madison Warren, Bailey Jo Blalock, Sias Blalock, Evelyn Blalock.

Wilbur is preceded in death by parents, Eldon & Virleen Park, brother Wayne Park, father in law William Rumbo and mother in law Hasselteen Rumbo.  He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; children, Marvin Park, Jerry Park, and Rebecca Pierce; sister Cheryl (Roger) Sundsmo and several nieces and nephews.

Wilbur worked for First National Bank in Kansas City MO in 1958 and then was drafted in the Army in 1959.  He served for two years.  In that time, he achieved sharp shooter status and became part of the military police.  He was able to drive several military officers to different meetings and events during his service in Germany and helped with paperwork for court marshall proceedings. He also had to make the coffee every day, several times a day, and he was not a coffee drinker...apparently the officers liked the coffee because he was not reassigned anywhere else.

When he returned from his service in Germany, he worked for Allis Chalmers in Independence MO. He then went on to work for the US Postal Service for 28 years and retired.  He became the cook in the house for the next seven years until Eleanor retired.  He worked at Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch several seasons driving a tractor “Grandpa Wilbur” and taking everyone out to get their pumpkins and making sure everything was completed when they closed each night.  He was also the family mechanic, fixing problems no one could fix.

Wilbur was a member of Susquehanna Baptist Church where he served as trustee and fixed many things around the church. He kept the furnace and central air in working order and also mowed the church property.  He drove the Susquehanna Preschool bus for several years as well. He was a deacon and became Deacon Emeritus in 2021.  He was a member of Independence Christian Union for several years prior and he and Eleanor hosted several missionaries in their home.  His faith was strong and he was a servant of God.

Wilbur and Eleanor were involved in the Wachter 4-H club for several years, including being president of the club for a time.  They also hosted a foreign exchange student, Annia, from Domincan Republic, in the 1985-1986 school year.

Wilbur and Eleanor were members of the Trailriders Jayco Camping Club for 10 years and served as president of the club and trail master of the club during portions of their membership.  They also enjoyed years of traveling and camping with their children while they were growing up, making lots of memories to cherish. They camped and traveled many years after retiring, taveling to Hawaii, Alaska twice, Colorado and New York several times.

He is loved and will be missed by many.

Family will greet guests at Speaks Suburban Chapel (18020 E 39^th St. Independence, MO 64055) from 1-3pm on Saturday, July 8, 2023. His service will begin at 3:00 p.m. and will leave in procession for burial at New Salem Cemetery.