Parkhurst, Gretchen

Gretchen (Goodall) Parkhurst, age 73, of Springfield, Illinois, passed from our world on Thursday, February 9, 2012.

Gretchen was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 19, 1938, daughter of the late Arthur R. and Florence E. Wendland Goodall. Mrs. Parkhurst attended school in Decatur, Illinois, was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, and later attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois. In 1964 she married Richard Parkhurst of Athens, Illinois.

Mrs. Parkhurst retired from the Illinois Department of Revenue after 37 years of service. She was a former member of Decatur Jobs Daughters and the Order of the Eastern Star. She served two terms as the first woman elected to the Athens Board of Education and was a den mother for the Athens Cub Scouts. She was also a former member of the Illinois Women in Government and the National Association of Female Executives.

Surviving are her husband, Richard, two daughters, Kim (husband Bobby) Burton of Auburn, Illinois, and Michele (husband Paul) Maaks of San Jose, Illinois; three sons, Kevin (Chelsea) of Windsor, California, Todd and Stephen both of Springfield; brother, Robert (Patty) A. Goodall of Milan, Illinois; seven grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation rites will be accorded.

A memorial gathering of friends and family will be held at Mott & Henning Funeral Home on Friday, February 17, 2012 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM.

Private burial of cremains will take place at a later date.