Melvin "Mel" Parks

Mr. Melvin “Mel” L. Parks, 73, of New Paris, formerly of Randolph County, passed away after a battle with lung cancer on Saturday morning, June 7, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Mel was born on October 24, 1951, in Winchester, Indiana to Frank M. Parks and Gertude Irene Walsh Parks, both of whom preceded him in death.

Mel was a 1970 graduate of Randolph Southern High School. He was a machine operator at Belden for over 40 years until his retirement. Mel enjoyed riding horses, gardening, repairing clocks and traveling. He also wrote poetry and was a lifelong music lover who at age 18 was one broken-down car away from making it to Woodstock in 1969.

Mel will be missed by his daughter & son-in-law, Renee & Joe Buttler; grandchildren, Jessica Shotts & husband, Daylin; Joey Buttler and Michael Buttler; sisters, Patricia Thurston-Enney, Carolyn Williams and his twin sister, Norma Dodd; and several nieces & nephews.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Charles Parks, Doug Statzer and Bob Statzer.

Mel’s wishes were for his family to have a private gathering.

Memorial contributions are encouraged for Cancer Services for Randolph County, 133 North Meridian Street, Winchester, IN 47394.