June Lillian (Gyer) Parks, 92, of Sterling died June 27, 2026 with family by her side. June was born May 30th, 1934, in London, England the daughter of Samual William Antony Gyer and Catherine (Martin) Gyer.

June survived the “Bombing of London” during WWII from 5-10 years of age. The Blitz, Buzz bombs as Mum called it only hit their home once, and second Buzz Bomb. V-2 left a 50 ft. crater. She had some interesting stories of growing up during the war.

June was an accomplished student in school and then went on to work hard at whatever job or position she was doing. June was a seamstress in London and accomplished professionally making clothes before coming to the States.

She was the only daughter of four girls that would go abroad. She crossed the Atlantic in 1954 on the original “Queen Mary”. Her cabinmate in third class became a lifelong friend. They had stories of themselves being kicked out of First-class sections of the ship, and more than once they said. She came through as an immigrant to make her way in the New World, June went through “Ellis Island” and saw the Glory of the “Statue of Liberty” sailing into New York Harbor."

June arrived in Illinois to start work at GE Electrics in Morrison. She met Marita Parks, and a dinner invite later she met the Love of her Life Lee Parks. They married on May 17th, 1957. And moved into their home on Oak Grove, Christmas Eve 1957.

June has worked various jobs throughout her life. Serving the Red Cross in the 1960’s until the birth of her son. She said she raised a happy family and that one of their greatest memories is being together on the boat skiing on the river. Or on one of the yearly vacations to Lake of the Ozarks. She was a Homemaker to her husband and son, until the passing of Harold Lee Parks in 1986. When Lee passed, she worked for Lyne Blvd. Video Rental. Shunneman Family Financial, and Fashion Bug.

She was very outspoken when it came down to people being treated politely and respectfully. June would speak up when she saw unfair practices, even defending a stranger when they are being treated wrongly. Always had a warm welcome when she saw friends or just all people in general. She even said “Hello “to people she didn’t like either. It will “Kill them with kindness” she always said, make them smolder and fume. But if they came back rude or disrespectful in any way, well the return repercussions were on them. June always told her son Antony “I will always love you because you are my son/family. But that doesn’t mean I have to like you”. She stood firm on her beliefs of Honor, Truth, Respect.

The last ten years or more of her life the effects of two back operations, multiple surgeries for replacing both knees twice, a hip with a rod in femur. And a complete reverse shoulder replacement. She is now at rest with her husband after 39 long years of being loyal to Lee since his death in 1986. She is now at peace with her Lord and Savior.

Survivors include one son Antony Parks, of Sterling; and one grandson Austin Anthony Parks.

June was preceded in death by her husband Harold Lee Parks Sep 13th, 1986; Sister-Kitty Gyer, at age of 21 in 1955; Father-Samual W. A. Gyer and Mother-Catherine (Martin) Gyer; Sister-Ivy (Gyer) Loyd; Sister-Irene (Gyer) Boffa.

Cremation rites have been accorded and a Celebration Of Life and dinner for anyone that knew her will be 5PM Saturday July 11, 2026 at the Sterling American Legion Post 296 601 1st Avenue, Sterling IL 61081.

Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com