Mary Sue Pulley-Parker

Mary Sue “Susie” Parker, 85, of Marion, Illinois passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025 with her family at her side. Born on June 18, 1940 in Creal Springs, IL to Robert William Parks and Helen Campbell Colbroth.

Sue was married to Marvin Pulley from 1956 to 1971. She was married to Bill Parker from 1990 until his death in 2015. She is survived by her four sons (Rick Pulley, Randy Pulley, Jeff Pulley, and Kerry Pulley), two children by marriage (Becky Ozee, and Brad Parker), eleven grandchildren (Caleb, Rachel, Dustin, Kaci, Elijah, Savanna, Elizabeth, Randi, Dallas, Kyla, Justin, Mandy, Jenny, Lizzy, Billy, Kyle), many great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews, whom she loved and cherished.

She had seven sisters (Judy Choate, Shirley Boyd, Shirley Dillon, Darlene Heidlebaugh, Cathy Lingle, Nancy Penninger, and Vickie Rector), and three brothers (William Parks, Robert Parks, and Richard Colbroth).

Sue worked at GTE Telecom as a switchboard supervisor in Marion, IL for over 30 years. After her retirement, she used her passion for cooking to work as a lead cook at the Marion Veterans Administration hospital in Marion, IL, and at Carrier Mills Nursing Home. She loved the quiet, seclusive living in her cabin near Stonefort, IL, which backed up to Shawnee National Forest, admiring God’s creation while swinging on the front porch.

The family is overly grateful to April Stilley, a beloved friend and caretaker in Sue’s final years. In addition, we have much appreciation for the support provided by the Integrity Healthcare of Marion, and by the Hospice of Southern Illinois teams during Sue’s last months at the center.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Blue Funeral Home, under the direction of Binkley Ross. The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 12:00PM, and for the funeral service on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 2:00PM at Blue Funeral Home in Marion, Illinois with Rev. Josh Colson officiating. Burial will follow at County Line Cemetery in Creal Springs, IL. 

Memorial donations can be made in Sue’s name to Hospice of Southern Illinois at https://hospice.org/donate, or will be accepted at Blue Funeral Home/PO Box 39/Marion, IL 62959. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register please visit binkleyross.com.