Stephen “Chad” Parker

Stephen “Chad” Parker, age 46 years, a resident of rural Brookport, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning, October 6, 2019, at 10 AM at his home.

Chad was born June 24, 1973 in Paducah, Kentucky.  He was the son of Stephen and Lynn (McCluskey) Parker of Metropolis.

Chad was united in marriage to Jamie Koehler August 10, 2002.  She survives.

In addition to his wife and parents, Chad is survived by: a son – Caleb Michael Parker (age 23) and his girlfriend Grace Cappock of Louisville, Kentucky; 2 daughters – Kylie Grace Parker (age 3) and Chloe Paige Parker (age 1) both at home; 2 brothers – Todd (Ashley) Parker of Metropolis and Darren (Tess) Parker of Herrin; his paternal grandmother – Verna Parker of Metropolis; mother-in-law – Linda Koehler of Vienna; aunts and uncles – Beverly (Mike) Hicks, Rosemary Parker, Bruce (Kathy) Parker, and Carolyn Mizell all of Metropolis & Karen (Gene) Luttrell of North Pole, Alaska; sisters-in-law – Wendi (Bill) Culkin of Vienna and Kim (Eric) Blackman of rural Massac County; nieces and nephews – Ashley, Kyle, Maddie, Max, Millie, Gage, Jacob, Jerret, Kayler, Lane, Mallory, Taryn, Briar, Tanner, Natalie, and Tori; as well as a group of young men who were friends of Caleb who thought of Chad as a second-father figure and role model – Kyle Reinwald, Dalton Mitchell, Dillon Stoner, and Eli Rose.

Chad was preceded in death by: his paternal grandfather – Carlton Parker; his maternal grandparents – Robert and Patricia (Steers) McCluskey; an uncle – Robert Alan McCluskey; and his father-in-law – Floyd Koehler.

Chad was a 1991 graduate of Massac County High School.

Since August 16, 2000, Chad has worked as a firefighter for the Metropolis Fire Department.  At the time of his passing, Chad had attained the rank of Captain.  Chad had attained his basic firefighter certification and EMT certification.  He was a member of MABAS Division 45 hazardous materials and technical rescue team.  Additionally, Chad was a State of Illinois certified fire investigator and was preparing to begin further training to attain certification as a State of Illinois arson investigator.

Chad was a member of the Metropolis First United Methodist Church.  He was an avid golfer, enjoyed archery, coaching, and playing cornhole.  Chad particularly enjoyed spending time and playing with his daughters.

A service honoring the life of Stephen Chad Parker will be held Friday morning, October 11, 2019, at 10 AM at Metropolis First Baptist Church, 307 Massac Creek Road, Metropolis, Illinois 62960. Pastor Jeff Bremer will officiate.

Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, 6201 Waldo Church Road, Metropolis, Illinois.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be members of the Metropolis Fire Department.
Visitation will be conducted Thursday, October 10, 2019, from 4 PM – 8 PM at Metropolis First Baptist Church. A bell ceremony and firefighter walk-thru will be held at 8 PM Thursday evening. There will also be a time of visitation Friday morning, October 11, 2019, from 9 AM – 10 AM at the church.

Memorials may be made to establish an educational fund for Chad’s daughters, Kylie and Chloe, and may be left in care of Bailey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 695, Vienna, Illinois 62995. Please make checks payable to Jamie Parker.

To share a memory of Chad or to leave an online message of condolence for his family, please visit www.baileyfh.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.