OBIT: George O. PARKE, 1994, of interest in Somerset County, PA
  
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Meyersdale Library 
  Transcribed and proofread by John C. Oester.
  
  Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
  _______________________________________________
  
  PARKE
  
  George O. Parke, 73, founder of Hidden Valley Resort Community &
  Conference Center, passed away at his home Tuesday, after an extended
  illness.  Born June 26, 1921, in Edgewood, Pa., in 1949 he brought his
  family to the Laurel Highlands where they purchased a 19th century
  stone-cased farmhouse that later became the Hidden Valley Resort
  Community it is today.  The first ski run and poma-lift were installed
  in 1958.  In 1983 Hidden Valley was purchased by Kettler Brothers, Inc.
  Since 1991 he has been a Resort Specialist Realtor with Rita Halverson
  Caldwell Banker in Somerset.  Prior to founding Hidden Valley, with his
  wife Helen Craighead Parke and her parents Gordon and Gladys
  Craighead, he had been an engineer for the Union Railroad.  During
  WWII, he served on the European front as a member of the 507th
  Parachute Infantry.  George was a long-standing member of St. Paul's
  Presbyterian Church of Somerset, Pa., and during his 45 years as a
  resident of Hidden Valley and the community of Somerset, he has been
  an active contributing member of many civic and charity
  organizations, and past president of the Somerset County Chamber of
  Commerce.  He served on numerous boards and committees which include
  Rotary, Rails to Trails, ALL of US, Inc., The Salvation Army, Laurel
  Arts, The Somerset Area Historical Society, and numerous travel &
  tourism committees.  The Somerset County Chamber of Commerce honored
  George with the 1983 Grant B. Miller Award for professional
  accomplishments beneficial to Somerset County and its residents.  In
  1992 the Somerset Rotary Club honored him with a special award for
  "Outstanding and Dedicated Service Above Self."  Long known for his
  hospitality and love of people, he also loved to cook and most
  enjoyed entertaining friends and family at his Hidden Valley home.  He
  is survived by his wife of three years, Elaine Stevens Parke; two
  sons, Henry Black (Hank) Parke, Executive Director of the Chamber of
  Commerce in Somerset, Pa., and George O. Parke Jr., of Vanderbilt,
  Pa.; one daughter, Pamela Parke Nettelbeck, of O'Hara Township; nine
  grandchildren, Betsy, Suzy and Peter Nettelbeck, Josh and Zak Parke,
  and Jessica, David, Daniel and Gabriel Parke; one brother, William
  Parke of Swannanoa, North Carolina, and two stepsons, Steven and
  Michael Erikson.  He was preceded in death by his wife of forty seven
  years, Helen Craighead Parke, two brothers, Robert, and Jack and one
  sister, Hester Parke Henderson.  Two consecutive Funeral & Memorial
  Celebration Services will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 9 a.m.
  and 11 a.m. followed by a noon Reception Gathering of friends and
  family; all held at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 132 East Union
  Street, in Somerset, Pa.  Following the reception, a private burial
  will be held in Bakersvillc Cemetery.  Friends living in or near the
  Somerset area are being kindly asked to attend the earlier service so
  that friends traveling from out of town can more conveniently attend
  the later service.  According to his personal wishes, The George O.
  Parke Memorial Fund to Foster Kindness & Goodwill will be
  established.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to this fund may be
  sent to the GOP Memorial Fund, Box 305, Somerset, Pa. 15501. An
  alternative choice is In Touch Hospice, c/o Somerset, Hospital,
  Somerset, Pa. 15501.
  
  Daily American, November 23, 1994
  
  [P0064-P0065]