Parker Allan Maxwell

Parker Allan Maxwell, 73, of Flat Rock, IL, passed away on August 4, 2025, in the comfort of his home. He lived wild and free, a man of lesser comforts but great capacity. Parker didn’t chase stuff. He didn’t care much for fancy things. What mattered to him was people. Moments. Music. Love. And a Harley on the open road.

Born on September 18, 1951, in Lawrenceville, IL, he was the oldest of four children born to Miles Wilfred & Lavene (Parker) Maxwell. As a kid, he woke up early to roll newspapers and parked cars at the Country Club when the PGA tour came to town. He grew up working with his dad in the garage, learning to fix what was broken and figure out what wasn’t working. Those early days shaped him into the jack-of-all-trades we all came to know. He was the guy who could rig just about anything back to life. If it could be fixed, Parker would find a way.

He graduated as the class president of Robinson's High School Class of '69, the tightest class Robinson ever saw. Parker wasn’t flashy about it, but he made sure that group stayed close. Reunions always had high attendance. And even when there wasn’t a reunion, there were gatherings. That was what mattered to him: being together. He kept people together in other ways, too. For a while, he ran The Silver Hammer, the first and only head shop in Flat Rock. Technically, it was an “antique store.” But let’s be honest…the antiques were just the cover!

His heart found its match in Cathy Joann Work. They were married on January 28, 1978, in the middle of the Blizzard of ’78, which seemed fitting for a couple who could weather anything. They did everything together, from dancing in the front yard to dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus, to working side by side in labor and delivery in Indianapolis for over 20 years. They were a team, both in love and in life, and the kind of love they shared was exceptionally rare. Since her passing in 2020, Parker’s heart had slowly been breaking. But he kept going for his family. For his girls. For his grandkids.

He was the kind of dad who gave you the shirt off his back, the kind of grandpa who always showed up, the kind of friend who didn’t know a stranger. Anyone who knew him could attest to the fact that Parker lived for the day. He was present. Steady. Patient. And strong. When asked who shaped him into that kind of man, he gave all the credit to his parents. Their presence formed his character, and he passed that same gift of presence on to everyone he loved.

When the girls were little, Parker and Cathy made it a point to get away as a family, especially to the Wagonwheel Resort at Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas. They’d spend days out on the water, boating and skiing, and nights playing cards or just sitting together, sun-kissed and happy. It wasn’t about the destination as much as it was about the time. He knew those memories would last longer than anything money could buy, and he made sure there were plenty of them.

Even as the years went on, Parker kept leaning into the things that made him feel most alive. He loved live music and never missed a chance to dance. He and Cathy were always moving, whether it was in the kitchen, at a concert, or barefoot in the grass. And if no music was playing, that didn’t stop him. Parker danced because, to him, life was worth dancing through. He also found freedom on two wheels. A longtime member of Crawford County ABATE, he loved hitting the open road on his Harley and showing up for biker events like Hog Rock. There was something sacred about that feeling: the hum of the engine, the wind in his hair, the serenity of the ride.

If Parker taught us anything, it was this: Life doesn’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful. You just have to be present. Show up. Laugh when you can. Dance when you feel it. Love like it’s the only thing that lasts. And keep riding forward.

He is survived by his daughters & sons-in-law, Sarah Elizabeth & Chad Rice and Ashley Joann & David Milam; his grandchildren, Parker Jean Milam, Avery Joann Milam, Cayson Eugene Rice, and Olivia Elizabeth Rice; his father, Miles Wilfred Maxwell; his brothers & sister-in-law, Ron & Brenda Maxwell and Gary Maxwell; his brother-in-law, Kevin Culp; and by several nieces and nephews who knew how special he was. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cathy Maxwell, his mother, Lavene Maxwell, and his sister, Janet Maxwell-Culp.

A time of visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Flat Rock. If you have a motorcycle or any other vehicle, we want you to feel the wind in your hair. The family invites you to ride to the visitation to honor Parker and let him hear those motors purr. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date, and Parker will be laid to rest on the land he loved, "his little slice of heaven": his property.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Flat Rock American Legion or the Ronald McDonald House. You may also honor Parker’s legacy by planting a tree in his memory.