Parker Wolfsmith

PARKER WOLFSMITH, age 14, of Maple Park, passed away tragically on Saturday, May 31, 2014. Taken from his family and friends too soon, he now lives on the hearts and minds of his community. He will never be forgotten. Parker was born September 25, 1999 the son of Michael and Amy Wolfsmith. He grew up in McHenry, IL, and attended local schools where he was a stand-out wrestler at McHenry Middle School. In August of 2013, Parker began attending Kaneland Middle School when he moved to Maple Park to live with his father. He graduated from Kaneland Middle School and was excited to make four more years of memories when entered Kaneland High School in the fall. Parker was a self-taught fisherman who cast a line in any body of water he could find. Rumor has it that he once caught 35 in an hour (although there is no hard evidence whether it was the same fish over and over). Parker had dreams of attending a local technical school so he could pursue his passion of carpentry and working on cars. You could often hear him working, surrounded by the noises of saws and hammers, but the tune changed when worked on cars and tractors. Then the melody sang true with air ratchets and spray guns. Classic rock was the beat to which he lived his life. Artists like Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, and Elton John were played often, but Grand Funk Railroad was his favorite. Parker loved movies too. Sean of the Dead and The Great Outdoors were watched often, but when it came to cards and board games, Monopoly and Buy It captured his attention for hours on end. Parker was no stranger to the kitchen either. He would sit and watch his grandma cook to her hearts content, then take the best recipes home to make his own culinary master pieces. No matter how busy Parker was, there was always time for mischief however, much to the chagrin of his parents and teachers (though sometimes they had to hide a smile as well). His favorite time was spent surrounded by family, especially his dad. He is survived by his father Michael (Ellen Crosby) Wolfsmith, His mother, Amy Opfer, One sister, Summer Wolfsmith, Half-siblings, Michael Wolfsmith and Briana Culberson, Paternal grandparents, Stephen and Jean Walrack, Maternal grandmother, Mary Kennedy, Several aunts, uncles and many cousins. He is preceded by his a paternal grandfather Joseph F. Wolfsmith. A memorial visitation will be from 4-9 p.m., with a wake service to begin 7 p.m., Friday, June 6, 2014, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. Fr. Tim Seigel, pastor of St. Gall Catholic Church, Elburn, will officiate with private family burial will follow cremation at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Parker’s name. Checks may be made to the "Parker Wolfsmith Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.