Katherine V. Parkins, 97, died 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6, 2016, at Richland Manor, Bluffton. She was born Sept. 3, 1918 in Elk, Wash., to August and Glenna Payne Steegman. On Aug. 4, 1937, she married William H. Parkins who preceded her in death on Dec. 30, 1981.
Katherine graduated from Liberty Benton High School in 1936. In 1939, she and her husband moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where she took a job at a sewing factory, sewing gowns and costumes for the Hollywood stars while her husband worked at Douglas Aircraft.
She was a member of the former Beaverdam United Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star # 550, Rawson, where she held several offices in the chapter including President of District #26. She was a member of the Eagles Club #370 in Lima.
Katherine retired in 1983 from Triplett Corp. in Bluffton after 20 years in the purchasing and sales department. She worked in the Beaverdam post office from 1957 to 1964 with two years as Postmistress.
Survivors include five sons: Douglas of Adelphi, Edward (Lynette) of Mt Cory, Philip of Lima, Jon of Lima, William Jr., of Beaverdam, three daughters, Carole (Tom) Stechschulte of Columbus Grove, Rebecca Franck of Shreve, Sharon (Gary) Marshall of Beaverdam, 17 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, a brother, Alfred (Shirley) Steegman of Pinellas Park, Fla., a sister, Jeanette Locke of Yreka, Calif., and a very special friend of the family, Chris VanSchoyck.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Wilma Jean, a granddaughter, Janine Bassitt, and sisters, Edna Mae Abbott, Janice Ault and Helen Wilson.
A memorial service will begin at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Bluffton. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until the time of service.
Burial will be in Benton Ridge Cemetery at a later date. Katherine requested no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beaverdam-Richland Fire and Rescue. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com
