Kate Biddle
Born January 21, 1901 - Died February 16, 1997
Kate Biddle, of Benton and formerly of McLeansboro, died at 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, February 16, 1997, at Franklin Skill Care in Benton.
Mrs. Biddle was born on January 21, 1901, in Hamilton County, a daughter of Amos and Artie (Brockett) Johnson. She married Howard Biddle in Benton on January 29, 1918. He preceded her in death in 1974.
The funeral was at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 1997 at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Rev. Bill Goodwin officiated. Burial was in Brady Cemetery in Akin.
Mrs. Biddle is survived by two daughters, Chrystal Hale and husband Roy Eugene of Benton, Lois Waller and husband Dwight of Macedonia; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one son, two infant twin daughters, one brother, two sisters, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
Charles Johnson
Born June 1, 1916 - Died February 17, 1997
Charles Johnson, 80, of Carrier Mills and formerly of McLeansboro, died on Monday, February 17, 1997 at the Veteran's Hospital in Marion.
Mr. Johnson was born on June 1, 1916, in McLeansboro, a son of Dr. Charles Wilson and Vada Davis Johnson. He was a retired U. S. Navy veteran and a veteran of World War II.
His naval career consisted of many episodes revealed in his frequent letters in the Times-Leader in the 1940's and 1950's. Among the highlights were President Roosevelt's sponsored Goodwill Tour around South America in 1939 on the USS Quincy, one of the first ships equipped with radar; experiences on PT boats 103 and 105, such as seeing Lt. John F. Kennedy's PT 109 sunk by enemy action and laying down a smoke screen and pulling PT 108 to safety; serving one night as a fill-in engineer on PT 113 when it was strafed and burned, causing him to spend three months in a New Caledonia hospital; and Operation High Jump in the winter of 1946-47, with Admiral Byrd on a trip to Antarctic and the South Pole.
Graveside services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 1997, at the Veteran's Cemetery in McLeansboro. Rev. John Lee Jr. officiated. Arrangements were made by Gholson's Funeral Home. Military rites were given by American Legion Post #106.
He is survived by two brothers, Solly Wilson Johnson of Lawton, Oklahoma and John Wilford Johnson of McLeansboro; three sisters, Christine Felty of Champaign, Vada Fay Carson of Memphis, Tennessee, and Helen Sue Johnson of Grayville; several cousins, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and many other relatives in Hamilton County and Southern Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Alice Johnson; and two brothers, Val B. Johnson and Herbert H. Johnson.
Lavern "Pete" Halley
Born November 19, 1942 - Died February 21, 1997
Lavern "Pete" Halley, 54, of McLeansboro, died at 2:41 a.m. on Friday, February 21, 1997 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro.
He was born on November 19, 1942, in Hamilton County, the son of Carl Franklin and Hilde Maxene (Severs) Halley. He was a retired school teacher for Hamilton County Unit #10, having taught in the district for 25 years. He was a member of the Hamilton County Coyote Club, McLeansboro Elks #1882, Eagles Lodge #2699, American Legion Post #106 and St. John the Baptist Church in Piopolis. Mr. Halley served in the U. S. Navy during Vietnam.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 1997, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Rev. Robert Sefried and Fr. Joseph Lawler officiated. A memorial mass was held in St. John's at 6:00 p.m. Monday, February 24, 1997. Burial was in Crouch Cemetery near Belle Prairie.
He is survived by his mother, Maxene Halley of Belle; two sons, Erin Halley and wife Michelle of McLeansboro and Kris Halley of McLeansboro; and two sisters, Judy Loehr and husband Ralph of Elgin and Shelley Allen and husband Russell of Belle Prairie.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorials may be made to the Pete Halley Memorial Fund at the funeral home.
Isabel Davis
Born July 2, 1921 - Died February 22, 1997
Isabel Davis, 75, of Broughton, Illinois, died at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 1997, at Welborn Baptist Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.
She was born on July 2, 1921, a daughter of Harve and Victoria Wava (Smith) Pennington. On June 23, 1957, she married James H. Davis, who survives. She was a retired school teacher, having taught in the Saline and Hamilton County school systems for 38 years. She was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association and the First Baptist Church of Broughton, where she taught Sunday school and served as pianist.
The funeral, under direction of Gholson Funeral Home, was at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 1997, at the First Baptist Church of Broughton. Revs. David Angelly and Eugene Rister officiated. Burial was in Hickory Hill Cemetery near Broughton.
Besides her husband, she is survived by one son, James H. Davis Jr., and wife Mary Kaye of Broughton; two nephews, Jerry Ray Pennington of Alton and Kenneth Edward Henson of Norris City; a brother, Gerald Pennington and wife Maggie of Carrollton, Illinois; a sister, Mary Henson and husband Kenneth of Norris City; a brother-in-law, Wilmer Millspaugh of Norris City; and one grandchild Samantha Jo Davis of Broughton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one infant nephew, one infant brother and a sister, Doris Millspaugh.
Barney I. White
Born November 24, 1914 - Died February 24, 1997
Barney I. White, 82, of Sims, died at 11:38 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 1997 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
He was born on November 24, 1914, in Wayne County, a son of W. Ansel and Ada (Miller) White. On July 8, 1944, he married Edna Sons, who survives. He was a Army veteran of World War II.
The funeral was at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 1997, at Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City. Rev. Luther Winland officiated. Burial was in Hopewell Cemetery near Wayne City with graveside military rites.
Besides his wife, Mr. White is survived by three daughters. Phyllis Kennedy of Sims, Sandra Thomason of Sims and Flora Whitlow of Chaffee, Missouri; a sister, Pearl Richardson of Princeton, Indiana; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister.
Carson Masterson
Born August 26, 1912 - Died February 25, 1997
Carson Masterson, 84, of Fairfield and formerly of McLeansboro died at 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 1997 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.
He was born on August 26, 1912, near Burnt Prairie, a son of Fred and Janie (Kenneth) Masterson. He first married Lottie Becker in 1933, and she died in 1984. On February 9, 1986, he married Gladys (Merritt) Vaughan. Mr. Masterson was retired from International Steel in Evansville after 33 years and was a deacon at Christian Chapel Church near Bungay.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 1997, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Rev. Lawrence Ward officiated. Burial was in Old Springer Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Gladys Masterson of Fairfield; a son, Curtis Masterson and wife Betty of Fairfield; a stepson, Dennis Vaughan of Decatur; three grandchildren, Marty Masterson, Rodney Masterson and Brad Redmon; two great-grandchildren, Ryan and Zachery Masterson; and a half-brother, Raymond Taylor of Enfield.
Besides his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, brother Warren Masterson, three half-brothers and one half-sister.
Floyd "Bill" Buchanan
Born November 5, 1925 - Died February 25, 1997
Floyd "Bill" Buchanan, 71, of Sims, died at 10:14 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 1997, at his home.
He was born on November 5, 1925, in Hamilton County, a son of Guy and Doris Elizabeth (Evans) Buchanan. He was retired from the U. S. Navy and a Navy veteran of World War II.
The funeral was at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 1997, at Richardson Funeral Home in Wayne City. Rev. Dean West officiated. Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery near Keenes with graveside military rites.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Evans Buchanan of Sims; five sons, David Buchanan of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Eddie Buchanan of Milwaukee, Paul Buchanan of Sims and Kevin Buchanan of Sims; a stepson, Roy Evans of Keenes; six daughters, Lois of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Lillie of Texas, Lauren of Sims and Gina of Sims; several brothers and sisters; and several grandchildren.
Leon L. Howell
Born November 16, 1940 - Died February 26, 1997
Leon L. Howell, 56, of the Aden area, died at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 1997, at his home.
He was born on November 16, 1940, in Paducah, Kentucky, a son of Dexter and Mary (Little) Howell. He was a truck driver for Hudson Foods in Ohio. On May 23, 1992, he married Cathy White in Hamilton County. He attended Springerton Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints.
The funeral was at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 1997, at York Funeral Home in Wayne City. Rev. Larry Woodrow officiated. Burial was in Garrison Cemetery near Aden.
He is survived by his wife Cathy; a son, Patrick Brian Howell of Paducah; two sisters, Patricia Bradley of Paducah and Margaret Sawyer of Louisville, Kentucky; a brother, Dexter "Buddy" Howell of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Diers Hindahl
Born July 2, 1902 - Died February 27, 1997
Diers W. Hindahl, 94, of McLeansboro died at 11:10 a.m. on Thursday, February 27, 1997 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital.
He was born on July 2, 1902, in Mason County, a son of Henry and Sophie (Diers) Hindahl. He worked for the Kresge Co. for 25 years, and purchased and operated the Ben Franklin Store in McLeansboro from January 1, 1955, until retirement in February 1995. He was a retired member of the McLeansboro Kiwanis Club and the Hamilton County Development Association and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. On July 25, 1926, he married Daisy Willock, who survives.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 1997, at Gholson Funeral Home. Rev. Paul Klopke officiated. A graveside service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 1997; interment was in Mason City Cemetery, Mason City, Illinois. Rev. Ray Bell officiated.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his son, Bill Hindahl and wife Darlyne of McLeansboro; two grandchildren, Cathy Webb and husband Melvin of Dahlgren and Pat Connaway and husband Larry of McLeansboro; and four great-grandchildren, David and Dana Webb and Emily and Natalie Connaway.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Edward.
Nellie Marie Farris
Born January 10, 1910 - Died March 2, 1997
Nellie Marie Farris, 87, of Staunton and formerly of McLeansboro, died at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 2, 1997, at Heritage Manor in Staunton.
She was born on January 10, 1910, in Hamilton County, a daughter of Albert and Martha Belle (Mayberry) Griffith. She was retired from Olin Co., where she worked for 33 years. On January 1, 1926, she married Henry M. Farris in Carmi. She was a member of the McLeansboro Assembly of God Church.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 1997, at Gholson Funeral Home. Rev. Alta Culpepper officiated. Burial was in IOOF Cemetery in McLeansboro.
She is survived by her husband Henry; one son, Dwight Farris and wife Mary Ruth of Bunker Hill, Illinois; one daughter, Darlene Sewell and husband Cleo of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, three sisters and one great-grandchild.
