Vera Belle Irvin
Born February 22, 1920 - Died May 5, 1997
Vera Belle Irvin, 77, of Broughton, died at 5:20 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 1997, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital. She was a housewife.
She was born on February 22, 1920, in Hamilton County, a daughter of Cheerful E. and Iva S. (Webb) Wheeler. On May 19, 1942, she married George Obe Irvin, who survives. She was a member of the Pentecost Church in Dale.
The funeral was at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 1997, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Revs. George Cox and Chris Clendenin officiated. Burial was in Hickory Hill Cemetery near Broughton.
Mrs. Irvin is survived by one brother, Dallas Wheeler of Romeoville, Illinois; one sister, Emma Dee Irvin of McLeansboro; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Cheryl Francine and infant brother Alphus Wheeler.
Hazel Sanders
Born September 3, 1906 - Died May 6, 1997
Hazel Sanders, 90, of McLeansboro, died at 12:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, 1997 at Hamilton Memorial Nursing Center. She was a housewife.
She was born on September 3, 1906, in White County, a daughter of Charles D. and Susan M. (Thackery) McKean. She was married to James F. "Fred" Sanders, who is now deceased. She was a member of Pleasant Union Congregational Christian Church.
The funeral was at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 1997, at Pleasant Union Congregational Christian Church. The Rev. Ruby McDowell officiated. Burial was in Old Springer Cemetery.
Mrs. Sanders is survived by one son, James F. Sanders Jr. and wife Ila of McLeansboro; one sister, Mary Griswold of Fairfield; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several step-great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and two daughters, Freda Rubenacker and Ruby Boyer.
William Clarence Erwin
Born September 3, 1912 - Died May 8, 1997
William Clarence Erwin, 84, of McLeansboro, died at 12:40 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, 1997, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. He was a welder in his early years working as a shipbuilder in Alabama, then working as a pipefitter in Southern Illinois. Mr. Erwin also farmed for many years.
He was born September 3, 1912, in Hamilton County, a son of William Samuel and Maud (Williams) Erwin. On March 22, 1941, he married Golda Pearl (Wallace) Erwin, who survives. He was a member of the old Mt. Nebo Church and in later years attended Pleasant Grove. He was also a retired member of Pipefitters Union in West Frankfort.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 1997 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Rev. Garlin Burris officiated. Burial was in Mt. Nebo Cemetery.
Mr. Erwin is survived by his wife, Golda Erwin of McLeansboro; one son, Clarence Erwin and wife Judy of McLeansboro; four grandchildren, Teresa, Gary, Chad, and Amanda Erwin of McLeansboro; three brothers, James Erwin and wife Fern of McLeansboro, Dwight Erwin and wife Mildred of Benton and Dewayne Erwin and wife Joyce of LaGrange, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Roger and infant Richard Leon; and two sisters, Edna Tolley and Opal Burris.
Frank B. "Pete" Wicks
Born April 14, 1908 - Died May 11, 1997
Frank B. "Pete" Wicks, 89, of Dahlgren, died at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, 1997, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He was a retired carpenter.
he was born on April 14, 1908, a son of Peter and Sally Elizabeth (Bunton) Wicks. On March 2, 1933, he married a member of First United Methodist Church of Dahlgren.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 1997 at the First United Methodist Church in Dahlgren. The Rev. Gary Whipple and the Rev. Leland Widick officiated. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery in Dahlgren. Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren was in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Wicks is survived by a son, David Wicks and wife Cynthia of Dahlgren; three grandchildren, David Wicks Jr., Melissa Ragan and Penny Skelton; five great-grandchildren, Blaire Elizabeth Ragan, Kyle, Kaila, and Tyler Ragan and Lexi Skelton.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one son, William Owen Wicks; one daughter, Elinor Jean Wicks, three brothers, and six sisters.
Helen Marie Cox
Born July 19, 1917 - Died May 13, 1997
Helen Marie Cox, 79, of Belleville and formerly of McLeansboro, died at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 1997, in Belleville. She was a retired manager of Belleville Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
She was born on July 19, 1917, in Dale, a daughter of Walter and Coline (Rogers) Cox. She was a member of McLeansboro First United Methodist Church.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 1997, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Rev. Jeff Hurst officiated. Burial was in the Oddfellows Cemetery in McLeansboro.
She is survived by the Clarence A. Koesterer family in Belleville, who cared for her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Sally Wolthouse and brother Eugene Cox.
Jack E. Mead
Born August 11, 1915 - Died May 17, 1997
Jack E. Mead, 81, of McLeansboro, died at 1:25 p.m., on Saturday, May 17, 1997, at the Hamilton Memorial Nursing Center. He was retired from civil service, working at Scott Air Force Base.
He was born on August 11, 1915, in Hamilton County, a son of Harry and Verna Susan (Sandusky) Mead. In July 1941, he married Helen Allen, who died in December 1963. In September 1966, he married Marjorie (Thompson) Kraessig, who died in November 1988. He was a member of McLeansboro United Methodist Church, a member of American Legion Post #106 in McLeansboro and a Army veteran of WWII.
The funeral was at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 1997, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Rev. Robert Sefried officiated. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon with military graveside rites by American Legion Post #106 of McLeansboro.
Mr. Mead is survived by one sister, Norma Neumann of Ridgway; one sister-in-law, Charlotte Kraessig of McLeansboro; one stepdaughter, Patsy Smith and husband Paul of Mt. Vernon; two step-grandchildren, Michael D. Smith and wife Diane of Hanover Park, Illinois, and Julie Ann O'Leary and husband Dan of Chicago; four step-great-grandchildren; one niece, Judith Ann Harmon of Henderson, Kentucky; and one nephew, Michael Lee Cook of Peoria.
Besides his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials will be accepted at Harre Funeral Home for the Hamilton Memorial Nursing Center Activity Fund.
Alice Marie Shipley
Born November 12, 1956 - Died January 4, 1997
Alice Marie Shipley, 40, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and formerly of Belle Prarie, died on January 4, 1997. She was a waitress.
She was born on November 12, 1956, in Elgin, Illinois, a daughter of Loren and Miria Shipley.
The funeral was at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 1997, with Gholson Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Graveside services preceded burial at Crouch Cemetery near Belle Prairie. The Rev. Dennis Slater officiated. Ms. Shipley was cremated.
Ms. Shipley is survived by her mother, Miria Shipley of Baraboo; two uncles, Gene Shipley of Salem and Bill Shipley of San Diego, California; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Loren Shipley, and one brother, Robert Shipley.
Rosalie Richardson
Born May 5, 1920 - Died May 22, 1997
Rosalie Richardson, 77, of McLeansboro, died at 10:53 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, 1997, at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria. She was a housewife.
She was born on May 5, 1920, in Hamilton County, a daughter of David Harry and Mary (Ingram) Vaughn. She was married to James Paul Richardson, who died in 1981.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, 1997, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Rev. Robert Sefried officiated. Burial was in Wayne City.
She was survived by one daughter, Michelle Vaughn Harrison of Peoria; five brothers, Walter Vaughn of Belleville, Thomas Vaughn of McLeansboro, Robert Vaughn of Peoria, Clyde Vaughn of Bartonville, Illinois, Joe Vaughn of Glassford, Illinois; two sisters, Hazel Blinn of East Peoria and June Berry of Pekin, Illinois; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one infant son, four brothers and three sisters.
William M. Pemberton
Born December 17, 1916 - Died May 30, 1997
William M. Pemberton, 80, Carmi, died at 10:15 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 1997, at his home in Carmi. He was a retired carpenter.
He was born on December 17, 1916, in Hamilton County, a son of Homer and Minnie (Roberts) Pemberton. He was married to Jewell Dobson on February 9, 1956, and she survives.
The funeral was 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 1997, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Rev. Phil Mitchell officiated. Burial was in Hickory Hill Cemetery in Broughton.
Mr. Pemberton is survived by three stepsons, Donald Gray and wife Jean of Mt. Carmel, Craig Gray and wife Sally of Blue Rapids, Kansas, and Lonnie Gray and wife Cathy of Newport News, Virginia; one daughter, Connie Johnson and husband Bob of Carmi; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.
William Dale "Bill" Elliott
Born October 30, 1927 - Died June 1, 1997
William Dale "Bill" Elliott, 69, of Santa Ana, California, formerly a resident of McLeansboro, died on June 1, 1997, after a long illness.
He was born on October 30, 1927 in Murphysboro. He lived in Christopher until 1949 and in McLeansboro from 1949 to 1963. He owned and operated Elliott's Shoe Repair in McLeansboro from 1949 to 1963 and owned and operated Ponderosa Shoe Repair in Santa Ana from 1963 to 1992. Mr. Elliott served in the U. S. Navy at the end of World War II. He was a Mason, a charter member of the McLeansboro Elks Lodge and was a member of the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He married Pauline Fred of Sesser in 1945, and she survives.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, William Elliott of Tustin, California, and James Elliott of Santa Ana; two daughters, Brenda Elliott of Redding, California, and Polly Elliott Stamp of Prescott Valley, Arizona; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
