"G" Obituaries

Alexander County/Illinois Genealogy Trails

Cairo, IL.--TIMOTHY N. GAFFNEY--ANOTHER OLD CAIROITE GONE.----One of our much respected fellow-citizens, T. N. Gaffney, departed to that bourne from whence no traveler returns, last night about 8 o'clock.  We sympathise with his widow, for she has lost a loving and kind husband.  We sympathise with his orphaned children, for they have lost a kind and indulgent father.  We sympathise with the poor, for they have lost a generous friend.  We sympathise with every citizen of Cairo, for we, with them, have lost a kind friend, a generous and public spirit.  His funeral will take place at his late residence, from whence his body will be conveyed, on the noon train, to Villa Ridge for interment. --From The Cairo Democrat, Thursday, May 31, 1866
FUNERAL OF TIM. GAFFNEY----The mortal remains of our late fellow-citizen, Mr. Timothy N. Gaffney, were followed to their last resting place yesterday, by a large concourse of friends.  The Hibernian Fire Company, of which Mr. Gaffney was a member, attended the funeral in full regalia.  The remains were buried in the Villa Ridge cemetery. --From the Cairo Democrat, Friday, June 1, 1866, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Timothy Gaffney is buried in the Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge.  The birth year on his stone is 1823)

Cairo, IL.--MR. JOHN GATES, after a painful illness of several weeks duration, died Tuesday night about ten o'clock, of pneumonia.  He was forty-three years of age. Mr. Gates came to Cairo in 1863, and was married to Miss Laura C. Hunsacker, daughter of Mr. Nicholas Hunsacker in August 1874. The deceased was a man of strong character, a devoted husband and father, and leaves his wife and two children, a son and a daughter, to mourn his loss.  He owned a fine farm near Commercial Point and a large brick building in Cairo. The funeral will take place tomorrow at one o'clock p.m.  A special train will leave the foot of 8th St. at 2 o'clock, for Beech Grove where the remains will be interred. --From The Cairo Citizen, Feb. 10, 1887, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Death date was Feb. 8, 1887.)

Clarksville, TN--MICHAEL ROBERT GIBSON, 49, Clarksville, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at Neal-Tarpley Chapel with the Rev. Skip Armistead officiating. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the hour of the service Saturday at the funeral. The remains are to be cremated. Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He was born August 5, 1958 in Cairo, Illinois, son of Robert Gibson and Xandra Lentz Gibson. He was preceded in death by his father.
Mr. Gibson was a logistics analyst for Bosch Braking System.
He is survived by his mother of Cairo, Ill.; his spouse, Karen Armstrong Gibson; a son, Steven Michael Gibson; and a daughter, Logan Michelle Gibson, all of Clarksville; two brothers, David Gibson, Vienna, Ill.; and Timothy Gibson, Miller City, Ill. as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and dear friends.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN.
--Leaf-Chronicle, The (Clarksville, TN) - July 11, 2008

Portland, OR–LESTER E. “GIFF” GIFFORD.  A memorial gathering will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, in Holman's Funeral Service for Lester E. "Giff" Gifford, who died Dec. 28 at age 78.
Mr. Gifford was born Jan. 13, 1921, in McClure, Ill. In 1942, he served in the U.S. Army. He lived in Portland from 1943 to 1960 and then in Toppenish, Wash., where he owned a hardware and gift store, and on a farm in Granger, Wash., before returning in 1970. He was a cutting supervisor for the sleeping-bag department of Hirsch-Weis (White Stag) in the 1950s and again from 1970 until retiring in 1983. In 1946, he married Carrie Oliver.
Survivors include his wife; sons, Frank and Bryan, both of Portland, Steve of Denver, Bill of Everett, Wash., Joe of Selah, Wash.; brother, George of Waltonville, Ill.; sisters, Ruth Dellinger of De Funiak Springs, Fla., Louise Pruett of Perryville, Mo., and Juanita Long of Waltonville; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. His daughter, Martha C. Estrada, died in 1970.
Private interment will be in Lone Fir Cemetery. --Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) - December 31, 1999

Thebes, IL.--CHARLES E. “CHUCK” GOFORTH, age 50, died at his home in Thebes early this morning (1953) after an illness of several months. Mr. Goforth had taught school for the past 25 years, 12 years in Thebes school system as a teacher and coach. He is survived by his wife, Mary, one daughter, Mrs. Jo Ann Thompson of Marion, Il.; one son Charles W. of Thebes, his mother, Mrs. Elbert Goforth; five brothers, Gene of Campbell Hill, Il, Malcolm of Gainsville, Fla; Russell and Hubert of Carbondale, Il and Dale of Oakland, California; three grandchildren and other relatives. Funeral arrangements are incomplete, but will be announced later. Berbling Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements. (Charles E. "Chuck" Goforth's stone in Rose Hill Cemetery has b. 1902; d. 1953.)

Sports fans, school teachers and many were saddened to learn of the death of Thebes High Athletic Coach Monday. Mr. Charles Goforth had been ailing since the leave of the helm of his basketball team at Thebes. We had high hopes along with his family and friends that he would pull through. We drove to Thebes and visited him one afternoon several months ago and found Chuck cheerful and optimistic as he was always whether things were going well or poorly. Several weeks ago Thebes High appointed Mike Alcorn of Jonesboro as Chuck's successor, confirming reports we have during the summer that Chuck would be forced to retire from teaching and coaching due to ill health. His death Sunday night came as a real shock to us, since he had left St. Mary's Hospital again only days earlier and we were relieved at that time to see his name in the hospital report, feeling that he might be on the road to recovery. We join the hundred of friends who admired and respected Chuck (Charles) Goforth in offering our condolences to his widow, Mary, and his son Charles in Thebes, his daughter in Marion and his mother and brothers. Chuck Goforth was a fine teacher and a good coach and a credit, but above all he was a real gentleman and of his family, his school, and his community.--From the Cairo Evening Citizen as it was called at this time, during the 1950s ..Donated by Judy Simpson from the collection of Lena Hewitt Simpson.

Portland, OR--GWEN GOLDSBY A funeral for Gwen Goldsby of Northeast Portland will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Allen Temple CME Church. Burial will be in Rose City Cemetery.
Mrs. Goldsby died of cancer Friday (Sept 4, 1992) in her home. She was 59.
She was born Aug. 17, 1933, in Unity, Ill., where she received her early education. She met and married Al Goldsby in 1953 after her move to Portland.
She was a homemaker and had worked as a seamstress for Jantzen Knitting Mills for several years.
Survivors besides her husband include her sons, Alfonzo Jr., Mark, Douglas and Wendell, all of Portland; daughters, Janice Goldsby, Janette Green and Betty McGeep all of Portland; brothers, Leon Lathan of Decatur Mich., Delbert Lathan of Hayward Calif., and Brozy Lathan Jr. of Lake Oswego; sisters, Fredy Paden and Izora Green, both of Portland; and 14 grandchildren.    --Oregonian, The (Portland, OR) - September 9, 1992

Olive Branch, IL.--LESLIE CAUBLE GRACE, 84, of Olive Branch died March 17, 1993. He was born in Elco on May 3, 1908, the son of Cyrus and Della Cauble Grace. He was a retired farmer and attended Olive Branch Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Barnett Grace. He is survived by his wife, Lois Irby Grace of Olive Branch; a sister, Betty Jo Stevens of Belleville; two brothers, Eugene Grace of Miller City and Wardell Grace of Urbandale; one grandson; one granddaughter and one great-grandson. A son and two sisters preceded him in death. Private graveside services will be held Sunday at Green Lawn Memorial Gardens, Villa Ridge with Rev. Jesse Bellany officiating. Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.

Cairo, IL.--ELMER GRAHAM of Cairo, died Monday afternoon at Southern Medical Center following an extended illness.  He was born in Memphis, Tenn., but lived in Illinois for over 40 years. Mr. Graham is survived by sons, Ronald, of St. Louis, Mo., and Michael of Cairo; daughters, Justine, Cassandra, and Clementine all of Cairo.  Friends may call at the Hodge Funeral Home Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.  Services will be held Monday at 12:00 at First Central Baptist Church with Rev. Wm. Vaughn officiating.  Interment will follow in the National Cemetery at Mound City. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Friday, June 15, 1979, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--AL GRAY, age 62 of Cairo,died Saturday morning, July 20, 1991 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 9, 1929 at E. St. Louis, the son of Albert J. and Katharine Jestus Gray.  He was married to Betty Steward on June 16,  1955.  Mr. Gray was a dispatcher for Waterfront Services in Cairo.  He was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Laborer's International Local 773 of Cairo, the Cairo Masonic Lodge and the Kim Shrine.  He is survived by his wife, Betty of Cairo; two daughters, Jami Latham and Cindy Holmes, both of Cairo, four grandchildren and other relatives.  He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Steven Gray in 1955. Funeral services were held at the Crain Funeral Home in Cairo with the Rev.Sean Redford officiating....Donated by ©Darlene Jestus

Cairo, IL.--AGED RESIDENT DIES--HANNAH GREANEY, age 96 years one of Cairo's oldest residents, died at the home of her son, John B. Greaney, 2606 Holbrook Avenue this morning at 9:15 o'clock.  She had made her home in Cairo for the past 71 years.  She was a member of St. Joseph's church.
     She leaves to mourn her death, one sister, Mrs. George H. Shaw of Chicago; two sons, John B. Greaney and Joseph E. Greaney, both of Cairo; twenty grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  She was mother of the late Major W. P. Greaney, Mrs. Charles E. Hessian, Robert and Rose Greaney, deceased.
     Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 8:30 o'clock from St. Joseph's church, with Father R. E. Jantzen officiating, cortege will leave the residence at 8:15 for the church.  Interment will be made in Calvary cemetery at Villa Ridge.
     The body will be taken to the residence, 2606 Holbrook Wednesday evening.
     Karcher Brothers will be in charge. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Tuesday, May 5, 1936, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Troy, IL--VAN COMER GREENLEY, 66, of Troy, born May 27, 1939, in Miller City, Ill., died at 3:46 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2005, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup, Wash.
Mr. Greenley as an owner and operator, was an over the road truck driver with Dawes Transport, St. Louis, Mo., for the past five years and for C.V. Sohn Trucking for the prior 10 years. He was a member of Bluffview Baptist Church, Collinsville, Ill., and was an avid sports fan. He will be remembered for the love of his many travels in his truck and the love of his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Anna Mae, nee Waterman, Wright; and his beloved uncle, Steve Rogers.
Surviving are his wife, Nancy A., nee Lynn, Greenley of Troy, Ill., whom he married Dec. 26, 1991, in Edwardsville, Ill.; his children who will dearly miss him, Tammy (John) Baker of Troy, Ill., Wendy (Danny) Ledendecker of Florissant, Mo., Mark (Diane) Greenley of New Memphis, Ill., and Chris (Debra) Greenley of Baltimore, Md.; a step son, Bryan Hughes of St. Ann, Mo.; five grandchildren, Jackie, Josh, Nathan, Justin and Lana; a great-grandson, Brett; two step grandchildren, Ryan and Julie; his mother-in-law, Ann Lynn of Indiana; two sisters, Dixie Warren of South Roxana, Ill., and Barb (Charles) Drury of Bethalto, Ill.; a brother, Fred (Jeri) Greenley of Collinsville, Ill.; a niece, Renee Rogers of Granite City, Ill.; a nephew, Steve Rogers of Collinsville, Ill.; beloved travel buddy, "Cocoa"; other nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005, at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road, Glen Carbon, Ill.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, at Irwin Glen Crossing Chapel, Glen Carbon, Ill., with the Rev. Roger Wright officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery, Collinsville, Ill. IRWIN GLEN CROSSING CHAPEL, Glen Carbon, Ill.
--Published in the Belleville (IL) News-Democrat from 12/21/2005 - 12/22/2005. 

Mounds, IL.--G. W. GREER, 85, died at his home in Mounds today at 2:30 a.m. after a lingering illness. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. H. E. Wilson of Villa Ridge and Mrs. Eugene Jordan of Elco; one son, L. L. Greer of Memphis; one brother, L. F. Greer of Macomb, IL; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are not complete and will be announced later. Ryan Funeral Service is in charge. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Friday May 10, 1946. Funeral services for G. W. Greer, who died at his home in Mounds Friday will be held at 2:30 pm. Monday at the First Baptist Church in Mounds, with Rev. Charles Montgomery of Ullin, assisted by Rev. Floyd Lacey, officiating. Interment will be in the Anna Cemetery. Ryan Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Citizen, Saturday, May 11, 1946.--Contributed by Linda Cox. (Illinois Death Index--George W. Greer, #20762, 1946, Pulaski Co., Mounds.)

Elco, IL.--SUSANNAH CECIL GREER (Mrs. G. W. Greer), a prominent resident of Elco, IL, died at her home one half mile southeast of town Tuesday morning at 1 o'clock following a brief illness of pneumonia. Mrs. Greer moved to Illinois from North Carolina about twelve years ago and has won many friends by her kind demeanor and friendliness to all. She was especially thoughtful of her immediate family, to whom she devoted herself and brought comfort and happiness. The funeral, which was one of the largest ever held here, took place at the M.E. Church in Elco Sunday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Purdy after which the body was taken to Anna, where interment was made. Mrs. Greer is survived by her husband, two sons, Percy and Lacy, two daughters, Mertie and Eula, all of Elco. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Wednesday, April 11, 1923. --Contributed by Linda Cox.

Cairo, IL.--AARON W. GRIGSBY, 92, of Cairo, died Monday, September 11, 2000 at his home. He was born July 11, 1908 in Helena, Arkansas, son of Aaron H. and Lou Ola Higgins Grigsby. Grigsby was a retired painting contractor. He was a member and deacon of First Southern Baptist Church. (He was married to Bertha Louise Marrs on October 20, 1934.) Survivors include his wife, Bertha; three daughters, Louise Presson of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Marilyn Purvis of Barlow, KY, Sandra Dunham of Norborne, MO; a son, Charles Grigsby of Tamms; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild. Friends may call at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at First Southern Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until service time. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church with the Revs. Bill Gholson, Raymond Akin, and Clark Short officiating. Burial will be in Beechwood Cemetery at Mounds, IL. --Contributed by Bertha Grigsby.

Tamms, IL.--MICHAEL W. GUNNING, JR., age 75, of Tamms, died at 10:40 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Jan. 22, 1927, in Tamms, Ill., to Michael Walter and Melba (Sims) Gunning Sr.  He married Gladys Marie Penry on Aug 5, 1945. She preceded him in death on March 5, 2000. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Tamms.  He was an owner and operator of an Auto Repair Garage.  He was a member of the Caledonia Lodge #47 AF and AM. He served his country honorably during World War II with the United States Navy. He is survived by one daughter, Joyce (Doug) Munk of Blytheville, Ark.; one son, Michael T. (Nancy) Gunning of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; one granddaughter; two grandsons; one great-grandson; one brother, Bobby Joe Gunning, of Greenville, Ill.; nieces, nephews and other relatives. Besides his parents and his wife he was preceded in death by one daughter, Carolyn in 1946 and two brothers, Patrick Gunning and Gerald Gunning. Funeral services for Michael W. Gunning Jr. were held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2002, at the Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with Rev. Kenneth Johnson officiating.  Interment followed in McCrite Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 31, 2002, at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms. Crain Funeral Home in Tamms in charge of the arrangements. --From The Cairo Citizen, April 4, 2002, contributed by Anna Shelton.

St. Louis, MO--ALMA GUTWEILER, daughter of John and Byrd Rendleman Littleton, was born September 10, 1907 in Elco, Illinois and passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2002 in St. Louis at the age of 95. Mrs. Gutweiler was united in marriage to Charles R. Gutweiler. He preceded her in death. Alma taught school most of her life and has made her home in St. Louis since she was 20 years old. Alma will be sadly missed by her many good friends. Survivors include one step-daughter-in-law, Dorothy Gutweiler of St. Louis; two step-grandsons, Jeff and Phil Gutweiler; four nephews, Donald, Denny, and Charles Durham, all of Elco, IL, and Raymond Smithey of Fruitland, MO; one niece, Rose Simokaitis of St. Louis; and other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 21, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Hileman & Parr Funeral Services with Rev. Roy 'Buddy' Walls and Jessie White officiating. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at the funeral home. Interment will be in the St. Johns Cemetery.   --St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) - December 19, 2002.

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