"J" Obituaries

Alexander County/Illinois Genealogy Trails

Olive Branch, IL--BARBARA BOECKER JENNINGS, 80, of Ullin, IL, formerly of Olive Branch, died at 8:45 a. m. Sunday, April 15, 2007, at her home.  She was born Oct. 12, 1926 in Alexander County to George and Irma LeSar Boecker.  She had worked as a nurse/receptionist for Dr. Ent in Cairo, then worked at Southeast Missouri Sate University as a receptionist in the Public Safety Department, retiring in 1998.  She enjoyed photography, ceramics and crafts.  Survivors include a daughter, Mary Lou  Miller of McClure; two grandsons, Eric Stough of Barlow, KY and Bryan Miller of Champaign, IL; a sister, Beverly Heck of White House, TN; an uncle, Travis LeSar of Florissant, MO; a nephew, a great-nephew and other relatives.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter, Ellen Stough in 2004.  The funeral will be held at 11 a. m. Wednesday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with the Rev. Jimmie Monahan officiating.  Interment will be in Olive Branch Cemetery.  

Cairo, IL.--CHARLES JESTUS, 67, of Cairo died Wednesday morning at PADCO Community Hospital, Cairo. He was a retired law enforcement officer having served for 40 years.  He served as a special agent for the GM&O Railroad during WWII, City of Cairo acting Chief of Police  in 1949 and again in 1971, the Assistant Chief of Police in 1970 and 1971, Chief Deputy of the Alexander County Sheriff's Department from 1962 to 1966, as a deputy at the Sheriff's Dept. in 1971 and was a merchant patrolman at the time of his death. Mr. Jestus is survived by his wife, Mary of Cairo; sons, Phillip and Donald, both of Cairo, daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Jean Blalock of House Springs, Mo., brother, Henry Jestus of Centerville; sister Mrs. Katharine Ashbrook of LaCenter, Ky and 2 granddaughters. Services will be Friday at Crain Funeral Home at Cairo with the Rev. Fr. Robert Gore officiating. Interment will follow in Spencer Heights Cemetery at Mounds....Donated by ©Darlene Jestus.

Cairo, IL.--MEMORIAL OBITUARY...Entered into Eternal Rest, Saturday, March 18, 1967 WILLIAM JESTUS died early Saturday morning in the ??nger Nursing Home, Alton, Illinois. He had been in poor health for 2 years. Mr.Jestus is survived by one sister, Mrs. Ashbrook, of Ky. two brothers, Charles Jestus, Cairo and Henry Jestus, E. St. Louis. Funeral services were held today at 1:30 pm at the Berbling-Kirby Funeral Home. The Rev. R. F. Richardson officiated and interment was in the Spencer Heights Cemetry at Mounds. --A TRIBUTE published in the pages of the Evening Citizen, Cairo, Illinois, March 20, 1967...Donated by ©Darlene Jestus.

Cairo, IL.--JAMES JOE, age 75, died at his home, 1901 Walnut Street, today at 9:10 a.m. from an illness of several months.  Mr. Joe was born in Ain-elshaara, Syria and came to the United States in 1900.  He has been a naturalized citizen since 1904.  He moved to Cairo in 1914 and has resided here since that time.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge, AF and AM, No. 237 of Cairo.  He and his wife would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in February.  Survivors include his wife, Margaret; six daughters, Mrs. Eva Thomas, Misses Rose, Anna Louise, Hannah and Sara Jane Joe, all of Cairo, and Miss Esther L. Joe with the U. S. Army in Weisbaden, Germany; two sons, Ellis (Buddy) Joe and J. D. Joe, both of Cairo; two sisters, Mrs. Rose Boalbey of Cairo and Mrs. Helen Shaheen of Syria; two grandsons, two great granddaughters; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.  A daughter, Miss Naomi Joe, preceded him in death, Aug. 30, 1948.   The body will be taken to the Syrian-American Club Hall, 313 Fourth Street, Tuesday morning where friends may call.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later.  Karcher Brothers Funeral Home is in charge.  --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, December 29, 1952
Tuesday, December 30, 1952--Funeral services for James Joe, who died Monday at 9:10 a.m. at his home, 1901 Walnut Street, will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with the pastor, Rev. John S. Holladay, officiating.  The body is at the Syrian-American Club Hall, 313 Fourth Street, where friends may call.  Interment will be made in Thistlewood Cemetery at Mounds.  Karcher Brothers Funeral Home is in charge.  --Contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--ALEX JOHNSON, 84, of 1200 Cedar St., died early this morning at St. Mary's Hospital where he had been a patient since December 23. Mr. Johnson had been a resident of Cairo for 55 years, and owned and operated a grocery store at 1200 Cedar for 24 years.  He was a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and a member of the Syrian American Club. Surviving are his widow, Mary; four daughters, Mrs. Jack (Sara) Guetterman, Mrs. Charles (Rose) Nasser, Miss Alice Johnson, and Miss Dorothy Johnson all of Cairo; three sons, Johnny Johnson, Alex Johnson, Jr., and George Edward Johnson all of Cairo; two sisters, Miss Hudla Abou-Essa  and Mrs. Raya Elias both of Syria; nine grandchildren, and other relatives including a nephew, Father John Essa of Wichita, Kan. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Berbing-Kirby Funeral Home. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Friday, Jan. 5, 1968
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.  Arch Bishop Michael Shaheen of Toledo, Ohio will officiate.  Interment will be in the Greenlawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge. Friends may call at the Berbling-Kirby Funeral Home after 2 p.m. Sunday, with an Orthodox ritual at 8 p.m. by Father John Essa. --Jan. 6, 1968. (Contributed by Anna Shelton.)

Elco, IL.--HARDY HARPER "DUNK" JOHNSON, 70, of Elco, died Monday, Feb. 10, 1992 at Massac Memorial Hospital in Metropolis. He was born March 8, 1921 in Sandusky, son of Gus Everett and Edna Mae Harper Johnson. He worked 32 years at the Hunter Packing Company in St. Louis. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II. Survivors include a sister, Josephine Sims of Elco and a brother, James Johnson of Republic, MO. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. today at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms, with Rev. Vernon McClellan officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.

Cairo, IL.--PIONEER RESIDENT PASSES AWAY--MR. EDWARD JONES, FATHER OF DICK JONES OF FIRE STATION NO. 1 DIED YESTERDAY--CAME TO CAIRO IN '54.  WAS NATIVE OF IRELAND
Was Employed by Illinois Central Railroad for Over Twenty Years as
Watchman at Stone Depot.
Mr. Edward Jones, one of Cairo's pioneer citizens, died about 5:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. David Barry at No. 1913 Commercial Avenue, at the age of 75 years.
The deceased had been in poor health for some time but for the past two months had been confined to his home.  His death was due to a complication of diseases caused by old age.
Mr. Jones was a native of Cork County, Ireland, and came to this country in 1849 and settled at Rome, N. Y., where he resided for five years, coming to Cairo in 1854 and residing here ever since.
For over twenty years the deceased was employed by the Illinois Central railroad as watchman of the Stone depot but for the past several years he lived a retired life.
He is survived by an invalid wife and a son, Capt. Dick Jones of Fire Station No. 1.  He was the father of ten children, none of whom are dead.  He has a brother residing in Ireland.
The deceased was well known in Cairo, especially among the older residents.
The funeral will be held tomorrow morning from St. Joseph's church and the remains taken to Villa Ridge for interment. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Thursday, Sept. 14, 1905, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Note: Mr. Jones, born in 1830, is buried in the Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge, IL)

Cairo, IL.--The funeral of the late JOHN T. JONES, who died Friday night (April 12, 1912), after a prolonged illness, was held this morning at the family residence, 1701 Poplar Street, interment being made at Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge. The pall bearers were Phil C. Barclay, B. McManus, Jr., Frank Gibson, Peter Day, M. S. Egan, and E. W. Walker. A special Illinois Central train conveyed the remains to the cemetery. --The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, April 15, 1912. (The dates on his stone read: 1849-1912.)

Cairo, IL.--SUDDEN DEATH OF RICHARD JONES--Passed Away This Morning at His Home of Pneumonia at the Age of 32--The  many friends of Richard Jones, the well known saloonkeeper were shocked today to learn of Mr. Jones' death which occurred at 10:45 o'clock this morning.  The deceased died very suddenly, having been ill since Sunday evening.  His death resulted from a severe attack of pneumonia.
The deceased was born and reared in this city.  He was 32 years of age last August and is survived by a boy and a girl.  The deceased also leaves two sisters, Mesdames O'Roarke and McCormick and a brother Harry Jones.
He was a member of the K. M. K. C. lodge and also of the Bartenders' Union No. 627.
The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the family residence, No. 1703 Commercial avenue, conducted by Mrs. M. E. Feith.  The remains will be interred in Beech Grove cemetery.
Mr. Jones was for many years a bartender for John Grimes who formerly conducted a saloon of his own at Eighth and Commercial.  Later he was employed by John Ashley, but for the past several years he has conducted a saloon of his own at Nineteenth and Commercial. He was well-known and was quite popular among his friends. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Thursday, May 9, 1907, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Tamms, IL.--CARLOS DEAN JORDAN, 69, of Tamms died Thursday, July 12, 2007 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO.  He was born Jan. 17, 1938 in Elco, IL, son of Oris Lee and Noma Helen Jordan.  He married Josephine Hirtz.  Jordan was a former railroad employee and retired from Township Highway Department.  He was a member of First Baptist Church.  He was formerly of Granite City, IL.  He was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean War.  Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Catherine Jordan-Morgan of Granite City, Noma Craddock of Anna, IL; three brothers, Howard "Pee-Wee" Jordan of Olive Branch, IL, Larry Jordan of Bunker Hill, IL, Hugh Jordan of Granite City; a sister, Peggy Harlow of Anna; and five grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, a son, two sisters and two grandchildren.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms.  The funeral will be at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Lacie Betts officiating.  Visitation will also be held from 11 a.m. to service time Tuesday at Family Worship Center near Granite City.  The second service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the worship center, with the Rev. Eddie Brown officiating.  Entombment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Glen Carbon, IL.

Tamms, IL.--MRS. EUGENE (EULAH) JORDAN, 73, of Tamms, died at 11:30 Wednesday morning in a Cape Girardeau hospital. She was born Nov. 8, 1898 in North Carolina. The former Miss Eulah Mae Greer and Eugene Jordan were married more than 55 years. She was a member of the Elco Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband; two sons, Donald of Tamms and Dean of Elgin; three daughters, Mrs. Mildred Pierce of Inverness, FL, Mrs. Martha Williams, East Cape and Mrs. Sue Mowery, Tamms; a brother, Lace Greer, Memphis, TN; a sister, Mrs. Mertie Wilson, Villa Ridge; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Two sons and two brothers preceded her in death. Crain Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The funeral will be held at Elco Methodist Church at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dean Brown, pastor and Rev. Clarence Patton officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.  (Death date may be Nov 1, 1972)

Elco, IL.--DOLPHUS JORDAN, age 77, of Elco, died Friday evening in a Cape Girardeau hospital. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Virdie Jordan. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m., at the Elco Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Robertson officiating.  Interment will be in the Simms Cemetery. Friends may call at the Farnsworth Funeral Home. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Jan. 11, 1964, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Tamms, IL.--DONALD JORDAN, 77, of Tamms, died at 11:44 a.m. Saturday, Sept 24, 2005, on arrival at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 7, 1927, at Elco, Ill., son of Eugene and Eulah Greer Jordan.  He was married May 31, 1947, to Isabel Lamb. He was owner and operator of Donald Jordan Trucking and Farms from 1948 to the present.  Donald was a member of Elco Methodist Church and worshipped at many area churches.  He was active in civil affairs, having served on the Shawnee College Board of Trustees and the board of First Security Bank. Survivors include his wife, Isabel, of Tamms, a daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Ralph Blaney of Tamms, a grandson, Donnie (Sherri) Blaney of Tamms, two granddaughters, Stacey Klett of Jonesboro, Ill., Amanda (Nathan) Caldwell of Columbia, S. C.; four great- grandchildren, Brandon and April Blaney, and Blake and Ethan Klett; two sisters, Martha Kaufman of Tulsa, Okla., and Sue (Dale) Mowery of Tamms; nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann Nelson; a grandson, David Blaney; a sister, Mildred Pierce; and a brother, Dean Jordan. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26 and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Crossroad United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Clint Nale, Rob Grief and Pete Vinson officiating.  Interment followed in St. John's Cemetery. Crain Funeral Home in Tamms in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday Sept. 29, 2005, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Tamms, IL.--ISABEL JORDAN, 77, of Tamms died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 in an automobile accident north of Tamms.  She was born Jan. 16, 1930 in McClure, IL, daughter of Henry and Melissa Porter Lamb.  She married Donald Jordan May 31, 1947.  He preceded her in death Sept 24, 2005.  Jordan was a member of Elco Methodist Church.  She and her husband owned and operated Donald Jordan Trucking and Farm more than 50 years.  She had a love for flowers and hummingbirds.  Survivors include a daughter, Diane (Ralph) Blaney of Tamms; a grandson, Donnie (Sherri) Blaney of Tamms; two granddaughters, Stacey (Bryan) Crain of Anna and Amanda (Nathan) Caldwell of Columbia, S. C.; six great-grandchildren, Brandon and April Blaney, Blake and Ethan Klett, and Ashley and Andrew Crain; a sister, Elsie Lingle of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Gerald Lamb of Tamms and Donald Lamb of Rochelle, IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a daughter, Mary Ann Nelson; a grandson, David Blaney; three sisters, Ruby Miller, Georgia Lovell and Leona Marshall; and a brother, Eugene Lamb.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, and from 9 a.m. to service time Friday at Cross Road United Methodist Church.  The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. to service time Friday at Cross Road Church with Revs. Rob Grief and Pete Vinson officiating.  Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery.  --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Aug 9, 2007.

Ill. Woman Killed When Car Leaves Road, Hits Tree--Illinois State Police are investigating a fatal car accident that occurred Tuesday morning in Alexander County.  The wreck occurred around 11:40 a.m. on Highway 127, half a mile south of Ullin Road.  A 2006 Chevrolet Impala veered off the road and hit a tree.  The driver, Melissa I. Jordan, 78, of Tamms, Ill., was killed and found in her vehicle at the scene.  She was not wearing her seat belt.

Mill Creek, IL.--FATHER OF 20 CHILDREN IS LAID TO REST--The Burial of LEVI R. JORDAN, who died at White Heath, IL, last Friday was held at Mill Creek Saturday. Mr. Jordan was born at Salisbury, N.C. Feb. 10, 1835, the youngest of seven children. His parents removed to Illinois when he was three years old settling in the southern part of Union County where he lived until his marriage to Sarah Cauble in 1861. They had nine children of whom four survive. His wife died in 1877 and he was again married in 1882 to Martha Kerr and nine children were the result of this union, five of them now living. The children are Francis Atchison, Mill Creek; Ida Miller, Thebes; Chester Jordan, St. Louis; Lisa Lackey, Tamms; Harvey Jordan, Cairo; Dixie Spencer, White Heath; Clara Dillow, Mill Creek; Adeline Pollard, Charleston, MO; and Leona Sheffer, Mill Creek. Besides, there were 55 grandchildren and 76 great-grandchildren. He was a good citizen, a devoted husband and father. While he did not belong to any church, he professed religion when 22 years old. For several years he has lived with his children. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dixie Spencer, at White Heath, there being three of his children at his bedside. The remains, which were brought to Cairo and taken charge by Undertaker E. A. Burke, were taken to the home of his son, Harvey Jordan, here until they were taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Francis Atchison. --The Cairo Evening Citizen, 22 Nov 1921. (Illinois Death Index--Levi Jordan, Cert. #42603, d. Nov. 18, 1921 Piatt Co., Sangamon Twp.)

Elco, IL.--MOSES JORDAN, age 73, of Elco, Ill., died suddenly today at 6 a.m. at his home following a brief illness. Mr. Jordan was born and raised near Elco and spent his entire life there. He is survived by his wife, Lilly; three sons, Orville of Cairo, Harvey, of Springfield, Ill., and Oris of Elco; six daughters, Mrs. Cecil Stivers of Dongola, Mrs. Gertie Provo of Murphysboro, Mrs. Maudie Poole of Elco, Mrs. Alberta Irvin of California, and Mrs. Reba Towles and Arlene of Waukegan, Ill.; three brothers, Henry, Ira and Everett, all of Elco; two sisters, Mrs. Cynthia Dillow of Mill Creek, Ill., and Mrs. Lizzie Keller of Elco; and other relatives. The body is at the family residence in Elco where friends may call after 5 p.m. today. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later pending arrival of relatives. Cauble Funeral Home of Elco is in charge. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Saturday, Sept. 8, 1951, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Mr. Jordan is buried in the Sims Cemetery) --(Corrections: of the three sons listed the second should be "Harley", not Harvey and of the six daughters listed the last two should be Reba "Powles", not Towles, and Reba's youngest sister is ILEAN, not Arlene, contributed by Bob Schoettler.)

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