"S" Obituaries

Alexander County/Illinois Genealogy Trails

Elco, IL.--JAMES L. SACKETT DEAD--Old Resident of Elco Stricken With Paralysis Last Sunday--James L. Sackett died at his home at Elco Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, as the result of a stroke of paralysis. Saturday evening he went out to feed his stock and when he did not return to the house after a considerable lapse of time, his wife went out in search of him and found him lying helpless upon the ground, and the hogs rooting him around. He was carried to the house but medical assistance could not bring him around, and he died as above stated.  So far as we can learn he had never had a stroke of paralysis before. James L. Sackett was the youngest of ten children.  He was born December 30, 1831, in Connecticut.  His grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolution.  He removed to Illinois with his parents in 1840, settling in Madison County, and in 1860 he came to Alexander County, settling first on Sandy creek but removing to Elco three years later. He served in the War of the Rebellion for a short time, but was discharged on account of disability on May 29, 1865.  In 1858 he was married at Belleville to Miss Eliza Ansen and they had ten children of whom six are still living--Mrs. Paul Loeschner, Miss Minnie Sackett, of Chicago; Richard Sackett, telegraph operator at Elco; Louis Sackett, who is a telegraph operator in Kansas, and Misses Clara and Mattie Sackett who live at home.  Mr. Sackett was a staunch republican and a familiar figure in all county conventions.  At his death he was school trustee, a position which he held for fifteen or twenty years. He was one of the best citizens of the county, and his untimely death is not only a great shock to his friends but a heavy loss to the community. --From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday, January 5, 1899, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Mr. Sackett is buried in the Hazlewood Cemetery between Elco and Tamms.)

Elco, IL--DIED:  MONTIE SACKETT, son of J. L. and E. J. Sackett of Elco, died Saturday, Feb'y 11, (1893) at 6:30 a.m.  He was buried Sunday afternoon on his father's farm, one-half mile south of Elco.  Monti was born Sept. 16, 1866.  Age 26 years, 4 months and 26 days.  He leaves a father, mother, two brothers, four sisters and many friends to mourn his demise.  --From The Cairo Weekly Citizen, Thursday, February 16, 1893, contributed by Anna Shelton.  (Note:  He is buried in the Hazelwood Cemetery.)

Cairo, IL.--BADERA SALIBA, age 91, of Cairo, died Saturday, Nov 18, 1995 at the Cape Girardeau Nursing Center in Cape Giradeau, Mo. She was born in Cairo, Ill. on Aug 18, 1904, the daughter of the late Mike and Sara Coury Elias. She was a member of the Orthodox Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Saliba, in 1967. Mrs. Saliba is survived by her daughter, Sarah Saliba, of Energy; her sister, Mary Elias of Cairo; and several cousins, including Sam Elias of Cairo. Visitation was at the Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo where friends called from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Barkett Funeral Home with the Rev. Father Jerome Fortenberry officiating. Interment followed in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge. The Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo was in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Citizen, November 23, 1995, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--CAPT. JAMES H. SAMPSON died at his residence on Fourteenth Street last Saturday, of quick consumption, the result of the grip.  He was 41 years of age, and had for many years been a steamboat engineer on different craft in the harbor.  He leaves a family and a large circle of friends.  The deceased was a member of the Knights of Phthias, the I.O.O.F. and the Marine-Engineer's Association, and these organizations attended his funeral Sunday at Villa Ridge cemetery. (Buried Cairo City Cem. at Villa Ridge) --From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday, June 9, 1892, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.-- MRS. CAROLINE ASHLEY SARGENT, aunt of Rev. F. A. DeRosset, died at the rectory of the Church of the Redeemer Sunday night of pneumonia. She had been ill less than a week. Deceased was 40 years of age.  She was a widow of the late Nathan Nicholas Sargent, of Boston, Mass., and leaves one daughter living in North Carolina.  She had been visiting here for ten months and was preparing to return east when death overtook her.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the Church of the Redeemer and the remains were shipped east for burial. --From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday, January 12, 1899, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--MAX DARRELL SATTERFIELD, 73, of Memphis, TN, died Sunday, Sept 9, 2007 in Memphis.  He was born Dec 1, 1933 in Cairo, son of Louis and Ima Atherton Satterfield.  He and Marilyn Rose Karraker were married Jan. 2, 1958.  Satterfield was a 1951 graduate of Cairo High School, and attended Murray State University in Murray, KY.  He retired from CIGNA Corp in 1998.  He was a member of  Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis.  He served with the U. S. Army 101st Airborne Unit of Fort Campbell, KY.  Survivors include his wife; a son, Court Satterfield of Memphis; a daughter, Marci Nobert of Memphis; a brother, Robert Satterfield of Cairo; and eight grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, and a brother.  A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. today (Sept 12, 2007) at Bellevue Baptist Church.  Burial will be private.  Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis is in charge of arrangements.  Announcement courtesy of McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, MO.

Zanesville, OH--PETER SAUP RITES TO BE HELD HERE MONDAY MORNING
Funeral services for Peter Saup, 92, civil war veteran who died Thursday afternoon, will be held at 9 o’clock Monday morning at St. Nicholas church, of which he was a member.  Burial will be made in Mt. Olive cemetery.  Friends have been asked to omit flowers.
Mr. Saup died following a general breakdown in health at the house of his niece, Mrs. Elizabeth Saup of 509 South street.  He had been gradually declining for the past six weeks.
Mr. Saup was born in Dunkirk, N.Y. (on) August 18 (?), 1828 [NOTE:  correct date should be 1838], but, with his family, moved to this city at an early age.  At the age of 21 years he left Zanesville and located in Cairo, Ill., where he resided until one year ago, when he returned to Zanesville to spend his last days.
The deceased was one of the most prominent residents of Cairo, Ill., and served that city as councilman and sheriff for several terms.  For over 40 years he was deputy U.S. marshall of that district.  He retired from active business about four years ago.
On May 7, 1864, he enlisted in the 1(?)43rd Illinois, V.L. as a corporal and re-enlisted at Cincinnati Jan. 14, 1854 [NOTE: date cannot be accurate] in the Hancock Veterans’ corps as a private and was honorably discharger [d] May 19, 1865, at Grafton W. Va.  He then returned to Cairo, Ill., where he resumed his business career.
Mr. Saup had traveled extensively within the United States and Eu(rope?) and was a man of high attainments.  He was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic church and is survived by one brother, Phillip Saup, of Ocean Park, Calif. and a number of nieces, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.  --Zanesville Signal, Friday, April 4, 1930
[NOTE:  In his obituary, no mention was made of Peter’s wife of many years, Philomena Botto, who preceded him in death the year before in Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois.  Peter and Philomena had no children of their own.
Photocopy of obituary provided by Hilda E. Yinger, volunteer researcher, Zanesville, Ohio, July 7, 2001, at request of Susan B. Mullins, 2G-Niece of Peter Saup and Great-granddaughter of Phillip Saup.
Note:  The information above has been copied directly from the photocopy of the Zanesville Signal newspaper obituary.  Printing that was difficult to make out on the photocopy has been enclosed in parentheses.  Comments by Ms. Mullins concerning the data have been enclosed in ellipses. 

Cairo, IL.--Mrs. Peter Saup Passes Away at Noon Today-- PHILOMENA SAUP, age 89 years and three months, died at her home, 707 Washington Avenue this afternoon at 12:35 o'clock following a prolonged illness which culminated in an attack of double pneumonia. Mrs. Saup, who was one of Cairo's oldest residents, was born near Genoa, Italy, and was formerly Miss Philomena Botto, a sister of Gus Botto of Cairo.  She came to Cairo in 1864, when a young woman of twenty-four.  Although she led a quiet and retired life she leaves a circle of close friends to whom the news of her death will bring much sorrow. Surviving Mrs. Saup are her husband, one of Cairo's best known citizens, and several nephews and nieces whose homes are in various distant cities.  She was a devout member of St. Patrick's Catholic church. Arrangements for the funeral which will be directed by Karcher Brothers, will be announced Saturday. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Friday Jan 4, 1929
Funeral services for Mrs. Peter Saup, age 89 years, who died at her home Friday afternoon at 12:35 o'clock, following a prolonged illness, will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at St. Patrick's church, Father B. Pender officiating.  The cortege will leave the residence, 707 Washington avenue, at 1:20 p.m. for the church.  Immediately after the services the funeral party will leave by automobiles for Villa Ridge where interment will be made in Calvary cemetery.  Karcher Brothers will direct the funeral. The pall bearers will be H. W. Cade, H. N. Henckell, Jesse Beadles, Carl H. Schuh, M. J. O'Shea, William Hartman and Frank Ritchie. Mrs. Saup is survived by her husband of Cairo and several distant relatives.  It was mistakenly stated Friday that she was a sister of Gus Botto of Cairo.  This is not the case, as her husband is her only surviving relative in this city. --Saturday, Jan. 5, 1929, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--November 14, 1964-- EMIL SCHLAMER, age 49, a former Cairo resident, died Saturday evening as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident near Springfield, IL. He lived in Cairo for many years, but made his home in Carlinville, IL. He was a member of the Church of Christ Scientist of Carlinville and a member of Cairo Lodge No. 237 AF and AM, Cairo Chapter No. 71 Royal Arch Masons, Cairo Commandery No. 13 Knights Templar and a member of the Order of Mystic Shrine, Aniad Temple of East St. Louis. He was a World War II Veteran and served in the Pacific Theater of War. He was employed by the Valley Steel Products Co. Survivors include two sons, Jackie and Allen Schlamer of Carlinville: his mother Mrs. Jennie Schlamer of Thebes; two sisters, Mrs. Eula Vaughn of Chicago and Mrs. Emma Hinton of Olive Branch, 4 brothers: Gerald, Louis and Dick all of Thebes and Carl of Alton, IL and other relatives. Friends may call at the Joe F. Berbling Funeral Chapel after 6 pm Tuesday. Funeral services will be held for Mr. Schlamer, Wednesday at 1:30 pm at the Joe F. Berbling Funeral Home in Cairo with Clayton Boone, first Reader of Christ Scientist in Cairo officiating. Interment will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge where full Masonic Rites will be conducted at the graveside by Cairo Lodge No. 237 A.F. and A.M. Joe F. Berbling Funeral Director is in charge of arrangements...donated by Judy Simpson.

Thebes, IL.--September 23, 1968--MRS. JENNIE HEWITT SCHLAMER of Route 1, Thebes died Monday afternoon in a nursing home where she had been a patient six weeks. She was 77 years old. She was born April 20, 1891, at Willard, IL. She was married to Emile Schlamer, June 17, 1908. He died July 14, 1950. She was a member of the Thebes Methodist Church. Mrs. Schlamer is survived by two daughters: Mrs. Eula Vaughn and Mrs. Emma Hinton of Olive Branch, IL, 5 sons, Dick, Gerald and Louis Schlamer of Thebes, Joe Schlamer of Olive Branch and Carl Schlamer of East Alton, IL.: one sister, Mrs. Lena Simpson, Manteno, IL: three brothers: Melvin Hewitt, California, Carl Hewitt of Cape Girardeau, Ray Hewitt of Wood River, IL. 19 grandchildren: 19 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Lorberg Funeral Home until 9 tonight. The body will be taken from the Funeral Home to the Thebes Methodist Church at noon Wednesday where services will be held at 2 pm. The pastor, the Rev. Richard Giffin will officiated with burial to follow in Rose Hill Cemetery at Thebes. (Pallbearers will be a great-grandson, Larry Vaughn, five grandsons: Frank, William E. and David Vaughn, Billy Joe Hinton and Louis Ray Schlamer)...donated by Judy Simpson

Cairo, IL.--November 14, 1964, MRS. MARY CAMERON SCHLAMER, age 44, a former Cairo resident died Saturday evening as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident near Springfield, IL. Mrs. Schlamer lived in Cairo for many years, but had made her home in Carlinville, IL. for the past several years. She was a member of The Church of Christ Scientist, of Carlinville, IL and a member of the Order of Eastern Star of Carlinville, IL. Survivors include: two sons, Jackie and Allen Schlamer, both of Carlinville, IL.; her mother Mrs. Gertrude Cameron of Carlinville and other relatives. Friends may call at the Joe F. Berbling Funeral Chapel after 8 pm Tuesday. Funeral services for Mrs. Schlamer will be held Wednesday at 1:30 pm at the Berbling Funeral Chapel with Clayton Boone, First Reader of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Cairo, officiating. Interment will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge. Joe F. Berbling, Funeral Director is in charge of arrangements...donated by Judy Simpson.

Cairo, IL.--Death of Wm. H. Schutter--Died, in this city last Friday night about 11 o'clock, MR. WILLIAM H. SCHUTTER, of a cancerous disease of the throat. Death marked him for a victim some two or three year ago, and the announcement of his death occasioned no real surprise, except as death is always a surprise. His disease had made such progress two years ago as to cause a slight but constant hemorrhage.  Dr. Stevenson then performed a very skillful operation cutting into his throat and tying the artery and thus stopping the hemorrhage.  The doctor said, however, at the time, a cure was beyond human skill; that he could only add a year or two to his patient's life.  Slowly and steadily the disease has made its inroads. Mr. Schutter has been able to be out upon the streets a little up to within a very few weeks, but he was very much emaciated and very weak.
He was an old citizen of Cairo, coming here before the war.  In 1865 he was one of our wealthiest men, but reverses came and swept away his property.  He was a man toward whom everybody felt kindly.  In his reverses and misfortunes he had the kindly sympathy of every man in the community, for he was himself a kind-hearted man.
He leaves a widow and eight children--three sons and five daughters.  Two of the daughters are married, the eldest to Harvey Robinson, of Memphis, the second to F. W. Karsmeyer, of this city.
The remains were interred in Beech Grove cemetery Monday afternoon. --From The Cairo Weekly Citizen, Thursday, July 2, 1891, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Note: His stone in Beech Grove Cemetery lists William Schutter's birth date as 17 Nov 1833, in Hamburg, Germany.  Death date 29 June 1891). 

Thebes, IL.--BOBBIE B. (SIMPSON) SHAFER, 69, died at 5:29 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, in Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
Mrs. Shafer was born in Diswood Community (Alexander County) on Sept. 24, 1937, the daughter of the late Walter Thomas Simpson and Lena (Hewitt) Simpson.
Mrs. Shafer ran the Shafer General Store in Thebes for 23 years, served as mayor of Thebes for six years and was of the Methodist faith. She worked the last eight years with the H and R Block Tax Services in Cape Girardeau.
Mrs. Shafer was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Vernon Shafer on Nov. 12, 1986; two sisters; and a half brother.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Donald B. and Paula Shafer of Wickliffe, Ky.; daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Carl Hickerson of Thebes; two sisters, Judy Simpson of Centralia, Mary Jo Jaco of Cottage Hills; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms with Brother Don Henson officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, 11/26/06.

Jonesboro, IL.--JACK R. SHARP, 71, of Jonesboro died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2002 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Ill. He was born July 14, 1931, in Elco, Ill., son of Rando and Della Brimm Sharp.  He and Betty Baggott were married March 26, 1955 in Tamms, Ill. Sharp was a member of New Hope Baptist Church, American Legion in McClure, Ill., and life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his wife; a son, Billy Sharp of Jonesboro; four daughters, Nancy Sweiter of Jonesboro, Jackie Drew of Carbondale, Betty Sharp of Harrisburg, Ill., Barbara Smith of Wolf Lake, Ill.; two brothers, Paul Sharp of Anna, Ill., Joe Sharp of Cobden, Ill., a sister, Emma Whitson of Tulsa, Okla.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Friends may call at Hileman and Parr Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Revs. Dewayne Taylor and Andy Gillespie officiating.  Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, with military rites conducted by Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 of Anna.

Elco, IL.--MYRA ELLEN SHARP, 69, of Elco died Sunday, Dec. 10, 1989 at the Lifecare Center in Jonesboro, IL.  She was born Dec. 19, 1919 at Elco, daughter of the late Jesse Rhymer and Lula Gifford Rhymer.  She was a member of Elco Pentecostal Church.  Her husband, Adeil Samuel Sharp, preceded her in death in March 1981.  Also two brothers and one sister preceded her.  She is survived by two daughters, Lellia Dailey, Elco and Mary Sue Fritz, Pulaski; one sister, Mildred McCraven, Reynoldsville; one half-sister, Dorothy Jones, Collins, Mo; three half brothers, Wesley Rhymer, Dongola; Jim Rhymer of Anna and Jess Rhymer of Chicago; 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.  Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Elco Pentecostal Church with Rev. Johnnie B. Gibson officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.

Anna, IL.--WILLIAM A. SHARP, 83 of Anna, formerly of Dexter, Mo., died Thursday, July 24, 2003, at Advance Nursing Center in Advance, Mo. He was born Dec. 10, 1919, in Elco, Ill., son of William Arthur and Melinda Thompson Sharp.  He and Edna Mae Warnhoff were married Sept. 8, 1948 in Jonesboro, Ill.  She died June 7, 1989.  He later married Edna Mae Davis Dec. 21, 1990, in Wickliffe, Ky. Sharp was a former millwright with National Steel in Granite City, Ill.  He was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. He served in the U. S. Army. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Robert Sharp of Springfield, Mo., Raymond Sharp of Granite City, Ronald and Alan Sharp of Virginia Beach, Va.; two daughters, Sandy Callaway of Daisy, and Kathy Rainey of Advance. Also surviving are two step-sons, Joshua Davis of Alto Pass, Ill., Gary Davis of Anna; four stepdaughters, Patty Diaz and Carolyn Foster of Anna, Anna Patterson of Sandusky, Ill., Bertie Barnett of Pittsburg, Ill.; 23 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Elder Ed Mangus officiating.  Burial will be in Hagy Cemetery at Dexter.

Thebes, IL.--ELZORA MAE SHAVER, age 77, died Sunday at 10:55 a.m. in St. Mary's Hospital.  She had been a resident of the Thebes community for the past 50 year and a member of the First Methodist Church of Thebes. Survivors include her husband, Peter C. Shaver; two daughters, Mrs. Jack (Helen) Sanders of Miami, Fla., and Mrs. Wayne (Maurine) Jeffries of Hialeah, Fla.; five sons, Preston and Gerald of Roxanna, Ill., Harold of Carlyle, Ill., Russell of Madison, Ill., and Franklin of San Juan, Puerto Rico; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Sutton, Thebes, Mrs. Edna DeLashmutt of Cairo and Mrs. Blanche Snider of Royal Oaks, Mich.; 16 grandchildren and 18 greatgrandchildren. Friends may call at the Haman Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau after 6 p.m. today. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m., in the First Methodist Church, Thebes, with the Rev. Bryant officiating.  Interment will be in the Mt. Zion cemetery. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, Feb. 22, 1965, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--MRS. BESSIE MAE SHEFFER, age 62, of 727 Thirty-fourth St., died at her home Monday night (March 26, 1962) after a long illness. Survivors include her husband, Eddie Sheffer; one daughter, Mrs. Mildred Newell of Tamms; two sons, Harold of Paducah, (KY) and Herman of Cairo; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Farnsworth Funeral Home of Tamms.--Cairo Evening Citizen.(Bessie was born October 6, 1899 at Elco, IL to Jerome and Malinda J. Hill Provoe. She is buried at Green Lawn Cemetery near Villa Ridge, IL.)

Cairo, IL.--EDDIE E. SHEFFER, of Cairo died at Cape LaCroix Manor in Cape Girardeau, (MO) Monday (July 5, 1976). He was 85 years old. Born on June 29, 1891, Mr. Sheffer was married to the former Miss Bessie Mae Provo, who preceded him in death on March 26, 1962. Mr. Sheffer was a retired school teacher. He had taught for 41 years and was a member of the Elco Pentecostal Church, Elco. Surviving: sons, Herman Sheffer, Olive Branch, Harold Sheffer, Cairo; daughter, Mrs. Glenn Newell, Ullin; brother, E. L. Sheffer, Tamms; sisters, Mrs. Vida Murphy and Mrs. Helen Sanders, both of Granite City; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Farnsworth Funeral Home in Tamms after 7 tonight. Service will be at 1 Wednesday afternoon at the Elco Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Robert Burchett, Cairo, officiating. Burial will be in the Green Lawn Cemetery near Mounds. Pallbearers were Mr. Sheffer's grandsons: Billy, Roger and Steve Sheffer, James, Mike and David Newell. --Cairo Evening Citizen. (Eddie E. Sheffer was born near Elco, IL to Daniel and Leona Jordan Sheffer.)

Jackson, Mo.--THURMAN LEE SHELTON, JR., 69, of Jackson died Tuesday, March 18, 2008, when floodwaters swept his pickup truck into Crooked Creek at Marble Hill, Mo.  He was born March 1, 1939 in Harviell, Mo., son of Thurman Lee and Hazel Mae Goodwin Shelton, Sr.   He and Barbara Ann Foutch were married March 4, 1960 in Thebes, Ill.  Shelton was a pipefitter in the construction industry.  He was formerly a Jackson police officer and detective, and in retirement was a park ranger at Lake Wappapello.  He had been a scoutmaster for Troop 11 and an Optimist basketball and baseball coach in Jackson.  He served in the U. S. Marine Corps.  Survivors include his wife; a son, Tracy Shelton of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Bill Shelton of Cape Girardeau; and a sister, Leona Johnson of Jackson.  He was preceded in death by his parents.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home.  Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes, with the Rev. Shawn Wasson officiating.  --Contributed by J. C. McNelly.

Cairo, IL.--JAMES WESLEY SIMPSON, age 61, died September 24, 1957, at St. Mary's Hospital, Tuesday at 1:10 pm after an extended illness. His home was at 3808 Highland Avenue and he had been a resident of Cairo for the past 29 years. He was a carpenter by trade and an officer in the Carpenters Union for 11 years. He was a member of Cairo Lodge 237, AF and AM., Cairo Chapter 71, R.A.M. and the Ft. Massac Council 127 of Metropolis. He was also a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Mr. Simpson is survived by his wife, Lorena (Carrie); one daughter, Mrs. Wardell Greer of Sterling, Il. a son, James Robert Simpson of Cairo; 6 grandchildren, his father R. B. Simpson of Cairo, two sisters, Mrs. Stella Ice of Carbondale and Mrs.Novella Bauer of Cairo; one brother Tom of Thebes and other relatives. The body is at Karcher Funeral Home where friends may call....donated by Judy Simpson.

Thebes, IL.--MRS. LENA HEWITT SIMPSON passed away March 21, 1977, at the St. Mary's Hospital, Kankakee, Illinois. Funeral Services for Mrs. Simpson will be at 1 pm today from the Farnsworth Funeral Home in Tamms. Reverend Tom Bridges will officiate and burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Thebes. Mrs. Simpson was born July 30, 1902, at Willard, Illinois She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hewitt. On May 19, 1923, she married Walter T. Simpson, who died July 23, 1969. Mrs. Simpson was a resident of Manteno for 19 years. She is survived by daughters, Mrs. Ray (Mary Jo) Jaco Cottage Hills, IL; Mrs. Harry (Jennalee) Pink, Affton, Missouri, Mrs. Donald (Bobbye) Shafer, Tamms, IL, Mrs. Jack (Jeanne) Crane, and Miss Judith Simpson, both of Manteno, seven grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and one brother, Carl Hewitt, Jackson Missouri. Three brothers and one sister are deceased. Visitation and services were on Tuesday night at the Harvey-Brown Funeral Home with the Reverend Woodrow Wilson of the Manteno Mission Baptist church officiating and Mrs. Cynthia Simmons as organist for the services. There was also visitation on Wednesday night at Farnsworth Funeral Home....Donated by Judy Simpson

Cairo, IL.--MRS. LORENA “CARRIE” SIMPSON, 67, 3808 Highland, died at her residence at 6:45 am today (1959). She was born in Alexander County near East Cape Girardeau and has lived practically her entire life in Cairo and this county. Mrs. Simpson was a retired teacher and had taught 28 years in the Cairo and Alexander County School systems. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Cairo. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Wesley Simpson on September 24, 1957 and one daughter, Luella, who died in early childhood. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Wardell Greer in Sterling, Il; one son, James Robert Simpson of Cairo, six grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Luella Pistole, Detroit, Mi; Mrs. Stella Willis and Mrs. Cyrille Abercrombie both of Tamms and other relatives. The family had requested that flowers be omitted. Friends may call at Karcher’s Funeral Home after 4 pm, Friday. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later....donated by Judy Simpson.

Cairo, IL.--MRS. MARTHA PRUDENCE DEWEESE SIMPSON, age 81, died at her home, 610 38th street, Cairo, at 7AM today, June 24, 1954, after a lingering illness. She had been a resident of Alexander County for 49 years and a resident of Cairo for 16 years and a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Cairo. Mrs. Simpson is survived by her husband, Robert B. Simpson; two daughters, Mrs. Stella Ice and Mrs. Novella Bauer both of Cairo; two sons, James W. Simpson of Cairo and W.T.Simpson of Cottage Hills,IL; 4 brothers, Jim Deweese of Evansville, Ind; Ray Deweese of Kankakee, Il: Charles of Cleveland Ohio and Morgan Deweese of Little Rock, Ark; 21 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren and other relatives. Funeral Services for Mrs. Martha B. Simpson who died at her home 610 Thirty-eighth Street, Cairo, IL. Thursday will be held at the Immanuel Baptist church Saturday at 1:30 pm with the Pastor, Rev. S. H. Nance officiating. Interment will be made in the McCrite Cemetery, Diswood. The body is at the Karcher Funeral Home where friends may call. The Karcher Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements....donated by Judy Simpson

Cairo, IL.--ROBERT B. SIMPSON, age 87 of 825 Twenty-eighth St, died at St. Mary's Hospital at 5:45 pm Monday, August 18, 1958, after an extended illness. He has been a resident of Cairo for the past 21 years and prior to that time he lived in Alexander County for many years. He was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Cairo. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha on June 24, 1954, and one son, James W. Simpson on September 24, 1957. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Novella Bauer of Cairo and Mrs. Stella B. Ice of Carbondale, Il.; one son, Tommie Simpson of Manteno, Il.; 21 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren and other relatives. The body is at Karcher's Funeral Home where friends may call after 6pm today. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 3pm at Karcher's Funeral Home with the Rev. Burdell O'Neill and Rev. Roy Cole officiating. Interment will be in McCrite Cemetery at Diswood. Karcher's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangments....donated by Judy Simpson.

Thebes, IL.--Funeral rites for WALTER T. SIMPSON, 71, were held Tuesday evening at the Harvey-Brown Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Ingram officiating. The body was taken to the Farnsworth Funeral Home at Tamms, where last rites will be conducted today at 2 pm. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery, Thebes, Illinois. Born August 18, 1897, at Brownsville, Ky, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brandon Simpson, he was married May 19, 1923, in Kentucky to the former Lena Hewitt. Before moving to Manteno, about 13 years ago to work at Manteno State Hospital to work as a psychiatric aid, he was a resident of Thebes, where he worked as a carpenter and bus driver. He died Monday morning, July 21, 1969, at St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois. Surviving in addition to the widow, are five daughters, Mrs. Mary Jo(Ray) Jaco of Cottage Hills, IL; Mrs. Tommie Jean (Jack) Crain of Manteno, Mrs. Jennalee (Harry) Pink of St. Louis Mo; Mrs. Bobbie B (Donald) Shafer of Tamms and Miss Judy Simpson of Manteno....Donated by Judy Simpson from the collection of Lena Hewitt Simpson.

Cairo, IL.--COL. WILLIAM SIMPSON, VETERAN, DIES--Authority of Rivers and Harbors Work; Funeral Tuesday--Col. William S. Simpson, passed away Saturday night at 10:30 o'clock at his home 526 Eleventh Street after a lingering illness.  Col. Simpson was 81 years of age and had been in failing health for the past four and a half years and for the past year was practically helpless, the immediate cause of his death was a paralytic stroke, the last of several, with which he was stricken Friday. Col. Simpson was born in Charleston, W. Va. on October 10, 1838, and served in the Confederate army during the civil war.  Later he was engaged by the government in work on rivers and harbors and was considered an authority on this sort of work.  He was married here in 1890 to Mrs. Ellen D. Dunning widow of Dr. C. W. Dunning. Col. Simpson was a highly educated and well informed man, a graduate of Ressclear(?) Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y.  He was also a veteran Mason, belonging to Cairo Lodge No. 237 A. F. and A. M.  Ainad Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. East St. Louis.  Col. Simpson was also a devout member of the Church of the Redeemer and one of the most highly respected old residents of Cairo. He leaves surviving him a wife,: one daughter, Mrs. LeGrand Withrow of Millboro, Va., and two sons, T. K. Simpson of Rock Island, Ill., and W. T. Simpson of Chicago.  His sons arrived in Cairo, but Mrs. Withrow will be unable to attend her father's funeral on account of the serious illness of her husband.  The funeral service will be held Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock at the Church of the Redeemer.  Rev. Arthur W. Brooks, priest in charge officiating. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, Sept. 15, 1919.

Funeral services for Col. William S. Simpson, who passed away Saturday night, were held this mornng at 9 o'clock at the Church of the Redeemer.  Rev. Arthur W. Brooks reading the impressive Episcopal funeral service.  The church was crowded with friends of Col. Simpson and his family and members of the Masonic Lodge acted as an escort of honor to the church and at the cemetery.  The funeral party was conveyed in special interurban cars to Beech Grove cemetery where interment was made. The pall bearers were Messrs. H. S. Antrim, Frank Spencer, A. Hawkins, H. C. Steinel, Samuel Shoemaker, John Cain. --From the Cairo Citizen, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1919, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Elco, IL.--BILL A. SIMS, 60, of Elco, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 1986 at John Cochran Veteran Medical Center in St. Louis. He was born in Elco on December 27, 1925, son of John Albert and Lucy Sharp Sims. He was a farm laborer and was of the Baptist faith. He was a veteran of World War II. Survivors include two sons, Gary of North Carolina and David of Dalton, IL; three daughters, Paula Dickerson, Cicero, Cheryl Lovelace, Bessemer City, NC and Karen Lovelace, San Franisan, NC; two brothers, Fred, Olive Branch and Gene of Tamms; six sisters, Martha Baldwin and Erma Wilson, both of Anna, Effie Poole and Esther Read of Tamms, Virgie Rhymer of Elco and Cleta Poole of Mill Creek; nine grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, John Albert "Bud" Sims, Jr. in 1983. Jones Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.

Olive Branch, IL.--Funeral services for FRED SIMS of Olive Branch will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Alexander Free Will Baptist Church. Rev. Dale Billingsley will officiate with burial in St. John's Cemetery. Crain Funeral Home, Tamms, is in charge of arrangements. Sims, 61, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 1989 at the Veteran Administration Medical Center in Marion. He was born Oct. 19, 1927 at Elco, son of John and Lucy Sims. He married Betty Brimm October 25, 1947. He was a member of the Alexander Free Will Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Gerald of Ullin, Kenneth of Meridian, MS and Bruce of Olive Branch; two daughters, Nancy Pearman, Collinsville and LaDonna Urhan of Olive Branch; five sisters, Martha Baldwin and Erma Wilson of Cape Girardeau, Cleta Poole and Effie Poole of Mill Creek, Esther Read of Tamms; one brother, Conrad of Tamms and eight grandchildren.

Tamms, IL.--JOSEPHINE JOHNSON SIMS, 81, of rural route Tamms, died at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006 in Union County Hospital in Anna. Mrs. Sims was born Aug. 2, 1924 in Linden, Tenn., daughter of the late Augustus Evert Johnson and Edna Mae Harper Johnson. Mrs. Sims was a member of Elco Baptist Church and was a retired Florsheim Shoe Factory employee in Anna. Mrs. Sims was preceded in death by her husband, John "Bud" Sims in 1981, and by a brother. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Steve and Doris Sims and Charlie Sims, all of Tamms; four grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Services for Josephine Sims will be at noon Friday, Feb. 10, 2006 in Jones Funeral Home in Tamms with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery in rural Dongola. Friends may call between 5 and 8 p.m. today in the Jones Funeral Home in Tamms. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Feb. 9, 2006.

Olive Branch, IL.--BERTHA IRENE SMILEY, 79, St. Louis, and formerly of Olive Branch, died Wednesday night in a St. Louis hospital. Survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Ernestine Barber, Mrs. Sybil Bode, and Mrs. Dixie Tracey all of St. Louis; one son, Harold Smiley, California; 17 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Visitation will be after 1 p.m. Friday in the Farnsworth Funeral Home, Tamms. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Richard Giffin officiating.  Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery near Olive Branch. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen,  December 11, 1969, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Olive Branch, IL.--BILLY J. SMITH, 52 of Olive Branch, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 1990 at John Cochran Veteran Administration Hospital in St. Louis. He was born March 21, 1938 at Elco, son of Elvis and Ellen Poole Smith. He married Linda Miller Sept. 14, 1962. She survives. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America Local #1148. Other survivors include: one son, James Smith of Beale Air Force Base, CA; one daughter, Kelly RaNae Snell of East Cape Girardeau; three sisters, Sue Arnold of Alhambra, IL, Mary Rice of Columbua, IN and Virginia Collins of Hockessin, DE; one brother, Junior Smith of Farmington, MO and two grandchildren. The funeral service will be at the Crain Funeral Home in Tamms Saturday at 1 p.m. with Rev. Tom Bridges officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.

Cairo, IL.--MRS. CATHERINE SMITH, Mother of E. A. Smith, Passed Away--Mrs. Catherine Frances Smith died this morning at 11 o'clock at the home of her daughter Mrs. A. M. Guion, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. George Farrin at 722 Twenty-fifth street.  Mrs. Smith was taken with an attack of grip a week ago Tuesday which developed into bronchitis resulting in her death.  Mrs. Smith who was nearly 79 years old was born in Brantford, Canada and has lived in Cairo since 1859. She was married twice, her first husband being George Smith, after whose death she married Louis Lincoln who is also deceased.  She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom four are living, Mrs. A. M. Guion, Messrs. E. A. Smith and Cyrus Smith of Cairo and William Smith of Denver, Colo.  She also leaves surviving her a sister Mrs. Eliza Workman of Brantford, Canada, a brother Robert Turner of Toronto, Canada and a brother, Frank Turner who lives in California. The average ages of these three is something over 69 years. The funeral will probably be held from the house Sunday afternoon although definite arrangements have not been made as yet. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Friday, April 14, 1911, contributed by Anna Shelton.

SMITH/LINCOLN--Died at 11 a.m. Friday, April 14, 1911, after a brief illness, Mrs. Catherine Frances Lincoln, aged 79 years.  Funeral  services will be held at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Geo. M. Farrin, 722 Twenty-fifth street at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 16, Rev. E. A. deRosset of the Church of the Redeemer officiating.  Special train from Fourteenth Street at 2:45 p.m.  Interment at Villa Ridge Cemetery.  --From the Cairo Evening Citizen, Saturday, April 15, 1911, contributed by Karima.  (Note:  In the first obituary they omitted the LINCOLN name.  She and her second husband, Louis Lincoln, were divorced in 1873, but she continued to use the Lincoln name in the 1880-1910 censuses.--Karima)

Tamms, IL.--CHARLES SMITH--Funeral services for Charles Smith, age 37 years, veteran of the world war, whose death occurred suddenly Saturday (Sept. 26, 1932) while he was at work on bridge construction near Elco, will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his brother Robert Smith in Tamms. The Rev. H. E. Vick, pastor of the Tamms Baptist Church, will conduct the services, and interment will be made in Hazelwood Cemetery. Alder and Parker will direct the funeral. Mr. Smith is survived by his widow, Mrs. Lillie Smith, and three small sons; five sisters and three brothers. His widow is the daughter of William Dailey of Elco. Mr. Smith had always resided in the vicinity of Tamms. He served in the World War and later was employed by the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company for a number of years. --Contributed by Cindy Davisson.

Tamms, IL--GOLDIE M. SMITH, 83, of Tamms died Monday, Jan. 19, 2004 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.  She was born Oct. 9, 1920 in Elco, Ill., daughter of William and Victoria Josephine Reynolds Dailey.  She and Ralph B. Smith were married June 12, 1935 at Tamms.  Smith was a member of Tamms United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Marilyn Crisler of Tamms, Carolyn Alvis of Jackson, Tenn.; a son Ralph Smith of Dover, Del.; a brother, John Dailey of Illinois; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by three sisters and five brothers.
Friends may call at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms from 5 to 8 p.m. today.  The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. John Clark officiating.  Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery near Dongola, IL.

Cairo, IL.--JACOB A. SMITH, age 43 years, passed away at his home, 510 Thirty-fourth street Thursday night at 8:30 o'clock after an illness of a month. He was married in 1917 to Mrs. Sallie Mosley at Muscatine, Iowa coming to Cairo in May 1918 and has lived at the present address ever since.  He leaves besides his wife, two step-daughters, Mrs. Frances Mosley and Mrs. Lydia Neathamer, both of Cairo, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Smith of this city, two sisters, Mrs. Charles White, Mrs. Frankel Carney, both of Cairo, three step-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at the residence Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. D. R. Thomas officiating.  Interment will be made in Thistlewood cemetery. Karcher Brothers will direct the funeral. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Friday, Dec. 27, 1935, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Tamms, IL.--LUCY MAE SMITH, 80, of Tamms died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1996 at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 3, 1916 in Elco, daughter of William and Josephine Victoria Dailey. She married Robert "Rob" Smith Jr., who died March 6, 1990. Survivors include three sons, Rodney of Benton, KY, Graydon of Carbondale, and Mike of Dracut, Mass.; two daughters, Joyce Carson of Glen Carbon and Vicky Baker of Tamms; a sister, Goldie Smith of Tamms; two brothers, Lester "Tex" Dailey of Cape Girardeau and John Dailey of Moro; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters. Friends may call at Jones Funeral Hme in Tamms after 5:00 p.m. today. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Rev. Billy Don Heady officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.

Cairo, IL.--MRS. MARGARET SMITH--Old Resident Passed Away at Age of 81 Years-
Mrs. Margaret Smith, for a half century a citizen of Cairo, and one of the highly esteemed – residents, passed away at 7:30 o’clock, of the infirmities of age, she died at 711 Walnut Street, where she had made her home for 48 years. She was sister of the late Daniel Hartman and of Mrs. A. Halley.
Mrs. Smith was born in Hunterstown, Maryland, on July 19, 1834. She was married in Cairo on February 5, 1855, to Augustus Smith, and her husband was killed in the War of the Rebellion in 1865. Most of her married life was spent in Cumberland, Maryland.
Returning to Cairo in 1868 with her daughter, she made her home with her mother. Mrs. Leah Hartman. She has lived here ever since that date. Her granddaughter, Mrs. Florence Misenheimer and Mrs. Lizzie Boudreau, on the death of their mother, were brought up under her care, and made their home with her until they married, and have spent a part of the time with her since.
Mrs. Smith was a devoted member of the First M. E. church, and an effort will be made to have Rev. M. H. Loaf, former pastor of the church conduct the services in the absence of the pastor, Rev. J. W. Cummings. The services will probably be held Sunday afternoon, with interment at Beech Grove.
Besides her sister and granddaughters, Mrs. Smith is survived by two great grandchildren. Cecil Meisenheimer and Charles Augustus Boudreau, and numerous nieces and nephews, among them Mrs. Grace Hunt, D. L. Williamson, and Miss Leah and Marie Halley, Mrs. Pearl Halley Neton and William B. and David Halley.  --Contributed by Mary Boudreau, 4 great-granddaughter, who noted that Margaret Smith died May 4, 1916.

Tamms, IL.--MRS. MARJORIE SMITH, 100, of Tamms, passed away at 4:03 p.m. Nov. 14, 2006 in Daystar Care Center in Cairo. Mrs. Smith was born Aug. 3, 1906 in Augusta (Woodruff Co.), AR to the late Ernest and Ophelia Friar. After the death of her parents in 1926, she moved to Tamms, and married the late Jeff Ford in 1927. After the death of Mr. Ford, she met and married the late Mr. Elmer Smith. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She joined Trinty Baptist Church in Tamms for a short while, then united with Second Baptist Church in Tamms. She remained a faithful member until her health failed. Mrs. Smith was the oldest of the original members of Second Baptist Church. Her favorite song was, "This Little Light of Mine." Mrs. Smith loved the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul and strength. She served the church as the superintendent of Sunday School, church treasurer, Sunday school teacher, member and vice-president of the missionary society, and was the oldest church member. She was faithful until death and there is now laid up for her a crown of righteousness. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Left to cherish her memory are a cousin and a nephew; nieces and nephews by marriage; a special friend who cared for her as if she were her own mother, Mrs. Marjorie La Grone; and a host of good friends and neighbors. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Second Baptist Church in Tamms with the Rev. James E. Anderson, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Spencer Heights Cemetery in Mounds. Heavenly Gates Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Nov. 15, 2006.

Tamms, IL.--RALPH B. SMITH, age 87, of Tamms died Saturday, April 9, 2005 at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Smith was born Nov. 22, 1917 in Tamms, son of the late Robert Smith, Sr. and Vinnie (Whitaker) Smith. Mr. Smith was a GMO Railroad Switchman for 38 years and attended the Tamms Methodist Church and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Goldie M. Dailey Smith on Jan. 19, 2004; three brothers, George, Ed and Robert Smith, Jr.; and a sister, Maxine Holshouser. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Russ Crisler of Tamms, Carolyn and Bill Alvis of Jackson, Tenn.; son and daughter-in-law, Ralph T. and Judith Smith of Dover, Dela.; sister, Irene Pettit of Villa Ridge; a brother, Melvin Smith of Tamms; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2005 at the Jones Funeral Home in Tamms with Rev. Larry Buckles officiating. Interment followed in the St. John's Cemetery in Dongola, Ill. Friends called from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at the funeral home. Jones Funeral Home in Tamms in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Citizen, April 14, 2005, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Tamms, IL.--ROBERT L. SMITH, SR., 86, of Tamms, died at 10 p.m. Sunday (July 3, 1972) at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, (MO). He was born October 10, 1885 in Anna, IL. He was a retired GM and O railroad worker. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Maxine Hoelsher of Buckville, AR, and Mrs. Irene Pettit of Tamms; five sons, Edward, Robert Jr., Ralph and Melvin, all of Tamms and George of Olive Branch. One sister, Mrs. Pearl Phelps of Tamms; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. Friends may call at Fransworth Funeral Home today. Funeral will be at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Thursday with Rev. Eugene Hart, pastor of Tamms Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Casper Cemetery near Anna. --Contributed by Cindy Davisson.

Worden, IL.--WORDEN WOMAN'S MOTHER IS DEAD--Mrs. Susan Smith Was the Mother of Mrs. C. W. Piper of Worden--MRS. SUSAN ELLEN MULL SMITH, aged 73 years, 4 months and 22 days, of Tamms, Illinois died at the house of her daughter, Mrs. James Meyers at 1007 North Jefferson St., Litchfield, Sunday evening (?July 24, 1927)at 6:30 o'clock, following an illness of Bright's disease. She had been visiting her daughters, Mrs. Meyers and Mrs. Smith of Litchfield when she was taken suddenly ill about five weeks ago. Mrs. Smith was born March 2, 1854 near Anna. She was married to George Smith a number of years ago who preceded her in death about twenty-five years ago. To this union 13 children were born, four of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Minnie Meyers, Mrs. Pearl Smith of Litchfield, Mrs. C. W. Piper of Worden; Mrs. Nettie Kennard, Aliance, Ohio, Mrs. Millie Hearston of St. Louis; four sons, William G. Smith of Olsa Ola, AR, Robert, Charles and James Smith of Tamms. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. John Graham of Summerfield, Kansas, 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. James Meyers at Litchfield. Rev. C. Cullison, pastor of the Methodist Church conducted the services. Interment was in the Elmwood Cemetery at Litchfield. Mrs. Thos. Shannon and son, Joe, Mrs. Ed Schumake, Mrs. T. C. Unger, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Piper, Mrs. Harold Kennedy of Worden and Clarence Piper of Edwardsville attended the funeral. --Contributed by Cindy Davisson.

Tamms, IL.--MRS. VINNIA SMITH, 60, died Wednesday night (Oct. 24, 1956) at the family residence in Tamms after a lingering illness. She was a member of the Sandusky Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, Robert Smith, Sr., two daughters, Mrs. Maxine Hoelscher, St. Louis and Mrs. Irene Pettit, Tamms; five sons, Edward, Robert Jr., Ralph and Melvin, all of Tamms, and George of Alton; one brother, David Whitaker, Granite City; 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Sandusky Methodist Church with the Rev. R. E. Willis, pastor, officiating. --Contributed by Cindy Davisson.

Cairo, IL.--THOMAS JOSEPH SMYTH, age 76 years, died at St. Mary's hospital this morning following an illness of about a year.  Mr. Smyth formerly operated a wholesale liquor store at 505 Ohio Street.  His sister, Mrs. Ellen J. MacLachian formerly resided at 2037 Washington avenue, later moving to California.  He also leaves a brother, the Very Rev. Bernard Canon Smyth, parish priest in Dublin, Ireland.  Mr. Smyth was educated at Summerhill College, Galway Ireland, St. Ignatius College, Galway and the National University at Dublin, where he studied for the medical profession, which he never followed.  He also leaves a nephew, the Very Rev. Dr. McGauran, D.D.D.Ph., professor in Sligo College in Ireland.  He was a member of St. Patrick's church. Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 9 o'clock at St. Patrick's church with Rev. Fr. Bernard Pender officiating.  The funeral party will leave Karcher Brothers Funeral home at 8:50 for the church. Interment will be made in Calvary cemetery. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin
Tuesday, November 10, 1936, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--LIFE OF PROF. JOHN SNYDER IS ENDED.-- PROF. JOHN SNYDER, county superintendent of schools of Alexander County, passed away Sunday afternoon about 1:10 o'clock at his home No. 2215 Pine Street.
His ailment was Bright's disease.  Shortly after the November election he was stricken, and for the last four weeks he was confined to his bed.  During this period he was unconscious the greater part of the time, but at a lucid interval, a few days since, he informed his physician that while he desired to live to care for his wife and children, he was ready to die if it was God's will.  His suffering during his illness was intense, and death came as a relief after a heroic struggle which was, as he knew, a hopeless one.
John Snyder was born on a farm near the village of Grandview, Edgar County, Illinois, April 11, 1857.  He was educated in the public schools and in the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, from which he graduated about 1880.  From 1886 until 1892 he was principal of the Oakland, Coles County, Illinois, schools and in the latter year came to Cairo to be principal of the Cairo high school. In this position he served until January 1903.  He was elected county superintendent of schools for Alexander County in November 1902, and again in 1906.  He was also a member of the city council of Cairo two terms, from April 1904 to April 1908.  He took an active interest in educational affairs and was an executive officer of the Illinois State Teachers' Association and served that body in a number of other official capacities.  He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Cairo and at the time of his death and for several years prevous was superintendent of the Sunday school.  He was also a member of Safford Lodge No. 67, I.O.O.F., of Ascalon Lodge No. 51, Knights of Pythias, and Cairo Camp, No. 4940, Modern Woodmen of America.
On November 25,1896, Mr. Snyder married Miss Jessie Seline Farrin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Farrin.  Three children survive of this union, a girl and two boys, Florence, aged 10 years, John, aged 5, and Arnold, aged 2.
Mr. Snyder leaves, besides his widow and children, two sisters, Mrs. Arnold Thompkins of Menlo, Ga., and Mrs. Annie Holding of Pittsburg, Pa.  Neither of these, on account of the distance and because of illness will be able to attend the funeral.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon and the remains will be taken to Villa Ridge cemetery for interment.  Rev. J. G. Dee, pastor of the Methodist Church, will officiate, assisted by Rev. A. S. Buchanan, pastor of the Presbyterian Church.
Members of the various lodges and of the other bodies with which Mr. Snyder affiliated will meet tonight at Safford hall to arrange the details of the funeral.  Safford Lodge will officiate at the funeral. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, January 4, 1909, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Prof. Snyder is buried in the Cairo City Cem. at Villa Ridge, IL)

Cairo, IL.--Hold Funeral of Woman Said to be 103--Funeral services for MRS. MARY M. SOLOMON, who is said to be 103 years old, and who died of apoplexy Thursday at the home of her son, Jerry Solomon, 3911 Ohio street will be held at Karcher Brothers funeral home on Eighth street Saturday morning at 10 o'clock.  Capt. Pat Pridgen of the Salvation Army, will conduct the services.  The body will be taken by automobile to Mounds where interment will be made in Beech Grove cemetery. Mrs. Solomon's husband was W. D. Solomon, a Civil War veteran who died 20 years ago and was buried in the National cemetery at Mound City. Neither of the daughters of Mrs. Solomon, one of whom lives in California and one in St. Louis could be reached. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Friday, April 10, 1925, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Elco, IL.--MARY RACHEL JAMES SOWERS, 93, of West Frankfort, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1992 at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born April 7, 1899 in Elco, daughter of John Ellsworth and Mary Ella Lentz Newell. She married Darrell James, who died July 31, 1954. She was a member of the Elco Methodist Church. Survivors include three daughters, Eileen Smithey, Las Vegas, NV, Ella Poole of West Frankfort and Mary Poole of Dongola; a son, Darrell E. James, Tamms; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Jones Funeral Home in Tamms with Rev. Al Slayter officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.

Cairo, IL.--CAPT. SPENCE DIES TODAY IN EAST ST. LOUIS--Body of Well Known River Man Will Be Brought Here--CAPTAIN GEORGE W. SPENCE, age 70 years, well known in Cairo, and especially in river circles, died early this morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. Louis Strauss, in East St. Louis, Ill.  Captain Spence had been in failing health for some time, but until a few weeks ago had been at his work.  He was captain of the tug boat "Norman R.," and had been employed by the Halliday Sand & Gravel company and the Cairo City Coal company for about forty-two years.
At the time of his death, Captain Spence was visiting his sister.
The news of his death came as a shock to his friends in Cairo who had not realized the seriousness of his condition.  The body will be brought to Cairo and funeral services will be held here.  Arrangements for the funeral will be announced later.
For thirty years, Captain Spence had made his home at the E. C. Steinhouse residence, 218 Eleventh street.  He was a man who made many friends and who kept these friendships throughout his life.  His death has brought genuine grief to all who knew him.
Surviving Captain Spence are two half-sisters, Mrs. Strauss of East St. Louis and Mrs. R. O. Dean of Atlanta, Ga., and half-brother, Charles Wheeler of Mounds, besides other relatives.
The body will be accompanied to Cairo by Mr. Wheeler, Mrs. Strauss and Mrs. Bertha Stapleton of Cairo, who left this morning for East St. Louis upon receiving word of the death of Captain Spence. --From The Cairo Evening  Citizen, Wednesday, April 2, 1930, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Note:  Captain Spence, b. 1859, is buried in Beechwood Cem. in Mounds, IL)

Cairo, IL.--MRS. AMELIA M. SPIES, age 76 years of 316 Twenty-seventh street, died at St. Mary's hospital this morning at 1:30 o'clock, following an illness of several weeks.  Her husband, Jesse W. Spies, died Aug. 27, 1931. Mrs. Spies was born in Mt. Vernon, Ind., Nov. 13, 1856, and when a girl moved with her family to Shawneetown, Ill., where she was married to Mr. Spies in 1875.  She had lived in Cairo for 55 years and was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church.  Surviving Mrs. Spies are three daughters, Mrs. Gertrude Place of Columbus, O.; Mrs. Louise Wray and Miss Blanche Spies of Cairo; two sons, George Spies of St. Louis and Albert Spies of Cairo, and two sisters, Lula Mitchell of Eaton, Colo., and Mrs. Crawford Wilson of Harrisburg, Ill., besides a brother, George Muggs of Harrisburg, and 13 grandchildren.  A son, Jesse W. Spies, Jr., died several years ago. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at St. Joseph's church, followed by interment in Calvary cemetery at Villa Ridge.  Karcher Brothers will direct the funeral.  Father R. E. Jantzen will officiate at the services. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Sat., Dec. 17, 1932, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--WALDEMAR C. "WALLY" SPOMER, passed away Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Cairo. Wally is survived by his wife of 63 years, retired Circuit and Appellate Court Judge Dorothy Wilbourn Spomer; a son, Appellate Judge Stephen Spomer and wife, Debra, of Cairo; a son, Major (ret. USAF) John Asa Spomer and wife, Barbara, of Omaha, Neb.; a daughter, Lisa Krasnoff and husband, Arthur, of Slidell, La; six grandchildren, Amy Spomer, Adam and Rachel Krasnoff, and John, Sam and Grace Spomer; his younger brother, Marvin Spomer and wife, Bonnie, of Lincoln, Neb.; his sister-in-law, Naomi Carr and husband, David, of Woodlawn Park, Colo; and his brother-in-law, Dr. Asa Wilbourn and wife, Eileen, of Cleveland, Ohio. Wally was born on Nov. 30, 1919 in Lincoln, Neb., one of eight children of John C. and Catherine Spomer. After graduation from high school at age 16, he received a golf scholarship to the University of Nebraska, where he lettered for four years and obtained his undergraduate degree in accounting in 1940. He later enlisted in the army and served for nearly four years with the 69th Division. He was fluent in German and served as an interpreter throughout Germany and his tour of Europe. Upon his discharge from the military, he entered University of Illinois Law School and graduated with honors in 1951. He set up his law practice in Cairo, and later after his wife, Dorothy, retired from the bench, joined with her in the firm of Spomer and Spomer. Wally served as attorney for the city of Cairo, as well as the Cairo Regional Airport Authority and was elected state's attorney of Alexander County in 1972. He retired from the practice of law in 1995. His passion for the law was surpassed only by his love of golf and Nebraska Cornhusker football. In fact, nearly every weekend he could be found either on a golf course or in front of a television, rooting for the "Big Red." He was a member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia; Cairo Elks Lodge 651; Cairo VFW Post 2649, the Illinois State Bar Association and the University of Nebraska 'N' Club. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Jan. 25, 2006.

Clermont, NJ--ANNE MAXINE STANFORD, 85, of Clermont, died on Thursday at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital. She was born in Thebes, IL and lived in East Orange before moving here in 1951. She was an active member of the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church and the Wetlands Institute. She had an avid interest in birds and flowers.
She was a 1934 graduate of Stratford College of Danville, VA and taught in the then-experimental field of early education for six years at the Far Hill Country Day School. She was married in 1940 to the late Leland A. Stanford, Jr., who preceded her in death December 27, 1999.
She is survived by two sons, Leland A., III of Mays Landing and Douglas V. of Marmora; one daughter, Elizabeth S. Coleman of Oxford, PA; six grandchildren, Leland A. Stanford, IV of Boston, MA, Craig C. Stanford of Petersburg, Roger W. Stanford and Lauren B. Otton of Stone Harbor; Geoffrey S. and Philippa M. Coleman of Oxford, PA; and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 7, 2002 at 2 p.m. at the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church, 780 Seashore Road, Cold Spring, where friends may call after 1 p.m. Interment will be in the Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery.  --Press of Atlantic City, The (NJ) - January 5, 2002.

Cairo, IL.--AL STEELE, age 77, died at St. Mary's hospital today at 8:15 a.m. His home was at 228 Sixteenth Street and he had been a resident of Cairo for the last 49 years. For many years he was warehouse foreman for the Illinois Central Railroad, having retired in 1944.  He was a member of Woodmen of the World, a member of the Lutheran Church, and a church councilman for many years. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, one son, Everett Steele of Cairo; one sister, Mrs. Grant Hall of Charleston, W. Va.; three grandchildren and other relatives. The body is at Karcher Brothers Funeral Home where friends may call after 10 a.m. Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at the Funeral Home Wednesday at 2 p.m. with Pastor Harry F. Coder of the Lutheran Church and Rev. George C. Jurrens, pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be made in Villa Ridge Cemetery. Karcher Brothers are in charge. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, May 16, 1949, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Al Steele is buried in the Cairo City Cem. at Villa Ridge, IL)

Cairo, IL.--MRS. EDITH STEINHOUSE died at St. Mary's Hospital Tuesday at 3 p.m. after an extended illness. Her home was at 229 Seventeenth Street where she had lived for many years.  She was born in Cairo, educated in the Cairo schools, and spent her entire life here.  Her husband, Fred Steinhouse, preceded her in death in March, 1944.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of this city. She leaves one son, Jack Steinhouse, of this city; a niece, Mrs. Joe Jordan, of Houston, Texas; and other relatives. Her body is at Karcher Brothers Funeral Home where friends may call. Funeral services will be held at the Funeral Home Thursday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. John S. Holladay, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will be made in Thistlewood Cemetery. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Wednesday, Sept 17, 1947. (Edith's stone shows a birthdate of 1880) Contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL--Funeral for MARY M. STEVENS of Cairo will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. Dr. Larry L. Potts will officiate. Burial will be in Spencer Heights Cemetery at Mounds, Ill.  Friends may call at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m. today.
Mary, 75, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001, at her home.  She was born April 1, 1926, in Cairo, daughter of Ben and Mamie Butler Harget. She married Chesley W. "Slick" Stevens.
Stevens was a member of Cairo Baptist Church, VFW Auxiliary, and active in children's activities in the Cairo area.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Herbert and Billy Washam of Cairo; a sister, Louise Sullivan of Dupo, Ill.; two brothers, Charles Harget of Waterloo, Ill., Harold Harget of Dover, Del.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandsons.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and three brothers.  –Contributed by Leslie Riney.

North Pekin, IL -- JAMES ORVIL STEVENSON, 76, of North Pekin died at 8:36 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, at his home.
Born Nov. 5, 1921, in Elco to James Albert and Mary Elizabeth Brite Stevenson, he married Mildred Maey Webb on July 20, 1942, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She survives.
Also surviving are three sons, the Rev. Dean of Goreville, Wayne of Harrisburg and James "Joe" of North Pekin; one daughter, Mrs. Larry (Mary) Smith of Pekin; one sister, Freida Evans of Madison; five grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. One brother and two sisters preceded him in death.
He worked for the National Steel Corp. in Granite City for 30 years, retiring in 1975 as a skip operator in the blast furnace department.
He was a World War II Army veteran and attained the rank of private first class.
Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Lakeview Cemetery, Pekin. The Revs. Dean Stevenson and Duane Moraine will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. --Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) - January 6, 1998.

Tamms, IL.--EDDIE LEE STEWART, 96, of Tamms, died at 12:55 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005 in Daystar Nursing Center in Cairo. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005 in Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with Pastor Dan Greene officiating. Burial will be in McCrite Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of service Saturday at the funeral home. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Nov. 9, 2005.

Cairo, IL-- MRS. SARAH STICKNEY, the aged mother of Mrs. J. B. Reed, died at four o'clock last Sunday evening.  She had been confined to her room for several weeks and towards the closing days of her life she was afflicted with dropsy and her suffering was very severe.  She was in her ninetieth year. Mrs. Stickney was born in Jackson, Maine, on November 27, 1809. Later her parents removed to Massachusetts, and there, she was married to Benjamin Stickney.  He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his widow drew a pension on account of this service.  Her husband died in 1854, and she also outlived all her children, nine in number, except one daughter, Mrs. Reed.  In 1857, Mrs. Stickney came to St. Louis to make her home with Mr. and Mrs. Reed and removed to Cairo with them where she has lived since.  Mrs. Stickney joined the Baptist church at Lowell, Mass., over forty years ago, and was one of the founders of the Cairo Baptist church in 1880.  In fact she was the last of its constituent members, who has remained continuously a member since its organization. Funeral services were held at the residence on Twentieth street at four o'clock Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Dr. Gee of the Cairo Baptist church, assisted by Rev. Dr. Rnox of the Presbyterian church. Music was furnished by the Presbyterian choir.  Monday night the remains were taken to St. Louis and were interred at Belfontaine cemetery, Tuesday.  Mr. Reed and sons, Joseph and Frank, and daughter, Miss Nellie, accompanied them. Mrs. Stickney was so devout a Christian that she believed her transition from this world to the next should not be marked by any signs of sorrow or mourning, hence at her own request, a bunch of beautiful pink roses was attached to the door of the home that death had visited instead of the usual crepe. --From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday, January 12, 1899, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--ROSE L. STOUT, age 87, of Cairo, died Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at Paducah, Ky. She was born Aug. 31 1917, the daughter of Carl and Mary Karcher. She married Ray M. Stout in July 1937.  He preceded her in death on Feb.3, 1977.  She was also preceded in death by a son, Edward of St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Stout was a member of St. Patrick's Church and retired from Elias Family Center in Cairo. She is survived by two daughters, Eleanor (Bob) Cooke of Palm Bay, Fla. and Linda (Jackie) Logsdon of Calvert City, Ky.; two sons, Michael (Vickie) Stout of Springfield, Ill. and James (Marsha) Stout of Sherman, Ill.; one brother, James of Council Bluffs, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers donations in memory of Mrs. Stout may be made to the St. Patrick's Church, 312 9th Street, Cairo, IL 62914. Visitation was held Wednesday, Aug 24 from 5-8 p.m. at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo with Holy Rosary at 7:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005 at St. Patrick's Church with interment following at Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge. Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Citizen, Aug 25, 2005, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Olive Branch, IL.--GERTRUDE A. GREENLEY STOVER AND ROBERT E. STOVER--Double funeral services have been set for Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Farnsworth Funeral Home in Tamms for Robert E. and Gertrude A. Greenley Stover. Rev. Earl Champion, pastor of the Lake Milligan Baptist Church will officiate at the services, assisted by Rev. Ray Hall of Olive Branch. Interment in Olive Branch Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. today. Mrs. Stover was born at Miller City on April 6, 1921.  She was a member of the Lake Milligan Baptist Church in Miller City. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Sadie Greenley, Olive Branch; two brothers, Albert Greenley of Olive Branch and Don Greenley of DuQuoin, Illinois; and two sisters, Mrs. Gladys Oldham and Mrs. Jean Edmonds of Olive Branch.
Robert E. Stover was born in Centralia, Ill., on October 5, 1914. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Letha Lesar of Mounds; one sister, Mrs. Sue Dain, Olive Branch; two half-sisters, Mrs. Helen and Mrs. Lucille Phillips, both of Centralia; and one step-sister, Mrs. Orphie Bigham of Olive Branch. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, April 26, 1973, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Mr. and Mrs. Stover died April 25, 1973)

Cairo, IL.--MR. WILLIAM STRATTON DEAD--Mr. William Stratton, of the firm of Stratton & Bird, died last Saturday night about eleven o'clock.  He was stricken down with paralysis last summer and his health had been very precarious since that time.  He had been able some of the time to walk to his store by the use of a cane but he was quite feeble and could never have been strong again.  The immediate cause of his death was Bright's disease. Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church Monday afternoon.  The church was well filled by an attentive audience.  Rev. A. H. Trick officiated and prounounced a eulogy upon the life and character of the deceased. Mr. Stratton leaves a widow and four children, two sons and two daughters, three of them fully grown.  The eldest daughter is the wife of Rev. A. H. Trick.  The health of Mrs. Stratton is very poor.  She was called to the death-bed of her husband from Aiken, S. C., where she was spending the winter for her own health. Mr. Stratton was born in Cumberland County, Va., August 3, 1823. He came to the Mississippi Valley about 1855 as agent for a large body of land in western Ky.  He soon came to Cairo and acted as clerk in various capacities.  About 1860 he went to Charleston, Mo., and opened a general store.  Here on January 8, 1861 he married Miss E. M. Clarkson whom he now leaves as a widow.  Soon after this he came back to Cairo and engaged in business with Trever & Miller.  This firm was finally dissolved and a co-partnership was formed with Mr. Robert H. Cunningham. The firm of Cunningham & Stratton endured about three months when Mr. C. sold out to Col. I. B. Hudson & Clark.  Somewhere about 1868 or 1869 the late firm of Stratton & Bird was formed.  They have carried on a large business in groceries at wholesale and retail.  The firm has been widely known all through this part of the country. In 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Stratton became members of the Presbyterian Church of this city, since which time they have been consistent and honored members.  Mr. Stratton was for several years a member of the Board of Education of this city.  He has always provided generously for his family, sparing no pains and no expense which would conduce to their happiness and has not probably accumulated a large fortune.  He had $3000 insurance upon his life in the Equitable Company.  His family will be left in comfortable circumstances.  He took great pride in his family, was a genial companion, a good citizen and a true Christian. In his death Cairo has lost one of her best business men.  He made his will devising all his property to his wife, and the business will go on as heretofore at the old stand.  His son, Lee Stratton has had charge of the business for some time, and will continue at the head of the establishment, we suppose. --From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday, January 19, 1888, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Note:  Mr. Wm Stratton is buried in the Beech Grove Cem. at Mounds, IL, d. 11 Jan 1888)

Tamms, IL.--EDWARD SWAIN, 80 years old of Tamms, died Friday night in a Cairo Hospital. He was born July 30, 1889 in Kansas and was a member of the Burbank, OK Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Stella Swain, at the home; three daughters, Mrs. Lorraine Cauble, Baudette, MN, Mrs. Elaine Thompson, Granite City, IL, and Mrs. Marie Bennett, Wilmette; a brother, Henry Swain, Eugene, OR; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The body is at Farnsworth Funeral Home in Tamms where friends may call Sunday afternoon after 1p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Tamms Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Alonzo Dale and the Rev. Joe Lentz officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery near Dongola.

Tamms, IL.--MRS. STELLA SWAIN, 76 years old, of Tamms died at 11:05 Saturday morning (March 25, 1972) in the Anna Hospital. She was a member of the Cairo Church of God. She was born Nov. 2, 1895 in Rushville, IL (the daughter of William Edward and Mary Augusta Angel Newell). She was married to Edward Swain, who preceded her in death on May 1, 1970. Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Marie Bennett, Dayton, Ohio; two step-daughters, Mrs. Lorraine Cauble, Baudette, MN and Mrs. Elaine Thompson, Granite City; two brothers, Roy and Glenn Newell both of Tamms; one sister, Ruth Lessar of Tamms; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The body is at Farnsworth Funeral Home here where services will be held at one Tuesday afternoon. The Rev. Vernon W. Nye, pastor of the Church of God in Summerville, MO will officiate. Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery near Dongola. --Family Records

Cairo, IL.--CHARLES SWEENEY, age 66, passed away at his home 508 Twelfth Street late Monday afternoon following an illness of three months. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. from the Donaldson Funeral Home, with the Rev. John M. Gray officiating. The casket bearers are Charlie Hardin, Will Lucas, Harry Williams, Johnnie Martin, Willie Amount, Pete Collier. Interment will be made in Lincoln Cemetery. Friends may call after 5 p.m. today. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, July 3, 1948, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Note: The Lincoln Cemetery is at Mounds.)

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