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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--Funeral services for MRS. ASENETH SAMMONS, age 80, who died early Wednesday morning will be held at the Episcopal Church Friday at 3 p.m. with the Ven. S. L. Hagan officiating. Interment will be made in the Beech Grove Cemetery. The body is at Karcher Brothers Funeral Home where friends may call after 2 p.m. today. Mrs. Sammons was the wife of the late D. W. Sammons of Thebes. She was born in Mound City and was married to Mr. Sammons in 1914. He preceded her in death in March, 1917. She was a member of the Episcopal Church since childhood. Never having been a mother herself, she raised two families of children not her own. She leaves a son, Roy Ayres, of Marion, Ohio; her step-daughter, Mrs. Ed Harvell of Thebes; her sister, Mrs. Mary Hoag, with whom she made her home in Cairo; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Karcher Brothers Funeral Home is in charge.

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).

DAYTONA BEACH, FL--DAN G. SEAGER JR., 85, Auburn Drive, Daytona Beach, died Thursday, Jan. 2. Mr. Seager was a retired production engineer for General Electric. Born in Thebes, Ill., he moved to Central Florida in 1964. He was a Mason and a Shriner.
Survivors: wife, Bertha; son, Glenn, Stoddard, Wis.; sister, Mary Helen Tormey, Fort Montgomery, N.Y.; three grandsons.
Haigh-Black Funeral Home, Daytona Beach.
--Orlando Sentinel, The (FL) - January 3, 1997

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 (Mildred) 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.)

Westminster, CO--RONALD EUGENE SHEIBLE, 56, of Westminster died July 2 (1994). Services and burial were July 8 at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Mr. Sheible was born Dec. 19, 1937, in Cairo, Ill. He married Betty Heater Dec. 12, 1956, in Tamms, Ill. He was in the Army. He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Debbie Handlovits of Westminster; a son, Willard of Louisville; two brothers, Richard of Anchorage, Alaska, and Jim of Branson, Mo.; four sisters, Frances Taylor, Elaine Condon and Sue Garrett, all of Percy, Ill., and Phyllis Hargis of Paducah, Ky.; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Contributions: Cancer research. --Rocky Mountain News (CO) - August 31, 1994

Decatur, IL--MELVIN SHELTON, 62, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt departed this life on Saturday, June 16, 2007, at Seasons Hospice in Chicago, Illinois.
Melvin was born to Alfred and Idella Lee on April 29, 1945, in Cairo, Illinois. She was the tenth of eleven children born to that union. Melvin moved to Chicago, IL, where she met and married James Leamon Nickson. Two children were born to this union: Tracey Roshonda (Anthony) Scales of Olympia Fields, IL; Chauncey Daunte (Samantha) Nickson of Bloomington, IL. She leaves 3 grandchildren: Brandon Nickson, Jalen Scales and Torie Scales. A special niece: Kim Yvette (Clarence) Fields, whom she raised as her own after the death of her mother. Kim has four children: Diontre Jackson, Terry Jackson, Jarrell Jackson and Loren Melancon.
She is survived by 13 brothers and sisters: Jeanette Sloan (Springfield), Carl Lee, Alfred Louis (Genevie) Lee of Elkhart, IN; Paul (Brenda) Lee, Earnest (Mary) Lee, Samuel Lee of Kankakee, IL; Charles (Sandra) Lee, Rosie (Freddie) Taylor, Corinne (Marvin) Holder, Robert (Jessie) Lee all of Decatur, Illinois; Carl (Diane) Riley of Mounds, Illinois; Jimmy (Maria) Riley of La Cruse, NM., and Dorothy Nevels of Gary, Indiana.
Melvin accepted Christ at an early age. She graduated from Sumner High School in Cairo, IL. She moved to Decatur, IL, in 1984 and was a member of St. Peters AME Church. She worked at Med Pointe Pharmaceuticals for twenty-two years as a packaging operator. Prior to coming to Decatur, IL, she lived in Kankakee, IL, for fifteen years. While living in Kankakee, IL, she was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She wrote and produced a stage play 'Amazing Grace' that was performed twice while living in Kankakee, IL. Melvin loved writing poetry, plays, drawing, and cooking, but her favorite hobbies were shopping and decorating her home. She enjoyed having family and friends in her home and while visiting you were guaranteed to eat. She had a generous heart and she would give her last dime to help anyone. She hated to see anyone struggle.
She was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings.
Her fiance, Willie Cook, played an integral part while helping her battle cancer. Her children are thankful that he helped take care of her during her time of illness. He may not fully understand how much his love and time were appreciated but we are truly grateful that he was there for her and us.
Celebration of her home going will be held at St. Peters AME Church, Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 12:00 noon. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services with Rev. Cary A. Grady officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery

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, Ill., March 8--COLONEL THOMAS W. SHIELDS, a resident of this city since 1878 died here today of heart disease. He was born in Salem, Va., in 1833. During his childhood his parents moved to Missouri and settled near Lexington. He was a merchant in St. Louis when the Civil War broke out, when he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and was a Lieutenant Colonel in Sterling Price's corps. At the close of the war he returned to St. Louis and engaged in the steamboat business. Later he removed to this city and represented the Anchor Line Company. He was highly esteemed and popular. Two of his children survive him, Lilburn(?) Shields of St. Paul and Mrs. George L. O'Hara of this city. --Source: St. Louis Republic, March 10, 1899, contributed by Leslie Riney.

Wellington, FL--MARGARET R. SHOEMAKER, age 94, of Wellington, Florida, died Sunday, August 30, 1998, after a lengthy illness. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Dean Potts of Wellington; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Leslie and Alan Wilson of San Diego, California; several nieces, cousins, and a nephew.
Mrs. Shoemaker was born in Joppa, Illinois, and resided in nearby Cairo, Illinois, for 88 years before moving to Florida to be near her daughter. For twenty-five years she served the city of Cairo as comptroller and treasurer, and for over sixty years she was the faithful organist and choir director of the First United Methodist Church in that city. She also was an active member of the Cairo Women's Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Junior Circle.
Friends may call between 3:00 and 4:30 on Wednesday, September 2 at the Dorsey Funeral Home, 3525 S. Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, where services will be conducted the same day at 4:30. Interment will be in Cairo, Illinois. –The Palm Beach Post, Sep 1, 1998.

Largo, FL--ERNEST C. SIERS, 82, of Largo died Friday at home. A native of Tamms, Ill., he moved to this area in 1989 from Belleville, Ill. He was a retired machinist for the Monsanto Corp., past president of the Chemical Workers Union, both in Sauget, Ill., and a member of the Father & Friends Club and Knights of Columbus, both of Belleville. He is survived by his wife, Mary H.; a daughter, Joanne Craig of Largo; and two granddaughters. Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes, Largo Chapel. --Tampa Tribune, The (FL) - January 2, 1995

Gale, Ill.--STELLA MAE SIMMONS, 82, of Gale died Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 at home. She was born May 28, 1926 in Gale, daughter of Robert C. and Susie Snell Prewitt. She and James J. Simmons were married May 28, 1946 in Cape Girardeau, (Mo). He died Aug. 16, 1994. Simmons was a graduate of McClure High School in 1944. She lived all her life near Thebes, Ill. She and her husband owned and operated Jim's Convenient Mart in McClure. She was a member of the Church of God in Gale. Survivors include two daughters, Kim Snell of Cape Girardeau and Becky Butcher of Imperial, Mo.; a brother, Ed Walters of Olmsted, Ill.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and two sisters. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes. --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.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL–JESSE A. SIMS, 84, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday (Aug. 29, 1990) at the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines. He was born in Thebes, Ill., and came here in 1940 from Danville, Ill. A licensed practical nurse, he was an operating technician at VA Medical Center at Bay Pines and retired in 1968 after 31 years with the federal government.
An Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of VFW Post 9272, Seminole. He also was a member of Northside Lodge 283 AF&AM.
Survivors include his wife, Lillian K.; a daughter, Bessie Barrett, Marietta, Ga.; a son, Louis, Pinellas Park; a stepson, Paul VeHorn, St. Petersburg; a brother, Charles, Elkhart, Ind.; two sisters, Alma McDonald, Chino, Calif., and Martha Peterman, Goreville, Ill.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, St. Petersburg.
--St. Petersburg Times (FL) - August 30, 1990

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.

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL--EDDIE L. SMILEY, 60, of New Port Richey died Friday (Feb 26, 1999) at home.
A native of Olive Branch, Ill., he moved to this area 14 years ago from Illinois. He was a jeweler, an Army veteran and Protestant.
He is survived by his wife, Judith; three sons, Eddie Jr. of Clearwater, Russell D. of New Port Richey and Darrin of Port Richey; four daughters, Dayna Moss of Clearwater, Michelle Foraker of Edwardsville, Ill., Amber Smiley of New Port Richey and Jill Namolou of Port Richey; two brothers, Robert of Glen Carbon, Ill., William of East Dalton, Ill.; three sisters, Catherine Cebulski of Daytona Beach, Juanita Hodges of Cottage Hills, Ill., and Lucille Boyles of Edwardsville, Ill.; and 14 grandchildren.
Michels-Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.
--Tampa Tribune, The (FL) - March 2, 1999.

SARASOTA, FL–JOHN HENRY SMILEY, 85, Sarasota, died Feb. 15, 1997. He was born March 20, 1911, in Olive Branch, Ill., and came to Sarasota 40 years ago from Edwardsville, Ill.
A carpenter, he was a member of the Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 140. He was in the Naval Reserve and attended the Church of God.
Survivors include his wife, Thelma; a daughter, Norma Henson of Sarasota; a stepdaughter, Peggy Woodruff of Thebes, Ill.; three sons, Norbert of Lexington, Va., Norman of Myakka and Johnny of Fort Myers; three stepsons, Jim Simmons of Olive Branch, Bobby Simmons of Silver Point, Tenn., and Jerry Crite of Chesapeake, Va.; three sisters; 25 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hawkins Funeral Home. The graveside service will be at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday at Palms Memorial Park.
-- Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL) - February 17, 1997