wobits

Cairo, IL.--EDWARD J. WALDER, JR--Funeral services for Edward J. Walder, Jr., age 24 years, who was killed in an accident Saturday night, will be held Tuesday morning. Cortege will leave the residence, 2801 Park Place W., at 8:45 o'clock for St. Joseph's Church, where Requiem High Mass will be held, with Father R. E. Jantsen officiating. The deceased was born in Cairo in February 1912. He graduated from St. Joseph's high school, class of 1929, entered Notre Dame University, from which he graduated in 1933 with a degree. He was an accomplished organist, and a popular young man of sterling character. Prior to his death he was employed by the First Bank and Trust company. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Walder, two brothers, James and Charles and four sisters, Ruth, Martha, Edith and Helen. Pall bearers will be George Schaefer, Russell O'Shea, Frank Walder, Jerre Collins, Donald Jones, Robert Jackson, Joe Luby and James Greaney. Karcher Brothers will direct the funeral, and interment will be made in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Monday, May 25, 1936, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--Death of John A. Walder--JOHN A. WALDER died at his home, No. 504 Jefferson Avenue this morning at 2:08 o'clock after a few weeks illness of pneumonia. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walder, who, with five sisters and two brothers, survive him. He was born and reared in Cairo and had been employed by different railroads since he was nine years old until 1897, when he was appointed on the police force and served there two years. When the Spanish war broke out he enlisted in Co. B., Twentieth regiment United States infantry, and rendered good service during the war. He was in the battles at Santiago. When taken sick he was employed as brakeman on the Mobile & Ohio. He was a member of Big Muddy Lodge No. 578, Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, of Murphysboro. The remains will be buried at Villa Ridge tomorrow afternoon. (John Walder was 23 years old when he died) --From The Cairo Citizen, Wednesday, Feb. 28 1900, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--WALDSCHMIDT FUNERAL--Funeral services for HENRY WALDSCHMIDT, who drowned in the Ohio River Tuesday evening, were held at Karcher's Funeral Home this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Rev. C. A. Jacobi, pastor of the Lutheran Church, officiated. Several solos were sung by Mrs. Frances McGee who was accompanied by Mrs. John Hartley. Interment was made in Villa Ridge cemetery. Casket bearers were Mike Koury, John McElligott, Mike Cominsky, Elmo Wallis, L. C. Koonce, Paul McGee. Karcher Brothers were in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Thursday, Oct 10, 1940, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--HALL WALKER, age 51, of Cairo died at 1:15 p.m. Thursday after an illness of about three months. He was born in Olmsted and made his home in Cairo. For the past nine years he was employed as a driver of the Tri State Bus Company and for several years drove a city bus. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Daisy Walker, of Cairo; several aunts, uncles and other relatives. The body is at the Alstat Funeral Home in Mound City where friends may call after 7 p.m. today. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Funeral Home with the Rev. William Wiggins officiating. Interment will be made in the Concord Cemetery in Olmsted. Alstat Funeral Home is in charge. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Friday, Oct 27, 1950, contributed by Anna Shelton.

McClure, IL.--DIANE WARD, 56, of McClure died Monday, Oct. 1, 2007 at her home. She was born Feb. 24, 1951 in East St. Louis, IL, daughter of Franklin M. and Thelma Ruth Beggs Tucker. She and Frank Ward were married Oct. 19, 1968 in Scott City, Mo. She is survived by her husband; a son, Thomas P. Ward and wife Carrie of West Allis, Wis.; a daughter, Angela D. Kutak and husband Robert of Forest Park, IL; her parents of Cape Girardeau, MO; three brothers, Ira Froggatt and wife Donna of Scott City, Tracy Tucker and wife Martha of McClure, Ronnie Tucker and wife Amy of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Phyllis Schwab and husband David of Jackson, MO, Ruth Baltzell and husband Skeeter of McClure; five grandchildren, Krystle, Hillary, April and Kyle Kutak, all of Forest Park and Ethan Ward of West Allis. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct 4, 2007 at the funeral home with the Rev. Raymond Oxford officiating. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery in McClure at a later date.

Cairo, IL.--ANDREW J. WATHEN, age 77 years, died at his home, 220 Thirty-second street, this afternoon at 12:08 o'clock. He is survived by his widow and ten children--Henry, Lambert and Paul, all of Rockport, Ind., Mrs. Mary Gassaway of Gentryville, Ind., Mrs. Cleo Lentz of Cairo, Joe of Chrisney, Ind., Leo of Germantown, Oh, Mrs. Nellie McDaniels and Mrs. Hattie Culkin of Cairo, and Mrs. Helen Shockley of Los Angeles, Calif. He also leaves 27 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 9:30 o'clock at St. Joseph's church with Father R. E. Jantzen officiating. Burial will be made in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge. Karcher Brothers directing the funeral. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Thursday, Jan. 31, 1935, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--ELEANOR D. WALLIS--Mrs. A. J. Wallace, age 64 years died at her home 425 Twenty-sixth street at 2:15 this afternoon following a brief illness of bronchial pneumonia. Mrs. Wallace, who was the former Eleanor D. Deaton, a native of North Carolina, is survived by her husband, Henry A. Wallace, one daughter, Mrs. J. E. Prather of this city, two sons, Robert and Glenn D. Wallace of this city. The body was taken to Berblin's funeral home, where it will remain until funeral arrangements are completed, when it will be taken to Mayfield, Ky., her former home, for burial.
WALLIS FUNERAL--The body of Mrs. H. A. Wallis, age 64 years, who died Tuesday afternoon at her home, 425 Twenty-sixth street, was taken by Illinois Central train to Mayfield, Ky., at 6:50 o'clock this morning. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the Baptist church in Sedalia, Ky., with the Baptist minister officiating. Burial will be in the family lot in Swan cemetery at that place. Berbling Funeral Service had charge of arrangements. ----From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1937 and Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1937, contributed by Anna Shelton.(Name was spelled incorrectly in the first obit, corrected in the second.)

Tamms, IL--JAMES D. WEBB, 54, of Tamms died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003 at Mercy Hospital Clermont in Batavia, Ohio. He was born March 20, 1949 in Cairo, IL, son of Clinton Eugene and Marjorie Bufford Webb. He and Beverly Pierce were married Aug. 17, 1968.
Mr. Webb retired after serving more than 25 years in the military, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. He was a member of the Elco Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly of Tamms; a son, Brian (Pamela) Webb of Cheyenne, WY; a daughter, Jennifer (Alan) Bridgewater of San Antonio, TX; two grandchildren, Hero and Madison Webb of Cheyenne; his mother, Marjorie Webb of Cape Girardeau, MO; two brothers, Kenneth (Judy) Webb of Peoria, IL, Chester "CJ" (Georgia) Webb of Tamms; two sisters, Patricia Webb of Tamms, Merrie Sue (Michael) Busby of Cape Girardeau; 23 nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Webb, and a brother, Michael Webb.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and until time of service Thursday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Crain Funeral Home. Cremation will follow.

Peoria, IL--JUDITH KAYE WEBB, 65, of Peoria, IL and Estero, FL, died at 2:35 p.m. on June 16, 2007 at her Peoria residence after a year-long battle with colon cancer. She was born on January 24, 1942 in Tamms, IL to Henry Clinton and Dorothy Ann Cooper Richardson. She married Kenneth Eugene Webb on June 17, 1960 in Tamms and they were happily married 47 years. He survives. Also surviving are two sons, Jeffrey Tristan and Linda of Dunlap, IL; Gregory Scott and Michelle of Peoria; one brother, William C. and Pattie Richardson of Mt. Zion, IL; and four grandchildren: Noah, Austin, Kylie and Macy. She was preceded in death by her parents. She attended SIU Carbondale and played fast pitch softball, basketball and field hockey. After marrying Ken, she earned her bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Physical Education from SIU Edwardsville. She taught Physical Education at Dupo High School and taught mathematics at Neponset and Toulon High Schools. She was an avid and excellent tennis player and golfer. She won the Breckenridge Club Championship three times and scored a course record of 80 in 27 holes. She will be remembered most as a champion wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Services will be at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at Deiters Funeral Home in Washington, IL, where visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mr. Michael Busby will conduct the service. Cremation rites will be accorded after services. Burial of the cremains will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria at a later date. --Online obituary from Deiters Funeral Home, June 19, 2007.

Tamms, IL-- MARJORIE WEBB, 86, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Tamms, died peacefully at 7:42 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, at her home. She was born Feb. 22, 1920, in Elco to Joseph Henry and Minnie Elizabeth (Miller) Bufford. She married Clinton Eugene Webb on Oct. 29, 1939. He preceded her in death Jan. 31, 1989. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau. She was a homemaker and worked hard all her life on the family farm while raising six children. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. She is survived by two sons, Kenneth Webb of Peoria and Chester "C.J" Webb of Tamms; two daughters, Patricia Webb of Tamms and Merrie Sue Busby of Cape Girardeau; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one brother, Earl Bufford of Harlingen, Texas; and nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sons, Michael and James; two sisters, Rita McKee and Marcella Adams; and one brother, Harold Bufford. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, in Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating. Interment will be in Spencer Heights Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan on 1/24/2007.

Cape Girardeau, MO.--MICHAEL J. WEBB--Funeral service for Michael Joseph Webb of Leesburg, FL will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Jones Funeral Chapel in Tamms. Rev. Jay Franklin will officiate with burial in Spencer Heights Cemetery at Mounds. Friends may call at the funeral home after 5 p.m. Tuesday. Webb, 43 years old, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 1988 at Leesburg Regional Hospital. He was born Aug. 8, 1944 in Tamms, son of Clinton Eugene and Marjorie Bufford Webb. He was a micro-biologist with University Research Center in Leesburg. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Eustis, FL and served in the U. S. Air Force. Survivors include his wife, former Carolyn Zelasko; three sons, Kevin Webb of Mill Creek, Stephen and Gary Webb of Water Valley, KY; his parents of Cape Girardeau; three brothers, Ken of Washington, IL, James and Chester "CJ" of Tamms; two sisters, Pat Myers of Tulsa, OK and Merrie Busby of Cape Girardeau; and maternal grandmother, Minnie Bufford of Tamms.

Tamms, IL.--ROBERT S. WEBB--Funeral services for Robert S. Webb will be held at 1:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the Baptist church at Tamms. Rev. H. E. Vick and Rev. Wilbert Snyder officiating. Interment will be made in the Mt. Zion cemetery located between Olive Branch and Thebes. Mr. Webb, who was 34 years of age, passed away about nine o'clock Monday night, Jan. 9, in the government hospital at Fritzsimmons, Colo., where he had been in the government service since he was 21 years old. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Sarah Webb, of Tamms; four sisters, Mrs. Eugene Miller and Mrs. Ethel Warren of Olive Branch, Mrs. William Jonah of St. Louis and Mrs. Lula Carver of Waltonville, Ill., and three brothers, Everett, William, Louis and Ransom of Tamms. Crain and Parker will direct the funeral. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Friday, January 13, 1939, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Tamms, IL.--MRS. BARBARA E. WEBSTER, 56 years old, of Tamms died today, July 8, 1986 at the City Care Nursing Home in Anna. She was born May 24, 1930 in Elco, daughter of John and Elizabeth Louis Thompson. She was a member of Tamms Pentecostal Church. Her husband, Charles Webster, died July 1, 1966. She is survived by a daughter, Peggy Marino of Tamms; a son, Mathew Webster of Tamms; two brothers, John Lee Thompson of East St. Louis and Bob Thompson of Mounds; a sister, Dora Spraggs, of Cypress and several grandchildren. Friends may call at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms after 5:00 p.m. Wednesday. Service will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Tamms Pentecostal Church with Rev. Joe Lentz officiating. Burial will be in the Provo Cemetery near Tamms.

Fairlawn, OH--MARJORIE RUTH WEBSTER, 61, of Fairlawn, passed away unexpectedly at Akron General Medical Center on Aug. 25 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Ruth was born Feb. 23, 1932 in Unity, Ill., to Hilbert and Katherine Hill. Having lost her mother at birth, she was lovingly raised by grandparents Mary and Richard Gaines.
Ruth married John P. Webster in Indianapolis in 1950 and lived there and in Parma, Ohio, before moving to Akron in 1960. She was active in the Junior Women's Civic Club and the Fairlawn P.T.A. prior to the family moving to Bangkok, Thailand, in 1968. They returned to the Akron area in 1970. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Ruth devoted her life to her family and was a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. Instead of taking a well-deserved rest and pursuing her hobbies of travel and antique collecting, after raising her family she lovingly and unselfishly totally devoted the last eight years of her life to being a surrogate mother and a super grandmother to Jason Hayes Webster.
--Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - August 29, 1993

Cairo, IL.--H. L. WEDDING--H. L. ("Bud") Wedding, age 63 years, died at St. Mary's hospital Monday night, following an ilness of but a few days of pneumonia. Mr. Wedding had lived in Cairo for more than 40 years and had been a member of the Cairo fire department and police department, later being timber buyer for the Dunbar Mill & Lumber Co. in Cairo. Surviving Mr. Wedding are his widow and four children, Ben Wedding of Chicago; Kenneth Wedding, Billy Wedding and Mrs. R. W. Rawson, all of Cairo. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Ella Harrison of Dundee, Ky., and Mrs. Alma Truman, also of Dundee, and a brother, James Wedding, of Memphis, Tenn. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 8:30 o'clock at St. Joseph's church of which Mr. Wedding was a member, with Father R. E. Jantzen officiating. The cortege will leave the residence, 3206 Elm Street, for the church at 8:15 a.m. After the services the cortege will leave for Villa Ridge where burial will be made in Calvary cemetery, Karcher Brothers directing the funeral. The casket bearers will be Otto Schuh, E. J. Walder, Frank Fitzgerald, Jr., Edwin Halliday, George Darmody, Mike Egan, Isaac LaHue and Harry Thornberry. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin Tuesday, January 16, 1934, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Anna, IL.--CHARLES E. WEST, 49, of Anna, died Friday, Dec. 30, 1988 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. He was born Jan. 11, 1939 in Elco, son of Loyie and Flossie Lessar West. He was a member of Anna Heights Baptist Church and Modern Woodmen of America. He is survived by two sisters, Reba White of Elco and Betty Hutchison of Tamms; two brothers, Loyie Dean West of East Peoria and Paul West of West Frankfort. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. today at the Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with Rev. Lou Barton officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery near Dongola.

Cape Girardeau, MO--GEORGE CLIFFORD WEST, 83, of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday, June 23, 2005 at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born July 20, 1921 in Elco, IL, son of Elmer E. and Retta Benefiel West. He and Algene Hartline were married May 17, 1942 in Cape Girardeau. She died in August 1990.
West was a 1939 graduate of Tamms Community High School. He was a boilermaker with Local 363. He attended Cape Bible Chapel and was a volunteer at Cape Girardeau Senior Center. He was a first sergeant with the U. S. Army during World War II. He received the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Tammy West of Cape Girardeau; a daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Bob Dunham of Cape Girardeau; a sister Thelma Chamberlain of Galesburg, IL; four grandchildren, Kyle West of St. Louis, Kindle Thompson, Bryan and Patrick Dunham all of Cape Girardeau, Chloe, Aubrey and Whitney West of St. Louis.
Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Hal Greene officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with full military honors by Missouri Honor Guard.

West Dundee, IL.--DARRELL E. WEST, 80, a Carpentersville village trustee in the 1950s, retired in 1988 after 30 years as a quality control manager. For nearly 15 years he worked at the former Stewart-Warner Co., Elgin. Mr. West, a resident of West Dundee, previously worked at Flexonics Inc., an Elgin company that manufactured flexible metal tubing. Mr. West, who was born in Elco, Ill., died Saturday, April 15, in his home. Mr. West served with the Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Mr. West, a former president of the Flexonics Credit Union, was treasurer for the West Dundee Fire Department and a member of the West Dundee Zoning Board of Appeals in the 1960s. Mr. West served as a village trustee in Carpentersville from 1953 to 1957. He was a Little League baseball coach for the Tri-City league in Carpentersville in the mid-1960s. "He was a man with a strong work ethic and a tenacious commitment to ensure his family was supported," said his son, Greg. Other survivors include his wife of 53 years,Dorothy J.; seven daughters, Pat Jimboy, Pamela Swan, Nancy Carpenter, Mary Chausse, Susan Johnson, Barbara Carter and Cathy; a sister, Thelma Chamberlain; a brother, George; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, when a mass will be said in St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 845 W. Main St., West Dundee. --Chicago Tribune (IL) - April 18, 2000.

Tamms, IL--LOYIE DEAN WEST, 74, of East Peoria, Ill., died Thursday, June 19, 2003 at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton, IL. He was born Feb 15, 1929 in Elco, IL, son of Loyie Elvis and Flossie Mae Lessar West. He and Margaret Geraldine Russell were married Sept. 6, 1952 in Peoria, IL. West was a maintenance worker 29 years with District 150, retiring in 1991 He served in the U. S. Army.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Jerry West of Groveland, IL; a daughter, Carolyn Nevitt of Peoria; a brother, Paul West of West Frankfort, IL; two sisters, Reba White of Elco and Betty Hutchison of Tamms; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, and infant twin siblings.
Friends may call at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria from 6 to 8 p.m. today. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Groveland Missionary Church in Groveland, with Dr. Curtis Alexander officiating. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. Announcement courtesy of Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

Elco, IL--REBA M. WHITE, 84, of Elco died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born Dec. 18, 1923 in Elco to Loyie and Flossie Lessar West. She married Herman Miller, who preceded her in death. She married Jesse E. White, Jr. August 29, 1947. White was a member of Elco Methodist Church and taught Sunday School 10 years. She was a member of Modern Woodmen of America. Survivors include her husband, Jesse, of Elco; a son, Kenneth Miller of Marion, IL; a granddaughter, Tammy Sipperly of Lakeland, FL; four great-grandchildren, Rose and Nathan Sipperly and Matthew and Michael Williams; a brother, Paul West of West Frankfort, IL; a sister, Betty Hutchison of Tamms, IL; nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Herman Miller; parents; two brothers, Charles and Dean West; and a grandson, Dion Miller. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Jan 23, 2008) at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, with the Rev. Rob Grief officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p. m. today at the funeral home.

Cairo, IL.--SAMUEL WHITE IS LAID TO REST AT VILLA RIDGE--The body of the late Samuel White, formerly a prominent dry goods merchant of Cairo and who has since leaving here made his home in St. Louis and Hot Springs, Ark, was laid to rest Sunday afternoon in the Villa Ridge cemetery. Impressive funeral services were held at Karcher Brothers' funeral home on Eighth Street at 2 o'clock in the afternoon conducted by Rabbi Fale of St. Louis. The services were largely attended. Mr. White died Thursday afternoon in the Jewish hospital in St. Louis following a lingering illness. The body was brought to Cairo early Sunday morning and taken to the funeral home where it remained until the funeral services. The honorary and active pall bearers were chosen from prominent citizens of Cairo where Mr. White was once active in the business world. Mr. White's widow, his son, Chester White of New York City, and other relatives and friends were here for the funeral. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, July 18, 1927, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.-- WILLIAM WHITE, FORMER CAIRO MERCHANT, DIES--Passes Away at His Daughter's Home in Columbia, Mo.--William White, age 86 years, a former prominent merchant of Cairo, died Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alf T. Haynes, in Columbia, Mo. Mr. White had been in failing health for the past year and had been bedfast for several months, the end coming peacefully Friday.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock in Columbia. Mr. White, whose death will cause deep sorrow to his many friends in Cairo, left this city about eight years ago, making his home since then in St. Louis, Dallas, Tex., and in Columbia, with Mr. and Mrs. Haynes. He was born December 6, 1843 in Omagh, Ireland, and came to Cairo in 1857 where he engaged in business for many years, being one of Cairo's leading drygoods merchants. For several years he was in partnership with the late William Greer, the store being known as White and Greer, and later he bought Mr. Greer's interest in the establishment which was known as the William White Drygoods store. This store was purchased by the late George T. Carnes, and Mr. White retired from business. Mr. White was one of the older members of the First Presbyterian church of Cairo, was an officer of this church and prominent in its activities. He was a man of gentle and kindly nature won for him the affection of all who knew him.
Mr. White was married to the widow of John Gates, who was the mother of Mrs. Haynes of Columbia, formerly Miss Jeanette Gates; John Gates of Cairo and Lloyd Gates of Kansas City, Mo. His wife died in 1900. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Saturday January 12, 1929, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--DR. ASA J. WILBOURN, 68, died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007. A staff neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation since 1973, he had been the director of the electromyography laboratory more than 33 years, and is world renowned for his pioneering research on nerve and muscle disorders. Dr. Wilbourn was born April 13, 1938 and raised in Cairo. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Westminister College in 1960, and a medical degree from Northwestern University School of Medicine in 1964. After a one-year internship at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Wilbourn served in the U. S. Air Force, flying missions over Southeast Asia. One of the most decorated flight surgeons in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, he earned two Distinguished Flying Cross awards and an Airman's Medal. He fondly recalled that the years he spent in service to his country were among the best in his life. Following his time in the military, he completed a neurology residency at Yale University in 1971 and then an electrophysiology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic Foundation in 1972. During his long tenure at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Wilbourn became an internationally recognized expert in the field of electromyography and neuromuscular diseases, having lectured and presented papers throughout the world. Throughout his career he published several books and articles and received many accolades for his efforts in teaching and research. In 2006 he received the lifetime achievement award from the American Academy of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine in Washington, D.C., for his outstanding contribution to the field. Despite all his achievements, he was a humble and genuine man who was well regarded by his colleagues and students. He also had a great compassion for animals, adopting numerous pets from local shelters, and regularly supported many animal groups in the community.
He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Eileen Wilbourn; two sisters, Dorothy Spomer of Cairo, Naomi Carr of Colorado; and a host of loving family and friends. A memorial service was held at the Cleveland Clinic. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Potts officiating. A military burial will be held at the National Cemetery in Mound City, IL.

Arlington Heights, IL-- GERALD A. WILKERSON, 63, of Algonquin, IL will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Crain Funeral Home, Tamms, Ill.
He was born Oct. 6, 1932, in Anna, Ill., the son of Gerald and Ruby Wilkerson.
He died Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, IL.
Mr. Wilkerson was a resident of the area for three years. He was formerly a resident of Tamms, Ill. for 15 years. He was also a former 25-year employee of Otis Elevator Co.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth; his son, Greg (Elita), of Michigan; his daughters, Geraldine (Ronnie) Rogers, of Northlake, Ill. and Susan (Robert) Coine, of Algonquin; his grandchildren, Melissa, Christine, Brittany and Jennifer; his mother, Ruby Wilkerson; his sister, Joan (John) Orsburn, of Tamms, Ill.; his sister-in-law, Joan Wilkerson and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Donald.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at Miller Funeral Home, 504 W. Main St., West Dundee, and Sunday until the time of services at the Crain Funeral Home. --Source: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) - October 4, 1996

Cairo, IL.--ZUE S. WILLIAMS, 72, 214 - 29th St., died at 11 p.m. Tuesday at the St. Francis Hospital, Cape Girardeau, after an illness of two weeks. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Ruth Goode, St. Louis; one brother, Castor, Cairo; 3 sisters, Mrs. Erlister Harris, Cairo; Mrs. Athila Dickerson, Chicago; Mrs. Lillian Winfrey, Decatur, Ill; and two grandchildren. Friends may call at the Ruffin Funeral Home after 5 p.m. Saturday. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home Sunday at 1 p.m., with the Rev. A. W. Waters, officiating. Interment will be made in the Spencer Heights Memorial Park Cemetery, Mounds. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Sept. 20, 1968, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Miller City, IL--MRS. LYDIA WILLIS, age 70, died at St. Mary's Hospital Monday evening after an illness of long duration. She had been a resident of the Miller City community for many years. She is survived by her husband, Frank; two daughters, Mrs. Russell Moore and Mrs. Alma Stehrs both of Cairo; three sons, Carl, Eugene and Chesley Willis all of Miller City; two sisters; Mrs. Addie Fults and Mrs. Mary Cavender of Norris City, Ill.; 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Another son, John preceded her in death 25 years ago on the same date, August 18. The body will be at the Berbling Funeral Home after 4 p.m. today where friends may call. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at the Community Chapel Methodist Church near Miller City with Rev. Louis Jordan, assisted by Rev. John Kemper, officiating. Interment will be made in Bumgard Cemetery. Berbling Funeral Service in charge of arrangements. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Tuesday, August 19, 1952, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Lake of Egypt, IL--MARY ANN ABERCROMBIE WILLIS, 93, of Lake of Egypt, formerly of Anna, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007 in Williamson County. She was born in Alexander County, the daughter of John and Beulah (Miller) Abercrombie. She grew up on a dairy farm, where milking the cows was a chore. Before school, she milked seven cows, dressed, mounted her horse and rode the impassable road five miles to Elco, where she met the Tamms High School bus at 7:30 a.m. to ride five more miles to school. On good days she was privileged to drive the family Model A Ford. When she was a senior in high school, her father became Alexander County Commissioner. With a lot of help, that long trail, the Grapevine Trail, was shortened by cutting a road through the hill. This cut five miles off the trip to Tamms. Her father then bought a Chevrolet Chassis and mounted a hand-crafted cabin capable of holding 8 to 10 students, and Mary Ann, age 17, drove this unique bus.
A week before her high school graduation in 1930, with the permission of the superintendent, she left to enter teacher's college in Cape Girardeau. After a year and two semesters of college, she received a provisional teacher's certificate, and in the fall of 1931, she began her first career as a teacher at a rural school where she taught for eight years. She finished correspondence courses through Indiana University Extension Division in order to receive her two year teacher's certificate.
For many years, she attended summer college classes at Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois, University of South Carolina and University of Boston. One of her professors at SIU gave his students some sound advice that stuck with Mary Ann throughout her life. He admonished his students to have at least three careers. That was a motivation factor for her throughout her lifetime.
On May 25, 1933 she married the love of her life, Kendall Willis, at a garden wedding on the Abercrombie Farm, and on June 6, 1937 their only daughter, Marilyn Kay, was born.
In 1965 while teaching at Anna Elementary School District 37, she was named the Illinois Teacher of the Year. In 1967 she began her second career when she was employed by District 37 as the school psychologist after completing her credentials for this position at the University of Southern California. Career three began within a year, when she was employed under a joint agreement among the four southern most counties, Alexander, Johnson, Massac and Pulaski, working on a special education project. During the nine years working as a director of special education, many opportunities arose which could be carried on simultaneously, assisted by her husband.
At an antique auction, she spotted a cypress log barn that she fell in love with. She and her husband worked to dismantle and move the barn to its current location near the Lake of Egypt. That barn is now her beautiful home lovingly called Abercrombie-Willis Lodge. She later found enough electric poles at an auction in Cairo to build the log fence on the order of Lincoln's New Salem Park. She loved entertaining in her home and always made it an unforgettable experience for her guests. A light lunch to her was a three course sit down meal with fine china and great conversation.
In 1975 tragedy struck her family when a plane carrying her only daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn Kay and Jim Hilliard, and two grandsons, Trey and John Hilliard, crashed and killed everyone aboard.
At the time of her untimely death at the age of 93, Mary Ann was embarking on career number four. She was subdividing the remaining 10 acres into one acre lots and creating Abercrombie-Willis Place, a subdivision that was a way to honor her husband's memory and her desire to keep moving onward and upward. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Anna. She is survived by one granddaughter, Karen Lee Hilliard of Waco, TX; two great-grandsons, Zeke and William Stilwell; one great-granddaughter, Jamie Kay Thomason; one great-great-grandson, Quintin Thomason; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kendall on Aug. 14, 2004; her parents; her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn Kay and Jim Hilliard; two grandsons, Trey and John Hillard; and two sisters, Bonetta Moss and Helen Lucas.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 in Crain Funeral Home in Anna, with Revs. Verlee Eaker and Tony Foeller officiating. Interment will be in Anna Cemetery. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Jan. 30, 2007, provided by Frank Beasley. (See related story)

Cairo, IL.--BOBBY J. WILSON, 68, of Cairo died Friday, July 13, 2007 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was born Oct. 20, 1938, son of Opal and Edna Brown Wilson. He and Sue Lipe were married May 27, 1961. She died Jan. 22, 1998. Wilson retired from Westvaco. He was a member of Resurrection Fellowship Church in LaCenter, KY. Survivors include a daughter, Pam Hicks of LaCenter; two sisters, Dalana Watson of Carbondale, IL and Idelle Tolson of Anna, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, IL. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday (July 15, 2007) at the funeral home, with Richard Hicks officiating. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery.

Cairo, IL.--HELEN RUTH WILSON, 91, of O'Fallon, IL died Sunday, May 20, 2007 at Delmar West Nursing Home in Chesterfield, MO. She was born July 4, 1915 in Unity, IL, daughter of Charles A. and Ruth Parker LeFever. She married Benny Wilson, who died May 29, 2004. Wilson was formerly of Cairo and retired as librarian at Cairo Public Library. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Cairo. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Costellia of Lake St. Louis, MO; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at First Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to service time Wednesday. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, (May 23, 2007) at the church with the Rev. Kelly Cox officiating. Burial will be in Richwood Cemetery at Unity. Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.

Cairo, IL.--WILLIAM WINTER, Dead--The following dispatch received by Mr. Henry Winter, here, explains itself: SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, Sept 28--Brother William died last evening at 10:30. Letter by mail. ROBERT WINTER. --Wm. Winter was a brother of our Henry and Thomas Winter, and was well known in Cairo, Chicago, and Cincinnati. He was a very fine artist, photographer, and portrait painter. He has been struggling with a disease of the lungs for several years and was worn out with consumption. He was universally esteemed by all who knew him. He leaves a widow, but no children. --From The Cairo Citizen, Oct 1, 1885, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--JAMES R. "JIMMY" WISSINGER, 78, of Cairo, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 3, 2006 in Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 2, 1927 in Cairo, the son of the late Lloyd "Pete" Wissinger and Stella Mae Brimm. He and Ann Dyas were married on Dec. 16, 1948. He worked for 20 years at the Cairo Evening Citizen as a pressman. He later sold insurance for Metropolitan Life Insurance and Franklin Life Insurance Companies. He was also a professional photographer for the Cairo Evening Citizen and area businesses and events. He was employed by the city of Cairo under Mayor Al Moss. He served several terms over the years as a Cairo City Council member, and as Alexander County Commissioner. He also served for 58 years with the Cairo Auxiliary Fire Department, serving in the position of assistant fire chief. He was also a member of the board of directors who organized the Shawnee Development Council. He had been honored by the Cairo Jaycees as their man of the year. He was a lifelong resident of Cairo, and was a true advocate of his hometown, at all times, and with all people. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, having served his country in the U. S. Army, in occupied Japan following World War II. He was also a member of Tigert Memorial United Methodist Church in Cairo. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann Wissinger of Cairo; daughter, Judy Nordman and husband, Ernie of Cape Girardeau; four sons, Randy Wissinger and wife Linda of New Berlin, Wis., Jeff Wissinger and wife Mary Helen of Cairo, Alec Wissinger and wife Diane of Thompsonville, and John Paul Wissinger and wife Lisa of Cape Girardeau; one sister, Mary Elizabeth Johnson of Leander, TX; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his great-aunt and great-uncle, Lizzie and Frank Youch. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2006 in Tigert Memorial United Methodist Church in Cairo, with the Rev. Kelly Cox officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge. Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements. Honorary casket bearers will be members of the Cairo Auxiliary Fire and Rescue Department. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Jan. 5, 2006.

Cairo, IL.--COL. JOHN WOOD, died at the residence of his son, John H. Wood, in Chicago at 9:20 Tuesday morning of pneumonia, aged 60 years. Col. Wood left Cairo in his usual health Saturday afternoon, Sept. 2nd, for Chicago, where he arrived the next morning. His three oldest children reside there and Mrs. Wood had been there some weeks. After spending Sunday in Chicago he went down to Indianapolis Monday, Sept. 4th, to attend the National Encampment of the G. A. R. He participated in the exercises there and did not return to Chicago until Thursday. He took a severe cold on this return journey and had a slight chill after arriving in Chicago, but nothing serious was anticipated. But the grip of the fell destroyer was not to be shaken off. On Sunday his condition became alarming, and the children in Cairo were informed of the facts. The suspense from Sunday to Tuesday morning while life seemed poised in the balance, was terrible. Meanwhile that dreadful disease, pneumonia was doing its fatal work upon his lungs. Finally at 9:20 Tuesday morning death claimed its victim. All that science and skill could do, was done, but without avail. On Tuesday night, Mrs. Wood with her sons John H. and Campbell and her daughter Lizzie, and her daughter-in-law Mrs. John H. Wood, started on their sad journey to Cairo bringing the remains of the husband and father, whose voice is now hushed forever and who has entered upon that sleep that knows no waking. Col. John Wood was born in Scotland, January 8th, 1833. He came to the United States in 1850 when seventeen years of age, and located in Milwaukee. There he learned the trade of bricklayer working at the business two years. In 1852 he went to Chicago where he spent ten years as a contractor and builder. Early in 1862 the 65 Regt. Illinois Volunteers, known as the "Scotch Regiment," was organized at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, by Col. Daniel Cameron, Jr. Col. Wood enlisted in this regiment and was mustered as captain of Co. "A," March 1st, 1862. Before the regiment left the camp he was promoted to the position of major and was mustered into the service of the United States as major of the regiment, May 1st, 1862. The regiment was ordered to the field and sent to Northern Virginia. This regiment was a part of the unfortunate garrison of Harper's Ferry which was trencherously and ignominously surrendered to the enemy as prisoners of war, Sept. 15th, 1862 by Gen. Miles. They were paroled as prisoners of war and sent home until they were exchanged in April 1863. In May, 1864, Col. Wood resigned his commission and soon afterward came to Cairo where for the past 29 years he has resided. Here for four years he was a member of the firm of Rankin & Wood, engaged in mercantile business and also in contracting and building. For four years more he pursued the work of a contractor and builder. He was for a time superintendent of the erection of the Cairo custom house while the brick and stone work was going up. He was one of the State commissioners charged with the erection of the first hospital at Anna, and the Normal University at Carbondale. In 1872 he entered upon the business of grain and commission as a member of the firm of Green & Wood. He followed this business in the firm of Green, Wood & Bennett, and afterwards as Wood & Bennett until his death. A few years ago the firm added wholesale groceries to their business and that has become their principal business. Col. Wood was a man of great force of character who would make himself felt in any community. He was elected mayor of the city of Cairo in 1873, and held the position two years. He has served as alderman from his ward in the city council for a great many terms. He was president of the board of education in the city of Cairo for a year or two. In July 1889 he was appointed postmaster of this city by President Harrison, and still occupied the position at the time of his death. He has been before the people of Cairo in some public capacity almost constantly for the past 25 years and has never failed to command their confidence. Fidelity and efficiency have been his most prominent characteristics in every public position. He was a member of the Presbyterian church in this city. He leaves a widow and six grown children. His loss will be severely felt in the community and in the church, but to his family it is irreparable. The funeral occurs this afternoon at the family residence, and the remains will be interred at Villa Ridge. The funeral will be conducted by Cairo Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of which Col. Wood was a member, and of which he had been Master. --From The Cairo Citizen, Thursday, Sept 14, 1893. Note: Col. John Wood is buried beside his family in the Cairo City Cemetery at Villa Ridge, Illinois. Contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--FUNERAL OF DR. WILLIAM WOOD TODAY--Notable Figure in Alexander County's History Gone--The funeral of Dr. William Wood, who died Saturday at his home in the drainage district as the result of a fall, following a long period of feeble health, was held today at his late residence, the services being conducted by the Rev. Dr. W. Sanford Gee. Carriages conveyed those who attended to Villa Ridge cemetery where the remains were interred.
Dr. William Wood, was one of the notable figures in Alexander County's history and as such a short sketch of his life will be interesting to the public. He was born on the 8th day of February, 1823, in Bethleham, N. H. He is the oldest of a family of three children of David Wood and Abagail Hosmer. The father was of English birth, and the mother a relative of the famous sculptor (Hosmer) of Massachusetts, and also of Lieut. Abner Hosmer, who, as history tells us, was the first to sacrifice his life in the cause of American independence, being killed in the battle of Lexington, Mass.
William Wood, on arriving at manhood, decided to learn the blacksmith trade, having two objects in view, namely physical development, but more especially that he might obtain the means with which to defray the expense of a course in college for which he was preparing. He afterward became a student in the Burlington college, where he continued his studies one year. Later he entered the Dartmouth college, where he graduated in the year 1850. He then entered the Castleton Medical college of Vermont, and received the degree conferred by that institution in 1852. In the fall of the same year he came to Cairo. He was married at Cairo on the 3d of April, 1863, to Miss Ann E. Spiller, daughter of W. H. Spiller, one of the pioneers of Southern Illinois, who died in Cairo in 1882. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Monday, April 7, 1902, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cape Girardeau, MO--DEANNA WORTHINGTON, 62, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, at Fountainbleau Lodge. She was born Nov. 1, 1943, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of Milford Thomas and Ruth Nadine Smith Miller.
Deanna was of the Lutheran belief, and a member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She had worked at Mac's BBQ and Mark Twain restaurants in Cairo.
Survivors include two daughters, Rhonda Sartin of Las Vegas, Nev., Cindy Sartin of St. Louis; a son, Darren Sartin of Ames, Iowa; a brother, Thomas Miller of East Alton, Ill.; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Martin officiating. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge, Ill. --Contributed by Leslie Riney.

Tamms, IL.--PAULINE WRIGHT--Funeral service for Pauline Wright, Tamms Route 1, will be held at 1 p.m. today at Norris and Son Funeral Home in Jonesboro. The Rev. Bill Joyce will officiate with burial in St. John's Cemetery. Wright, 78, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1994 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 7, 1916 in Alexander County, daughter of Everett and Gertie Huffman Jordan. She and Homer Wright were married June 8, 1935. He died Aug. 8, 1982. She was retired from the Anna State Hospital. Survivors include four daughters, Linda Hines of Anna, Carolyn White of Flora, Ginger Tyndall and Shelby Stone of Springfield, MO; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.