James L. Shewmake
James L. Shewmake, 71, of 118 South Water St., Harrisburg, died Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997 at 4 a.m. at his home.
He was born on March 31, 1925, in Sims to the late Alonzo and Lena Augusta Fields Shewmake.
Mr. Shewmake was retired from General Telephone Co. after 35 years of service. He was in the Army with the 717 Tank Division during World War II. He was a Baptist by faith.
On March 13, 1950, he married the former Catherine Carpenter, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Darlene and her husband, Tom Utley of Morganfield, Ky., Tina M. Serles of Littleton, Colo. and Sandra Gooch of Harrisburg; five grandchildren, Sara Utley, Jason Serles, Aaron, Caleb and Shawn Michael Gooch and one great-grandchild, Sean Austin Graham.
Other survivors are brothers and sisters, Alonzo (Stag) Shewmake Jr. of Harrisburg, Neva Belle Stroub of Eldorado, Floyd Shewmake of Schaumburg, Carla Dowdy, Bob Shewmake and Donna Denbo, all of Harrisburg.
He was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Norman, Tom, Glen, Benny and William Alvey Shewmake, Betty Ledbetter Vaughn and Lena Mae Shewmake.
Services were held Monday, Feb. 24, 1997 at 2 p.m. at Lambert Family Funeral Home in Harrisburg, where visitation was held Sunday night. Keith Deal officiated. Burial was in Sunset Garden Cemetery in Harrisburg.
Harriett Blackwell
Mrs. Harriett Blackwell, 62, of 608 East Elm Street, Harrisburg, died at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997 at her home.
She was born on Feb. 18, 1935, in Elgin to the late Robert and Margaret Smith.
She was a retired lathe operator at the Chicago Rawhide in Elgin and attended the First Christian Church in Harrisburg.
Surviving are two sons, Stephen Craig Blackwell of Anza, Calif. and Jeffrey Dale Blackwell of Honolulu, Hawaii; a daughter, Diana Blackwell of Harrisburg; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
The body has been cremated. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Isabel Davis
Mrs. Isabel Davis, 75, wife of James H. Davis, of Broughton, died at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997 at Welborn Baptist Hospital in Evansville, Ind.
Mrs. Davis was born on July 2, 1921, in Hamilton County to the late Harve and Victoria Wava Smith Pennington.
She retired after 38 years as a teacher in Saline and Hamilton counties.
Mrs. Davis was a member of First Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher and pianist. She was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association.
Surviving are her husband of 39 years, James H. Davis; a son, James H. Davis Jr. of Broughton; a sister, Mary Henson of Norris City; a brother, Gerald Pennington of Carrollton; a granddaughter, Samantha Jo Davis; two nephews, Jerry Ray Pennington of Alton and Kenneth Edward Henson of Norris City; and a brother-in-law, Wilmer Millspaugh, Norris City.
Services will be held at 2 p.m Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Broughton. The Rev. David Angelly and the Rev. Eugene Rister will officiate. Burial will be in Hickory Hill Cemetery at Broughton.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro Chapel and from 1 p.m. to service time Tuesday at the church.
Paul Morris
Paul Morris, 98, of New Burnside, died at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21, 1997 at Harrisburg Medical Center.
He is survived by one daughter, Judy Taylor of New Burnside; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Bernice Smith Morris, who died July 13, 1981; his parents, William Riley and Etta Hearn Morris; four sisters, Rose May, Effie Vest, Maude White and Mollie Powell; and a brother, Charles Morris.
He was employed for 37 years as Postal Clerk in the New Burnside Post Office.
Mr. Morris was born on March 1, 1898, in New Burnside to William Riley and Etta Hearn Morris.
He was the oldest member of United Methodist Church in New Burnside; and a 70-year member of the New Burnside Masonic Lodge #772 A.F.&A.M.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 1997 at the First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Stan Watkins officiated and burial was in the New Burnside Cemetery,
Visitation was Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Aly Funeral Home in Vienna, where the Masonic service was at held 6 p.m. by the New
Burnside Masonic Lodge.
Tom Vickery
Tom Vickery, 46, of Shawneetown, died at 3:12 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997 at Harrisburg Medical Center.
He was born on April 7, 1950, in Shawneetown to the late Robert L. Vickery and to Wilma Ambrose Vickery, who survives.
He was a 1969 graduate of Shawneetown High School.
Surviving in addition to his mother, Wilma Vickery of Shawneetown; two daughters and a son-in-law, Christy and Steven Board of Cave-in-Rock and Tammy Bebout of Lexington, Tenn.; a grandson, Bradley Steven Board; a brother, Robert and wife, Shari Vickery of Shawneetown; and a niece, Devon Vickery survive.
Services were held Monday at 2 p.m. at Vickery Funeral Home in Shawneetown, where visitation was held Sunday night. The Rev. Betty Tucker and Pastor Jack Hall officiated. Burial was in Westwood Cemetery at Shawneetown.
Vernice Wilson
Mrs. Vernice Wilson, 79, of 290 Beach Hollow Road, in the Rudement community, died at 11:45 a.m. Monday, March 3, 1997 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind.
She was the widow of Walter Wilson. They were married on March 31, 1934, in Saline County and he preceded her in death on April 21, 1955.
She was born on April 5, 1917, near Rudement to the late John and Mollie Bird Gribble.
Mrs. Wilson was a member of Rudement Social Brethren Church.
Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Lester and Thelma Wilson of Bethalto and Dewan and Sandy Wilson of Harrisburg; a daughter and son-in-law, Delores and Dwight Stuby of Harrisburg; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A sister, Reba Lambert, preceded her in death.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at J.M. Weirauch Funeral Home of Harrisburg, where friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Harry (Pete) Reed will officiate and burial will be in Spring Valley Cemetery.
Henry Gustin Jr.
Henry Gustin Jr., 88, of Cave-in-Rock, died Monday, March 3, 1997 at his home.
He retired from the Navy and was a 50-year member of Masons, Eastern Star and Odd Fellows.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Rose-Gilbert Funeral Home in Cave-in-Rock, where friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, and where a Masonic service will be at 6 p.m. Burial will be in Cave Hill Cemetery.
Wilma Fern Wise
Mrs. Wilma Fern Wise, 86, of Newark, Ohio, formerly of Stonefort, died Sunday, March 2, 1997 at 4:47 p.m. at the Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark.
She was born in Stonefort on Sunday, Sept. 19, 1910 to the late Oak and Ella Henshaw Hickle.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Pat Zuzolo and the Rev. Wise.
Mrs. Wise was a member of Newark Church of God.
She was a retired factory worker from R.C.A.
Surviving are two daughters, Eleanor Hart of Niles, Ohio and Joann Martin Zuzolo of Las Vegas, Nev.; a son, Ralph Zuzolo of Granite Falls, N.C.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will precede burial at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Joyner Cemetery at Stonefort.
There will be no visitation at Felty Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. Those attending should go directly to the cemetery.
Thurlow (Spud) Patterson
Thurlow (Spud) Patterson, 72, of McLeansboro, formerly of Karbers Ridge area, died at 1:35 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 1997 in Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Marion.
He was born on Oct. 9, 1924 in Hardin County, to the Rev. Charles and Hattie Mae Williams Patterson.
He was a carpenter laborer (construction) and a Navy veteran.
Mr. Patterson was a member of Vinyard Chapel Church in Karbers Ridge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Laverne Ledbetter and his mother, Hattie Mae Patterson, a son, Charles Patterson, and two sisters, Lillian Patterson and Lorene Last.
Surviving are his father, the Rev. Charles Patterson; three sons, Lendell Patterson of Zion, Quentin E. Patterson and Curtis Patterson, both of McLeansboro; four daughters, Patricia Dial, Bonita Farris and Barbara Patterson, all of McLeansboro and Darlene Flannell of Twining, Mich.; two brothers, Wendell Patterson of Water Valley, Ky. and James Patterson of Union Peer, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Vinyard Chapel in Hardin County. The Rev. Harold Miller and Jackie Quertermous will officiate. Burial will be in Vinyard Cemetery at Karbers Ridge.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cox & Son Funeral Home in Ridgway.
In lieu of flowers the family ask donations be made to the Southern Illinois Hospice.
Juanita Russell
Mrs. Juanita Russell, 79, of U.S. Hwy 45 South, Carrier Mills, died Sunday, March 2, 1997 in Welborn Baptist Hospital in Evansville, Ind.
In January, 1940, she married J.C. Russell, who preceded her in death on June 23, 1984.
Mrs. Russell was born on Jan. 3, 1918, in the Battleford community, to Freeman and Ollie Dunn Middleton.
She was retired as a cook at the Carrier Mills Schools. She was a member of Carrier Mills Social Brethren Church and the True Blue Workers Club at the church.
Surviving are a son, Kay Don Russell of Lake City, Mich.; a daughter, Mrs. Jack (Alice Anita) Oertle of Carrier Mills; three grandchildren, Russell Ridley of Albuquerque, N.M., Scott Russell of Lake City, Mich. and Alicia Ridley of Carrier Mills; and two great-grandchildren.
A brother, Aaron Middleton, preceded her in death.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Felty Funeral Home in Carrier Mills, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Mike Smith will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery at Carrier Mills.
Edith F. Dennis
Mrs. Edith F. Dennis, 78, of Montgomery, formerly of Harrisburg, and Manitowish Waters, Wis., died Saturday, March 1, 1997 at her residence.
She was born on Feb. 19, 1919, at Galatia, daughter of the late Charles and Ruby (Sherertz) Howe.
Survivors include a son, Richard and wife, Connie Dennis, a granddaughter, Amanda Ashley Dennis; a grandson, Matthew Dennis, all of Oswego; a sister, Bonnie Fulkerson of Walled Lake, Mich.; and a brother, Charles "Jr" Howe of Ashkum.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at the Oswego Presbyterian Church in Oswego with the Rev. Robert McQuilkin officiating.
Visitation was held Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the McKeown-Dunn Funeral Home in Oswego.
Graveside services will precede burial in Sunset Lawn Cemetery at Harrisburg at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, 1997.
Gaskins Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements.
Nick Roper
Nick Roper, 28, of Golconda, died Monday in Colorado Springs, Colo.
He was the son of Jim Ed and Janet Roper of Golconda.
Further family details and funeral arrangements will be announced later from Aly Funeral Home in Golconda.
Ralph H. Chambers
Ralph H. Chambers, 80, of 718 North Webster, Harrisburg died at 1:50 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 1997 at his home.
He was born on June 16, 1916, to the late Thomas A. and Nora Francis (Mathis) Chambers.
He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Harrisburg. He was a longtime coal miner having worked at Turner Mine, Blue Bird and Sahara Coal Co. and as Army veteran during World War II.
On April 20, 1940, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. he married the former Fern Ward, who preceded him in death on April 18, 1994. A son, William Ralph Chambers, also preceded him in death on July 27, 1971.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Joann and Marshall Landis; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert Eugene and Joyce Chambers.
Surviving grandchildren are: Jeffrey and Diane Landis, Matt and Michelle Landis, Jennifer and Jason Brimm, Julie Dawn Chambers, and Kyle Robert Chambers. Also three great-grandchildren, Leah Landis, Jordan Michelle Landis and Matthew Reid Landis. One grandchild, Robert J. Chambers, preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 1973.
He was preceded in death by seven brothers; William Daniel, Everett Ercel, Charles, Richard, Archie and Kenneth Chambers; and four sisters, Cora, Luella, Flora Chambers and Dora Rose.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Gaskins Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Davis officiating. Burial will be in Lindale Cemetery in Eldorado.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 10, 1997 at Gaskins Funeral Home.
Ora Jenkins Saulmon
Mrs. Ora Saulmon, 93, of 212 Mercherle Dr., Bloomington, formerly of Harrisburg, and Colorado, died at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, 1997 at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Bloomington.
She will be cremated, there will be no visitation. An inurnment service will be held at a later date at a cemetery in Harrisburg. Metzler-Froelich Memorial Home in Bloomington is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donors choice.
She was born Sept. 26, 1903 in Wallrabs Mill, Ill., daughter of William and Malinda Joiner Allen. She married Loren Jenkins on June, 1919, in Harrisburg, he died Feb. 19, 1954. On May 22, 1968, she married LeRoy Saulmon in Rocky Ford, Colo., and he died March 12, 1995.
Surviving are a son, Jack L. Jenkins and wife, Janice of 212 Mercherle Dr., Bloomington; three grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and five sisters. Mrs. Saulmon was a buyer of women's apparel for Hart's Dept. Store and a former member of the First Methodist Church. She retired to Colorado in 1966 where she resided until 1995.
