Julia E. Stafford
Born November 25, 1910 - Died March 4, 1997
Julia E. Stafford, 86, of McLeansboro, died at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 1997, at her residence.
Mrs. Stafford was born on November 25, 1910, in Chicago, a daughter of Tony and Ella (Chesky) Andrews. She married Ellis M. Stafford on February 5, 1944, in Chicago. He died on June 15, 1996. She was a talented artist and supported her spouse's endeavors while working as a secretary.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 1997, at Harre Funeral Home. Fr. Alan Ruppert officiated. Burial was in Hopewell Cemetery in McLeansboro.
Mrs. Stafford is survived by one sister, Suzanne Andrews of Brookville, Florida, a niece, Joyce Mertens and husband William of Riceville, Iowa; great-nieces and great-nephews, Debra Luzier of Norwalk, Iowa, William C. Mertens of Aukeny, Iowa, Michelle Mertens of Iowa City, Iowa, and James Mertens of South Bend, Indiana.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen and Mae.
Memorials will be accepted at the funeral home for the McCoy Library, Hamilton County Senior Citizens or the charity of the donor's choice.
Thurlow "Spud" Patterson
Born October 9, 1924 - Died March 2, 1997
Thurlow "Spud" Patterson, 72, of McLeansboro, died at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 1997, at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Marion. He was a carpenter.
He was born on October 9, 1924, in Hardin County, a son of Rev. Charles and Hattie Mae (Williams) Patterson. He married Laverne Ledbetter, who preceded in death. He was a veteran, having served in the U. S. Navy, and a member of Vinyard Chapel Church in Karbers Ridge.
The funeral was held on Wednesday, March 5, 1997, at Vinyard Chapel. Revs. Harold Miller and Jackie Quertermous officiated. Burial was in Vinyard Cemetery in Karbers Ridge.
Mr. Paterson is survived by his father, Rev. Charles Patterson of Karbers Ridge; three sons, Lendell Patterson of Zion, Illinois, Quentin E. Patterson of McLeansboro, and Curtis Patterson of McLeansboro; four daughters, Patricia Dial of McLeansboro, Darlene Flannell of Twining, Michigan, Bonita Farris of McLeansboro and Barbara Patterson of McLeansboro; two brothers, Wendell Patterson of Water Valley, Kentucky, and James Patterson of Union Peer, Michigan; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his mother; one son, Charles; and two sisters, Lillian Patterson and Lorene Last.
Memorials may be made to the Southern Illinois Hospice.
Donald Endicott
Born November 13, 1922 - Died March 6, 1997
Donald Endicott, 74, of McLeansboro, died at 8:55 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 1997, at John Cochran Veteran Hospital in St. Louis. He was a retired owner/operator of Endicott Grocery in Dale.
He was born on November 13, 1922, in Dale, the son of Kelley L. and Grace (Betts) Endicott. He married Elsie Mae Nalley on September 6, 1949, in Morganfield, Kentucky, and she died on May 6, 1976. He was a member of Dale Missionary Baptist Church and attended First Baptist Church in McLeansboro.
The funeral was on Sunday, March 9, 1997, at 1:00 p.m. at Harre Funeral Home. Revs. Ernie Essary and Jerry Parmley officiated. Burial was in the Digby Cemetery with graveside rites by McLeansboro American Legion and McLeansboro VFW. He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II.
Mr. Endicott is survived by two sons, Curt L. Endicott and wife Karen of McLeansboro and Chris Endicott and wife Brenda of Dale; one daughter, Donna Kay Butts of Oregon; two grandchildren, Maci and Derek Endicott of Dale; and one sister, Doris Hunt of McLeansboro.
Beside his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.
Carolyn V. Wrenn
Born December 1, 1925 - Died March 6, 1997
Carolyn V. Wrenn, 71, of Whitfield, Mississippi, and formerly of Dahlgren, died at Whitfield Hospital on Thursday, March 6, 1997, at 9:20 p.m. She was a retired cashier.
She was born on December 1, 1925, in Princeton, Kentucky, the daughter of Willie and Mayme Ellegood.
The funeral was at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 10, 1997 at Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren. Rev. Alan Ruppert officiated. Burial was in the St. John's Cemetery in Dahlgren.
Mrs. Wrenn is survived by one daughter, Darlene Gay of Richview, Illinois; and one sister, Angela Knowles of Pearl, Mississippi.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Matthew Wrenn, and her parents.
Rev. Virgil W. Spain
Born February 27, 1930 - Died March 7, 1997
Rev. Virgil W. Spain, of McLeansboro, died on Friday, March 7, 1997, at 12:07 a.m. at Hamilton Memorial Hospital. He was a minister of the Assembly of God Church.
He was born on February 27, 1930, in Gibson County, Tennessee, the son of Clinton A. and Cornelia (Gunter) Spain. He married Neva K. Denton on September 19, 1950, and she survives. In 1953 he was ordained by the General Council of the Assembly of God Church in Springfield, Missouri. He had pastored churches in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Illinois.
The funeral was at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 1997, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Revs. Larry Conair and Randall Ragan officiated. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery in McLeansboro.
Besides his wife, Revs. Spain is survived by one son, Rev. Thomas E. Spain and wife Nancy of Hamilton, Illinois; one daughter, Linda Carroll and husband Ray of Amory, Mississippi; one brother, Rev. John A. Spain, Lake Charles, LA.; two sisters, Wilma Lorene Stewart of Rogers, Arkansas, and Mary Katherine Robinson of Plainfield, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by one infant sister, Margie Ruth Spain.
Memorials may be made to the Assembly of God Church Building Fund.
Charles Eugene Gelfius
Born September 3, 1921 - Died March 12, 1997
Charles Eugene Gelfius, 75, of Dahlgren, died at 7:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 1997, at his home. He was a retired building trades construction worker.
He was born on September 3, 1921, in Columbia, Indiana, a son of Ernest Edward and Mary Henrietta (Dahn) Gelfius. He was a member of the Christian Church in Winslow, Indiana, a U. S. Army veteran of WWII, a lifetime member of VFW Post #673 and American Legion Post #147, both in Jasper, Indiana.
Gholson Funeral Home of Dahlgren was in charge of the local arrangements, and the funeral was at Bradley's Colonial Chapel in Boonville, Indiana. Dr. Robert Asa officiated. Burial was in Spurgeon, Indiana.
Mr. Gelfius is survived by one son, Steve Gelfius of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and one daughter, Elaine Barrett of Winslow; three brothers, Albert Gelfius of Franklin, Indiana; Robert Gelfius of Columbus, Indiana; and Carl Gelfius of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Anna Louise Bensz of Hope, Indiana; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Emerson P. Sanders
Born October, 28, 1918 - Died March 13, 1997
Emerson P. Sanders, 78, of Macedonia, died at 12:26 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 1997, at his home.
He was born on October, 28, 1918, in Hamilton County, a son of Leonard Carol and Bonnie (Phillips) Sanders.
He was a retired president of Community Management Services, a professional consulting firm. He was also a retired president of Beauty Basic Cosmetics, now a part of Revlon Corporation. He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Corps of Engineers and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star during battle, and a member of McLeansboro American Legion Post #106 and Mt. Vernon VFW Post #1376.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, March 16, 1997, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Rev. John Lee, Jr. officiated. Burial was in Antioch Cemetery in Macedonia with graveside military rites by McLeansboro American Legion Post #106.
Mr. Sanders is survived by two brothers, Paul Sanders and wife Gloria of St. Louis, Missouri; and Roger Sanders and wife Mary Ellen of Oswego, Illinois; oe sister Vesta Foster of Alhambra, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Isabelle (Maulding) Sanders.
Majorie L. Williams
Born May 14, 1912 - Died March 14, 1997
Majorie L. Williams, 84, of McLeansboro, died at 8:20 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 1997, at Columbia Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona. She was a housewife, operated Ye Ole Cupboard Restaurant in McLeansboro for a few years, and also owned and operated the Lookin Shop in McLeansboro for many years.
She was born on May 14, 1912, in Hamilton County, a daughter of John O. and Mary J. (Chaffin) Thompson. She was a member of McLeansboro 1st United Methodist Church. On October 8, 1932, she married Evans Williams, who died in 1990.
Mrs. Williams was a member of the Hamilton County Beautification Task Force, the Hamilton County Home Makers Extension Unit, and a library volunteer at McCoy Memorial Library. She attended Sun Lakes (Arizona) Methodist Church and The Women's Craft Club Unit and also active in Chandler, Arizona, Senior Citizens Club.
The funeral was at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 1997, at Gholson's Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Revs. Jeff Hurst and Robin Lyons officiated. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery.
Mrs. Williams is survived by one son, Bruce Williams and wife Linda of Odin, Illinois; two daughters, Brenda Waara and husband Ralph of Sun Lakes, Arizona, and Nancy Epperson and husband Steve of McLeansboro; one sister, Bernadine Sloan of McLeansboro; seven grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene and Stanley Thompson and one sister, Helen.
Memorials may be made to the McCoy Library or the First United Methodist Church.
Ella (Turrentine) Lewis
Born September 4, 1933 - Died March 16, 1997
Ella (Turrentine) Lewis, 63, of McLeansboro, died at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 1997, at her residence. She was a homemaker.
She was born on September 4, 1933, in Hamilton County, a daughter of Martin R. and Myrtle (Sandusky) Turrentine. On July 31, 1958, in McLeansboro, she married Donald C. Lewis, who survives. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, a past president of Turrentine National Family Association and was currently secretary, Republican Central Committeewoman for McLeansboro of Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post #106 and McLeansboro Elks Club Lodge #1882.
The funeral was at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 1997, at Harre Funeral Home. Rev. William Tomberlin officiated. Burial was in Ten Mile Cemetery near McLeansboro.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Lewis is survived by four daughters, Sundaye Heckethorn of Hillsboro, Missouri; Robin Gaynor of Granite City, Illinois; Tanya Lewis of Los Alamos, New Mexico; Lisa Fitzpatrick and husband Paul of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; one son, Donald M. Lewis of Creve Coeur, Missouri; one sister, Marie Sadler of McLeansboro; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one infant brother.
Lois Reed Schiefla
Born January 3, 1924 - Died February 7, 1997
Lois Reed Schiefla, 73, of Caledonia, Michigan, and formerly of Macedonia, died on Friday, February 7, 1997, at Grand Rapids, Michigan Hospital.
She was born on January 3, 1924, the daughter of Walter and Ora (Shaffer) Reed. She married Warren Schiefla, who survives. She attended McLeansboro Township High School, graduating in 1941.
The funeral was held at the Leighton Methodist Church in Caledonia. Burial was in Lakeside Cemetery, also in Caledonia.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Schiefla is also survived by two sons, Mark of Caledonia, Michigan, and Dale of Alta, Michigan; three grandchildren; two nieces; and one nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Helen Atkinson.
Obituary information was provided by Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
