Mary Mae Ross
Born June 8, 1913 - Died October 29, 1997
Mary Mae Ross, 84, of Enfield and formerly of McLeansboro, died at 7:12 a.m. on WEdnesday, Oct. 29, 1997, at the Enfield Health Care Center in Enfield. She was a homemaker.
She was born on June 8, 1913, in McLeansboro, a daughter of James Floyd and Nellie (Irvin) Ross.
The funeral was at 11:00 a.m. on Friday Oct. 31, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Rev. Robert Sefried officiated. Burial was in IOOF Cemetery in Dahlgren.
Mrs. Ross is survived by one daughter, Marjorie Lee Stokes of Enfield; one brother, Arley Ross of Phoenix, Ariz.; and one sister, Bertie Lou Hanlon of Las Vegas, Nev.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Donald Ross and three sisters, Marie Beck, Edith Bechtle and Dorothy Wood.
Marie Shuster
Born June 19, 1915 - Died October 25, 1997
Marie Moore Shuster, 82, of Moweaqua and formerly of McLeansboro, died Oct. 25, 1997, at her home. She was a consultant for Luzier Cosmetics.
She was born on June 19, 1915, in McLeansboro, a daughter of John Harrison and Rosetta Webb Moore. She married Fred Shuster on May 11, 1946, in McLeansboro, and he survives.
The funeral was at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Seitz Funeral Home in Moweaqua. Burial was in Oddfellows Cemetery in Moweaqua.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Shuster is survived by three daughters, Vickie Shuster Egyud and husband Louis of Corapolis, Pa., Norma McPeak Brehm of Carmi, Mae shuster Hays and busband Bob of Moweaqua; six sons, Dean McPeak and wife Cecile of Troy, Val McPeak and wife Jan of St. Charles, Curtis McPeak and wife Margie of Dalton City, Carl Shuster and wife Carol of Mattawan, Mich., Robert Shuster and wife Diana of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Don Shuster and wife Evelyn of Moweaqua; 31 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren; one brother, Hugh Hicks of McLeansboro; nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Nancy Hocker.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Mary Jo McPeak Parker.
Lorene Ruffner
Born November 9, 1911 - Died October 14, 1997
Lorene Ruffner, 85, of Alliance, Ohio and formerly of McLeansboro, died Oct. 14, 1997, at the Alliance Community Hospital in Alliance, Ohio. She was a housewife.
She was born on Nov. 9, 1911, in New Madrid, Mo., a daughter of Will and Emma (Piles) Whaley. On April 14, 1962, in Kankakee, she married Walter N. Ruffner.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Rev. Mike Kniffen officiated. Burial was in Bloming Grove Cememtery near McLeansboro.
Mrs. Ruffner is survived by one brother, Marion Whaley of Alliance, Ohio; two sisters, Frances Yeakey of Hoffman, Ill., and Lillian Stowers of Puxico, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Walter and her parents.
Valarie Ratliff
Born April 9, 1952 - Died October 19, 1997
Valarie (Eblen) Ratliff, 45, of Belle Rive, died Oct. 19, 1997, as a result of an auto accident. She was a homemaker.
She was born on April 9, 1952, in Hamilton County, a daughter of James Barton and Nancy Mae (Smiley) Eblen. On Aug. 10, 1979, she married Randy Ratliff, who survives.
The funeral was at 1:00 p.m. Oct. 22, at Harre Funeral Home in Dahlgren. The Rev. Keith Neal officiated. Burial will be in Oddfellows Cemetery in Dahlgren.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Ratliff is survived by daughter Lori Ratliff and Jeremy Ratliff, both at home; one brother, Douglas Eblen and wife Tanya of Mt. Vernon; two nephews, Barton Webb and Ryan Eblen; and two nieces, Ashleigh Eblen and Amanda Hayes.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Tracy Webb.
Memorials will be accepted at Harre Funeral Home in Dahlgren for the American Diabetes Association or the National Kidney Foundation.
Harley Short
Born October 28, 1924 - Died October 18, 1997
Harley "Red" Short, 72, of McLeansboro, died Oct. 18, 1997, in Crossville. He was retired from Lever Bros. in Hammond, Ind., after 35 years of service.
He was born on Oct. 28, 1924, in Whitting, Ind., a son of Ezra Samuel and Ivis Bratton Short. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
The funeral was at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Emmons-Macey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Ill. Burial was in Billett Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy Byrley Short of Brooksville, Fla; his mother, Ivis Short of McLeansboro; two daughters, Becky Boyle of Clearwater, Fla., and Tina Shurtleff of Brooksville, Fla.; one sister, Rosalee Leighty of McLeansboro; three brothers, Dwain Short and William Short, both of St. Francisville, Ill., and Denver Short of Crownpoint, Ind.; and two grandchildren, Belinda Shurtleff of Brooksville, Fla., and Kelly Boyle of Clearwater, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his father and his brother Norman.
Arlene Ater
Born March 24, 1932 - Died September 26, 1997
M. Arlene (Johnson) Ater, 60, died Sept. 26, 1997, in Pueblo, Colo.
She was born on March 24, 1937, in Eldorado and grew up in Hamilton County, a daughter of the late Lucille and Joyce Johnson. She was married to Jack Ater who survives.
Services were on Sept. 29 at the Montgomery and Stewart Chapel in Colorado. The Rev. Jerry C. Lawlis officiated. Burial was in Mountain View Cemetery in Colorado.
Mrs. Ater is survived by her husband, Jack; one son, J.B. Ater of Houston; five daughters, Christy Dennis of Amarillo, Texas, Rene' Fry of Ulysses, Kan., Debbie Menges of Liberal, Kan., Kim Ford of Ulysses, Kan., Denny Eslick of Lakin, Kan.; one sister, Lois Phillips of McLenansboro; mother-in-law, Wilma Ater; 16 grand children and one great-grandchild.
She was a member of Southwest Church of Christ.
Mrs. Ater was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be made to the Lupus Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Allen Phelps
Born September 22, 1916 - Died October 13, 1997
Allen Phelps, 81, of Carbondale and formerly of McLeansboro, died October 13, 1997 at Franklin Hospital in Benton. He was a retired coal miner and railroader.
He was born Sept. 22, 1916, in Butler County, Ky., a son of Cleveland and Polly Ann (Meredith) Phelps. He was a married twice, to Lottie Alline Johnson and Edith Marcella Pedigo, both whom are deceased.
The graveside funeral was at 1:00 p.m. on Oct. 15, at Ten Mile Cemetery near McLeansboro. The Rev. Sederick Phelps will officiate. Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Phelps is survived by five sons, Eldridge Allen Phelps and wife Frances of Norris City, Terry Phelps and wife Esther of De Soto, Ill., Jerry Phelps of Beaver Dam, Ky., Tony Phelps of Owensboro, Ky., Travis W. Phelps of Murphysboro; six daughters, Glenda Martin and husband Daniel of Sesser, Peggy Hicks and husband Randall of Golconda, Sue Gribble and husband Mike of Harrisburg, Cherri Woolever and husband David of Tucson, Ariz., Kathy Jolly and husband Larry of Carbondale, Sandra Williams and husband Steve of Mesa, Ariz.; one sister, Evanice Renfrow of Louisville, Ky.; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Margie Pickle
Born September 8, 1921 - Died October 6, 1997
Margie Pickle, 76, of McLeansboro, died October 6, 1997 at Deaconess Hospital, in Evansville, Indiana.
She was born September 8, 1921, in Stoy, IL, a daughter of James Raley and Grace (Lawhead) Raley.
Graveside services were to be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday October 8, 1997 at the Robinson New Cemetery in Robinson, IL. Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson was in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Pickle is survived by a daughter, Barbara Pickle of McLeansboro; one sister, Marjorie Warnock Conner of Templeton, CA; a niece, Peggy Ivas of Robinson; and two nephews, Phillip Faught of Portland, TN, and Robert Faught of Indiana.
She was a member of the Four Square Gospel Church in McLeansboro.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, John Raley and two sisters, Martha Turnipseed and Mary Faught.
Cletus Cantrell
Born August 23, 1924 - Died September 26, 1997
Cletus Cantrell, 73, of Dale, died Sept. 26, 1997 at his home.
He was a carpenter.
He was born August 23, 1924, in Dale, a son of Thomas and Ella Susan (Webb) Cantrell. On February 23, 1945, he married Wanda Lois Trout who survives.
Services were Sept. 29, 1997, at Harre Funeral Home of McLeansboro. The Rev. John Capps officiated. Burial was in Digby Hill Cemetery in Dale.
Mr. Cantrell is survived by his wife Wanda of Dale, one daughter, Norma Cremeens and husband Roger of Morton; one granddaughter, Kimberly Rae Cremeens of Morton; one sister, Norma Faye Mayberry of Dale; one half sister, Hazel Turner of Alton and one brother, Clayton Cantrell of McLeansboro.
He was a Methodist. He was a member of Carmi VFW, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and he was an Army veteran of World War II.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
Memorials will be accepted at the Harre Funeral Home for the American Cancer Society.
Dorcas Tolley
Born October 13, 1916 - Died September 23, 1997
Dorcas Tolley, 80, of McLeansboro, died Sept. 23, 1997 in Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.
She was a retired seamstress at the former Elder Manufacturing Garment Co. in McLeansboro.
She was born October 13, 1916, in Dahlgren, a daughter of Parkus and Josie (Miller) Tolley.
Services were Sept. 26, 1997, at the Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro. The Rev. Gary Davenport and Rev. Robert Sefried officiated. Burial was in Blooming Grove Cemetery.
Ms. Tolley was a Protestant.
She is survived by one sister, Alma Aydt of McLeansboro, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Elmer, Delmer, Paul and Warren Tolley; and one sister, Bertha, who died at age 11.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
