U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
John 'Jack' Erby II
CARTERVILLE -- John H. 'Jack' Erby II, 84, of Carterville, passed away at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, in Oak Grove Rehabilitation and Skilled Care in Carbondale. Mr. Erby was a retired pork producer and farmer. He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin and a lifetime member of the Baker Ladd Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1567 in Herrin. He was a veteran of the U. S. Navy during World War II, having served aboard the USS Chicago CA29, USS Mobile CL63 and the USS Pensacola CA24, and was awarded several medals, including the American Area World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with eight stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal with one star. He was born on Aug. 22, 1920, in Chicago, to John H. and Kathryn V. (Salmon) Erby. He was united in marriage with Laura Lou Emma Lenon on June 21, 1945, in San Francisco. She survives of Carterville. Also surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, John H. 'Jack' III and Kathryn Erby of Herrin; three grandchildren, Kathy Jackson and her husband, John, of Royalton, Crystal Erby of Herrin, and John H. Erby IV of Herrin; and two great-grandchildren, Ashley and Ryan Allen Jackson. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one brother, Joseph Erby. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. Monsignor Ken Schaefer will officiate. Interment will be in San Carlo Cemetery
in Herrin, with military graveside rites conducted by the Herrin American Legion Post No. 645 and the Baker-Ladd VFW Post No. 1567. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in Herrin, with a prayer service at 6 p. m. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to the San Carlo Cemetery
Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Orvin 'Rabbit' Kjellesvik
HERRIN -- Orvin 'Rabbit' L. Kjellesvik, 56, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at Van Natta Funeral Home in Herrin, with the Rev. Don Grammer officiating. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Dec. 3, 2004, at Van Natta Funeral Home. 'Rabbit' was a self-employed carpenter. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He was born on July 10, 1948, in Ottawa, to Orvin Kjellesvik and Aileen (Ashoff) Kjellesvik. He married Penni Kjellesvik and she survives in Herrin. Other survivors include his three daughters and son-in-law, Lori and Gary (Kjellesvik) Russell of Herrin, Jenny Kjellesvik of Royalton and Heather Kjellesvik; and four grandchildren, Miranda, Marrisa, Mallori and Taylor.
Ernest Russell
ANNA -- Ernest Victor Russell, 84, of Alamo, Texas, formerly of Anna, died at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Mission Hospital in Mission, Texas. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, in Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Revs. Andy Gillespie and Mike Miller officiating. Burial will be in Anna Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church, located east of Anna, or Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
William George Jr.
AVA -- William George Jr., 76, died at 2:50 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Rehab and Care Center in Murphysboro. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava, with President Riley 'Rick' Fletcher and President William Burke officiating. Burial will be in Walker Hill Cemetery
in Grand Tower. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Mr. George was retired as manager of Edison Brothers Stores and Baker's Shoe Store in Jacksonville, Fla. He was a member and former president of the Steeleville branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict. He was formerly active in Boy Scouts. He was born on Oct. 8, 1928, in Lebanon, Tenn., to William Sr. and Elizabeth Lucille McKnight George. He married Deleta D. Dobbs on May 16, 1964, in Jacksonville, Fla. Survivors include his wife, Dee George of Ava; seven children and their spouses, Billie Jean and Dwight Belew of Mount Juliet, Tenn., Sherri Lynne Rowlands of Ava, Brenda Starr and Kevin Snow of Maricopa, Ariz., Renee Devereux of Marion, George Steven and Tracey Fisher of Charlotte, N. C., William III and Lisa George of Houston, and Richard Shannon and Kim George of Waterford, Mich.; 21 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-parents. Memorials may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund or to the Humanitarian Fund.
Shelia D. Niemier
TILDEN -- Shelia D. Niemeier, 52, died at 11:59 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Sparta Community Hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at First Baptist Church in Tilden, with the Rev. Wilbur Franklin Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Tilden City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 7:30 to 12 p.m. Friday at Wilson's Funeral Homes, Tilden then from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church. VFW Auxiliary services will be at 7 p.m. today, led by Coulterville VFW Post 6865. Mrs. Niemeier was a homemaker. She was a member of the Coulterville VFW Post 6865 Auxiliary and First Baptist Church of Tilden. She was born on Aug. 2, 1952, in Winegarden, Mo. to Lonnie 'Red' and Floria 'Tinee' (Hart) Boyet. She married Terry Niemeier June 2, 2001, in Yownt, Mo. She is survived by her husband, Terry Niemeier of Tilden; one son, Daniel Paul Kellerman of Pinckneyville; two daughters, Colen Boyet of Tilden and Erica Morgan of Tilden; three sisters, Mary (Walter) Bodeker of Tilden, Georgia (Tom) Weekly of Marissa and Linda (Clyde) Burns of Coulterville; three brothers, Lonnie (Ruth) Boyet of St. Genevieve, Mo., Don (Ruth Ann) Boyet of Coulterville and Marvin 'Joe' (Evelyn) Boyet of Potosi, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jimmy and Doyle; one sister, Betty Hatley and one nephew, Darren Weekly.
Ronald Lee Babb
METROPOLIS -- Ronald Lee Babb, 57, of Metropolis, formerly of Brookport, died at 3:23 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Western Baptist Hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, in Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home in Metropolis, with the Rev. Charles Tate officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Pell Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Martha Jane 'Marty' Lamer
JONESBORO -- Martha Jane 'Marty' Lamer, 78, of Jonesboro, died at 7:25 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, in Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born on April 8, 1926, in Jonesboro, the daughter of Arthur Peter and Minnie Pearl Neely Weiss. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Lana Lamer of Roselle; one daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Kenneth Sexton of St. Peters, Mo.; four grandchildren and their spouses, Sheril and Mark Ray, Kenneth and Jaime Lamer, Justin Sexton, and Sara Jane Sexton; two great-grandchildren, Austin and Tyler Lamer; her nieces and nephews, Nancy Lamer Marshal of Cobden, Myrna Weiss Melchoir of Noblesville, Ind., and Jamie Weiss of Maryland; several great-nieces and -nephews; other relatives; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Douglas Lamer; and two brothers, Karl and Donovan Weiss. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies' Auxiliary and the Anna Moose Ladies' Auxiliary. She was employed as a greeter at Wal-Mart in Anna for several years. Services for Mrs. Martha Jane 'Marty' Lamer will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Doug Bridgeman officiating. Interment will be in Jonesboro Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Sandra Rose Testory
WEST FRANKFORT -- Sandra Rose Testory, 67, died at 7:40 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, in Herrin Hospital. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, in Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort, with Bruce Bass officiating. Interment will be in Denning Cemetery
in West Frankfort. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Mrs. Testory was a homemaker and worked at the Franklin Hospital for many years. She was a Baptist. She was born on Aug. 7, 1937, in West Frankfort, to David and Maxine (Silkwood) Dossett. She married Monie 'Bud' Testory on May 28, 1955, in Johnston City. Survivors include her husband, Bud Testory of West Frankfort; one daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Bob Wagner of West Frankfort; one son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Lynn Testory of Eau Claire, Wis.; four grandchildren, Andrea Rose, Mallori Michelle, Christopher Ethan and Laurel Sienna; three sisters, Loretta Taylor of West Frankfort, Linda Trobridge of Benton and June Sandusky of West Frankfort; two sisters-in-law, Betty Davy of West Frankfort and Yvonne Sine of Johnston City; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and by two brothers, David Lee and Albert Tony Dossett. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
Jacqueline Sue Walker
CREAL SPRINGS -- Jacqueline Sue Walker, 63, of Creal Springs, passed away at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, in Blue Funeral Home in Marion. Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday at funeral home. In respect of her wishes, her body will be cremated after the funeral service. Memorials may be made to 'Pat's Kids. ' Envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, P. O. Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Ms. Walker was born on May 26, 1941, to Paul and Evelyn Merecle. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul L. and Jackie Elder of San Diego, and Richard and Sue Elder of Marion; one daughter, Evelyn Clark of Maroa; seven grandchildren; one brother, Paul Merecle of Indiana; and her special friend, Charles Levi Choate of Creal Springs. She was preceded in death by her parents and by one son, Leonard Elder. Ms. Carter was a homemaker.
Roger Taylor
HARRISBURG -- Roger Taylor, 64, of Toms River, N. J., formerly of Carbondale, passed away Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, in Community Medical Center in Toms River. He was born on Dec. 10, 1939, in Jamestown, N. Y., the son of the late Thurlow and Elizabeth McFaul Taylor. After receiving a bachelor's degree from SIU, he remained in the Carbondale area for 40 years as an artist, displaying his work at the various shows in the area. Roger is survived by his companion of 24 years, Lynn Adams; one brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Arlene Taylor of Toms River; one sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Mike Vulpis of Toms River; and several nieces and nephews. Services will precede burial at 2 p.m. today in Sunset Lawn Cemetery
in Harrisburg, with the Rev. Don Nelson officiating. Those attending are asked to gather at the cemetery. The J. M. Weirauch Funeral Home in Harrisburg is in charge of arrangements.
Gabriella Harmon
CARTERVILLE -- Gabriella Rose Harmon, 1 month, 26 days, died at 1:25 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at her home in Carterville. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday in South Hickory Hill Cemetery
in rural Jefferson County. Those attending the services are asked to go directly to the cemetery Friday. There will be no public visitation. Memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P. O. Box 721, Mount Vernon, IL 62864. Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is in charge of arrangements.
John Casey
CAMBRIA -- John J. Casey, 80, died Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, at home. Arrangements are incomplete at Riggin-Pillatsch Funeral Home in Carterville.
Bryan Beltz
CARTERVILLE -- Bryan Beltz, 27, of Peoria, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, in Peoria. Arrangements are incomplete at Riggin-Pillatsch Funeral Home in Carterville.
Evangeline Gremmels
SPARTA -- Evangeline Gremmels, 86, died at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Randolph County Care Center, Sparta. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Sparta, with Pastor David Moody officiating. Burial will be in Paradise Cemetery
in Steeleville. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. at the McDaniel Funeral Home in Sparta, then till 11a.m. at the church.
Genice Beers
JOHNSTON CITY -- Genice Beers, 76, died at 2:17 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at home. Arrangements are incomplete at Murman and Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City.
Bessie Lewis
CARBONDALE -- Bessie M. Lewis, 63, of Wichita Falls, Texas, formerly of Carbondale, died at 11:27 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, 2004, in United Regional Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Carbondale, with the Rev. Norman Greer officiating. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Algree's Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements.
The Rev. Judith Thorne
CHESTER -- The Rev. Judith Mae Thorne, 52, of Fort Wayne, Ind., formerly of Chester, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Regency Nursing Home in Fort Wayne, Ind. Arrangements are incomplete at Schroeder-McClure Funeral Chapel in Chester.
Edith Thomas
ELDORADO -- Edith Pauline Thomas, 51, died at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in Watson Funeral Home, with the Rev. Tom Flewellen officiating. Burial will be in Lindale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Lucille Justice
ELDORADO -- Lucille Justice, 88, died at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3, in Watson Funeral Home, with Dennis Robison officiating. Burial will be in Wolf Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Lindell Anderson
KARNAK -- Lindell Anderson, 64, died at 10:05 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, in the Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. Arrangements are incomplete at the Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak.
Sally Bryniarski
BROOKFIELD -- Sally R. Bryniarski of Brookfield, formerly of Chicago, was laid to rest Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2003. Sally was the beloved wife of the late Henry J. Bryniarski; mother of Dr. James H. (Dr. Leona M. Hubatch) Bryniarski of Brookfield, Joseph E. (Jill) Bryniarski of Carbondale, Richard J. (Rosemary) Bryniarski of Homer Glen, Dorothy A. (William) Jarosz of Chicago and the late Henry L. Bryniarski; grandmother of Jeff Bryniarski, Amelia Bryniarski, John Bryniarski, Michael Bryniarski, Anna Bryniarski, Walter Jarosz, Pealer Bryniarski and the late Molly Bryniarski.
John Koch
MARION -- John A. Koch, 80, of Niceville, Fla., passed away Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004. He was born in Sikeston, Mo., to Otto and Mable Koch. John was a manufacturing engineer for the Norge Corporation in Herrin for 20 years, then owned and operated Koch Quality Tool and Die Company in Marion until his retirement. In his retirement, John was an inventor and patent holder, inventing the 'Club Aire' Golf Club. He was an avid golfer, having four holes-in-one during his golfing 
days. He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson; one great-granddaughter; one brother, Dr. Charles William Koch; and one sister, Maxine Corbett. Survivors include his wife, Louise Koch of Niceville; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Dianne and Charles DeTomasi of Herrin, Jacqueline Koch of Niceville, Paula and Gary Miller of Johnston City, Marsha and John Schuetz of Atlanta, Ga., and Denni and Steven Dallas of Marion; one brother, Harry Koch of Nashville; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. A 'Celebration of Life' service was held Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, in Niceville. John was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Emerald Coast Hospice, 2529 South Ferdon Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536.
Lucille Parks
MARION -- Lucille L. Parks, 90, of Marion, passed away at 3:25 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, in Helia Health Care in Energy. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today in Rose Hill Cemetery
in Marion, with the Rev. Don Colson officiating. There will be no visitation. Blue Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mrs. Parks was born on April 22, 1914, in Johnston City, to Billy and Bunleigh Pearce. She married Milo Parks, and he preceded her in death. Survivors include two sons and one daughter-in-law, Jerry W. and Shirley Parks and Tommy Joe Parks; one grandson, John Kevin Parks; and one great-grandson, Darrell Parks. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother and two sisters. Mrs. Parks worked at Container Stapling in Herrin for 17 years. She was a Christian.
