U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Bill Kommer
METROPOLIS -- Former Mayor Bill P. Kommer, 72, of Metropolis, died at 5:51 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, in Massac Memorial Hospital. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Aikins-Farmer Funeral Home, with Jim Faughn and the Rev. David Deem officiating. Burial will follow in the I. O. O. F. Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial/Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9956.
Harvey Whitnel
VIENNA -- Harvey D. Whitnel, 65, of Vienna, passed away 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, in the Rehab and Care Center of Jackson County in Murphysboro. Services will be held at 2 p.m. today in Blue Funeral Home in Goreville, with Everett Whitnel giving the eulogy. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cypress Masonic Cemetery. Mr. Whitnel was born on Nov. 2, 1939, to Wayne A. and Helen (Taylor) Whitnel in Johnson County. Survivors include two brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Freda Jo Whitnel of Metropolis and Everett and Marilyn Whitnel of Vienna; two sisters, Vera Schwarze of Franklin Park and Margaret Butler of Kingwood, Texas; three nephews; four nieces; seven great-nephews; and one great-niece. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one infant brother, Clarence Wayne Whitnel.
Joann Oestmann
HERRIN -- Joann Oestmann, 67, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, at home after a seven-year battle with cancer. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Van Natta Funeral Home in Herrin, with the Rev. Michael Neubert officiating. Burial will be in Herrin City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. today at Van Natta Funeral Home in Herrin. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., or First Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Oestmann was born on Sept. 13, 1937, in Herrin, to George and Ethel Egelberg. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Kevin and Jan Oestmann of Herrin and Eric and Shelley Oestmann of Kingman, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Jenna and Garrett Oestmann, both of Herrin and Caleb, Emily and Nicholas Oestmann, all of Kingman.; and one sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Jeffery Poulter of London, England. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Wayne Oestmann.
Jeanette Sanders
MARION -- Jeanette Sanders, 85, of Marion, formerly of Nevada, Iowa, died at 10:50 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, in Herrin Hospital. Services will be at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in Blue Funeral Home in Marion, with Pastor Dale Barnhurst officiating. Burial will be in Freedom Cemetery
south of Marion. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Herbert Simmons
DU QUOIN -- Herbert W. Simmons, 80, died at 3:56 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Services will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin, with the Rev. Dennis Fitzsimmons officiating. Burial will be in the Holloway Cemetery
in Craighead County, Ark. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Gospel Assembly Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Michael Scott Lunsford
CARBONDALE -- Michael Scott Lunsford, 53, of San Francisco, formerly of Carbondale, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at home. Services were held in San Francisco and in New Madrid, Mo. He was buried in New Madrid beside his mother. Mr. Lunsford was an actor and a member of the Screen Actors' Guild. He was a graduate of the drama department at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He was an
Army veteran of Vietnam. He was born on Jan. 18, 1951, in Kentucky, to Juanita and Stone Lunsford. Survivors include one brother, Russell, and four sisters, Rozlan, Pamela, Dana and Renee. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. Memorials or cards may be sent to Dana Lunsford, 565 Dawson Road, New Madrid, MO 63869.
John Joiner
PINCKNEYVILLE -- John Robert Joiner, 67, died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, in Pinckneyville Community Hospital. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home in Pinckneyville. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date.
Wanda Bridewell
GALATIA -- Wanda Bridewell, 77, died at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at home. Services will be at 11 a.m. today in Lebanon Cemetery, with the Rev. Danny Steed officiating. There will be no visitation. Those attending are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Jack Erby
CARTERVILLE -- Jack Erby, 84, died at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, in Oak Grove Nursing Home in Carterville. Arrangements are incomplete at Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in Herrin.
Abrianna Westley
CARBONDALE -- Abrianna Nadine Westley, 11 months, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, in Children's Hospital in St. Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at Jackson Funeral Home in Carbondale.
Lucille Parks
MARION -- Lucille Parks, 89, died at 3:25 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, in Cardinal Health Care in Energy. Arrangements are incomplete at Blue Funeral Home in Marion.
Donna Curtis
HERRIN -- Donna M. Curtis, 49, daughter of Bertha Martin Curtis and William D. Curtis, died Nov. 24, 2004, due to a multiple vehicle accident in Wisconsin. At her request, there will be no local funeral service so she can be buried next to her mother in another state. Besides her father, she leaves two brothers, William M. Curtis and James D. Curtis and a sister, Mary G. Curtis.
Jesse A. Moore Jr.
JONESBORO -- Jesse A. Moore Jr., 86, of Jacksonville died on Friday evening, Nov. 26, 2004, at Barton W. Stone Christian Home in Jacksonville. He was born on June 17, 1918, in Jacksonville, the son of Jesse A. and Mary Helen Kelly Moore Sr. He married Carmelletta 'Sally' Thompson on May 23, 1942, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 23, 1969. He later married Violet Owings Daniels on Nov. 8, 1983, and she survives. He is also survived by one son, Larry (companion, Cal Wolff) Moore of Jonesboro; one daughter, Mary L. (husband, George) Moreillon of Madison, Ala.; three grandchildren, Tod (wife, Denise) Rynders, Tom (wife, Kim) Rynders and Eric (wife, Angelique) Rynders; two great-grandchildren, Zachary Rynders and Mary Kate Rynders; three step-sons Jackie Lee (wife, Jacquie) Daniels of Winchester, Richard Daniels and Ronald Daniels both of Jacksonville; several step-grandchildren; five brothers, Jack Moore, Roy (wife, Carolyn) Moore and Robert Moore, all of Jacksonville, Kenny Moore of Virden and David (wife, Bonita) Moore of Galesburg; one sister, Betty (husband, Karl) Wagner of Jacksonville and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one stepson, George Daniels; two brothers, Russell Moore and Edward (surviving wife, Betty of Jacksonville) Moore and one sister, Alberta Heitzman. Mr. Moore was a 1937 graduate of Jacksonville High School. He had been employed as a machinist at Bound To Stay Bound Book Bindery for 47 years. He was a member of Central Christian Church in Jacksonville and was an avid fisherman and St. Louis Cardinals fan. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at Central Christian Church in Jacksonville, with burial in Chapin Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. today at Williamson Funeral Home with the family to meet friends from 5-8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Central Christian Church or the American Red Cross.
William T. Meade
CARBONDALE -- William T. Meade, 79, of Carbondale, passed away Friday evening, Nov. 26, 2004, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Mr. Meade was born on Feb. 16, 1925, in Detroit the son of John E. and Nellie T. (Thurbon) Meade. He attended Penn State University were he earned his bachelor's degree. Bill served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He married Joan Martin on July 26, 1947, in Warren, Pa., and received his master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and coached gymnastics there for seven years. In 1956, Bill came to Southern Illinois University, where he coached and served as an assistant professor of physical education. During his 33 years at Southern Illinois University, he coached men's gymnastics and was involved as a coach with the U. S. nationals teams, World Games Teams, and the Pan-American Games teams. He went on to serve as an administrator for the United States Gymnastics Federation for five years, retiring in 1994. Coach Meade is survived by his wife, Joan of Carbondale; one son and daughter-in-law, Col. William M. and Karen Meade of Chesapeake, Va.; one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Dave Sikula of Pacifica, Calif.; and three grandchildren, John C., Geoffrey T., and Allison C. Meade. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Rhett Foreman. Private family services will be through the Huffman-Harker Funeral Home in Carbondale. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charityof the donor's choice.
Imogene Melton Hudgens
MARION -- Imogene Melton Hudgens, 89, of St. Charles, Mo., formerly of Marion, died at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at National Health Center in St. Charles, Mo. She was born on June 15, 1915, one of the six children of Charles and Ora (Owens) Jent of Marion. She married her high school sweetheart, Edward J. Melton, in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Nov. 18, 1945. The couple had no children, although they served as 'second parents' to all their nieces and nephews. Edward preceded her in death on Jan. 6, 1970. Imogene graduated from Marion High School and attended Southern Illinois Normal College (now SIUC). During World War II, she moved to Ann Arbor, Mich. She was employed by Michigan Bell Telephone Company, where she worked for 23 years, retiring as a supervisor-trainer for long distance operators in 1967. After retirement, she returned to her residence on Cherry Street in Marion. Later, she resided at Parkway Estates in Marion before moving to St. Charles, Mo., in the fall of 2003 to live with her niece, Ruth Ann Jent Scarborough and her husband, Dr. Curt Scarborough. 'Aunt Jean' is survived by four nieces, Ruth Ann Jent and Dr Curt Scarborough of St. Charles, Mo., Roma Roberts of Virginia, Doris June Bates of California and Ann Bumpus of California; three nephews, Bill Connell of California, Chuck Strange of Indiana and Dean Strange of Indiana; brother-in-law, William R. Strange of Anderson, Ind. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward Melton; three sisters, Elsie Connell, Norma Strange and Sarah Jent; and two brothers, Harold Jent and the Rev. Floyd Jent. Imogene was a member of the First Baptist Church in Marion. She was a member of the LeRoy A. Chapter 358 of the Order of Eastern Star. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 30, 2004, at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with services conducted by Imogene's grand nephews the Rev. Keith Scarborough and Dr. Earl Haskins. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery. Visition will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 30. Memorial donations may be made to the FreeWay Foundation (or Pillsbury College and Seminary), 3426 Bridgeland Dr., Bridgeton, MO 63044 and will also be accepted at the funeral home.
Mabel E. Koen
MURPHYSBORO -- Mabel E. Koen, 91, passed away at 10:04 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at Pettett Funeral Home, with Mike Williams officiating and burial in the Ava Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today and Tuesday until the hour of services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in Murphysboro. Mabel was born on Oct. 17, 1913, in Du Quoin, to Sandusky V. Williams and Jennie (Wilson) Williams. She married Lawrence Koen in Murphysboro on Dec. 17, 1932, and he preceded her in death on April 29, 1988. Mrs. Koen was a member of the First Christian Church of Murphysboro, a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, and a member of the American Legion Post 127 Ladies Auxiliary. She was survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Carole and Glenn Wilcox; three grandchildren, Lisa Wilcox Rametta and her husband Adam Rametta of Water Town, Minn., Brad Wilcox and his wife Laura Wilcox and Steve Wilcox and his wife Brandi Wilcox, all of Murphysboro; three great-grandchildren, Colten Wilcox and Hunter Wilcox, both of Murphysboro, and Emma Rametta of Water Town, Minn.; and one sister Irene Melmuka of St. Peters, Mo. She was preceded in death by one sister and fourbrothers.
Margaret E. Henry
CARBONDALE -- Margaret E. Henry, 84, of Carbondale, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Margaret was born on Nov. 9, 1920, to Louis and Martha (Mills) Hertter. She married Chelsea L. Carter in 1939. He preceded her in death at the young age of 34. She later found happiness and married Chester W. Henry, who died in 1955. Margaret also suffered the loss of her daughter and best friends, Karen F. Carter, sister, Mary Miller and brother, Louis Hertter II. Margaret was a longtime member of The Door Christian Fellowship Church and never lost her faith even when life dealt difficult blows. She leaves her family with the philosophy 'To do whatever it takes with a smile, and joy in the heart. 'Survivors include two sons, Chuck Carter and wife Edwina and Jerry Henry and fiancee Debbie Hess, all of Carbondale. 'Gram' will be greatly missed by her four grandchildren, Tim Carter, Emily Carter and husband Bill Wilkison, Matt Carter and wife Carla and Tracey Ellis and three great-grandsons, Andrew Wilkison, Michael Wilkison and Cody Norris. She also leaves several nieces and nephews. Visitation will precede the service from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at Walker Funeral Home in Carbondale. Services will immediately follow with the Rev. Terry Haynes officiating. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery
in Carbondale. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes. Association Research Foundation. It was Margaret's wish that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren never suffer the consequences of this disease.
John Pistono
WEST FRANKFORT -- John Pistono, 95, of West Frankfort, passed away Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, in Westside Care Center in West Frankfort. He was born on July 23, 1909, in Cle Elum, Wash., to Anton and Margaret Pistono. John married Bertha Leek of Elkville in July 1942. Bertha Pistono passed away on Oct. 20, 1974. On March 4, 1976, John married Lena Buntin in West Frankfort. John worked for the Bridgeport Brass Company in Indianapolis for 30 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in West Frankfort. Survivors include his wife Lena; one brother, Jesse Pistono of Benton; two stepsons, Robert Carnahan of Bingen, Wash. and Wallace Buntin of Madison, Wis.; one step-daughter-in-law, Shirley Buntin of Madison, Wis.; six step-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren; and other close relatives. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, atParker-Reedy Funeral Home in West Frankfort. Burial will be in Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery
in Benton. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. today at Parker-Reedy Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the staff at Westside Care Center for their kindness and care. Blessed be his memory!
Mary Frances McIntosh
MARION -- Mary Frances McIntosh, 88, of Marion, passed away at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, in Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at Blue Funeral Home in Marion, with the Rev. Don Colson officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Marion. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at the funeral home. Mrs. McIntosh was born on Nov. 21, 1916, in Nortinville, Ky., to Elza and Fairy (Benton) Long. She married John McIntosh in October 1943, he preceded her in death on July 29, 1994. Survivors include a daughter, Glenda Smith of Marion; grandchildren, Jeffrey Smith, Jessica and Steve Eastman, Mary Smith, Tammy and Gary Burgess and Timothy Smith; great-grandchildren, Jesse Dylan Smith, Curt Smith, Sean Burgess, Christopher Burgess and Marshall Girtman; and brother, Kenneth Long of Benton. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son-in-law, Jesse Smith; and brothers, Earl and Bobby Long. Mary was a well-known cook in many of the area restaurants, especially for her home-made pies and chicken and dumplings. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Dale E. Swinney
DU QUOIN -- Dale E. Swinney, 46, passed away at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, in Du Quoin. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Du Quoin. He was the son of Charley L. and Margaret L. (Christensen) Swinney. He was born on Nov. 7, 1958, in Kansas City, Mo. He is survived by his parents, Charles and Margaret Swinney of Du Quoin; one sister Jane E. Swinney of Morris. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin, with the Rev. Carl Mesiti officiating. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery
in Marion. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Friends may make memorials to the Marshall Browning Tree of Life and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Lucille Philbrick
CARBONDALE -- Lucille Philbrick, 94, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, in Carbondale. Arrangements are incomplete at Walker FuneralHome in Carbondale.
H. Richard Ely
NASHVILLE -- H. Richard Ely, 89, died at 7:25 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Paul UCC Cemetery
in Nashville, with the Rev. Lance Lackore officiating. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and will be received at the Styninger-Krupp Funeral Home in Nashville, which is in charge of arrangements.
Franklin Barton Jr.
TILDEN -- Franklin Barton Jr., 52, died Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, in Chester. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa. Burial will be in Tilden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family.
