U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Louis Biggs
ANNA -- Louis M. Biggs, 61, died at 2:17 a. m. Thursday, June 24, 2004, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Services will be held at 10 a. m. Monday at Kassly Funeral Home in Collinsville. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p. m. Monday at the Wiggs Cemetery
east of Anna, with Pastor Robert Klein officiating. Interment will follow. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p. m. today and 9 a. m. to the funeral hour Monday at the funeral home. Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.
Betty June Kelly
PINCKNEYVILLE -- Betty June (Margenthaler) Kelly, 77, passed away at home after recovering from major surgery, on Friday morning, June 25, 2004. Betty was born July 18, 1926, in Perry County, to Philip and Dotha Bell (Queen) Margenthaler. She married Paul J. Kelly on May 29, 1943, in Pinckneyville, and he survives. Betty was a member of the Concord Baptist Church in Rice. She loved her church and church family, gospel and country music, and especially being at home with her husband. Betty was known in life as a great cook and housekeeper, and an exceptional mother, grandmother, friend and wife. Survivors include her husband, Paul; three children, Dottie Rose Bridges and her husband Tom of Murphysboro, Jerry Paul Kelly and his wife Patti of Pinckneyville, and Anita June Dixon and her husband Clay of Pinckneyville; eight grandchildren, Paula Kay Linker and husband Kevin of Charleston, and sons Nathaniel and Benjamin, Philip Kellerman and wife Leslie of Sugar Hill, Ga., and daughters, Ivy and Ireland, Phyllis Czerniakowski and husband Doug of Sherwood, and kids, Jacob and Julie; J. P. Kelly, Jr. and wife Wendy of Pinckneyville and kids, Mathew, Sydney, and Cole Robert; Carrie Ann Boester and husband Mike of Rochester, NY, and kids, Lily Ann and Bradley; Seth Dixon of Pinckneyville and son, Collin; Cory Jake Dixon and Emily Ariel Dixon, both of Pinckneyville; two brothers, Raymond Margenthaler of Tamaroa and Richard Margenthaler of Pinckneyville; and a sister, Mildred Nehrkorn of Pinckneyville; along with numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Creal, Walter, and Jim; and one grandson, Robbie Dean Kelly. Services will be held at 10 a. m. Monday, June 28, 2004, in the Concord Baptist Church, with Pastor Tom Spiller officiating. Interment will be in the Mueller Hill Cemetery
in Pinckneyville. Friends may call at the Concord Baptist Church from 5 to 8 p. m. today and 8:30 a. m. to the time of services on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Concord Baptist Church or the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements are by Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home, Pinckneyville.
Anna Ling
BALDWIN -- Anna Ling, 91, died Saturday, June 26, 2004, at the Randolph County Care Center in Sparta. Services will be held at 10:30 a. m. Monday, June 28, 2004, at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Baldwin, with the Rev. Leroy Eckert officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery
in Red Bud. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 9 p. m. today at the Koch-Liefer Funeral Home and from 9:30 to 10:30 a. m. Monday at the church. Koch-Liefer Funeral Home in Red Bud is in charge of arrangements.
Maryellis Cartner
ANNA -- Maryellis (Jones) Cartner, 83, formerly of Thebes and Mounds, died at 9:20 p. m. Friday, June 25, 2004, at the Union County Hospital in Anna. Mrs. Cartner was born June 8, 1921, in Thebes, to the late Guy G. Jones and Lura (Smith) Jones. Mrs. Cartner was a retired sales secretary for the Gulf Sugar House in Cairo, a 50-year-member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she was the organist for years for the Caledonia Chapter 178 of Olive Branch, and was a member of the Anna Star Chapter 522, the Beta Sigma Sorority and the VFW ladies auxiliary 8891 of Mounds. She was a member of the Villa Ridge Union Church. On Nov. 15, 1947, in Cairo, she married William Wayne Cartner, whom survives of Anna. Other survivors include a son, Lyman W. Cartner of Cape Girardeau; three granddaughters, Margaret Sheppard of Cape Girardeau, Katherine Register and husband Tony of Paducah, and Stacey Ballard and husband Scott of Murphysboro; five great-grandchildren, Blake Moore, Logan and Aaron Thieko, Makala and Avery Register; several cousins; and daughter-in-law, Linda Cartner. Services will be held at 10:30 a. m. Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at the Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, with the Rev. Ralph Kaufman officiating. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery
in Mound City. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p. m. Monday at the funeral home, and a Eastern Star service will be held at 7 p. m. Monday by members of the Anna Star and Caledonia Chapter. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to either the Alzheimer's Association , Southern Illinois Area, Chapter 409 N. Springer, Carbondale, IL 62901 or to the American Diabetes. Association 2580 Federal Drive, Ste., 403, Decatur, IL 62526. Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge is in charge of arrangements.
Landon Cole Cross
MCLEANSBORO -- Landon Cole Cross, infant, died Friday, June 25, 2004, at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis. He was the son of Bob and Becky Cross. Services will be held at 10 a. m. Monday, June 28, 2004, at St. Clement's Catholic Church in McLeansboro, with Monsignor Joseph Lawler officiating. Burial will be in the St. Clement's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p. m. today, June 27, 2004, at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. Memorials will be accepted by the funeral home for the family to help defray medical costs.
Arthur Bradford Clutts
MAKANDA -- Arthur Bradford Clutts, 33, a resident of Chamness Care Center in Cobden, died at 7:30 a. m. Friday, June 25, 2004, at the Union County Hospital in Anna. He was born Dec. 14, 1970, in Carbondale, the son of Freddie and Linda Eaves Clutts. Arthur is survived by his parents, Freddie and Linda Clutts of Makanda; three brothers, Kenneth and Benjamin Clutts, both of Makanda, and Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Clutts of San Antonio, Texas; two nieces, Kasey Clutts and Amber Hendrickson; two nephews, Christopher and Jon Clutts, and many other relatives and a host of friends. He was baptized and attended the Unity Baptist Church for a number of years. Arthur was a humerous and fun loving person who enjoyed other people. His love and listening to music was evident from his large collection of 45 records, which he obtained over the years. Services will be held at 1 p. m. Monday at the Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Cobden, with the Rev. Roger Lipe officiating. Interment will be held in the Casper Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p. m. today and until the hour of services Monday at the funeral home. Lutz and Rendleman funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
Edward 'Bud' Zuelke
ENERGY -- Edward Ray 'Bud' Zuelke, 61, died Saturday, June 26, 2004, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Mr. Zuelke was born on Sept. 22, 1942, in Bedford, Ind. He was a truck driver. He served in Korea and Vietnam, receiving two Purple Heart medals. He was a member of the Hurst Christian Church. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Shannon of Energy; two brothers, John Zuelke of East St. Louis and Larry Zuelke of Del Rio, Texas; daughters, Sheba Bennett and husband Jesse of West Frankfort, Donna Elwell and husband Donald of Clackamas, Ore.; sisters, Velma De De of Hurst , Norma McMurrah and husband Dean of Herrin, Kitty Parham of El Paso, Texas, Betty Perry of Washington, and Pat Jump and husband Earl of Del Rio, Texas; six grandchildren, Sherry King, Carey Crafton, Suzanne Wilson, Priscilla Elwell and Natalie Elwell; three great-grandchildren, Terra King, Corey King and Randa King. There were no services. He was cremated.
Raymond Frederick Miller
ROYALTON -- Raymond Frederick Miller, 97, died at 4:55 a. m. Saturday, June 26, 2004, at Herrin Hospital. Raymond was born Jan. 3, 1907, in East St. Louis, to Jacob andAdele (Bolle) Miller. He married Bess Elizabeth Lane in East St. Louis. She preceded him in death on Oct. 24, 1965. He married Harriet Lucille Wright Oct. 26, 1968, in Zeigler. She preceded him in death Jan 20, 2002. He is survived by a step-daughter and her husband, Dixie J. and Pete Young Jr. of Royalton; a step-son and his wife, Donald and Pam Wright of Zeigler; four step-grandchildren, Tresa and George Lee of Carterville, Matthew and Crystal Young of Carterville, Aaron Wright and Aniessa Ingersoll of Zeiglerand; and five step-great grandchildren. Raymond was a retired clerk for the Illinois Central Railroad and worked for the Red Cross. Services for Mr. Miller will be held at 11 a. m. Monday, June 28, 2004, at Vantrease Funeral Home in Royalton, with Brother Donald Wright officiating. Burial will be at Miners Cemetery, east of Royalton. Visiting hours are after 9 a. m. Monday at the funeral home until the time of the services.
Carl Russell Jochens
LAKE OF EGYPT -- Carl Russell Jochens, 71, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2004, at home. Services will be held on Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at Evergreen Cemetery
in Chicago. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p. m. today, June 27, 2004, at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion. Mr. Jochens was born on Dec. 17, 1932, in Chicago, to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Russell Jochens, Sr. He married Doris Crane on June 22, 1957, in Chicago, and she survives. Survivors include wife; sister, Judy Kocar and Jerry of Texas; sister-in-law, Ruth Thorne of Chicago; brother-in-law, Hugh and Kathy Crane of Creal Springs; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Chuck Jochens. Mr. Jochens was an officer in the Lake of Egypt Property Owners Association and he coordinated many Blood Drives for the Red Cross in the Lake of Egypt area.
Norman D. Keith
DU QUOIN -- Norman D. Keith, 76, of rural Du Quoin, died at 9 a. m. Friday, June 25, 2004, in the Pinckneyville Community Hospital. He was born June 7, 1928, in Perry County, the son of Emery M. and Blanche E. (Uhles) Keith. He was united in marriage to Georgia L. Golliher on June 30, 1951, in the Beaucoup Baptist Church in Pinckneyville, and she survives. Norman served in the United States
Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean conflict. He worked as a coal miner for the Consolidation Coal Company at the Burning Star No. 2 Mine. He was a member of the UMWA and was active in the Nine Mile Baptist Church where he served as boy's softball coach, Sunday school teacher, church training director and deacon. Survivors include his wife, Georgia of Du Quoin; three sons, Bob and wife, Gayle of Pinckneyville, George and wife, Nancy of Tamaroa, and Tom and wife, Cheryl of Du Quoin; one brother, Marvin Keith of Tamaroa; eight grandchildren, Ryan and wife, Jennifer, Jeremy and fiance, Alison Thompson, Alexis, Colin, Emily, Madelyn, Sophia and Phoebe; one sister-in-law, Harriett Giacomo and husband, Nelson of Pinckneyville; and one brother-in-law, John Golliher and wife, Karen of Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Joe House. Services will be held at 10 a. m. Monday, June 28, 2004, in the Nine Mile Baptist Church, with Brother Kevin Carrothers officiating. Interment will be in the Mueller Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p. m. today and 8 to 9 a. m. Monday at the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home in Pinckneyville and then from 9:30 to 10 a. m. at the church. Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home in Pinckneyville is in charge of arrangements.
Dan Magers
CHESTER -- Dan L. Magers, 85, passed away at 11:20 a. m. Saturday, June 26, 2004, at Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are pending at the Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Chester.
Florence Cummins
GOLCONDA -- Florence Cummins, 92, died on Saturday, June 26, 2004, at Hardin County Hospital. Services will be held at 1 p. m. Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at the Aly Funeral Home in Golconda, with the Rev. Wesley Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Dutton Chapel. Visitation will be after 6 p. m. Monday, June 28, 2004, at the funeral home.
James 'Jim' Mathews
ELIZABETHTOWN -- James L. 'Jim' Mathews, 74, longtime resident of Gallatin County in Bowlseville Township passed away Thursday, June 24, 2004. Jim, as most people knew, was born Jan. 30, 1930, in Cold Water, Miss., to the late George and Myrtle (Turner) Mathews. On Sept. 25, 1956, he married Nina H. (Lane) Mathews. He was a retired mechanic from the coal mines. He loved the outdoors, his family and friends, always having a smile and kind word. Jim was a good husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Survivors include his wife; his son, James Steve Mathews and wife Kathy of Elizabethtown; daughters, Patricia Lyn Stacey and husband Jerry of Elizabethtown, and Connie Lee Harrison and husband Ronnie from Jonesboro; grandchildren, Cyndi and Denny Hahn, Katie and T. J. Maier, Kimberly and Dago Valencia, Douglas Combs, Brenton Harrison, Kristina Mathews, Mathew Harrison, Kara Mathews, and Joseph Stacey; great-grandchildren, Alexis Goines, Makenzie Hahn, Treven Maier, and Kya Maier. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Allen and Loren Mathews; and a sister, Wanda Anderson. Services will be held at 1 p. m. today, June 27, 2004, at the Cox and Son Funeral Home in Ridgway, with the Rev. Steve Reed officiating. Burial will be in the Hill Cemetery. Visitation was on Saturday.
Thomas Burton
MOUNT CARMEL -- Thomas Burton, 76, of Mount Carmel, died Saturday, June 26, 2004, at home. Arrangements are incomplete at the Parker Reedy Funeral Home in West Frankfort.
Roberta Crenshaw
HERRIN -- Roberta Crenshaw, 90, a resident of Surprise, Ark., died Wednesday, June 23, 2004. Arrangements are incomplete at Van Natta Funeral Home in Herrin.
Izola Castens
SHILOH -- Izola Castens, 92, died at 10:04 a. m. Saturday, June 26, 2004, at Sparta Community Hospital in Sparta. Services will be held at 11 a. m. Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at the McDaniel Funeral Home in Sparta, with the Rev. Tim Zechiel officiating. Burial will be in the Caledonia Cemetery
in Sparta. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p. m. Monday and 7:30 a. m. Tuesday until the hour of service.
Mary Elizabeth Hines
MARION -- Mary Elizabeth Hines, 97, passed away at 8:45 a. m. July 2, 2004, at Parkway Manor Nursing Home in Marion. Services will be held at 1:30 p. m. today, July 4, 2004, at Alma Cemetery
in Salem, with the Rev. Steve Palmer officiating. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Alma Methodist Church or to the Hospice of Southern Illinois and may be sent co, Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, Illinois 62959. After returning from Alma Cemetery, the family will welcome friends at the home of Louise and Jerry Humble, 1314 Shawnee Trail, Carterville, IL from 5:30 p. m. to 7:30 p. m. Our mother was born March 3, 1907, in Carrigan Township, near Patoka, the daughter of Jessie (Gray) and Olive Britt. She attended Patoka schools, often riding a horse to school through her junior year in high school. To complete her education, she stayed in a rented room in Salem, Illinois and graduated from Salem High School. When she was 22, she met and married our dad, Carl L. Hines of Alma. She worked side by side with him in all his endeavors throughout their married life until his early death in 1958. They complemented and helped each other for 29 years and she remained his wife to the end of her life. They each had four children Elizabeth 'Betty' Johnston of Marion, Colo., Olive and Annemarie Hines of Fairview Heights, Patricia Ann Miller of Chino, Calif., and Louise and Jerry Humble of Carterville. One of mother's greatest joys was her family and getting to visit them as they lived throughout the world. She often commented after a trip across the Atlantic or Pacific oceans that she had come a long way from riding a horse to school. She loved the whole idea of travel. After our dad died, Mother had more time for her beloved flowers and became well known for her beautiful yard. At the height of flower season it was not unusual to see cars stopped in front of our home admiring her many flowers. She shared her bulbs and cuttings with anyone who wanted them and her flowers still bloom in many yards in Marion County. No one left her home without the invitation, 'Come look at the flowers. ' She continued to want flowers around her until the very end. Mother also began to quilt about this same time and became quite proficient at the art although she never considered herself an artist. Before she stopped quilting at the age of 91, she had quilted over a hundred quilts for her church (Alma Methodist Ladies Aid) and her family. Her last bit of quilting was on a quilt for her great granddaughter, Abigail. Mother was also an avid card player. She and our dad often played cards with friends and she continued to do so as long as she was able. She enjoyed winning and was known to invoke 'Alma rules' to be able to play the winning card. Mother was quite devoted to her grandchildren and was the type of grandmother who would allow them to pick her flowers with never a cross word although no one else could do that. The grandchildren returned that devotion and were one of her greatest joys. Those grandchildren include Laura (Jeff) McKnight, Dr. Christa Hines, Maria Hines, John Hines, Lisa (Jeff) Becker, Kelly Miller, Shawn (Chris) Miller, Tammi (Scott) Doolittle, James (June) Gray and Joel (Cindy) Gray. Her great-grandchildren are Sarah Stromsdorfer, Oliver Codd, Jaimie Hartmann, Zachary and Abigail Miller, Lucas Becker and Nathan Doolittle. Mother is also survived by a sister-in-law, Agnes Clesson and her husband, Dean, of Salem plus nieces and nephews who have been very dear to her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her beloved sister, Lucille Thomas, her two brothers, Lee Britt and Raymond Britt and a son-in-law, C. F. (Dick) Johnston. Mother was many things to many people and each has his/her own special memory but the two most important things she gave to us were roots and wings and that in turn made her a pillar of strength to her family.
Dorothy Guyer
HUNTLEY -- Dorothy Guyer, 87, died Friday, July 2, 2004, at Centegra Medical Center in Woodstock. She was born Dec. 23, 1916, in Stickney, S. D., the daughter of Pearly and Eva Allen Guyer. She had been employed by Austin Mitchell Real Estate in Elgin before retiring. Surviving are one son, Robert Guyer and wife Carol of Schaumburg; one daughter, Iva Guyer; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert Sloven; two brothers, Leonard and Paul Guyer. Services will be held at 4 p. m. Today, July 4, at Wait Ross Allanson Funeral and Cremation Services, 201 S. Main St., Algonquin, IL. Graveside services will be held at 1 p. m. Monday, July 5, at Bunnell Cemetery
in Frankfurt, Ind. Visitation will be held from 1 p. m. to the funeral hour Sunday at the funeral home.
Timothy James Weir
GOREVILLE -- Timothy James Weir, 42, passed away at 8:30 a. m. Thursday, July 1, 2004, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Services will be held at 11:30 a. m. Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at Coal Bank Springs Cemetery
east of Marion. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the children of Mr. Weir and may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Weir was born on Dec. 10, 1961, in Goreville, to David Lee and Bonnie (Hall) Weir. Survivors include his mother; sons, Timothy J. Weir, Jr., of Goreville, Alex J. Weir of Goreville, and Travis S. Weir of Goreville; daughter, Desiree Weir of Belvedere; sisters, Rosemary and Anthony Jefferys, Gena and Larry Mackeben; brothers, Robert A. and Mitzi Weir of Caterville, Randy L. and Lisa Weir of California; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, David Lee Weir. Mr. Weir enjoyed fishing, painting cars and enjoyed spending time with his children.
Oral 'Mickey' Gower
MARION -- Oral F. 'Mickey' Gower, 75, passed away at 12:55 p. m. Thursday, July 1, 2004, at Sikeston Health Care Center in Sikeston, Mo. Services will be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion, with Rev. Danny Gray officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery
in Marion. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p. m. Monday, July 5, 2004, at the funeral home. military rites will be held at the cemetery by VFW Post 1301 and American Legion Post 147. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or the Alzheimer's Association; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Gower was born on Sept 17, 1928, in Williamson County, to William Aud and Pearl (Ownes) Gower. He married Joan Ann Gower and she preceded him in death on March 13, 1980. Survivors include son, William R. and Vicki Gower of Marion; daughters, LouAnn and John Hill of Marion, Tammy and Jim Roberts of Marion; grandchildren, Tim and Amber Gower, Jeremy Gower, Jamie and Brian Albright, Cortney Hanks, Travis Hill, Robert Tidaback, Casey Tidaback, Chris Lahr and Brian Lahr; great- grandchildren, Montanna, Summar and Landon Albright, Kaeden Albright, Timmy Aaron Gower; sisters, Linda Clark of Crainville, Maxine and Lester Emery of Marion, Dorothy Loyd of Marion, and Shirley and Danny Summers of Marion; brothers, Auddie and Betty Gower of Johnston City, Paul and Shirley Gower of Marion, and John and Debbie Gower of Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; daughter, Carole Kay Gower and brother, Virgil Gower. Mr. Gower was a retired coal miner. He was a member of Second Baptist Church in Marion. He served his country in the United States
Army during the Korean conflict. He was a member of the VFW Post 1301 in Marion. He enjoyed camping and he loved his family.
Bobby L. Rushing
OZARK -- Bobby L. Rushing, 76, of Ozark, died at 5:40 a. m. Saturday, July 3, 2004, at the Harrisburg Medical Center. Services will be held at 1 p. m. Sunday, July 4, 2004, at the Rushing Cemetery
near Ozark. There will be no visitation. All friends and family should go directly to the cemetery. Felty Funeral Home in Carrier Mills is in charge of arrangements. He was born Oct. 5, 1927, in Marion, to the late Dolph and Eva (Sullins) Rushing. He married Betty Jean Reynolds on Sept. 17, 1953, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 11, 1989. He was retired from the Williamson County Airport, where he worked as a chief for the Federal
aviation
Department. He was also an Air Force veteran of the
Korean War. He is survived by two sons, Bradley Rushing of Eldorado and Michael Rushing of St. Louis; two daughters, Debra Rushing of Ozark and Michelle Taulbee of Benton, Ky.; a sister, Ann Gengduall of Lansing, Kansas; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Roberts.
Elizabeth Mae Kerley
Johnson COUNTY -- Elizabeth Mae Kerley, 91, died at 3:30 p. m. Saturday, July 3, 2004, at the Southgate Health Care Center in Metropolis. Arrangements are incomplete at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.
Michelle Eileen Simmons
CARBONDALE -- Michelle Eileen Simmons, 16, died Thursday, July 1, 2004, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. A memorial service will be held at 4 p. m. Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at the Fellowship in Christ Church, 1204 Pin Oak Drive in Carterville, with Preacher Ed Gund officiating. Friends may call after 2 p. m. Tuesday at the church. After the memorial service there will be a dinner followed by a gathering of high school students at the church. Memorial contributions can be made to her family for a fund that will be set up at a later date in Michelle's memory. Michelle was born on Jan. 24, 1988, in St. Charles, to Michael Paul and Brenda (Rahn) Simmons. She is survived by her parents of rural Carbondale; three sisters, Breanne Nichole Sickler and her fianc Harry Kimmerling of Benton, Holly Marie Nalley and her husband Daniel of St. Mary's, Ga., and Rachael Lynn Simmons of rural Carbondale; one brother, Michael Paul Simmons Jr. of rural Carbondale; paternal grandmother, Eileen Simmons of Aurora; maternal grandmother, Norma Jean Rahn of Aurora; and maternal grandfather, Robert E. Rahn of Aurora; two nieces, Hannah Danielle Nalley of St. Mary's, Ga., and Haylee Nichole Kimmerling of Benton; many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, John 'Jack' Simmons and her uncle, Bruce Rahn. Michelle was a junior at Carterville High School and was active in cross country and track. She loved the outdoors and could be found fishing, camping, and spending time with her friends and family. Michelle enjoyed listening to all different types of music, reading and writing poems, spending time at the local shopping malls and babysitting for Keaton. She worked at the Country Cupboard in Carterville and at John A. Logan College in the Catering Department with her mother. Michelle was a happy-go-lucky person, who had a contagious smile and will be greatly missed by her family and her friends.
