Remembering Departed Members of Anna-Jonesboro High School, Class of 1954

Wesley L. Boie A-J 1954 Classmate, Army Veteran Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friend.

ANNA - Wesley L. "Wes" Boie, 73, died at 1:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at his home. Wes was born Jan. 8, 1936, in Union County, the son of Paul and Ada (Toler) Boie. He married Kay Cooley on Dec. 29, 1963. They have two children, Mark M. Boie of Anna and Tracy Lee Boie of Arlington, Tenn. Wes served his country and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Wes Boie graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He graduated from Memphis State University School of Law in 1974. He was a practicing attorney with an office in Anna for more than 35 years. He had a wide range of clients and friends in Union County and the surrounding area. Wes is survived by his wife, Kay; his children, Mark and Tracy; grandchildren, Nicolas Paul Boie and Kaelyn Mackenzie Boie; one brother, Paul Boie of Kankakee; and other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. At Wes' request, there will be no visitation or funeral services, and burial will be private. I came into this world on a cold January night in 1936 in a three-room house off of Lick Creek Road quietly. I want to leave this world the same way quietly. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to American Cancer Society Wesley L. Boie graduated with the A J Class 54.

Fred Chamness 1936 2010, A-J 1954 Class, A J teacher, football and track coach. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friend.

Fred L. Chamness, 74, of Davenport, Fla., formerly of Anna, died at 10:56 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, surrounded by family at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Haines City, Fla. He was born Aug. 21, 1936, to Frank and Eva (Kinder) Chamness. He married Norma J. Dwinell on May 21, 1957, in Anna. She preceded him in death Nov. 7, 2008. He graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1954. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a bachelor's degree in history and a minor in math. He completed his masters degree in political science at Northern Arizona University in 1968. Fred was a teacher, football and track coach the majority of his life where he influenced the lives of students, athletes and peers. He is survived by two sons, Fred M. (Terresa) Chamness of Kissimmee, Fla., and Tony (Meredith Lasley) Chamness of Marion; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Debbie and Robin Dillon, Alice and David Ury, and Cathy Stearns, all of Jonesboro; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Robert "Bob" and Frank "Doc" Chamness, both of Anna; nieces, nephews and other relatives.He was also preceded in death by his parents; Norma his wife of 51 years; one brother, Larry Chamness; one granddaughter, Nikki N. Bowen; two nephews, Mark Chamness and Danny Dwinell, and two sisters-in-law, Patricia Chamness and Carole Dwinell. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in Crain Funeral Home, with Bill Littrell officiating. Interment will be in Casper Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, in Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro. Memorials can be made to Fred L. Chamness Athletic Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home. Fred was a very good running halfback o the 52 and 53 A J football teams and had the nick name snoze.

Dr. Charles R. Daisy, A-J 1954 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Dr. Charles R. Daisy, a long-time Greenville physician, died in Naples, Fla., on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, at the age of 72. Dr. Daisy was born on Nov. 15, 1936, in Jonesboro. He attended Anna-Jonesboro Community High School and completed his pre-med studies at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Daisy graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1961. He completed a one-year internship at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago, followed by surgical training at MacNeal Memorial Hospital, in Berwyn. Dr. Daisy began his medical practice with Dr. Max Fraenkel in Greenville, in 1963 and served as a family practice physician for 42 years from 1963 to 2005. In addition to his role on the medical staff of Utlaut Memorial Hospital, now Greenville Regional Hospital, Dr. Daisy served in various capacities on hospital, medical staff and board committees, including the executive, finance, building and equipment, long-range planning, space planning, outreach clinic, affiliation, practice management, board vice-chairman, and president of the medical staff. He also served on the board of directors of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Daisy and his wife, Donna, celebrated their 50th anniversary on Aug. 23, 2009. Survivors include his wife; his son, David C. Daisy of Baltimore, Md.; daughters Katherine E. Rasler of Atlanta, Ga., and Kimberly K. Martin of St. Louis; and five grandchildren. A memorial service was held Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Greenville. Memorials can be made to Greenville Regional Hospital, 200 Healthcare Dr., Greenville, Ill. 62246 or to the University of Illinois Foundation, 1305 W. Green St., Harker Hall, Urbana, Ill. 61801; with checks payable to UIF/UIC Family Practice. Donors are asked to indicate that gifts are in memory of Dr. Charles R. Daisy. Young Funeral Home in Greenville was in charge of arrangements. Charles Daisy attended Jonesboro Grade School Anna-Jonesboro Community High School graduating with the Class of 1954.Charles play on the 53 and 54 Basketball teams.

Charles "Chuck" Ellis 1936 2012, A-J 1954 Class. Veteran Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Charles "Chuck" Ellis, 75, of Hillsboro died at 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at his residence. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, with a memorial service at 1 p.m. at Hough & Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro. The Rev. James Howie and the Rev. Harry Meyer will officiate. Full military rites will be conducted by VFW Post 1306 and the American Legion at the funeral home following the services. Mr. Ellis was born in Jonesboro on July 17, 1936, the son of Samuel D. and Alice (Newton) Ellis. He married Vesta Lockerby on Dec. 26, 1959, and she survives. A 1954 graduate of Anna Jonesboro High School, he managed the Montgomery County Farm Bureau for over 45 years and was a volunteer for the Hillsboro Area Ambulance and a board member. Mr. Ellis was also the current president of the Hillsboro Sertoma Club and was the Montgomery County deputy coroner for over 40 years. He was a member of the ANSAR Shrine Club in Springfield, the Bond County Shrine Club and the Shriners clown unit. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Lisa (husband Donald) Mulch, Ronda (husband Kevin) Codemo and Vickie (husband Dennis) DeWerff, all of Normal, Scott (wife Janelle) Ellis of Springfield, David Ellis of Hillsboro and Kimberly (husband Treg) Caruthers of Waverly; grandchildren, Ellen and Erin Mulch, Samantha and Jessica DeWerff, Austin and Christopher Ellis and Alexandria Caruthers; three brothers, James and Mike Ellis of Normal and Ronald Ellis of Anna; and one sister, Kathryn Dillow of Jonesboro. Memorials are suggested to Shriners Hospital for crippled children.

Joseph A. "Joe" Garrett 1936 2005, A-J 1954 Class, Army Veteran, Riverboat Captain, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Joe Garrett, 68, of Jonesboro died Saturday, April 30, 2005, at Union County Hospital. He was born Aug. 13, 1936, in Anna, Ill., son of Otis and Iva Boyer Garrett. He and Martha Isaacs were married Nov. 23, 1965, in Anna. Garrett was a riverboat captain many years. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Brian Garrett of Rome, Ga., Jon Jones of Key West, Fla.; a daughter, Darlene Osteen of Broken Arrow, Okla.; a sister, Gladys Burns of Anna; a brother, Harold Garrett of Anna; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother. Friends may call at Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Jonesboro Cemetery. He attended Anna Grade School and Anna Jonesboro Community High School.

Mary Ann Groner Mueller 1936 1994, A-J 1954 Class. Secretary Information furnished by Classmates and Friends

Mary Ann Groner Mueller, 57 of Marion m deed at 2:25 p.m. Wednesday May 25, 1994. at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. Mrs. Mueller was born on Oct. 11, 1936, in Anna, Illinois, the daughter of Paul and Alice Dugan Groner. She married William Mueller on April 25, 1955, in Anna. He died on Feb. 1, 1990. She was a member of Zion United Church of Christ in Marion, where she belonged to the chancel and bell choirs. Mrs. Mueller had been the Zion United Church of Christ, secretary. She was office manger and secretary to the administrator at Fountain Nursing Home in Marion. Survivors include a son, Scott Mueller of Chicago, two daughters, Cindy Murphy of Elgin, and Debbye Mueller of Chicago; her mother Alice Groner; a sister Paul Kay Rothschild; a brother, Jim Groner, all of Marion; several nieces, nephews and special friends. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her father. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Zion United Church of Christ. The Rev. Lynn Martin officiated, assisted by Jeanne Lokerse and Dr. John Kaeser. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Zion United Church of Christ memorial fund. Meredith Funeral Home in Marion was in charge of arrangements. Published: The Gazette-Democrat.

Glenn Heisner, A-J 1954 Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased, No more information.

Paul D. Hileman, 1934 A-J 1954 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Paul D. Hileman, a native of Union County, died on August 3, 2005, in League City, Texas, where he lived at the time of his Death. Mr. Hileman was born on October 11, 1934, in Anna, the son of Rev. Marion and Hazel Benefield Hileman. He retired from Monsanto Chemical Company. He married the former Betty Wilson of Dongola 49 years ago. He is survived by his wife Betty, and children Vivki Gaido, Darlene Hileman, Lisa Burgett and Stacey Sackett. He is also survived by brothers and sisters Elaine Smith, Joyce Lang, Bill Hileman and Joe Hileman, as well as grandchildren and many friends in Union County. Interment was August 6 in Forest Park East Cemetery in League City, Texas, with Forest Park East Funeral Home in charge of charge of arrangements. Mr. Hileman graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1954. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Dr. Pamela Hearn Hindman, 1936-2009, A-J 1954 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friend.


Dr. Pamela Hindman Hearn, 73, passed away Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at her home in Cape Girardeau. She was born in Anna, Ill., on June 7, 1936, daughter of Ruel and LaWanda Pygett Hindman. She went to Anna-Jonesboro High School where she excelled in academics and music. At SIU, she got her undergraduate degree in music and theater, along the way performing numerous musical comedy and dramatic roles, including Laurey in "Oklahoma" and Blanche in "A Streetcar Named Desire." During those years, her mother and aunt got her involved in the world of beauty pageants. In that realm, a major achievement was to be chosen as Anna Centennial Queen in 1954. After two years of high school teaching and a summer at the Highland Park, Ill., Music Theater, she returned to SIU to get her master's degree in English. There she met Charles. They were married in Carbondale Aug. 12, 1962, and immediately headed for Minneapolis-St. Paul, where she taught at The College of St. Catherine and later Hamlin University while he worked on his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. While at St. Catherine's, she was nominated for a Danforth Teaching Award. In 1967, she and her husband joined the English Department at Southeast Missouri State University. There she was a popular and compelling teacher. She was also a role model and mentor for countless students, colleagues and others. A strong advocate for women, she helped change the policy of hiring in wives of faculty members as lecturers, without full benefits, and she was a driving force in developing a women's studies minor at the university. While teaching full time and mothering two children, she worked on and eventually received her Ph.D. at SIU. More than a dedicated career woman, she was a devoted wife and mother who loved her husband, children and grandchildren unconditionally and was tireless in giving them the attention and nurturing they needed. Loving survivors include her husband, Charles; a son, Steve (Nancy) of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Melissa Vogelsang (Aaron) of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Joey, Katie and Kelly Hearn of Austin, Ava Vogelsang of Cape Girardeau; and a cousin, Judy (John) Stoddard of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bob Towner presiding. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Carol Holtz, A-J 1954 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased, No more Information.

James C. Honey, 1954 A-J Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased, No more Information.

Jack Hubbs, 1935-2000, A-J 1954 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Jack Hubbs 64, of Anna, died at 2:05 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, 2000, at the Jonesboro Health Care Center in Jonesboro. He was born on Oct. 14, 1935, in Anna, the son of John G. and Ruby Menees Hubbs. His parents preceded him in death. He was a member of the Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1954. He was a retired mechanic and for many years had been associated with his father in the automotive repair business. He is survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Leon Gunn of Anna; an aunt, Cora Goddard of Schaumburg; an uncle and aunt, Carl and Mary Hubbs of Anna; several cousins and many friends. Funeral services for Jack Hubbs will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, today, at Crain Funeral Home in Anna with the Rev. Steve Wilkinson officiating. Interment will be in the Anna Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Crain Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements. Published: Thursday, October 05, 2000 The Gazette-Democrat

Larry Maurice Lam, 2007, A-J 1954 Class, Air Force Veteran. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Larry Maurice Lam, 71, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, of pancreatic cancer at his home in Winchester, Va. He was born in Pittsburg and grew up in Anna. He graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School class of 1954. He served in the U.S. Air Force and then graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in geology. He worked for 30 years in Washington, D.C. at the Central Intelligence Agency, with a brief stint in Bangkok. In his retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, bird watching and traveling. He leaves his wife Sue Smyth Lam; two children, Bill Lam of Ashburn, Va., and Wendy Lam Hanks of Robley, Va.; four grandchildren; his mother, Vertis Lam, formerly of Anna and now a resident of Sugar Hill, Ga.; and his sister, Karen Lam McIntire, also of Sugar Hill. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Lam of Anna. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, at Omps Funeral Home, 1600 Amherst St, Winchester, Va. The memorial service will be at noon Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial of ashes and graveside service will be Wednesday in Hebron Cemetery in Winchester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork St. 405, Winchester, VA 22601. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on 12/15/2007.

Carter L. Partridge, 1936-2010, A-J 1954 Class, Air Force Veteran. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Mr. Carter L. Partridge, age 74 of Jonesboro, died at 9:56 P.M. Sunday, October 3, 2010 at the Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna. He was born July 14, 1936 in Goreville, the son of Harry C. and Rosalee Foster Partridge. Carter was married Allibeth Nalley on December 27, 1956 in Anna. Carter is survived by his wife Allibeth of Jonesboro; one son, Jason (Sandy) Partridge of Cobden; two daughters, Mary (Kent) Treece of Wolf Lake and Jayne (Gary) Mull of Anna; four grandchildren, Kaleb and Abbie Treece, Jacob Partridge, and Will Charles; one great-grandchild, Avery Stegle; three brothers, John (Bonnie) Partridge of Columbus, MS., Mike (Jeri) Partridge of Anna, and George (Suzan) Partridge of Grand Chain, IL.; one sister, Reva (Mack) Wrozier of OFallon, MO.; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Carter was a member of the Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna. He worked in the automotive industry for over 40 years and later retired as manager of the IKT Auto Parts store in Anna. Funeral services for Mr. Carter L. Partridge will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Pastor Albert Nyland and Rev. Dr. Jim Clark officiating. Interment will be in the Anna cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 P.M. Friday, October 8, 2010 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church. Envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. To view this obituary or leave an online condolence for the family visit, www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com RENDLEMAN & HILEMAN FUNERAL HOME IN ANNA IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Published: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 11:00 AM CDT

Robert Joseph Pecord 1936 2013, A-J 1954 Class. Veteran, Farmer, Businessman Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

MILLER CITY - Robert "Bobby" Joseph Pecord, 77, passed away at 4:50 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at his residence. He was born March 29, 1936, in Mound City, the son of Merlin and Lena (Deckard) Pecord, and they preceded him in death. Bobby was an Air Force veteran and a retired farmer. He also owned and operated Sleepy's Lounge and Camp Ground for 15 years in the Horse Shoe Lake area. He was a member of Alexander-Pulaski County Sportsmen Club of Miller City and past president of the club. Bobby was loved and well respected by all who knew him. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, gardener, cook and goose hunting guide. Bobby will be missed by all. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis (Wildy) Pecord of Miller City; son, Gaynes (Sandy) Pecord of Dongola; daughter, Kim Collins of Cobden; stepdaughter, Rosetta Keith of McClure; brother, Merlin (Jean) Pecord of Mill Creek; sister, Linda (Otis) Burris of Mill Creek; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Keith, Sara Keith, Lacy (Ryan) Turner, Jacob Pecord, Gabriel Pecord, Ashley Crawford, Brittany Bean and Eli Pecord; six great-grandchildren, Kalia Keith, Kaiden Keith, Addison Sneed, Reece Turner, Rollin Tuner and Kayden Turner; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; and many friends. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, in Mound City National Cemetery with the Revs. Verlee Eaker and Gene Hart officiating. Full military honors will be provided by members of the Illinois National Guard Burial Team and local veterans. Interment will follow. Family and friends are asked to meet Thursday at the cemetery prior to service time. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials, in memory of Bobby Pecord, to Leukemia Research Foundation, 3520 Lake Ave., Suite 202, Wilmette, IL 60091-1064; or Dodge Memorial Library, Olive Branch, IL 62969. Jones Funeral Home in Tamms is in charge of arrangements.

Dixie Peeler, 1936-2013, A-J 1954 Class. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Died about 2005. Dixie Peeler Grade School and graduated with the Anna Jonesboro Community High Class of 1954.

Eugene "Gene" Seats, 1935 , A-J 1954 Class, Professional Baseball Player Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Eugene "Gene" Seats 6 feet 180 pounds left hand pitcher for the 1954 A-J Wildcats baseball team graduated with the Anna Jonesboro Community High School Class of 1954. After graduation Seats played profession baseball for the Chicago White Sox on their class D on Madisonville Millers in Madisonville, Kentucky in the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee Baseball League. In 1955 he played for the Waterloo White Hawks, in Waterloo, Iowa. In 1956 he also played for the Dubuque Packers in Dubuque, Iowa. Also in 1956 Seats played for the Paris Lakers in Paris, Illinois, Chicago Cubs farm Club. Eugene Seats lived in O Fallon, Saint Charles, Missouri, at the time of his death. He was raised in the Anna-Jonesboro, Illinois area and was every valued part of the 53 and 54 A-J baseball teams. Eugene Seats was born 10 June 1935 and died July 1984.

Roy Stark 1936-2005, A-J 1954 Class, Veteran of the Korean War. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Roy Stark, 68, of Florissant, Missouri., died Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at his home. He was born June 26, 1936, in Union County, Illinois, son of Roy and Nancy Hammer Stark. Stark was a member of Reynoldsville Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include three sons, Greg and Jeff Stark of St. Louis, Gary Stark of Anna; two brothers, Avon Stark of Festus, Mo. Harold Stark of Peoria, Ill.; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers. Friends may call at Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Ill., from 6 to 8 p.m. today. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Danny Jones officiating. Burial will be in Big Creek Cemetery. He Anna Jonesboro Community High School. Roy graduated with the Class of 1954.

Bobby J. Williams, 1936-2006, A-J 1954 Class, Veteran of the Korean War. Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Bobby J. Williams, 70, died at 6:55 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, in Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Marion. He was born June 29, 1936, in Cypress, the son of G. Lowell and Verna V. (Bear) Williams. He married Lillah Karraker on July 16, 1971, in Alto Pass. He was a U.S. veteran of the Korean Conflict, a member of the Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 in Anna, Anna Moose Lodge 1346 and Woodmen of the World Lodge 26 in Anna. He retired from Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, and owned and operated Williams Repair Service in Anna for many years. He is survived by wife, Lillah Williams of Anna; three children, Twilla Mashell and husband, John Paul Jr. Smith of Anna, Kevin Wayne Williams and fiancée, Bridgette, of Thompsonville, and Robert Lowell Williams and fiancée, Celeste; four grandchildren, Christina Marie, Kailey Michelle, Joseph Isaiah and Thomas Alexander; one sister, Betty Lou and husband, James W. Hartline of Anna; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and a nephew. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Roy Hill officiating. Burial will be in Anna City Cemetery, with full military honors given by the Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 in Anna. Visitation was yesterday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Williams family.Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Published in The Southern Illinoisan from 11/23/2006 - 11/26/2006. Bobby graduated with the Anna Jonesboro Community High School, Class of 1954.

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Last Updated on 07/15/2019