Remembering Departed Members of Anna-Jonesboro High School, Class of 1963

Jerry Blackward, 1963 A-J Class Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased 8-22-88

Victor E Karraker 1945 2014, 1963 A-J Class Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Mr. Victor E. Karraker, 69, of Henderson, Kentucky, formerly of Anna, died at 9:10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014, in the Methodist Hospital in Henderson. Victor was born on May 8, 1945, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Kenneth Edward and Vesta (Calhoun) Karraker. Victor is survived by his loving companion, Mona Albers of Henderson, Kentucky; other relatives; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Edward and Vesta Karraker. Services for Mr. Victor E. Karraker will be at noon Tuesday, July 1, in the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Paul Sadler officiating. Interment will be in Anna Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the funeral home. To leave an on-line condolence. Please go to www.rendlemanhileman.
Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.


Ronald Brown, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased


Maxwell Lee Carter 1946 2008, 1963 A-J Class, Accountant Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

LICK CREEK - Maxwell Lee Carter, 62, died at 3:40 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, in Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Feb. 13, 1946, in Anna, to Fred and Esta (Manus) Carter. He graduated from AJCHS and Draughn's Business College. He worked for accounting and credit companies and owned and operated Carter Accounting in Anna from 1972 through 1984. He became a partner in Anna-Jonesboro Motor Company for four years. He had been comptroller for Reppert Enterprises for the past 20 years. He was a lifetime member of the Amateur Trapshooters Association. As a young man, he was a baseball player. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and shooting. He is survived by his fiancée, Susan Steck of Cobden; son, K. W. Carter and friend, Tammy Wheaton of Makanda; three brothers, Wendell Carter and wife, Mabel, of Jonesboro, Don Carter of Lick Creek and Gordon Carter of Costa Mesa, Calif.; sister, Susie Kessler and husband, Bob, of Anna; and cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, in Crain Funeral Home in Anna, with Kim Capel officiating. Burial will be in McGinnis Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to McGinnis Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home. To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on 9/2/2008


Ronald Alan "Ron" Carter 1945 2017, 1963 A-J Class, Navy Seabees Veteran Vietnam War, Iron Worker

Ronald Alan "Ron" Carter, 71, of Jonesboro, died at 10:05 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau. He was born on Feb. 16, 1945, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Everett Arlie "Buck" and Rose Lammers Carter. He married Brenda Doughty on May 29, 1991, in Wickliffe, Ky. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Carter of Jonesboro; a daughter, Julia Carter of Jonesboro; two brothers, Jim (Sandy) Carter and Larry (Mindy) Carter, all of Anna; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Juvata Carter of Jonesboro, Marcy (Carl) Crecelius of Cobden, David (Terri) Doughty of Alabama, Betty Torres of Anna and Pam Johnson of Johnston City; nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. He had a beloved dog, Chi-Chi. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Joseph Curtis Carter; one daughter, Shannon Leigh Carter; two brothers, Robert Wayne Carter and John Carter. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anna. He served in the U.S. Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War. He worked many years as an iron worker and was a member of the Iron Workers Local 782. He loved cars and riding motorcycles. Funeral Mass for Mr. Carter will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, today, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anna, with Father Federico Higuera officiating. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Cobden. Friends can call after 9 a.m. and until the service hour at 11 a.m. Thursday, today, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anna. Memorials can be made to PAWS or to St. Jude. To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.


Bobby Dean Crawford 1946 1968, 1963 A-J Class, Casualty of Vietnam War,

Bobby Crawford Loses Life In Viet Nam Died in Combat January 10; Final Rites Will be Announced SP-4 Bobby Dean Crawford, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Crawford of Route 1, Buncombe, is the second Union County man to lose his life in combat in Viet Nam since the first of the year. The parents were informed on Sunday, Jan. 14, of their son's death in Viet Nam on January 10, by service representatives who called at the parent's home. Bobby Dean Crawford is survived by his parents, Donald and Mina Gurley Crawford, a twin sister, Mrs. Barbara Jean Graves and a niece, Kimberly Diane Graves, both of Marion. He entered the service on September 19, 1966. Before entering the Army, he worked at Florsheim Shoe Company. He was a 1963 graduate of Anna-Jonesboro Community High School and was a member of the Cedar Grove Methodist Church. Crawford took his basic training at Fort Lewis, Wash., and graduated from the Airborne Division at Fort Benning, Ga. He took a 12 week training course with Scout Dogs and was an honor student, winning the Scout Dog trophy for his Platoon. A copy of a letter which Crawford received from his commanding officer was published in the October 19, 1967 issue of The Gazette-Democrat, and reads in part: "It is a pleasure to officially recognize you for being selected honor graduate of the 12 week Scout Dog Training Course recently completed by the 43rd Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog). The dedicated effort and proficient interest which you displayed throughout this program exemplifies the highest standard of conduct and dedication demanded of each and every member of today's army. "The unique value of Scout Dog handler lies in the ability of the handler and the dog to work together as a highly efficient team. Of particular note was your ability to grasp the basic principles of day and night patrolling, scout training, and technique and outpost procedures." Funeral arrangements for SP-4 Bobby Dean Crawford are incomplete and will be announced by Mount Funeral Home of Vienna, when the body is returned to the United States. Gazette-Democrat


Larry Joe Earnhart 1945 2013, 1963 A-J Class, Army Veteran

KARNAK - Larry Joe Earnhart, 68, formerly of Anna, passed away with his family by his side at 6:10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, in Metropolis Nursing and Rehab Center in Metropolis. Larry was born June 21, 1945, the son of Otis and Beulah (Miller) Earnhart. Larry was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Massac County. He served as a Specialist in the U.S. Army. Larry was Executive Director at MAP Training Center in Mounds and then Karnak for 34 years and served on the board of directors for Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities for more than 30 years. Larry also served on Jonesboro Library Board and Pulaski County Development Board in addition to being a village trustee and former mayor of Karnak. Larry also taught part-time at Shawnee Community College in the fields of geology, astronomy and chemistry. Larry is survived by his wife, Cindy Earnhart and their daughter Lara Earnhart, both of Karnak; two sons, Jason (Nikki) Earnhart of Spring-field, and Nathan (April) Earnhart of Benton; one grandchild, Jackson Earnhart of Benton; one sister, Mary Webb of Manteno and beloved Schnauzers Ruby and Emily. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ottis and Beulah Miller Earnhart; sister, Ruby Williams and brother, Paul Earnhart. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in St. John Lutheran Church in Massac County, with Pastor Don Lindner officiating. Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Pallbearers will be Truman Logeman, Paul Horman, Austin Horman, Josh Alley, Eric Chilman, Bob Putney and Mike Logeman. Honorary pallbearer will be Rex Neill. Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak is in charge of arrangements. To leave an on-line condolence for the family or to share a memory, visit www.wilsonfuneralhome1928.com.
Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Carolyn Elkins Ferguson 1945 2018, 1963 A-J Graduate, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Carolyn Ferguson, 72, of Dongola, died at 3:46 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at her home. She was born on June 23, 1945, in Jonesboro, the daughter of Guy and Ina Foster Elkins. She married Carl E. Ferguson on Sept. 7, 1965, in Anna. She is survived by her son, Christopher (Debbie) Ferguson of West Chester, Ohio; two daughters, Cathy (Jack) Kennedy and Cindy (Edwin) Rushing, all of Dongola; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Freddie Elkins of New York and Darrell (Linda) Elkins of Elgin; a twin sister, Marilyn Jones of Dongola; a sister-in-law, Jan Elkins of Elgin; many other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl E. Ferguson; and two brothers, Frank and Larry Elkins. She had a strong Christian faith. She enjoyed reading and studying the Bible. She enjoyed bird watching and would spend many hours caring for her family members. Funeral services for Carolyn Ferguson will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, today, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with the Rev. Paul Sadler officiating. Interment will be in the Dongola American Legion Cemetery.Friends can call after noon and until the service hour at 2 p.m. Thursday, today, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro. To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.


Janet Ferguson 1965, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

No more information


Robert "Bob" D. Haley, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Mr. Robert "Bob" D. Haley, age 70 of Bowling Green, Kentucky, formerly of Anna, died at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2014 in Sacred Heart Hospital in Destin, Florida. He was born January 19, 1944 in Chicago, the son of Robert Harold and Edna Mae Davis Haley. In most recent years Bob lived in Bowling Green, KY and Miramar Beach, Florida. He married Kay Kollehner on June 19, 1965 at the Kornthal Lutheran Church in Jonesboro. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Kay Haley of Miramar Beach, Florida; one daughter, Deana (David) Cowles of Bowling Green, KY.; his pride and joy, granddaughter, Sarah Haley Reed of Bowling Green, KY.; one step granddaughter, Brianna Cowles of Bowling Green, KY.; one brother, Larry (Cathy) Haley of Anna; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Like many of us through his life, his career path took many turns from hospital business administrator to accomplished auctioneer of forty plus years. He was a board member of the National Auctioneers Association and past president of the Certified Auctioneers Institute and also was inducted into the Kentucky Auctioneers Hall of Fame. Bob enjoyed fishing and traveling with his family. He had also engaged himself in the art of wood turning, turning a simple block of wood into a work of art. The art and talent of wood turning exemplified his life. He started with something simple and created an amazing memorable life for himself and those who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him. Funeral services for Mr. Robert "Bob" D. Haley will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2014 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Rev. Jonathan Whitley officiating. Interment will be in the Anna City Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kornthal Church or to Hospice of Southern Kentucky at 5872 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, KY. 42101. Envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna.


Mike Hileman, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased


Joyce Helton, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmates and Friends.

Deceased 6-29-65


Jane Inman, 1963 A-J Classmate, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased


Lawrence R. "Sandy" Johnston, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Lawrence R. "Sandy" Johnston, age 71 of Jonesboro, died Sunday, December 3, 2017 in the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. He was born, July 13, 1946 in Union County, the son of Claude "Hi" and Gladys M. (Lacey) Johnston. He married Kay (Clayton) on April 12, 1968 in Simpson. Sandy is survived by his loving wife of forty nine years, Kay Johnston of Jonesboro; daughter, Kim Johnston of Vienna; sister, Sharlet Evans of Anna; sister in law, Jeanne Clayton of Simpson; other family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother in law, Glen Evans. Sandy was of the Christian faith. He was retired from Lewis Brothers Bakery, working many years as a route salesman. Sandy was an avid sports fan, especially L.A. Dodgers baseball. He served on the Jonesboro City Counsel and was a Precinct Committeeman. He will be dearly missed by his coffee friends at McDonalds. Funeral services for Lawrence R. "Sandy" Johnston will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2017 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Rev. Paul Sadler officiating. Interment will be in the Gilead Cemetery in Simpson. Friends may call from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2017 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Anna. Envelopes will be available in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home. Sandy attended Anna grade schools and graduated with the Anna-Jonesboro Coumminity High School class of 1963.


Victor E Karraker 1945 2014, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Mr. Victor E. Karraker, 69, of Henderson, Kentucky, formerly of Anna, died at 9:10 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014, in the Methodist Hospital in Henderson. Victor was born on May 8, 1945, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Kenneth Edward and Vesta (Calhoun) Karraker. Victor is survived by his loving companion, Mona Albers of Henderson, Kentucky; other relatives; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Edward and Vesta Karraker. Services for Mr. Victor E. Karraker will be at noon Tuesday, July 1, in the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Paul Sadler officiating. Interment will be in Anna Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the funeral home. To leave an on-line condolence. Please go to www.rendlemanhileman.


KarenVictor McBride, 1963 A-J Classmate


Paul C Page 1947-2009, 1963 A-J Class, Army Veteran, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

ANNA, Ill. -- Paul C. Page, 63, of Anna died Monday, March 30, 2009, at his home. He was born Oct. 1, 1945, in Anna, son of William C. and June D. Dillow Page. He and Shirley Lynn Cady were married March 21, 1984, in Holly Hill, Fla. Page was a member of Mount Moriah Lutheran Church and lifetime member of Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455. He was a sergeant with the Holly Hill Police Department and later a narcotics and homicide detective in Volusia County, Fla. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife; a son, Walter Page of Sterling, Colo.; two daughters, Tanya Page of Peoria, Ill., Tiffany Busby of Jonesboro, Ill.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, and from noon to service time Friday at Mount Moriah Church. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Richard Hertenstein officiating. Burial will be in Anna City Cemetery with military honors by VFW Post 3455. Paul graduated with the Class of 1963.

Richard "Dick" Pitts 1945 2017, 1963 A-J Class,
Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Mr. Richard Pitts, age 72 of Anna, died Saturday, December 9, 2017 in St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was born July 20, 1945 in Anna, the son of Lynn and Esther (Oliver) Pitts. He married Charlene Dover on April 4, 1964. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Charlene Pitts of Anna; daughter, Denise (John) Garner of Anna; son Shane (Angie) Pitts of Beason; five grandchildren, Chase Garner and Tristin Garner, Chelsea Pitts, Ryan Pitts and Ashley Polk; one sister, Donna Pitts of Escondido, CA; many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Bob Pitts, Jack Pitts, and Bill Pitts; one sister, Linda Coffee; two infant sisters, Shirley Ann and Sandra Kay. Richard worked many years for Florsheim Shoe Company. He coached the American Legion and Khoury League Baseball. He enjoyed golfing, hunting and following A-J Wildcat basketball, baseball, and football. Funeral services for Richard Pitts will be at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 14, 2017 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Rev. Paul Sadler officiating. Interment will be in the Casper Cemetery. Friends may call after 10:00 a.m. and until the service hour at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 14, 2017 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorial contributions may be made to the Casper Cemetery. Envelopes will be available in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home.
Richard attended Davie, Anna Junior High grade schools and graduated with the Anna-Jonesboro Coumminity High School class of 1963. Richard played Basketball, Baseball and Football at A-J.


Phyllis Ragsdale Vaughn, 1945 2012, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

ANNA -- Phyllis Ann Vaughn, 67, died at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. She was born Aug. 12, 1945 in Anna, the daughter of John and Laura Angeline (Westbrooks) Ragsdale. She married Larry Vaughn Dec. 28, 1963, and he survives. Mrs. Vaughn was a member of Anna First Baptist Church, as well as Beta Sigma Phi for more than 30 years. She retired from Choate Mental Health. Survivors include her husband, Larry of Anna; one son, Doug (Teresa) Vaughn of Anna; two grandchildren, Luke and Sophia Vaughn; nieces and nephews; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Linda Kay Rosson; and brother, Jack Stuber. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, in Crain Funeral Home, Anna-Jonesboro, with Kenneth Mixen and Les Sinks officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Casper Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Casper Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home. To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.


Barbara Richardson, 1963 A-J Graduate, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased


Terry Sandlin 1999, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased 1999


Johnnie Schlenker, 2000, 1963 A-J Class, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Deceased 9-20-2000


Donna Kae Turner Ralls 1945 2013, 1963 A-J Graduate, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

Mrs. Donna Kae Ralls, age 68 of Anna, died at 7:19 a.m. Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was born May 1, 1945 in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of Leonard and Annie Bloodworth Turner. She married Darrell Eugene Ralls on June 20, 1964 in Pleasant Grove Church. Donna is survived by her loving husband, Darrell E. Ralls of Anna; three sons, Kevin (Teresa) Ralls of Anna, Steve (Paige) Ralls of Buncombe, Robbie (Amy) Ralls of Jonesboro; seven grandchildren, Nathan (Tia) Ralls, Daniel, Sarah, Hunter, Hayden, Sydnie and Torie Ralls; one brother, Edward Leon (Pat) Turner of St. Joseph, IL; three sisters, Joyce Holshouser of Anna, twin sister, Connie (Bill) Childers of Buncombe, Darlene (Darrell) Ross of Anna; sisters-in-law, Sharon Alstat of Creal Springs, Peggy (Bob) Jerrell of Cobden; brothers-in-law, Jack (Edna) Ralls of Dongola, Dennis (Maurine) Ralls of Anna; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; mother and father-in-law, Vertus and Bob Ralls; brother, Glenn Turner; granddaughter, Haylie Ralls; brother-in-law, Kenny Holshouser; and nephew, Dewayne Turner. Donna was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, she loved and followed her Lord. She was a loving and special "Granny" to everyone she came in touch with. She was retired from Verizon after many years in customer service. Funeral services for Mrs. Donna Kae Ralls will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro with Rev. Jamie Bridgeman, Rev. Joe Aldridge, and Rev. Todd Plunkett officiating. Interment will be in the McGinnis Cemetery in Anna. Friends may call from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2013 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna and after 9:30 a.m. and until the service hour on Friday, December 27, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Memorial contributions may be made to the Carmi Baptist Children's Home. Envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home and at the Church. To leave an online condolence for the family visit: www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.


Ernestine Aliene Williams Jackson 1945 2009, 1963 A-J Graduate, Information furnished by A-J Classmate and Friends.

ANNA - Ernestine Aliene Jackson, 64, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Anna, died at 11:10 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, in Memphis. She was born May 21, 1945, the daughter of Ernest and Dorothy (Bragg) Williams. Ernestine married Carl Jackson on July 20, 1963, in Jonesboro; he survives. She was a charter member and volunteer at St. Jude Children's Hospital Wives Club and was also active in Memphis Rose Society. Survivors include her husband, Carl Jackson of Memphis, Tenn.; one sister, Dorothy (Dale) Harvell of Jonesboro; a sister-in-law, Shirley Torrance of Saline, Mich.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John Steven (Barbara) Jackson of Nixa, Mo.; several nieces and nephews and other relatives; and many friends. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, in Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with the Rev. P.K. Sunny officiating. Interment will be in Anna City Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2009, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on December 3, 2009. Ernistine was a member of AJCHS band, playing the clarinet.

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Last Updated on 07/15/2019