"T" Obituaries

Alexander County/Illinois Genealogy Trails

Thebes, IL--FLOYD CLIFFORD "CLIFF" TAPLEY, 82, of Thebes died Friday, May 21, 2010 at his home.  He was born Sept. 27, 1927, at Grand Chain, Ill., son of Floyd and Vergie King Tapley.  He and Cornelia Wilson were married June 24, 1951. 
Tapley was in the U. S. Navy and served in World War II.  He was an operating engineer in Local 318 in Marion, Ill., 57 years.  He was a Mason 42 years in Caledonia Lodge 47.
Survivors include his wife, Cornelia; two daughters, Cathy Lea (Alfred) McCain of Cape Girardeau, Cheri (Rocky) Witzman of Chesterfield, Mo., two sons, David (Patty) Tapley of Thebes, Richard (Becky) Tapley of Scott City, (Mo); seven grandchildren, Carmen (Jason) Copeland, Corey Tapley, Adam Tapley, Blake Witzman, Bryce Witzman, Whitney Tapley and Austin Tapley; two great-grandchildren, Alix Copeland and Marissa Copeland; a brother, Bobby Gene Tapley of East Cape Girardeau; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vergie Cochran and Floyd Tapley; a son Randy Keith Tapley, July 4, 1991; a sister Elsie McKee; three brothers, Paul, Jack and Buddy Tapley.
Visitation will be from noon to service time Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.  The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with Terry Mejean officiating.  Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Thebes.  (Contributed by J. C. McNelly)

Cairo, IL.--FORMER CAIROITE DIES--VIRGINIA SLOO TAYLOR passed away at her home in Chicago on April 21.  She was a daughter of the late Joseph Bainbridge Taylor and Julia Sloo Taylor; a granddaughter of the late Col. F. S. Taylor, a niece of Thomas J. Sloo and Mrs. T. W. Halliday.  She was born in Cairo, moving to Chicago when a child, having lived there ever since.  She was employed in the post office in Chicago for many years; a member of the Presbyterian church, Order of Eastern Star and Daughters of American Revolution. She is survived by her sister, Mrs. T. F. Sculley and her brother, J. Bainbridge Taylor, and many other relatives. Funeral services will be held in Chicago Thursday evening, after which the body will be shipped to Cairo on the Illinois Central, arriving here Friday morning at 7:25 a.m., and will be taken to Karcher Brothers funeral home.  The funeral party will leave Karcher Brothers at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon for Beech Grove cemetery where interment will be made in the family lot.  A short service will be conducted by Rev. J. Turner Hood of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. T. F. Sculley, J. Bainbridge Taylor and a niece and nephew, Mrs. Kathryn Gaither and Milo B. Sculley, will accompany the body to Cairo. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen and Bulletin, Wednesday, April 22, 1936, contributed by Anna Shelton.

Cairo, IL.--NAPOLEON BONAPART THISTLEWOOD--CAPT. THISTLEWOOD FORMER MAYOR AND CONGRESSMAN, DEAD--Beloved and Respected Citizen of Cairo Dies After Long Illness at Age of 78. PLAYED PROMINENT PART IN CAIRO'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT--Interest in G. A. R. Following Brilliant War Record Made Him Nationally Known--Capt. Napoleon Bonapart Thistlewood, former U. S. Congressman for this district, four times Mayor of Cairo and one of the most widely known men in Southern Illinois died yesterday afternoon at 5:20 o'clock at the Bondurant hospital after an illness of six weeks.  Capt. Thistlewood had been in ill health for more than a year and six weeks ago he began to fail rapidly.  Ten days ago his condition was regarded as serious and he was removed to the hospital.  Death was due to arterioserosis. Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed but probably will be announced today. The death of Capt. Thistlewood removes one of Cairo's most beloved and highly respected citizens.  During his long residence here he played a prominent part in the city's history and development and did much for Cairo's advancement. Capt. Thistlewood had a praise-worthy war record and through his interest later in the G. A. R. became nationally known.  At the outbreak of hostilities he enlisted as sergeant in the Ninty-first Illinois volunteers.  Conspicious service and bravery led to his popularity and he was promoted finally to captain. At the battle of Shiloh he received injuries that forced his retirement and he returned to Mason, Ill., where at the close of the war he embarked in business with his brother, P. J. Thistlewood, now deceased. He was a member of the Association of Shiloh Survivors and while unable to accompany the members on their last annual pilgrimage to the battlefield last April, met the delegation of veterans here and went with them to the National cemetery at Mound City where brief services were conducted. Funeral services probably will be conducted by the chaplain of that organization, the Rev. J. W. Cummins also pastor of the Methodist church of which Capt. Thistlewood was a member. Capt. Thistlewood was born near Harrington, Del., March 20, 1837 and with his parents, Benjamin and Mary Thistlewood, located in Mason, when he was 17 years old.  After the war the merchandise business conducted there by he and his brother grew and in 1871 they came to Cairo and embarked in the commission business under the firm name of N. B. Thistlewood and Brother.  Later his son, Benjamin R. Thistlewood, now deceased, entered the firm and the name was changed to N. B. Thistlewood and Son. Capt. Thistlewood was highly successful in the commission business and later in real estate.  He was one of the founders of Mounds and had large holdings there and was a director in the Alexander County National bank. In 1886 Capt. Thistlewood was married to Miss Sarah Taylor at Mason.  She and their daughter, Mrs. Flint Bondurant survive him. Capt. Thistlewood had taken an active interest in civic affairs since his arrival in Cairo and in 1881 was elected mayor.  He served two terms in this office and in 1897 again was elected and served two terms. During the flood of 1882, in his second year as mayor, he took personal charge of the work on the levee and succeeded in keeping the water out of the city, and during his administration in 1897 the levees were raised and strengthened. In January, 1907, he was elected to congress to fill the unexpired term of George W. Smith, and subsequently served two terms.  He retired from political life in 1912 and went to live at his summer home west of Mounds. Capt. Thistlewood had been an active member of the G. A. R. since its organization and served one term as state commander.  He was commander of the Warren Stewart post until the charter was recently surrendered and was commander of the Southern Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Reunion.  --From The Cairo Bulletin, Thursday, Sept 16, 1915, contributed by Anna Shelton. (Capt. Thistlewood was buried at the Beechwood Cemetery in Mounds.)

Olive Branch, IL--LUCILLE THOMPSON, 91 of Olive Branch died Saturday, July 26, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, (MO).  She was born May 21, 1917 in Tamms, Ill., daughter of John Elvis and Bessie M. Poole.  She and Lester Thompson were married Jan. 10, 1936.  He died Aug. 30, 2002.  She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Urbandale, Ill.  Survivors include three daughters, Dixie Bevill, Brenda White, and Sherry Hale, all of Olive Branch; two sons, Audry Thompson and Larry Thompson, both of Olive Branch; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and a brother.  Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.  The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Vester Kessee and Audry Thompson officiating.  Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes, IL.

Thebes, IL--MRS. NELLIE MAE THOMPSON, 74, of Thebes, formerly of Cairo, died Jan. 3,(1973) at 7:15 a.m. in St. Mary's Hospital, Cairo.  She was a member of the Thebes Pentecostal Church.
Mrs. Thompson is survived by her husband, Oscar Thompson of Thebes; three daughters, Mrs. Lois Kelley and Mrs. Betty Snell, both of Thebes, and Mrs. Verda Mae Wild of Cairo; three sons, Reddis Thompson and Lester Thompson, both of Cairo, and Chester of St. Louis; one brother, Harry Jackson of Villa Grove, Ill.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral chapel with Rev. Robert Burchyett officiating.  Interment followed in the Thebes City Cemetery.  Crain Funeral Chapel, Cairo, was in charge of funeral arrangements.   
(Source:  The Pulaski Enterprise, Mounds, Ill, Jan 10, 1973.)  Note:  Additional info from J. C. McNelly--Miss Mae Jackson was born March 17, 1898 in Illinois.

Elco, IL.--NANCY JANE THOMPSON was born May 10th, 1846, and died May 1st, 1934, age 88 yrs., 11 mo, 21 days. She was married to Thomas Brimm at the age of eighteen, and to this union was born four children; two of whom survive, being Carlile Brimm of Fish, Mo. and Samuel Brimm of Elco. In 1877 she was united in marriage to John Thompson, a Civil War veteran. To this union was born five children, three of whom survive, being John and William of Elco and Nancy Ghere of Centralia, Ill. She leaves to mourn her departure besides the above mentioned children three brothers, being Joseph Sharp of St. Louis, Mo., Henry Sharp of Tallahassie, Fla., and Dennis Sharp of Jacksonville, Fla.; 34 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a host of near relatives and friends. Grandma Thompson, as she was affectionately known, spent her entire life in and near Elco. She was united with the Elco Methodist Church 25 years ago and never removed her membership. She reared two large families and contributed her full share to her Makers plan and now passes to her reward.
Our dear mother was called away,
The call was short, the shock severe,
To part with one we loved so dear:
For us you did your best,
A willing worker to the last.
--Written by Grandson Harry Lee Beasley and donated by Great-grandson Frank Beasley. (Note: To see a picture of Nancy, click here.)

TAMMS, IL - JAMES F. THORNTON, 82, died at 5:57 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, in Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in McCrite Cemetery in Tamms, with the Rev. Brent Gordon and Pastor Pete Vinson officiating. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.
 Published in The Southern Illinoisan from 11/2/2008 - 11/3/2008.
 

Tamms, IL.--MARY SUE THORNTON, 77, of Tamms, died at 4:10 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2006, in Jonesboro Health Care. She was born Oct. 5, 1928 in Paris, Tenn., the daughter of Willie J. and Macy Pearl (Ownby) Abernathy. She married James Thornton on March 27, 1948, and he survives. She was a member of Tamms Methodist Church where she was the pianist for more than 40 years. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, James of Tamms; three daughters, Mary E. Nunn and Dee Vaughn, both of Tamms and Judi Collins of Tallahassee, Fla.; five grandchildren, Chris Langston, Stacey Green, Kaleb Nunn, Wade Collins and Katie Collins; three great grandchildren, Will Langston and Joshua and Miranda Green; three sisters, Elizabeth Lawrence of Anna, Jane Carroll and Margie Davidson, both of Nashville, Tenn.; one brother, Claude Abernathy of California; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son-in-law, Kevin Collins, one sister, Macy Peery and one brother, Clyde Abernathy. Services for Mary Sue Thornton will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2006, in Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with the Rev. Herman C. Lawrence officiating. Interment will follow in McCrite Cemetery. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, June 14, 2006.

Eagle River, AK--WILLIAM HORACE TILFORD, 68, a retired heavy equipment operator, died May 25 (1989) at Providence Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Veterans of Foreign Wars, Eagle River Post 9785.
Mr. Tilford was born June 20, 1920, in Cairo, Ill., and had lived in Alaska since 1960. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 302. He had worked for Green Construction on a number of projects, including the Parks Highway and the Valdez Pipeline Terminal. He was a member of the Eagle River VFW Post 9785, the Birchwood American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Cooties a VFW service organization by invitation only. He enjoyed moose hunting and gardening.
He leaves his wife, Irene, of Eagle River; his brothers, J.L., of Santa Clara, Calif., and James, of Elmhurst, Ill.; and his sisters, Gladys Tilford and Lee Wehousen, both of Elmhurst, and Catherine Buie, of Cairo, Ill.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, 2330 E. 42nd Ave., Anchorage 99508. Burial will be at a later date in Cairo, Ill.
Service arrangements were by Witzleben Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Sixth Avenue Chapel.
--Anchorage Daily News (AK) - May 31, 1989

Flint, MI--ADOLPH TROVILLION of Flint, Michigan and Tamms, Illinois, age 92, died Sunday, November 1, 1998 at his son's residence in Clio. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Illinois. Mr. Trovillion was born July 9, 1906, the son of Ezra and Melissa (Boyd) Trovillion. Mr. Trovillion had resided in the Flint area since 1927 and lived in both Michigan and Illinois for several years. Adolph married Ruth E. Huffman, December 4, 1926; she preceded him in death April 6, 1990. He retired from Buick Motor Division in 1960 and was formerly employed by AC Spark Plug and Hamady Bros. Grocery Stores. In 1947, he founded the Trovillion Brothers Oil Co. Surviving are: sons, Adolph Jr. and wife Lucille, John and wife Myrle, James and wife Pat, David and wife Eilnor; daughter, Bonnie and husband Ralph; 25 grandchildren and many great and great-great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Wayne of Mt. Morris, and Glen of Vienna, IL; sister, Pauline Kleckler of Vienna, IL. Mr. Tolvillion was also preceded in death by his son, Gerald and daughter, Alice May Hillebrand.
Source:  Flint Journal, The (MI) - November 3, 1998.

Olive Branch, IL.--Services for MR. EVERETT A. TROXEL were held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Crain Funeral Home in Tamms with the Rev. Wayne Clark officiating.  Interment was in Christian Chapel Cemetery near Dongola. Mr. Troxel, 67, of Olive Branch, died very suddenly at 8 a.m. Saturday at his home of an apparent heart attack.  He was a retired diesel mechanic for the Greyhound Bus Lines. He is survived by his wife Arletta of the home; daughter, Mrs. Sharon Bauer of Belleville; and brother, Othel Troxel of Chicago. --From The Cairo Evening Citizen, Mon. Oct. 22, 1979, contributed by Anna Shelton.

East St. Louis, IL--ETTA TURMAN of 1315 Cleveland Ave., on Saturday, May 1, 1954; dear sister of Mrs. Ellen Thomas and William Dailey of Tamms, Ill., and Mrs. Estelle Betts of East Alton, Ill.; dear grandmother of Jack Turman, Ruth Brown and Lorena French of San Diego, Calif., our dear great-grandmother and mother-in-law.  Funeral Tuesday, May 4, at 10:30 a.m. from Nell Walsh Barnes Funeral Home, 1416 St. Louis Ave.  Interment Tower Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Ill.  --The East St. Louis Daily Journal, May 3, 1954, contributed by Donna Knight.  Note:  Etta was born in Alexander County, daughter of William and Sarah Dailey.  A son, Claude Turman, preceded her in death.

Cairo, IL--DONALD J. TURNER, 79, of Cairo died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at the Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.  He was born Aug. 28, 1931 to the late Joseph M. and Vada Kessler Turner.  His stepfather, Clifford Young, also preceded him in death.
Donald graduated from Cairo High School in 1949.  He was a veteran of the U. S. Army.  He earned high honors in Non-commissioned Officers School, attaining the rank of technical sergeant during the Korean conflict.  Following his honorable discharge he returned to the family farm in Cairo.  He was hired by Illinois Central Railroad, where he was employed 42 years before retiring as conductor and footboard yardmaster.  He was active in the United Transportation Union, and served as local president and on the Union Legislative Board.
He was employed by Illinois State Police as a clerk, and served as coroner of Alexander County.  He served honorably as sheriff of Alexander County from 1970 to 1980.  Donald was a lifetime member of Illinois Sheriffs Association, and served on its executive board.  He was appointed to the Illinois Law Enforcement Comission and the Local Government Training and Standards Board.  He was currently serving as chairman of the Alexander County Airport Authority, as well as treasurer of North Cairo Fire Protection District.
Donald was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Cairo BPOE 651 and lifetime member of VFW Post 2649.  Most importantly, Don is best remembered by those who knew him for his kindness, compassion, loyalty and the smiles that he brought to others.  He enjoyed the company of his family and friends and was known for his ability to brighten the mood with his stories and jokes.  For these qualities, he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by all who knew him.
Donald is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Turner of Cairo; two daughters, Susan (Kevin) Turner-Hill and Dana Turner Kobler of Memphis, TN; two sons, Michael (Kim) Turner of Cairo, and Paul (Judy) Turner of Chicago; a sister, Carolyn O'Rourke of Urbana, IL; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and numerous friends and extended family members.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo.  The rosary will be recited at 8 p.m.  The law enforcement walk-through will take place at 5:30.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick's Church, with the Rev. John Agbasiere, the Rev. Jerome Fortenberry and Monsignor Jim Burster as celebrants.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge, Ill. with military honors offered by area veterans organizations and the U. S. Army.  --Contributed by Kathleen Wilson.

Ullin, IL.--LOYD ARTHUR TWENTE, 100, of Ullin, formerly of Tamms and Columbia, Tenn., died at 2:50 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006 in Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Mr. Twente was born Feb. 25, 1905 in Olive Branch, son of the late Louis Arvene Twente and Eva Westerman Twente. Mr. Twente was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tenn., a former member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church in Tamms, and was a retired carpenter and farmer. Survivors include his wife, Virtus Lucille (Harvell) Twente, of Ullin; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Gene Legg of Columbia, and Vivian and George Eudy of McClure; his brother, Ernest Twente of Florida; five grandchildren, Kenneth Legg, Debbie Legg Cornwell, Tracy Legg Roper, Jay Eudy, and Shaun Eudy; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews. Services for Loyd Arthur Twente will be at 11 a.m. today in Jones Funeral Home in Tamms, with the Rev. Randy Roper officiating. Interment will follow in McCrite Cemetery in rural Tamms. Friends may call after 10 until 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Jay Eudy, Shaun Eudy, Kenneth Legg, Joel Legg, Josh Legg and Jeremy Legg. --Courtesy The Southern Illinoisan, Feb. 14, 2006.

Ullin, IL.--VIRTUS LUCILLE TWENTE, 94 of Ullin, formerly of Tamms, IL and Columbia, TN, died Thursday, March 29, 2007 at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau, MO. She was born June 18, 1912 in Thebes, IL, daughter of James W. and Ada McIvoy Harvell. she married Loyd Arthur Twente, who died Feb. 12, 2006. Twente was a member of First Baptist Church in Spring Hill, TN and former member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church in Tamms. Survivors include two daughters, Marilyn Legg of Columbia, Vivian Eudy of McClure, IL; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time Saturday at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday (Mar 30, 2007) at the funeral home, with the Rev. Randy Roper officiating. Burial will be in McCrite Cemetery near Tamms.

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