Lowell Billingsley

GOREVILLE - Lowell Billingsley, 89, passed away at 11:15am  Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001, in Marion Memorial Hospital.

He was born June 4, 1912, in Goreville. He was the son of R. Y. Billingsley and Nora (ADAMS) Billingsley.

Lowell was united in marriage to Edna M. (THORNTON) on March 6, 1937, in Metropolis, and she survives.

Other survivors include a daughter, Peggy Etheridge and her husband, Ted, of Elgin; two grandchildren, Jeff Etheridge and his wife, Audrey, and Allen Etheridge, all of Elgin; three great - grandchildren, Joey, Andrew and Tommy; several nieces and nephews, including Arble Billingsley, who was raised in the home.

In addition to his parents, Lowell was preceded in death by four sisters, Bertha Perrino, Myrtle Caraker, Minnie Stokes, and Eliza Hancock, and three brothers, John, Omer, and his twin, Noel Billingsley.

Lowell had worked for the Illinois Department of Conservation, Ferne Clyffe State Park, as a Park Ranger and Site Superintendent before retiring in December of 1986 after 29 and one-half years of service. He was a former member of the AFL-CIO and Illinois State Employee Association. Lowell was also a member of the Johnson County Farm Bureau.

Lowell was of the Protestant Faith. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Lowell was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed gardening.

Funeral services will be at 11am this morning, Nov. 2, 2001, at Goreville United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Busby Chapel Cemetery, south of Goreville. Visitation was after 5pm Thursday at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Goreville United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 288, Goreville, IL. 62939. Memorial envelopes will be available at the church. Bailey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.