Ford Barkett

Ford Barkett, 89, of Cairo, died at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2004, at his home.

He was born in Hickman, KY., on Aug. 1, 1914, the son of late Wade and Rumzey Barkett.

He served as the Alexander County circuit clerk for three terms, one term as Alexander County treasurer and assessor, and two terms as city commissioner for Cairo. He was a member of the Cairo Baptist Church, a 60-year member of Cairo Elks Lodge 651, and Cairo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2649. He was a life member of the Illinois Association of Court Clerks. He formerly served on the board of the Lower Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association for the city of Cairo and in 1992 was given an award by the KIM Shrine Club of Cairo for his contributions to that organization for his efforts in helping crippled children. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as squad leader and demolition expert with the 148th Ordnance Bomb Squad with the U. S. Army in Africa, Italy and the Middle East where he received the Legion of Merit and four bronze battle stars.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Augusta Stady, and his brother, Mitchell Barkett.

Mr. Barkett is survived by his daughter-in-law and son, Betty and David Barkett of Cairo; his daughter, Mara Stelzried of Winston of Salem, N. C.; his brother, James Barkett of Paducah; three granddaughters, Ashley Soper of Wickliffe, KY, Meredith Barkett of Oxford, Miss., and Shelby Snow of Emmett, Idaho; his grandson, Wade Barkett of Cairo; his great-grandson, Matthew Colin Barkett of Wickliffe, KY, several nieces and nephews; and other relatives

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. today in the Barkett Funeral Home, with Dr. Larry L. Potts officiating. Interment will follow in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Ville Ridge, with military honors by Pulaski County Memorial VFW Post 8891 and the U. S. Army. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. Elks memorial rites were conducted at 7:45 p.m. Monday in the Barkett Chapel by Cairo lodge No. 651.