Sparta 1969
Barbary, Mrs Hannah76, died Thursday of last week in the Sparta Community Hospital. She had been living in Sparta several months with a sister, Mrs. Mary Wagstaff. Surviving are two sons, Edward Scroggin of Hollywood, Calif. and Paul Benjamin of California, two daughters, Mrs. Lester Dus Sha of Milan and Mrs. James Heffern of Springfield. The body was at the Walker Funeral Home in Sparta until last Friday night when it was removed to the Vancil Funeral Homein Springfield for a second service. Burial was in Roselawn cemetery at Springfield.
Sparta News, Sparta, Oct 17, 1918
John Brown Baird, son of the late Samuel P. and Margaret B. (McKee) Baird was born in Oppssumden Prairie, March 13, 1836 and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hugh Wilson, Sparta, October 12, 1918 aged 82 years, 6 months and 29 days. His parents were among the early settlers in that vicinity and were members of the Union church. On the 25 of March 1863 he was marred to Miss Alvira A. Brown, daughter of Joseph Brown, one of the early settlers in that community. She preceded him to the grave, dying February 17, 1917. At the time of her death they had almost reached the 55 milestone of their married life. Three children were born to them. Elmer E., of Adena, Colorado, Charles A, deceased and Mrs. Minnie E. Wilson of Sparta.He was the last of his father's family consisting of eight children: four sons and four daughters.He with his wife were both members of the Union U. P. church and after their removal to Sparta some years ago they transferred their membership to the Presbyterian church of Sparta in whose fellowship they died. Besides the son and daughter, he leaves four grandchildren: Mrs. R. E. Jones, of Galt, California, W. R. Baird of Adena, Colorado, Homer R. Baird, now in his country's service at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and Bernice Baird, of Sparta Funeral services were held at the home Monday at 2:30 p.m., conducted by Dr. Nesbit of the U. P. church assisted by Rev. W. J. Smiley, and the body was laid to rest at Union cemetery. "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age like a rock of grain cometh in its season
Sparta The Plaindealer 17 August 1906 Pg 4
KILLED BY THE I.C. FAST TRAIN, Charles Baird, Farmer Near Sparta, Meets Death on Rail at CoultervilleCharles BAIRD, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. BAIRD, south of town, was run over b the fast train on Illinois Central railroad at Coulterville Wednesday night and instantly killed. Coroner Dr. W. A. MCKENZIE was called this (Thursday) morning and held an inquest, and from him we learn that Charlie had been working his teams on the railroad near Salem and had arrived at Coulterville two or three days previous. He had spoken of going to see a friend in the country that night and no doubt started down the track for that purpose and was run down. His mangled remains were found on the Illinois Central track about 100 yards north of the depot and it is thought they were dragged that far before being released. It is thought the fast train which passes Coulterville at 11 p.m. hit him first, and if so, the same train killed three men that night, said a breakman, one north of Belleville and one at New Athens. The remains will be brought to his home for interment in Union cemetery. The unfortunate man leaves his widow and many relatives and friends to mourn his untimely death.
Luther G. "Stub" Burnett, 93, passed away on July 7, 1999 at Memorial Hospital of Chester.
He was born October 6, 1905 to John C. and Carrie Jane Thomas Burnettt in Elkville. He married Minnie A. McCollum
on October 5, 1929 in Pickneyville, IL. She passed away on October 29, 1989. He then married Florence Rawlings
Coniglio on July 12, 1991 at Campbell Hill.
Mr. Burnett was a World War II Navy Coxswain V-6. He was a member and former elder of First Presbyterian Church
in Ava. He was a member of U.M.W.A. local #7333 in Percy; Alma Lodge #497 A.F.&A.M. of Steeleville; and a life
member of Valley of Southern Illinois Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He was a retired driller at Southwestern
Coal Mines in Percy.
He is survived by his wife, Florence Burnett of Ava; one daughter-in-law, Naomi Chapman of Austin, TX; two step
sons, Patrcik Coniglio of Ava and Frank Coniglio of Murphysboro; one step daughter, Susan Taylor of Climax, MI;
21 step grandchildren; 18 step great grandchildren; two sisters, Margie Cossman of Peru, IN and Lillie Deason of
Peru, IN; one sister-in-law, Violet Burnett of Doe Run, MO; and one niece, Joan Clark of Doe Run, MO. He was preceded
in death by his parents, one brother, one half-brother, two half-sisters, and two step sons, Robert Chapman and
Chris Coniglio.