Alberta Bigler

Herrin- Alberta Bigler, age 87, of Herrin, passed away at 5:00am on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin. Alberta was born December 16, 1925 to Mamie (Butler) and Albert Gale in Gorham, IL along with her twin brother, Oakley.  After working on the Naval Base in San Leandro, California, she returned to Carbondale, IL where she met and married Raymond Paul Bigler on February 14, 1947.  He preceded her in death on July 22, 1985.   Alberta and Raymond owned and operated a farm east of Carbondale their entire married life.  She was a longtime member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale and since 1985 was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin.  Survivors include seven children, Rebecca (John) Bostian of Herrin, Danny (Ellie) of Carterville, Rhonda Bigler of Dayton, TN, Vera (Brad) Slankard of Herrin, Virginia Lewis of Bloomington, IL and her fiance, Erv, of Makanda, Doug (Alice) Bigler of Marion, and Ruth (Jeff) Dunn of Vienna. Also surviving are twenty grandchildren, Jaime Rawlinson, Julie Johnson, Leann and Lori Jackson, Diane Phillips, and James Jackson; Tammy Daech, Danny Bigler, Shannon Bigler; David Miller, Chris Miller; Kimberly Staley, Gregory Slankard; Matthew McGuire; Ryan Bigler, Dustin Bigler; Diana Bigler; Kelly Dunn, Kyle Dunn, and Keith Dunn; twenty great grandchildren and twelve great-great grandchildren.  Surviving siblings are twin brother Oakley Gale of Ava, sister, Mary Worthen of Metropolis and sister, Geraldine Dillow of Murphysboro.  Also surviving are numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers- Grover Gale of Sacramento and Glen Gale of Vergennes, and two sisters, Emma Vasquez of Lenzburg and Theda Graff of Murphysboro.    Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Monsignor Ken Schaefer officiating.  Burial will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin with a rosary being recited at 5:00 PM, Tuesday at the funeral home. A visitation will also be held from 9-10am on Wednesday at our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin.  For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Education Foundation or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.  Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13^th Street; Herrin, IL 62948.  For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com