Charles D. Holmes

Marion- CHARLES D. HOLMES, age 85, of Marion, passed away at 11:35am on Friday, April 13, 2007 at his residence in Marion. Charles was born April 1, 1922 in Marion, the son of E. Cecil and Ethel E. (Henderson) Holmes. On January 28, 1950, he was united in marriage with Winifred J. Lay at Marion, and together they shared nearly 47 happy years of marriage, until her passing on December 12, 1996. Mr. Holmes was a 1939 graduate of Marion Township High School and a 1947 graduate of Southern Illinois University with a major in music education. Formerly a professional musician, he maintained a lifelong interest in music performance. During World War II, in 1942, Charles answered the call to the US Army, in which he served mostly as a Bandsman. He served overseas at Manila, Philippine Islands with the 281st Army Ground Forces Band, from which he was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Technical Sergeant. During the Korean Conflict, he also served for a year with the 25th Army Band. Charles retired in 1978 from a 36 year service with the former Railway Mail Service and the Marion Post Office, where he was Superintendent of Mails during his last sixteen years of employment. After that, he was employed as a bank courier for eighteen years by United Computer Services and Lanter Delivery Systems. At an early age, he accepted Christ as her personal savior, and later he became a member of the First Baptist Church of Marion, where he served as a member of the Celebration Choir, church orchestra, Praise band, instrumental ensembles, and in many of the elective offices of the church. Other memberships included the Marion Senior Center Council; American Association of Retired Persons; National Association of Postal Supervisors; Life Member of Heyde-Pillow VFW Post 1301; the John Philip Sousa (All Musicians) American Legion Post 1112 of New York, NY; John A. Logan College Community Band; a charter member of the Southern Illinois Concert Band; a former member of the Rend Lake Civic Symphony Orchestra, the Pyramid Players and other musical groups. As a member of the VFW/American Legion Ritual Team, Charles sounded Taps more than five hundred times at the graveside rites for departed military veterans and other ceremonies. Charles is survived by one son, Mark S. Holmes, of Marion; several cousins, and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Winifred; his parents; and a stillborn son, Jeffrey Lynn. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion, with Rev. Floyd Dorris officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with Military Honors performed by the Marion VFW post 1301 and the Marion American Legion Post 147 Ritual Teams. Visitation will be held from 5-8pm on Monday, April 16, 2007 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society; the American Diabetes Association; the American Heart Association; or to a charity of the donors choice. Envelopes will be available at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home; 800 N. Market Street; Marion, IL 62959. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com