James L. Bayles

Herrin- JAMES LOUIS BAYLES, of Herrin, passed away at 8:13am on Monday, November 14, 2011 at Herrin Hospital at the age of 79. James was born in Stonefort on March 12, 1932, the son of James Martin and Leona Catherine (Lorenz) Bayles. He married E. Sue (Sweeney) in Lake Charles, Louisiana, she survives. He is survived by his children, James A. Bayles of Herrin, John D. and Arenda Bayles of Herrin, Debbie and Mark Kiesling of Herrin, Pam and Jeff Martin of Collierville, TN and Connie and Mike Odum of Herrin. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Amanda Kiesling of Carbondale, Joseph and Brandy Martin of Melbourne, Florida, Jennifer and Sean Hamilton of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Alyssa and Shauna Bayles of Herrin. He is also survived by his great granddaughters, Madison, Cierra and Angel Kiesling of Herrin. Other survivors include his sisters Dorothy Trapani of Decatur, IL and Dora and Joe Palmer of Herrin, and his brother Robert and Mathilda Bayles of Stonefort, IL. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Other survivors include two best friends, Bill Gentry of Herrin and Larry Cox of Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, James M. Bayles, mother Leona Bayles, sisters Marge Bennett, Virginia Smothers and grandson David William Bayles. James served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1953 and was a Veteran of the Korean War. He was a past Commander of the American Legion and a member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. He was employed as plant supervisor at Allen Industries in Herrin and Canada, Turco Industries in DuQuoin, Reaco Battery in Johnston City, supervisor in Baltimore, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoyed remodeling homes and restoring old automobiles. He loved his family more than life itself. He would help anyone in need and was the best father anyone could ever ask for. A funeral mass will be held at 10am on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Monsignor Ken Schaefer officiating. Burial will follow at San Carlo Cemetery with military honors provided by Herrins American Legion and VFW Posts with assistance from the United States National Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin with a prayer service being held at 6pm on Wednesday evening at the funeral home. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to OLMC Education Foundation or the Shawnee Christian Nursing Center. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com