Marion- Clarence William “Jerry” Ferguson, 75, of Marion, passed away at 1:50 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Jerry was born February 1, 1943 in Spillertown to Joe Douglas and Barbara Lillie (Dippey) Ferguson. He married Sally Ann McGill on June 16, 1962 in Herrin. She survives of Marion.
Jerry retired in 2007. He drove for UPS in northern Illinois until 1974 and worked with his dad and siblings running Ferguson Produce in Elgin, Illinois. He worked as a coal miner at Freeman Four Mine for twelve years and owned and operated his Ford tandem all around southern Illinois. He was a member of UMWA and IUOE Local 318. Together with his wife, he owned and operated Spillertown Food Mart. Jerry spent several years traveling with his two sons working for L.E. Lindsay Construction out of Granite City. He also spent many years working in local highway construction with his family business, Ferguson Contracting, before retirement.
He grew up hunting and fishing with his father and passed that love on through generations. He was a proud member of the Crab Orchard Boat & Yacht Club and the Marion Elks Lodge 800. Jerry was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, but his biggest love was always his family. He regularly expressed his immense pride in his wife, children, and grandchildren to anyone who would listen. Jerry also never let anyone forget he was only a phone call away if they needed anything from picking up parts to mowing everyone’s yards. His compassion and love for his family and friends was evident to anyone he met.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sally Ferguson of Marion; three children, William Scott (Dianna) Ferguson, George Kevin (Lori) Ferguson and Lori (Rusty) Ward all of Marion; seven grandchildren, Brandon Ferguson, Brittany (Christopher) Kamper, Gavin (Amanda) Ward, Tyler Ferguson, Bryson Ward, Maegan Ward, and Hannah Ferguson; four great-grandchildren, Weston Ward, Austin Kamper, Adalynn Dixon, and Jacob Ward; brothers Vernon (Wanda) Ferguson, Jimmy Ferguson, and Lindle Ferguson; sister Peggy Riggs; and special friends Jim (Karen) Sanson, Red (Susan) Polak, and Gene (Barb) Whitehead.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers- J.D. Ferguson, Larry Ferguson, and Marvin Ferguson; and sisters- Annafae Moorman and Judy Norris.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. An elder from the Church of Jehovah’s Witness will officiate. Burial will follow at Davis-Prairie Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Monday, June 25, 2018 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion.
Memorial donations are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home/ 800 N. Market/ Marion, IL 62959. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.