Peter M. Vinsavage

Herrin-Peter M. Vinsavage, 93, of Herrin, passed away at 6:50 PM, Friday, July 30, 2010 at Herrin Hospital. Peter was born on January 11, 1917 in Herrin to Anthony Tony & Bernice (Vilkus) Vinsavage. He graduated Herrin High School (the first in his family to do so) in 1936 and was All State in the low hurdles in 1935. He was inducted into the Herrin High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He was a WWII veteran and served as a pharmacist mate in the US Coast Guard. While enlisted in the Coast Guard he met Gladys C. Mical and they were married on November 15, 1945 in Lowell, MA. She preceded him in death on April 24, 1995. Peter was traffic manager at Norge in Herrin from 1946 until his retirement in 1982. He also served as an officer of the Quarter Century Club at Norge. He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin and served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus #2164 and was past president of the Holy Name Society. He enjoyed calling bingo at the K of C Hall on Saturday nights and was an avid fisherman and rose gardener. Peter was past president of the Transportation Club of Little Egypt and a former member of the Kiwanis. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Drs. Javier Muniz and Lori Guyton and the staff of Herrin Hospital and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their compassion and care and the staff of Kew Gardens in Herrin for feeding him for fifteen years. Survivors- Daughter- Pat Searcy & husband Bill of Carterville Daughter- Rosemary Cookey Flora & husband Sim of Arkadelphia, AR Daughter- Susan Vollmer & husband Charlie of Festus, MO Daughter- Gladys Mickey McCowen of Nashville, TN Grandchildren: Scott Searcy & wife Alison of New York, NY James Searcy of Carbondale Simmy Flora & wife Jennifer of Arkadelphia, AR Nick Flora & wife Carrie of Nashville, TN Heather Anderson & husband Matt of Troy, MO Matt, Becky & Robert Vollmer of Festus, MO David McCowen of Nashville, TN John McCowen of Herrin Great Grandchildren: Ashleigh Vollmer Grace & Jacob Anderson Connor Searcy Benjamin Flora to be born very soon Nieces & Nephews: Tony Vinsavich of Centreville, VA Steve Vinsavich of Birmingham, AL Stella McClernon of Springfield, IL Bernice Mayfield of Indianapolis, IN Gene Mantovani of Carbondale He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters Anna Stanavich-Minkel & Eva Nicks and brothers- Joseph Vinsavage & Tony Vinsavich. The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. Father Richard Mohr will officiate. Burial will follow at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin. Military rites will be performed at graveside by the Herrin American Legion and VFW Posts with assistance provided by the Illinois National Guard. Visitation will be from 6-8:00 PM, Monday, August 2, 2010 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. The rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM, Monday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to San Carlo Cemetery and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home/ 201 S. 13th St/ Herrin, IL 62948.