Ralph L. Emery

Ralph L. Emery, age 79, of Marion, died Monday, July 30th at 8:30 P.M. at the V.A. Medical Center in Marion, Illinois. Visitation for Mr. Emery was from 6:00-9:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 1st at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. The funeral service was at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 2nd with Revs. Marlin Otte & Jerry Schell officiating. Entombment followed at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Energy, Illinois, with military rites at the gravesite by Marion VFW Post #1301. Memorials for Mr. Emery may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Marion Senior Citizens Center. He was born September 1, 1921 in Marion to Delbert L. & Edna Pearl (Jearlds) Emery. They preceded him in death. He married Betty Jean Saul on August 12, 1945 in Piggott, Arkansas. Mr. Emery retired from the Marion Water Department and the Laborers Union in 1985. He loved to fish, garden, and go out for coffee with his friends. He was a World War II Veteran and a member of VFW Post #1301 in Marion. He was also a member of the Marion Senior Citizens. Ralph accepted Christ in his home and was later baptized by Pastor Marlin Otte on June 11, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean, three sons and two daughters-in-laws: David, Thomas & Cheryl, and Richard & Ruth Emery, four grandchildren: Jennie Danner, Rachel Butler, Lindsey Emery & Ryan Emery, all of Marion, and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law, Glen & Wilma Jean Emery, Bob & Lanna Emery, and Jerry Dale & Pat Emery, all of Marion; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Myrna & Ray Smith of Marion and Louise & Alvin Beasley of Crab Orchard. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Cletus, Dean & Delbert, Jr., and two sisters, Faye Boles & Wreatha Emery