Ronald G. Prince

Herrin- RONALD GENE PRINCE, age 68, of Herrin, passed from his life to the next at 1:10am on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at Herrin Hospital. Ron was born in Mortons Gap, Kentucky on October 21, 1940, the son of Enoch and Martha (Whitherspoon) Prince. He married Rita Faye Mize in Bush, Illinois on December 11, 1999. She survives in Herrin. Mr. Prince was a member of the Crossroads Tabernacle Church. Ron was a coal miner by trade, working in Kentucky and Illinois mines, but had to retire due to medical reasons. His name is on the Miners Wall in Herrin. In his spare time, he loved to camp and fish. Ron leaves behind his wife- Rita Prince of Herrin; Ritas children and grandchildren: Roxanna Parker Maker and husband Charles and grandson Gregory Parker of Marion, IL; Chester Helderman and his wife Kenya and granddaughter Kenlee due in March of Troy, IL. He could not have loved these children more if they had been his own, including Kenlee, before she was even here. He also leaves behind a mother and father-in-law- Virginia and Eugene Jones of Herrin; a brother- Terry Prince and his wife Hiedy and their children- Randy Prince and Reina and Migule Chacon of St. Joseph, IL; brother-Rex and his wife Cathy Jo Mize of Herrin and Rexs children- Rex Jr and his wife Teresa and son James Mize of Hurst, Crystal and husband Tracy Issacs and children Caleb and Elizabeth of Sesser, Roy and wife Jami Mize and children Tommy and Timpthy of Pevely, MO; other nephews include Glen and Shelia Marks and children Samantha, Little Glen, and Taylor of Coello, IL; James and wife Tracy and their daughter Savana Marks of Tunnel Hill; Ricky and Yvone Marks of Florida; sister-in-law- Rebecca Holland and her children- Christian Trammel of Murphysboro, Raymond and Katy Helderman and Robin and Cherry Holland all of Christopher. Ron also leaves behind his little dog, Baby, that he loved as much as a child. They were always together. In the past year or so, Ron had grown very fond of his cousins, James and Bessie Green and Imagene Withersoon, all of Kentucky. Also special friends- Rev. Elva Robinson and her husband Donald, David and Susie Godfrey of Bush, Eunice Moeller, Rev. Todd Hawk, and Verna and Richard Branscum, who he loved like a brother. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-Bobby, an infant brother- Randy, a sister-in-law- Martha Marks, nieces- Amanda Marks and Twila Moeller, and special friends- Rev. Naomi and Robert Carter. The family would like to thank everyone for their help, kind words, and mostly their prayers. Funeral services will be held at 1:30pm on Friday, January 9, 2009 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin with Rev. Don Colson, Rev. Todd Hawk and Rev. Ryan Thorpe officiating. Burial will follow at Blairsville Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-9pm on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13th Street; Herrin, IL 62948. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com