John Anderson Sr.

MARION -- John Thomas "JT" Anderson Sr., 87, passed away at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2011, in Heartland Regional Medical Center, with his loved ones at his side.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Blue Funeral Home in Marion. The funeral will begin immediately at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Tim Ozment, Pastor of Aldersgate UMC, officiating. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery in Marion, where military rites will be conducted by VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the National Guard. Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans; envelopes are available during the services or may be sent C/O Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL 62959.

John was born Jan. 10, 1924, in West Frankfort to Thomas and Matilda (Vaughn) Anderson. He was raised by his mother and loving stepfather, L.R. Boatright. He is survived by his loving wife and life partner of 67 years, Betty Kelley Anderson, and two sons, John T. "Tom" Anderson Jr. (wife, Vicki), of Marion and Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Terry D. Anderson (wife, Cathy), of Divernon; grand-daughter, Amy O'Neal (Creston), and great-granddaughter, Lexi of Casa Grande, Ariz.; grandson BM2 John T. Anderson III (Michelle) and great-grandchildren Hailey, Dylan and Aniston of Edwardsville; granddaughters, Emily Anderson of Divernon and Kelley Anderson of Marion and grandson, Ian Anderson of Divernon; brothers the Rev. Fred M. Boatright of St. Charles, Mo., Thomas B. Anderson of Price, Utah, Robert W. Anderson and Dennis Anderson, both of Las Vegas; sister Lyn Shirky of Pahrump, Nev. He also leaves a large extended family of many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, George Roger Anderson; sisters, Betty R. Sheffler, Janice Simpson, and Emma Jean Taylor; as well as his brother-in-law and dearest friend, A. Lavern Kelley and brother-in-law, Donald Sheffler.

JT was a veteran of World War II and Korea, as an officer serving as navigator on B17 and B29 Bombers. He was a 32nd degree Mason, private pilot who loved flying his own plane and giving friends and family many "thrill rides," former chief of the Office of Housing and Buildings for the state of Illinois, appointed by Gov. James R. Thompson, housing consultant for wide variety of public housing units in many Illinois towns, appointed by President Ronald Reagan as Region Five FEMA Director, two-time candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives and was Republican State Central Committeeman and voted in the presidential electoral college to elect George H. W. Bush. He was the former owner of Anderson Aluminum Products, Anderson Building Materials, and the Citadel Building. He founded the American Association of Professional Salesmen. He served as co-chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee that helped establish John A. Logan College. After World War II, he was an avid HAM Radio operator and owned a radio repair business. He could possibly be thought of as one of the earliest recyclers in our area, vigilant to not waste even the smallest useful piece. He was also the equivalent almost to a human sponge as he soaked up knowledge in a variety of areas, including hypnosis, by observation, reading, and just envisioning something and then just making it work.

He joined the Old Central Methodist Church on March 24, 1940, in West Frankfort at the age of 16. He married Betty Louise Kelley on Feb. 16, 1945, in West Frankfort. He was a Christian, leaving his family with a peaceful certainty of knowing he left their hands and went home to the loving hands of his heavenly Father.

To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit www.bluefuneralhome.com.