William "Bill" Pohl

William "Bill" Pohl, 83, of West Frankfort went to be with the Lord and his wife 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29, 2013 at Herrin Hospital in Herrin.

He was born July 23, 1929, in Maud, the son of William M. and Helen (Wahler) Pohl. Mr. Pohl grew up a farm boy. He loved the outdoors.

He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1947. After serving as a military police investigator with the 519th MP Battalion with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he attended Eastern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He completed his final two years of studies at the University of Illinois and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. He worked as a soil conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture for 35 years and retired in 1986.

He was a devout member of St. John's Catholic Church, a 4th Degree Knight, Council No. 11111, Holy Name Member, and active at St. John's Church for many years.

He was an avid outdoorsman; hunting, fishing, arrowhead hunting, and gardening.

Bill was very generous and took pride in sharing the bounty of his garden with family and friends.

He married the love of his life, Rita Novasky, on June 16, 1956, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mount Carmel.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rita Pohl; his parents; a newborn sister, Catherine; and daughter, Rita "Gerri" Burton.

He is survived by his brothers, James "Jim" and wife Yvonne Pohl of Mount Carmel and Robert "Bob" Pohl of Texas; and one sister, Ida Mae Wilderman of Mt. Carmel.

He also is survived by his two daughters, Billie Jo "BJ" and husband Mark Holycross of Woodbridge, Va., and Anita "Nikki" Greer of Manchester and fiancé T.J. Brennan; one son, Patrick Joseph Pohl and fiancé Brandi Stewart of Freeman Spur; 16 grandchildren, Gabriel and Aidan Holycross of Woodbridge, Va., Wendy LaFaver and Robert of Green City, Mo., Tim Greer and Stephanie of Arenzville, Michelle Hoots and Zachary of Bluffs, Betsy Harnois and Stephen of Meredosia, Marissa and Rachele Pohl and Kailyn Stewart of Freeman Spur, John Hunt, Matthew Hunt, Joshua Burton and Trina Burton of Centralia, Charles Hunt and Greg (Rod Bernaix) Hunt of Tamaroa and Amanda Hunt of Marion; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at St. John's Catholic Church in West Frankfort with Fr. Sean Palas officiating.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 1, 2013, at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort. Burial will be held at a later date at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Mount Carmel.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Catholic School Endowment Fund. Donation envelopes will be available and accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences of sympathy may be made at www.unionfh.com.