John Roberts Obituary

WHITTINGTON -- John Henry Roberts, 79, died at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mount Vernon.

Mr. Roberts was born Oct. 12, 1933, in Sesser, the son of Clifford and Alenne (Lasley) Roberts.

He married the former Elizabeth Meyers on Nov. 19, 1955, and she preceded him in death Oct. 14, 2003.

John was a retired coal miner from the Consolidated Coal Company Rend Lake Mine and a member of the UMWA.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

He was a member of the Benton Elks, Boneyard Boccie Club, Benton American Legion and V.F.W., and West Frankfort Moose Lodge. He was a 33rd degree Mason, member of the Benton Masonic Lodge 64, Scottish Rite Bodies, and Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and playing cards.

Surviving relatives include a daughter, Pamela J. (Bill) Vandermeir of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a son, Jeffery A. (Beth) Roberts of Whittington; three grandchildren, Benjamin Vandermeir of Lakeland, Fla., Courtney Vandermeir of St. Petersburg, and Ethan Roberts of Whittington; one great-grandchild, Colton Vandermeir of Lakeland; two brothers and one sister, Paul (Elizabeth) Roberts, Jim (Carleen) Roberts, Wanda (Ted) Thompson, all of Sesser; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and several special friends.

Mr. Roberts was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a sister, Shirley Stubbins; and an infant brother, Kenneth Roberts.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p. m. today, Feb. 28, and 11 a.m. to 1 p. m. Friday, March 1, at Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory in Benton, with Masonic Rites and Elks Rites performed at 7:30 p. m. Funeral services will be at 1 p. m. Friday at the funeral home, with Pastor Eric Drake officiating. Military funeral honors will be performed by the Benton American Legion, VFW and Marion National Guard Honor Squad. His body will be cremated after the funeral services.

Memorials may be made to Elks Crippled Children Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To sign the memorial guestbook, visit www.hobbsjohnson.com.

Published by The Southern Illinoisan from Feb. 27 to Feb. 28, 2013.
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