Eugene B. "Cotton" Wright

MONTICELLO - Eugene B. "Cotton" Wright, 86, of Monticello, formerly of Bement, died 8:35 a.m. Monday (March 29, 2010) in Provena Covenant Medical Centery, Urbana. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Bement United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mark Smith officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the church. Burial will be in Bement Township Cemetery. Arrangements by: Roux-Hinds Funeral Home, Bement. Memorials: Bement United Methodist Church or Bement Lions Club. Cotton was born Nov. 18, 1923, in Bement, the son of Ralph and Elsie Burr Wright. He was a farmer for 46 years and a city carrier of mail for 16 years. He was a 4-H leader for 10 years and received the State of Illinois 4-H Alumni Award. He was secretary and board member of the Piatt County Farm Bureau for 12 years, a board member of the Piatt County Forest Preserve Park, a member of the Bement United Methodist Church and a 45-year member of the Bement Lions Club, of which Cotton was very proud to hold every office position in the Bement club. He also received the Foundation Fellow Award from the Lions Club International, given for his many years of outstanding service to his club and community. He also was a board member of the Bement Grain Co. for many years. He married Margaret Frye on June 2, 1946, in Bement. Surviving are his wife; children, Geni (Joe) Roark of St. Joseph; Russel (Debbie) Wright of Ivesdale; Peggy (Bob) Wells and Penny (Andy) Warren, both of Bement; grandchildren, Meg Roark Birch; Matthew Wright; Marcus Wright; Sarah Auth; Paul Wright; Lucas Swaim; Jordan Swaim; Olivia Warren; and Hannah Warren; great-grandchildren, Zacary Wright; Tatum Auth; Kadey Wright; Kendyl Wright; Jaxon Wright; Sammantha Swaim; Dawson Swaim; and Marley Roark Birch; brother, Ralph Earl Wright of Cisco; and sister, Flo Wittig of Monticello. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Karen Wright. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp