Gilbert "Jimmy" Karcher

Gilbert J. "Jimmy" Karcher, 86, of McLeansboro, passed away at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at Riverview Apartments in East Peoria.He was born in Belle Prairie on July 23, 1923, a son of Oscar and Rosa (Pfister) Karcher. He married Pauline Dolan on Nov. 25, 1948, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Enfield. He was a retired farmer.Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Piopolis with Monsignor Joseph Lawler and Father Jim Sauer officiating. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Piopolis. Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 106 of McLeansboro.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.Mr. Karcher is survived by his wife, Pauline Karcher of McLeansboro; two sons, Kevin Karcher and wife Beth of Washington and Kent Karcher and wife Debbie of Washington; two daughters, Karen Kinker and husband Jeff of Olney, Md., and Karla Kovarik and husband Dough of Naperville; nine grandchildren, Erin and Alicia Karcher of Rockville, Md., Nicholas Karcher and wife Amanda of Germantown Hills, Dana Kinker of New York City, Katelyn Kinker of Washington, D.C., Kacy Karcher and Jill Karcher of Washington and Kyle Kovarik and Anna Kovark of Naperville; and one sister, Marcella Miller of McLeansboro.He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Alberta Karcher and Viola Grubb; and two brothers, Leo and Linus Karcher.Mr. Karcher was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Piopolis and was a member of the Holy Name Society at the church. He served on the first Unit 10 School Board of Education for two years; the Hamilton Memorial Hospital Board for 18 years; the Hamilton County ASCS County Committee for 21 years; the Hamilton County Extension Council; the North Hamilton County Coal Association when it was formed until a couple of years ago; and was a member of the American Legion Post 106 and VFW in McLeansboro.He served in the U.S. Army at the rank of first lieutenant during World War II, serving in the European Battlefield. He received three Battle Stars. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hamilton Memorial Hospital District Foundation and will be accepted at Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro, which is in charge of all arrangements.