John R. Lee

MCLEANSBORO - The Rev. John R. Lee, 84, died at 5:31 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2009, at his residence.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Ten Mile Church in McLeansboro, with the Revs. Mark Lee, Tim Lee and Harl Cockrum officiating. Burial will be in Oddfellows (IOOF) Cemetery in McLeansboro.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Monday, April 20 at the First General Baptist Church of McLeansboro.

He was born Dec. 5, 1924 in Harco, to John R. Lee, Sr. and Flossie (Satterfield) Lee.

He married Wanda Mae (Johnson) Lee on July 15, 1945 in Dale.

He was a retired minister, bus driver for Hamilton County Schools and roofer.

He was a member of the New Salem Baptist Church in Dale.

John began preaching in 1950 and pastured many church in his community. He loved gardening and fishing.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Seaman First Class in South Pacific and received the Bronze Star.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda Lee of McLeansboro; one daughter, Jennifer and husband, Danny Wilkerson of Alpharetta, Ga.; three sons, Tim Lee and wife, Connie of Rowlett, Texas, Terry Lee of Fishers, Ind., Roger Lee and wife, Penny, of McLeansboro and Mark Lee and wife, Rita of Pinckneyville; sister, Reva Phillips of McLeansboro; brother Roy Lee and wife, Minne of Evansville, Ind.; brother, Donald Lee of Powder Springs, Ga., sister, Laura Irvin and husband, Robert, of Carterville; sister, Wanda Dennis and husband, Morris, of Enfield; sister, Phyllis Bond and husband, Obe; brother, Robert Lee of McLeansboro; brother, Doyle Lee and wife, Pat, of St. Louis; sister, Marilyn Smith of McLeansboro; brother, David Lee and wife, Karla, of West Frankfort; 10 grandchildren, Veronica Heley and husband, James, of Brasselton, Ga., Derrick Wilkerson and wife, Misty, of Canton, Ga., Brian Lee and wife, Jennifer, of Sache, Texas, Jana Hooten and husband, Steve, of Rowlett, Texas, Amber Lee of Garland, Texas, Lori Halligan and husband, Michael, of Tallahassee, Fla., Amy Brown and husband, Mark, of Crawfordville, Fla., Bethany Moore and husband, Jason, of McLeansboro, Brittany McConachie and husband, Michael, of Pinckneyville, Courtney Lee of Pinckneyville; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Emerson Lee; and one great-grandson.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the General Baptist and Ten Mile Church as well as Harre Funeral Home.