Obituaries

William Thomas Haywood, Jr, a veteran of the Vietnam War and longtime resident of Grayville, IL, passed away on January 24, 2024. Tom, as he was known to many in the area, was born on April 27, 1945 to Tom and Margaret (Whitehead) Haywood and graduated from Grayville High School before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1963. In the Air Force, he served as a jet engine mechanic until 1967. During his Air Force career, he received several awards and citations and was nominated for Airmen of the Year in 1966.

Glen Allen Lawrence, 74, of Browns, Illinois, died Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Manhattan, Illinois. He was born October 1, 1949, in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Joseph Theodore Lawrence and Lena (Enlow) Lawrence. He was married to Donna (Tolley) Lawrence in 1972, and she preceded him in death on September 26, 2021.

Caroline "Carol"  (Englebright) Williamson, 75, of Cummings, GA passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024. Carol was born in Carmi, IL on June 13, 1948 the daughter of Charles Frederick and Edna Lucille (Fields) Englebright. She grew up in Enfield and married Garree Williamson at the First Methodist Church in Carmi on September 15, 1968.

Carl Richard Drake, age 67 and resident of McLeansboro, IL, passed away at 7:50 p.m., Thursday, April 11, 2024 at his residence. Carl was born May 1, 1956 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Charles Richard Drake and Ruth Ann (Eckel).

 William "Ed" Poshard, 90, of Carmi, passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana. He was born on November 19, 1933, in Herald, Illinois, the son of Louis Ezra and Cleatus Rose (O'Neal) Poshard. Ed married Phyllis Jean Fishback on July 21, 1959, and she survives. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Ed worked as an insurance agent for 42 years at State Farm Insurance in Carmi. He attended Ditney Ridge Baptist Church. Ed enjoyed camping, riding his bicycle and traveling. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Joan Dee Butts, 77, of Grayville, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Meadowbrook Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Grayville, Illinois. She was born on December 2, 1946, in Virginia, the daughter of Paul Wayne and Bobbi McGhee. Joan married Paul Eugene Butts and he preceded her in death on December 20, 1996. She loved being with her cats.

 Stanley Fields "Stan" Hart, of Enfield, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana. He was born on August 13, 1942, in Brownsville, Illinois, the son of Glendall Dale and Frances Elaine (Miller) Hart.

Geraldine “Gerry” Swartz, 99, of McLeansboro, IL passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro.

Jewel D. Stocke, 98, of Carmi, Illinois, died Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Wabash Senior Living and Rehabilitation in Carmi, Illinois. She was born July 17, 1925, in Springerton, Illinois, the daughter of Clyde and Lela (White) McGehee. She was married to Clarence William “Bill” Stocke, and he preceded her in death on May 17, 2013.

Casey Irene Hebner, 39, of Grayville, Illinois, died Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  She was born December 31, 1984, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, the daughter of Ted and Teresa (Higginson) Fisk.