Arthur L. Lovin, 83, of Mt. Vernon died 3:45 p.m. March 16, 2006, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad as a switchman/yardmaster until failing health.

Mr. Lovin was born Oct. 25, 1922, in Franklin County to Henry Ceburn and Emma (Gifford) Lovin.

He married Esther (Swartzlander) Lovin Oct. 4, 1942, in Mt. Vernon; she survives.

Memorial services and a Masonic service will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Johnston Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. The Rev. Kenneth Holland will officiate. Burial will follow at Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Mt. Vernon. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Johnston Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon and the family will greet friends after 10 a.m. Monday until the time of the service.

Mr. Lovin is survived by his wife, Esther Lovin of Mt. Vernon; a son, Dan Lovin and wife Kathy of Chattanooga, Tenn.; daughters Darla Beerup and husband Bob of Hudson and Tami Lovin of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren Heather (Frank) Smyth, Mariah (Jim) Stelte and Matthew (Stacy) Beerup, all of Normal, Brian (Amanda) Lovin of Chattanooga, Tenn., Lance (Jennifer) Gentles of Du Quoin, Alex (Tiffany) Gentles of Dix and Alicia Sheldon of Mt. Vernon; great-grandchildren Ashleigh Stelte and Jenna Smyth of Normal, Kolbey Gentles of Dix and Bailey Leonard of Du Quoin; brothers Harvey (Irene) Lovin of Mt. Vernon and Bill (Mary) Lovin of Arrow Rock, Mo.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Henry Lovin; and three sisters, Helen Lovin, Mildred Rohrich and Bernice Lovin.

Mr. Lovin was of the Baptist faith. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a 53-year member of Jefferson County Masonic Lodge of Opdyke 368, a dual member of Mt. Vernon Masonic Lodge 31 and a member of Royal Mason of Illinois-Patton Commandery 69, Little Egypt A.M.D 400, KYCH Knights of York Rite and Mt. Vernon Order of the Eastern Star 233. He was a dual member of Benton Order of the Eastern Star 425, a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of York Rite College of Salem Council 97, Andrew D. Webb 160 and Sword of Bunker Hill.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at Johnston Funeral Home, 122 N. 10th St., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. For further information, you may contact Johnston Funeral Home at 242-0604.

Source: Register-News
Date: March 19, 2006
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman