Vernon Michael Sechrest, 55, of Belle Rive died 1:52 p.m. July 9, 2006, at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He was a laborer at General Tire in Mt. Vernon.

Mr. Sechrest was born Saturday, Dec. 16, 1950, in Mt. Vernon to Ullon and Vera May (Weller) Sechrest.

He married Brenda Joyce Kemp May 12, 1977, in Mt. Vernon; she survives.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. The Rev. Roger Tate will officiate. Burial will follow in Hopewell Cemetery in Jefferson County, with full military honors conducted by members of Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. A Masonic service will be held 6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. A shrine walk through service will be held immediately following the Masonic service at the funeral home.

Mr. Sechrest is survived by his wife, Joyce Sechrest of Belle Rive; two daughters, Sandra Michelle Sechrest of Evans, Ga., and Laura Beth Harper of Ina; a grandson, Jayson Michael Sechrest of Ina; a brother, Greg Sechrest and wife Janet of Marble Hill, Mo.; three sisters, Vera Bloomquist and husband Larry of Granite City, Joyce Ann Witcher and husband Ron of Alton and Lois Elaine Tetrault of Tucson, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a niece.

Mr. Sechrest was a member of Marlow General Baptist Church, the Mt. Vernon Masonic Lodge, the Jefferson County Shrine Club and the Mt. Vernon Veterans of Foreign Wars.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information.

Source: Unknown Date: July 9, 2006 Submitted by: Ken Richardson

Submitted by: Janice Staples