Byrum J. "Red" WADDELL, 87, of Opdyke died at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007, at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, at the Chapel at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Woodlawn, with the Rev. Kenneth HOLLAND officiating.

Burial will follow in theMt. Vernon Memorial Gardens. There will be no visitation; those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery. The Johnston Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon is in charge of arrangements. He was born Sept. 7, 1920, in Walnut Ridge, Ark., the son of Thomas Clyde and Maude (SMITH) WADDELL.

He married Madeline (KEEN) in 1941, and she preceded him in death in 1979.

Mr. WADDELL then married Shirley J. CHAMP on June 12, 1980, and she survives.

Mr. WADDELL worked for Neon Sign for 42 years. He was a member of the Mt. Vernon Moose and Elks lodges. He was a member of the IBEW for more than 50 years.

Mr. WADDELL is survived by his wife, Shirley J. WADDELL of Opdyke; son, Clyde WADDELL and wife, Jane, of Sandoval; daughter, Gailene DEES and husband, Donald, of Benton; stepson, Bob CHAMP and wife, Karen, of Mt. Vernon, stepdaughter, Farla CHAMP; daughter-in-law, Sheryl WADDELL of Mt. Vernon; 11 grandchildren, Marjorie BROWN, Beverly RIECHERT, Gary WADDELL, Jerry WADDELL, Catherine WADDELL, Stacie WADDELL, Joee(sic) WADDELL, Donald DEES II, April DEES, Tiffany MENDENHALL and Ryan CHAMP; 23 great-grandchildren; and 11 great great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Madeline; one son, Jerry WADDELL; a sister, Ruth; a brother, Woodrow; and an infant sister.

Source: Benton Evening News, Benton IL
Date: Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Submitted by: Unknown