Charles Laverne Morton

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Charles Laverne Morton, age 77, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in Des Peres Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Charles was born on Feb. 18, 1934 in Pinckneyville, Ill., a son to Lawrence and Matilda (Korando) Morton. On November 7, 1994, he married Marilyn S. Jones in Paducah, Ky. and she survives. Charles was a veteran of the United Stated Navy and was of the Catholic faith. Charles worked for Mighty Fine Pudding for 20 years, was a school bus driver for the Pinckneyville schools for 10 years and was a water treatment operator for the City of Pinckneyville, Ill. for over 20 years. He was a member of the V.F.W. and American Legion. Charles enjoyed golf, was an avid Pinckneyville Panther basketball fan and played minor league baseball for the Expos.

Charles is survived by his wife, Marilyn Morton of Pinckneyville, Ill.; two sons, Brett Morton (special friend, Rhonda Musgrave) of Anna, Ill. and Bryan Morton (special friend, Amanda Hepp) of Pinckneyville, Ill.; one daughter, Michelle Beckwith of Collinsville, Ill.; step-daughter, Laura (Matt) Griffin of Marion, Ill.; brother-in-law, Clyde (Kaaren) Jones of Kansas City, Mo.; five grandchildren, Christopher (Melissa) Morton of Woodlawn, Ill., Nathan Morton of Pinckneyville, Ill., Jennifer (Steve) Knebel of Collinsville, Ill., Chelsea Henseler (special friend, Mike Langston) of Collinsville, Ill. and Nicole Morton (special friend, Eric Cook) of Salem, Ill.; step-granddaughter, Ashley Estes of Johnston City, Ill.; two great-grandchildren, Bailey and Lainey Morton and his "boy" Rusty the dog.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and step-mother, Bess Morton.

Funeral services were held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Brian Barker officiating. Interment was in St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Murphysboro, Ill.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Memorials may be made to Perry County Humane Society or the V.F.W. in Du Quoin, Ill.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.