Obituary: Thomas N. Poston
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Thomas N. Poston, 81, of Harrisburg, passed away at 1:40 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Saline Care Center.
Thomas was born on Saturday, Feb. 7, 1931, in Casner Township of Jefferson County, to the late Robert Leslie and Annie (Downes) Poston. He married Barbara (Wiley) Bowles on Saturday, Aug. 11, 1973, and she survives.
Thomas was an engineer tech for Soil and Water Conservation with United States Department of Agriculture. He also worked for the Forestry Service and Arclar Mine. He was a graduate of Ashley High School and received training at Southern Illinois University. Thomas was an Army veteran serving in the Philippines during the Korean War. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Harrisburg and a lifetime member of the Anna American Legion.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Barbara of Harrisburg; daughter, Brenda Poston of Carbondale; son, Michael Poston and wife Yvonne of Pomona; stepson, James Bowles and wife Deborah of Lynchburg, Va.; stepson, Joel Bowles and wife Monzelle of Carrier Mills; stepdaughter, Lisa Bowles Black of Avon Park, Fla.; brother, George Poston and wife Lois of Ashley; seven grandchildren, Bryon Poston, Heather Aslinger, John Poston, Jennifer Hutchinson, Sarah Purdue, Joel Graves and Emily Caldwell; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. The Rev. Biff Moore will officiate and burial will follow in Lindale Cemetery at Eldorado. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2012 and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012, at Reed Funeral Chapel. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Harrisburg American Legion Post No. 167. Memorials may be made in Thomas' honor to the Alzheimer's Association or the First Christian Church. Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at the Internet site www.reedfuneralchapel.com.