OBITUARY: The Rev. Eugene Franklin Black

The Rev. Eugene Franklin Black, 88 of Mattoon, died at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the Odd-Fellow Rebekah Home.

Born March 19, 1925, in Marion County, Eugene was the son of Eugene C. and Nellie L. (Eagan) Black. He married Helen Catherine Plowman on Sept. 9, 1945, in Vernon. Mr. Black served our country with the United States Army during World War II. After earning his master of divinity degree, Eugene served as a minister in the former Southern Illinois Conference (now Illinois Great Rivers Conference) of The United Methodist Church for 49 years, retiring in 1995. During that time, he pastored Eldorado First UMC from 1982 to 1989. He then served another 14 years as the Minister of Visitation with the Mattoon First United Methodist Church. He served as trustee of Beulah Holiness Camp for more than 50 years. In his free time, Eugene enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his loving wife, Helen, of Mattoon; two sons, Phillip Eugene Black of Mattoon and Paul Emmerson (Carolyn) Black of Springfield; two brothers, Lyle (Dorothy) Black of Salem and Dean (Elloise) Black of Vandalia; a sister, Marie E. Towler of Patoka; two sisters-in-law, Benita Black of Metropolis and Marilyn Black of Carbondale; two grandchildren, Jesse (Michelle) Black of Chatham and Andrew Black (fiancée Rebecca McCloud) of Pontiac; and two great-grandchildren, Brodie Grenko and Carson Grenko, both of Chatham.

Mr. Black was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Jesse Black, Earl Black, and Frank Black.

The funeral service celebrating his life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Ill. 61938. The Rev. Kenneth Cox and the Rev. Ron Dickinson will officiate. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday evening, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be in Peaceful Valley Cemetery, Odin. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be made to the Beulah Holiness Camp, in care of David Cole, 1710 Oakshire Road, Marion, Ill. 62959.

Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with his family.