Obituary: Charles O. Springs

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Charles O. Springs, 87, a resident of the Dallasania community in rural Carrier Mills, passed away at 10:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 2011.

He was born in Williamson County on May 15, 1924, son of the late Orval Springs and Ina (Sims) Springs. On June 29, 1947, he married the former Murl Travelstead, who survives.

Charles was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Army in German during World War II. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal, as well as the Bronze Star. Upon his return from service, he enrolled in diesel mechanic school in St. Louis, and after he graduated, he became an employee of Fabick Caterpillar Co. in Marion, traveling over much of Southern Illinois to repair diesel equipment. Later, he worked for United Mine Workers of America, working for the Will Scarlet and Delta Mines as a mechanic.

He was a member of the Faith Chapel in rural Carrier Mills.

Survivors include his wife, Murl Springs; daughter, Donna (Charles) Hearn of Carrier Mills; son, Tom (Pam) Springs of Miami, Fla.; two grandchildren, Leslie (Shaun) Galovich of Abilene, Texas and J.T. (Emily) Hearn of Murray, Ky.; three great-grandchildren, Adalyn and Emery Galovich and Braxton Hearn; and a sister, Ruth (Harold) Maynard of Granite City.

He was preceded in death in addition to his parents by two sisters, Nancy Carter and Mary Dahmer; and one brother, J.C. "Carlyn" Springs.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills with the Rev. George Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Spring Grove Cemetery in rural Carrier Mills.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011.

The preferred choice of remembrance would be memorials in lieu of flowers in his memory to the Faith Chapel, Spring Grove Cemetery or Coal Bank Springs Cemetery. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.