Iva Jean Vinyard

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Iva Jean Vinyard, 74, lifelong resident of Shawneetown died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2009, surrounded by her family after an extended illness.

Iva Jean was born near northeast of Shawneetown near Round Pond. She was born on Sept. 12, 1935, to the late George and Carrie (Huey) Joyner. On June 17, 1955, she married Charles Vinyard who preceded her in death. Iva Jean had a bachelor's degree in education and had taught for over 33 years as an elementary teacher, retiring from the Gallatin County School. She was a faithful member of the Shawneetown First Baptist Church where she had taught Sunday School and was always helping during Bible School. She loved to travel, and loved to be around the children at school and at church. She was a member of the Eastern Star, teachers' union and the Red Hat society. Iva Jean was a good mother, wife, sister, grandmother, and friend, though she will be missed but not forgot.

Iva Jean is survived by two sons, Chuck (Shelly) Vinyard of Shawneetown and Scott (Djuana) Vinyard of Shawneetown; grandchildren, Matt (Kim) Vinyard, Ashley Vinyard, Shana Vinyard and Logan Vinyard; a great-granddaughter, Lily Vinyard; stepfather, Ralph Etheridge of Dixon; brother, Edgar (Mary Lou) Joyner of Equality; brother, Gary (Jill) Joyner, of Geneseo; and a sister, Sue Joyner of Dixon; sister-in-law, Aldora Barnett; nephew, Charlie (Lisa) Joyner; and niece, Rhonda (Tim) Oldham.

She was preceded in death by a son, Charles Ray Vinyard; her husband; parents; brother-in-law, John Barnett; and nephew, Ernie Barnett.

Visitation for Iva Jean will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at the Cox and Son Funeral Home in Shawneetown and the funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Shawneetown. There will be visitation before the funeral at the church starting at 1 p.m. The Rev. Jack Hall will be officiating. Interment will be in the Westwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the First Baptist Church in Shawneetown.

You may leave a note of comfort to the family at the Internet site www.coxandson.com.