Carl B. Ferrell

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Carl B. Ferrell, 92, of Carbondale, formerly of Eldorado, Memphis, Tenn., and Little Rock, Ark., born May 22, 1916, in Chicago, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Fountainview in Eldorado.

Carl grew up in Eldorado and married his high school sweetheart, Vivian Baker Ferrell of Raleigh, in April 1939. Following his Army service as a medic in the South Pacific during World War II, Carl earned his bachelor of science degree and master of science degree from the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale College of Science and served as an instructor in physiology at SIUC. He completed doctoral coursework in physiology at the University of Tennessee, going on to serve as administrative officer for research at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark., and adjunct faculty in the Department of Physiology at the University of Arkansas Medical School.

He was active in his church, including Westover Hills Presbyterian in Little Rock, Ark., and First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale, and volunteered with numerous community services.

Carl was a lifelong learner, inventive and interested in the world around him. In retirement, he enjoyed travel, gardening and home projects yet his greatest pleasure came in spending time with others. Always a lively host, he loved to entertain. He was deeply devoted to his family. He was a loyal, caring friend. Because of his sweetness, warmth and humor, this circle of friends continued to grow even into his final days. Carl Ferrell was known and loved for his generosity, his determination, his energy and his playful spirit.

Carl is survived by daughters, Nancy Ferrell (Michael Yde) of Seattle, Wash., and Renee Ferrell Dillard (Greg Dillard) of Makanda; grandsons, Logan and Lane Dillard; sisters-in-law, Jewell Johnson of Evansville, Ind., and Laura Burgard of Lake Worth, Fla.; brother-in-law, John Emil Baker (Vivian D.) of Ocala, Fla.; and many loving nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Vivian; by his parents, John Vernon and Nell Cook Ferrell of Eldorado; by beloved siblings, Robert V. Ferrell, Mary Ferrell Blackman, and Virginia Ferrell Lewis; and by dear brothers and sisters-in-law.

Carl chose to make an anatomical gift to the SIU School of Medicine, with assistance and support provided by Colonial Terrace. Stories may be shared on-line at colonialterracefuneralhome.com. A private memorial gathering for friends and family will be held in coming weeks. Tributes in memory of his life and spirit may be made to the First Presbyterian in Carbondale, to the Alzheimer's Association of St. Louis, Mo., or to the SIU Foundation designated either to the Jackson County or the Southeast Illinois Alumni Scholarship funds.

Condolences may be sent via the Internet site www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com.