Frank Scherrer

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Frank J. Scherrer was born July 14, 1922, in Shawneetown to Theodore Scherrer and Regina (Herman) Scherrer. He married Madge V. Pemberton on June 23, 1942, in Princeton, Ind., and she preceded him in death on Feb. 9, 1995.

Frank attended Lockyear's Business College and worked for the Southern Railway Company before enlisting with the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during World War II. He served from Sept. 30, 1942, to Nov. 1, 1945, obtaining the rank of master sergeant. Frank served in the Persian Gulf Command and maintained membership in the PGC Veterans Organization. He was awarded the 40th Anniversary Russian Commemorative Medal in 1985.

Frank was employed in the coal industry for 33 years, first with Princeton Mining Company and later with Old Ben Coal Company. While raising his family in Princeton, Ind., Frank served 23 years on the Gibson County Department of Welfare board and 16 years with Little League baseball, nine as president. Following his retirement as manager of human resources for Old Ben, Frank organized the AARP Tax-Aid program for the elderly in Mount Vernon. He served as AARP administration specialist for Illinois Area 2.

Frank was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, serving as past president and current member of the Parish Council. He was a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Mount Vernon Rotary Club, Centralia Squares Dance Club, Senior Circle, King City Dinner Club, Chowder Club and the Senior Saints Hall of Fame.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 52 years; and four brothers, Herman, Daniel, Hubert and Thomas Scherrer.

He is survived by two daughters, Susan Jane Williams of Princeton, Ind., and MaryAnne Foster and husband Doug of Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.; three sons, James L. and wife Carol of Oak Park, Joseph P. and wife Lynn of Orangevale, Calif. and Jerry L. and wife Betsy of Evanston; sister-in-law, Gertrude Scherrer of Harrisburg; 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friend, Nell Blastick of Centralia.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Monsignor Carl Scherrer and the Rev. Father John Iffert officiating. The Chaplain of Mount Vernon American Legion Post No. 141 will conduct a Military Flag Presentation Service at the church. Graveside committal service and burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Princeton, Ind. at 2 p.m. Thursday. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon with Biblical Wake service beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Chalice Service conducted by the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to St. Mary's School and will be accepted at the funeral home and the church or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mount Vernon, Ill., 62864.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call (618) 242-3348 or visit the Internet site www.hugheyfuneralhome.com for further information and to send condolences.