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Loran Eugene Davis, 86 of Vergennes, died at 3:44pm on Wednesday, April
20, 2011 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Loren was born on December
27, 1924 in Marion, IL., a son to the late Samuel Eugene and Delpha Ann
(Smith) Davis. He was united in marriage to Alma Marie Blacklock on June
15, 1946 in Vergennes, Alma survives of Vergennes. He was a member of the
Wesley United Methodist Church in Vergennes. Loran attended Porter Valley
Grade School west of Dowell, IL., and Vergennes High School graduating in
1942. Loran was a U.S. Navy veteran serving during W.W.II he enlisted in
October of 1942 with his brother Glen only to be separated at Great Lakes
Naval Training Center. He spent 3 years and 4 months in Africa and Italy
and flew air support for the convoy during the Normandy invasion in June
of 1944. He flew in a PV1 twin engine bomber where he served as a top
turret gunner. He flew 49 missions over France, Spain, and Italy and in
French Northwest Africa. He experienced 4 emergency landings during this
period flying combat missions. Loran was retired from Consolidated Coal
Company he operated a bulldozer, stripping shovel, coal loader, excavator
wheel, and he ended his 44 year career as a carpenter at the mine. He was
an avid duck and squirrel hunter before deer hunting became his passion
where he devoted many hours driving to and from Union County with his
sons. He took many trips to Colorado, Arizona, and Idaho deer and elk
hunting. He enjoyed taking his family on numerous summer vacations. He was
a talented carpenter, welder and fix-it-man. He was a life member of the
DeSoto, DuQuoin, Pinckneyville, and Murphysboro Masonic Lodges; he was a
member of Murphysboro Council of Cryptic Masons NO.49. He was a 50 year
member of the Scottish Rite Masons, a member of the Ainad Temple AA ONMS
of East St. Louis. He was a member of White Shrine of Jerusalem where he
served as the Watchman of Sheppard's many times. Also he was the District
Deputy of the Southern Illinois Counties for the Masons. He was a member
of Beauseant Commandery NO.69 Knights Templar of Murphysboro. He was also
a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7190 in Murphysboro.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Wesley
United Methodist Church in Vergennes with Rev. Susan Burnett officiating.
Burial with military rites by the American Legion Paul Stout Post 127,
V.F.W. Post 7190 both of Murphysboro, V.F.W. Post 2605 Carbondale and
Jackson County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 69 will follow at
Parrish Cemetery near Vergennes. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00
p.m. Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Wesley United Methodist Church in
Vergennes and from 9am until the hour of services on Saturday. Masonic
services will be conducted at 7pm on Friday at the church. Memorial s are
encouraged and may be made to the Parrish Cemetery Association, the Wesley
United Methodist Church or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children and will
be accepted at the church. Survivors include his wife Alma of 64 years and
10 months, one daughter and son-in-law; Donna Marie Whitaker-Mitchell and
her husband Scott Mitchell of Olney, IL., three sons and daughters-in-law;
Loran Eugene "Gene" Davis Jr. and wife Carol of Shelbyville, IL., Barry
Lynn and Theresa Davis of Murphysboro, and Martin Lee and Susan Davis of
Vergennes, two sisters and brothers-in-law; Hazel Lee and Dow Odom of
Marion, IL., and Dorothy Rea and Bill McKinnis of Walkerton, IN., nine
grandchildren; Heather Seaton, Corey Eugene (Amber) Davis, Jamie (Bob)
Newell, Deana Whitaker, Justin (Kaleen) Whitaker, Quinton Davis, Britni
Davis, Aundrea N. (Jason) Mahoney and Kyle W. (Nicole) Davis, ten
great-grandchildren; Schyler Thompson, Bailey Fleming, Jayden Fleming,
Kurt Seaton, Rylee Davis, Macy Whitaker, Olivia Davis, Carson Davis, Ella
Davis, and Wyatt Whitaker, four step-grand children; Bradley Mitchell,
Johnathan Mitchell, Tyler Mitchell and Bailey Thompson, one
brother-in-law; Ray Blacklock of Vergennes, several nieces, nephews and
cousins also survive. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in
death by one brother and sister-in-law; Clifton Glen and Dorothy (Parrish)
Davis, and one infant sister; Helen Davis, and one son-in-law Arol
Whitaker.
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