James Ernest Queen

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[James Ernest Queen, 88, of Pinckneyville, formerly of Du Quoin, passed away at 12:13 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 at the Pinckneyville Community Hospital at Pinckneyville.

Ernie had been a school teacher for 36 years, retiring in 1980. He started his teaching career in rural schools in Perry County and then retired from teaching at J.B. Ward School. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville. He was a member of Du Quoin Masonic Lodge #234, Reynolds Chapter #75 of Masons, Robert E. Lee Order #46 Swords of Bunker Hill, Eastern Star Chapter #395, Sheba Shrine #63, Hope Lodge #232 IOOF, Carbondale Rebekah Lodge #220, Rose Leaf Royal Neighbors Camp #778, National Education Association, Senior Citizens Club, Perry County Retired Teachers Association, and Gideons.

He was born Aug. 27, 1920 at Du Quoin, Ill., the son of Abijah and Margaret (Morgenthaler) Queen.

He is survived by five children - Ernest C. Queen and wife Karen of Pinckneyville, Janice Lancaster and husband Ron of Derby, Kans., Mike Queen and wife Monty of Ft. Worth, Tex., Shirley Guthrie and husband Ray of Derby, Kans., and Bruce Queen and wife Lyla of Cabot, Ark., eight grandchildren - Richard Queen and wife Teri, Andrea Pulice and husband Frank, Sheryn Queen, Thomas Queen, Misty Rector and husband Wayne, James Queen and wife Kelly, Brandon Guthrie and wife Melissa, and Nicolas Queen, four great grandchildren - Gavin Queen, Mason Queen, Brooke Pulice, and Nathan Rector.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother - Earl Queen and one sister.

Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Tim Bauersachs officiating.

Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial was in the Holts Prairie Cemetery at Pinckneyville.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.