Thomas Allen Denton, Sr.

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Thomas Allen Denton, Sr. age 90, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2010 in Des Peres Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Tom was born on Nov. 3, 1919 in Scheller, Ill., a son to Jay Leonard and Nellie (Hargis) Denton. He proudly entered into the United States Marine Corps in Chicago, Ill. where he attained the rank of Master Technical Sergeant. He defended his country during World War II at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. He was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was discharged from the United States Marine Corps on Oct. 10, 1945. On Nov. 16, 1947, he married Melba Ruth Carson in the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill.. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1997 and she preceded him in death on Oct. 9, 1998. He was employed by the U. S. Postal service where he retired as Post Master in 1975 and was Superintendant of Transportation for Pinckneyville Community High School, where he also worked as a bus driver and later retired again. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pinckneyville, Ill., member and past commander of Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504, member and past master of Mitchell Lodge #85, Pinckneyville, Ill. and served on the P.C.H.S. school board. Tom was the last United States Marine Corp member of the Illinois Pearl Harbor Survivor's Association and was the 2009 recipient of the "Veteran of the Year" award in Perry County.

He is survived by a daughter, Susan Lynn (Jack) Wilson of Jackson, Tenn.; two sons, Thomas A. (Debbie) Denton, Jr. and Roger Gene (Linda) Denton, all of Pinckneyville, Ill.; one sister, Imogene Tyler of Salem, Ill.; six grandchildren, Brian (Crystal) Wilson of Haslet, Tex., Brooke (Jason) Driggers of Medina, Tenn., Jessica (Patrick) Maloney of Herrin, Ill., Matthew Denton of Pinckneyville, Ill., Megan Denton of Maryville, Ill., Will Denton of Pinckneyville, Ill. and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a brother, Howard Denton and a sister, Margaret Eisfelder.

Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with Brother Tim Bauersachs and Reverend Charles Boling officiating. Interment was in Holts Prairie Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Ill. Graveside military rites were by Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504, Pinckneyville, Ill.

Friends called at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. or Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504, Pinckneyville, Ill.

For more information or to sign an online guest register, please visit, www.pyattfuneralhome.com.