Wendell A. Holmes

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Wendell A. Holmes, 85, of Du Quoin, passed away at 7:17 p.m., Saturday, July 7, 2012 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.

Wendell had worked as a track inspector for the ICG Railroad for 26 years and had worked in the tipple at Consol #2 Mine for 17 years. He was a member of the Elkville Baptist Church and was a member of the UMWofA. He served his country as a Seaman First Class in the U.S. Navy serving in W.W. II. He received the Victory Ribbon, American Area Ribbon and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon.

He was born July 25, 1926 at Elkville, Ill. the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Parrott) Holmes.

Wendell married Shirley M. Pierce on Nov. 6, 1946 at Marion, Ill. and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, son- Allen Holmes and wife Anna of Elkville, two daughters- Sharon Dirler and husband Howard of Du Quoin and Vickie Holmes and companion Rick King of Elkville, three grandsons- Jeff Holmes of Elkville, Jason Holmes of Burbank, Calif. and Chad Dirler and wife Meghan of Du Quoin, two great grandchildren- Logan and Miah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and two brothers.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Darryl Williams officiating.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.

Friends may make memorials to the Marshall Browning Hospital Tree of Life and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin VFW, American Legion and the Navy.

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