Vernie N. Powell Jr. of Stonefort

Vernie N. Powell Jr., age 91, resident of Stonefort, passed away at 10:45 p.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018 at his residence with his loving family at his side.

He was born on Dec. 7, 1926 in Creal Springs, son of the late Vernie Powell Sr. and Recil (Buckner) Powell.

Junior married the former Betty Louise Stricklin on July 9, 1949 and she preceded him in death on Dec. 1, 2014.

He was a Baptist by faith, U.S. Army veteran, and retired as a UMWA coal miner.

Junior is survived by his son, Gary Powell of Stonefort; daughters Carol (Terry) Sharp, Vickie (Jim) Hill, and Lori (Jack) Nolen, all of Harrisburg; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Powell, of Harrisburg.

He also is survived by grandchildren Jarrod (Abigail) Sharp, Kim (Terry) Gwaltney, Ericka (Wes) Gwaltney, Alonna (Troy) Winchester, Debra (Gary) Threet, Tiffany (Jake) Rushing, and Jackson (Taylor) Nolen. In addition, he also is survived by 14 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; brothers Thomas Leo Powell of Marion, Justin Powell of Creal Springs, and Eugene Powell of Joliet; and a sister, Phyllis Rodgers of Marion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sons Donald Powell and Rick Powell; brothers Melvin Powell and Harlan Powell; and his sister, Margaret Rushing.

Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills. The Rev. Jeff Owen will officiate. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the service time.

Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills with military honors by the U.S. Army ritual team and the Carrier Mills and Harrisburg American Legions.

In lieu of flowers, the preferred choice of remembrance would be memorials in his memory to the Stonefort General Baptist Church Food Pantry. Memorials may be mailed to the Stonefort General Baptist Church, P.O. Box 196, Stonefort, Ill., 62987. Also, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.