Galen Leon Davis

Galen Leon Davis, 93, of Du Quoin, passed away at 8:55 A.M., Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at his residence.

Galen was a retired high school English and History teacher, teaching his first year in Carlinville, IL, then the rest of his teaching career at Du Quoin High School. He was a coach of all sports during his teaching career and served as Athletic Director. He retired as Assistant Principal of Du Quoin High School. He had graduated from Du Quoin High School and excelled in basketball, football and track. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corp as a B24 pilot. He was a Second Lieutenant. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where he played basketball and football. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Du Quoin and was a member of the Loyal Soldiers Sunday School class. Galen was also a member of the Du Quoin American Legion, the Du Quoin Elks, the Retired Teachers Association, and the S.I.U. Alumni Association. He was a former member of the Du Quoin City Council and the Du Quoin School Board. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Hall of Fame for basketball and was voted one of the ten best basketball players in the state of Illinois. He was selected as an Outstanding Citizen of Southern Illinois by the Southern Illinoisan newspaper. Galen was an accomplished poet and loved doing research about and for the preservation of the history of the city of Du Quoin and Du Quoin High School sports.

He was born October 15, 1922 at Du Quoin, IL, the son of Mack and Sarah (Settlemoir) Davis.

He married Audrey J. Berg on August 9, 1942 at Du Quoin, IL and she preceded him in death on May 8, 2008.

He is survived by one daughter - Gail Higgerson of Du Quoin, two grandchildren - Nathan Higgerson and wife Carrie of Waterloo, IL and Leah LaBeau and husband Dareld of OíFallon, MO, five great grandchildren - Grant, Claire, Lydia and Elliot, all of Waterloo, IL, and Brady of OíFallon, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, five sisters and four brothers.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, October 30, 2015 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Joe Wagner officiating.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

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

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and the Army-Air Force.

Friends may make memorials to the First Baptist Church in Du Quoin and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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