Paul Holder

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Rev. Paul Holder, 87, of Cutler, passed away at 7:07 p.m., Monday, June 1, 2009 at his home in Cutler.

He was born January 21, 1922 in Carbondale, the son of William Holder and Mary (Gregory) Holder.

Paul married Ruby L. Stearns on July 27, 1944 in Carbondale. She passed away on March 7, 1994. He later married Elaine Oller Davenport on September 24, 1994.

Paul was a member of the First Baptist Church in Percy, Alma Lodge #497 A.F. and A.M. of Steeleville, Ainad Shrine, Scottish Rites Body valley of southern Illinois, and I.O.O.F. Lodge.

He is survived by his wife Elaine Holder of Cutler; children, Marilyn (Richard) Heine of Campbell Hill; Mary (Dan) Valerius of Percy, Dan (Nancee) Holder of Cutler, Paula (Ted) Stull of Raritan; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; step children, Ruby (Jack) Dunaway of Pinckneyville, Robert (Bernice) Davenport of Carbondale, Gilbert (Jamie) Davenport of Belleville, Linda Curry of South Haven, Miss.; twelve step grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; one step great-great-grandchild; and twin sister, Pauline Baggott of Carbondale.

Mr. Holder served in the Army Air Corp during World War II. Paul retired from being a minister at Fairview Christian Church for two years, Crab Orchard Christian Church for one year, Jerusalem Christian Church for three years, South County Line Christian Church for two years, Union Hill Christian Church for six months, Camp Creek Baptist Church for three years, Pate Chapel Baptist Church for two years, Rock Springs Baptist Church for two years, Denmark Baptist Church for sixteen years, Raritan Baptist Church for two years, Johnson City Washington one church for two years, Roseville Baptist Church for five years and First Baptist Tamaroa for seven years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter, two brothers, and one sister.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 4, at 11 a.m. at Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava. Rev. Terry Jackson will be officiating. Burial will be at Boskeydell Cemetery in Carbondale.

Visitation will be held at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until the hour of service. Masonic services will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday under the auspices of Alma Lodge #497 A.F. & A.M.

Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children or to the First Baptist Church of Percy Scholarship Fund.

To sign the guestbook online visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.