Vallie D. West

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Vallie D. West, 80, of Du Quoin, passed away at 12:36 P.M., Monday, December 8, 2008 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.

Vallie was owner and operator of Southern Illinois Petrol until he retired. He had been Du Quoin Police Chief for fifteen years. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin. He had served two terms as Perry County Commissioner and was on the Du Quoin National Bank Board. He was a Shriner and a member of the Du Quoin Masonic Lodge. Vallie lived for his granddaughter and great grandchildren.

He was born July 28, 1928 at Du Quoin, the son of Vallie G. and Grace L. (Whitley) West.

He married Harriet Thill on December 4, 1949 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, one daughter - Valerie Rice and husband James L. of Du Quoin, one granddaughter - Dawn Galbraith and husband Cale of Du Quoin, three great grandchildren - Alec Galbraith, Addison Galbraith, and Sydney Galbraith, and two sisters - Norma McCurdy and husband Jim and Janet Erwin and husband Kenneth, all of Pinckneyville.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin with Msgr. Harry J. Jerome officiating.

Friends may call from 9 A.M. until the time of service at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Du Quoin.

Friends may make memorials to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements.

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