Loren Ralph Holmes

Loren Ralph Holmes MARION-Loren Ralph Holmes, 86, of Marion passed away at 6:30 PM, Sunday, April 16, 2006 at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverend Steve Shea, Reverend Tim Blankenship and Reverend Gary Holmes officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Springhill Cemetery, Creal Springs. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Southern Illinois; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Holmes was born on April 21, 1919 in Williamson County, Illinois to Douglas and Delia (Tanner) Holmes. He married Katherine Boyd; she preceded him in death on March 19, 2000. He later married Mildred (Blackburn) Chamness. Survivors include his wife, Mildred of Marion; daughter, Nelda Ferrell of Marion; son and daughter-in-law, William Ronald and Loretta Holmes of Marion; grandchildren, Basil and Melody Holmes of Marion, Tim Holmes of Creal Springs, Nena and John Collins of Benton, Raetta and Greg Goins of Goreville, Eric and Chrissy Holmes of Creal Springs and Jason and Joanna Ferrell of Marion; great grandchildren, Mandy and Richard Brooks, Justin Brown, Lindsay Holmes, Brittany Holmes, Riane Collins, Trey Holmes, Clayton Holmes, Hannah Holmes, Tristin Holmes, Katherine Holmes, Garrett Ferrell and Samuel Holmes; great great grandchildren, Cayley Brooks and Isaiah Brooks; sister, Emma Belle Laningham, Pauline Kelley and Robbie Odum; brothers, Gilbert Holmes and Lawrence Holmes; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Katherine; son-in-law, Paul Ferrell; grandson, Wendell Ferrell; sister, Lola Ruth Beasley; and brother, Ray Holmes. Mr. Holmes attended Community Church in New Burnside and Walnut Hill Church east of Marion. Early in life he was a farmer and coal miner. He retired from GTE after several years of employment. He was a member of the Stonefort Masonic Lodge #495. He loved to work in his garden. He was a 5th generation grandfather. He loved his family and his family loved him.