Ray Gene Sronce of rural Tamaroa
Ray Gene Sronce, 83, of rural Tamaroa, passed away at 8:37 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Good Samaritan Hospital of Mount Vernon, surrounded by all five sons.
Gene was born June 15, 1935, in Pinckneyville, a son to John B. and Melissa Faye (McElroy) Sronce. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for 20 years obtaining the rank of Technical Sergeant and serving during the Vietnam War.
On May 31, 1956, Gene married Carrol J. Sullivan, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 15, 2013. He worked for Freeman Mine and was a Tipple superintendent. Gene was a proud member of the G.O.P., Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504 in Pinckneyville, V.F.W, of Du Quoin, and Air Force Sgt. Association.
He loved riding his motorcycle, spending time with his grandchildren, working on anything mechanical, visiting family businesses, gospel music, listening to Rush Limbaugh on AM radio, watching Fox News and "Gunsmoke" reruns, and taking nursing home patients for car rides.
Survivors include his five sons, Johnny Ray (Crystal) Sronce of Pinckneyville, Michael Gene (Laura) Sronce of Burleson, Texas, Jeffery Allen (Anne) Sronce of Pinckneyville, Mark Eric (Lori) Sronce of Lanesville, Indiana, and Brian Lee Sronce (Leigh Blackorby) of Pinckneyville; one brother, John Loren (Eileen) Sronce of Washington, Illinois; two sisters, Mary (John) Brand of Rockford and Martha (Wayne) Loos of Rockford; 10 grandchildren, Caleb (Teresa) Sronce; Sarah (Tony) Sronce-Garcia, and Ryan, Koby, Audie, Gabe, Evie, Sidney, Gavin and Roslyn Sronce; and two great-grandchildren, Tatum and Lance Sronce.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carrol Sronce; one brother, Billy Bob Sronce; twin sisters, Charlene Chapman and June Reith; and two brothers-in-law, Jim Chapman and Don Reith.
Funeral services will begin at Roe's Dale Baptist Church in Pinckneyville at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 19 with Pastor Lee Valerius officiating. Military rites will be provided by Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504. A private family burial will be held in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis at a later date.
Visitation will be at the church from 9-11 a.m. on Friday.
Memorial donations may be made to the Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504 or Roe's Dale Baptist Church.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, has been entrusted with the arrangements. For more information or to sign an online guest resister, visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.