Walter Ardale Sims

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Walter Ardale Sims of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 1:37 p.m. in St. Bernard Medical Center, Jonesboro, Ark.

Walter was born on Dec. 12, 1928 in Makanda, Ill., a son to Elmer and Veneta (Ferral) Sims. On May 4, 1949, he married Mabel E. Trotter in Carbondale, Ill. and she preceded him in death on Nov. 22, 2008. Walter was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. and worked on the bridge and building crew for Illinois Central Railroad, retiring after 31 years. He enjoyed fishing and farming and dearly loved spending time with his family.

Walter is survived by three sons, Walter (Michelle) Sims of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Charlie (Sandy) Sims of Paragould, Ark., David Malcolm of Pinckneyville, Ill.; three daughters, Louise (Stanley) Mathis of Pinckneyville, Ill., Dawn Poore of Carterville, Ill. and Sherry (Timothy) Wall of Granite City, Ill.; one son-in-law, Larry Cantrell of Murphysboro, Ill.; one daughter-in-law, Judy Sims of Pinckneyville, Ill.; one brother, Elmer (Alice) Ferral of Carbondale, Ill.; and 95 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one son, Herman Sims; one daughter, Linda Cantrell and one great-granddaughter, Cheynne Bird

Funeral services were held at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Bro. Rob Mathis officiating. Interment was in Murdale Gardens of Memory, Murphysboro, Ill.

Friends called at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.