Charles E. Ragland Sr.

Charles E. Ragland Sr., 89, of Tamaroa, passed away at 11:49 a.m., Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 at his residence.

Charles had been a farmer and was a school bus driver for 36 years. He was a member of Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser. He was also a member of the American Dairy Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Perry County Farm Bureau and he was a charter member of the Du Quoin Saddle Club.

He was born Nov. 16, 1923 at Tamaroa, Ill., the son of George Franklin and Ora Lea (Cockrum) Ragland.

He married Mary L. McBride on July 14, 1943 at Franklin County, Ill. and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Tamaroa, seven children - Sue Taylor and husband David of Du Quoin, Gayla Yung and husband Bill of Sesser, Mark Ragland of Sesser, Jeff Ragland Sr. and wife Sharon of Tamaroa, Lee Ann Ragland-Williams of Herrin, Anita Lovelady and husband Steve of Tamaroa and Charles Ragland Jr. and wife Lori of Sesser, one brother - George Dale Ragland of Tamaroa, 18 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, one grandson - Clayton Charles Ragland and one great grandchild - Mattison Ragland.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Larry Cook officiating.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the Paradise Cemetery at Tamaroa.

Friends may make memorials to the Rend Lake College Foundation - Clayton Charles Ragland Memorial Scholarship, 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, Ill. 62846 and will also be accepted at the funeral home.

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