Philip R. Corley

Philip R. "Phil" Corley, age 74, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013 at 6:05 a.m. in Centralia Manor, Centralia, Ill.

Phil was born on Nov. 5, 1939 in Princeton, Ky., a son to Bailey and Geneva (Walters) Corley. On Aug. 22, 1976, he married Brenda Ewing in St. John United Church of Christ, Nashville, Ill. and she survives. Phil was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill., former founder and owner/operator of Shamrock Realty in Pinckneyville and Du Quoin and an owner and broker for Century 21 Real Estate, Mt. Vernon, Ill. Phil was instrumental in starting the Optimists Club in the 1960's, Realtor GRI, CRS, sat on the board of South Pointe Bank, Mt. Vernon, Ill. and Rend Lake College and was a board member as well as a member of the Red Hawk Golf Club, Pinckneyville, Ill. By 1995, Phil had developed Wesleyan Place, a commercial office complex in Mt. Vernon, Ill. For the past 19 years, Phil has been retired but still actively involved in the ownership and management of several real estate holdings spread across Southern Illinois. Throughout his career, he was recognized for a number of accomplishments, such as the Award of Merit from the Reasor Corporation, Realtor of the Year for the Egyptian Board of Realtors, President for the Egyptian Board of Realtors and the President's Award from the Egyptian Board of Realtors. His favorite pastimes were golfing, traveling and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Brenda Corley of Pinckneyville, Ill.; two sons, Randy (Cheri) Corley of Floyds Knobs, Ind. and Marty Corley of Columbia, S.C.; one daughter, Joni Warren of Vandalia, Ill.; a sister, Judy (Larry) Bannister of Princeton, Ky.; five grandchildren, Brant, Brynna and Brianne Corley of Floyds Knobs, Ind., Taylor Corley of Lexington, Ky. and Derek Warren of Vandalia, Ill.; several cousins; special friend, Deon Johnson and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother and stepfather, Geneva and Lawrence Dennis.

Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Jim Barnett officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, Ill.

Friends may call at First United Methodist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.