Gene Jay Slater
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Gene Jay Slater, 92, of Du Quoin, passed away at 5:58 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Gene had been a Letter Carrier for the US Postal Service for 22 years. He was a member of the Sunfield United Methodist Church. Gene was an avid fisherman and bingo player. He was a Lifetime member of the Du Quoin American Legion and Du Quoin VFW, and a member of NALC. He was a past commander of the Roy Mitchell Post 647 of the American Legion. Gene proudly served his country as a PFC in the US Army in World War II. He served in the 66th. Armored Infantry serving in Rhineland and Central Europe. He received an Overseas Service Bar, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was born Jan. 8, 1919 at Oconee, Ill., the son of Claude James and Ethel Lena (Lawson) Slater.
Gene married the love of his life, Frances Elaine Bailey on June 1, 1941 at St. Louis, Mo. and she survives.
He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years - Frances of Du Quoin, four daughters- Claudia Graul, Jo Ellen Wilson and husband Earl, Toni Behm and husband Steve and Carrie Haggard and husband David, all of Du Quoin, daughter-in-law- CeVene Slater of Midland, Tex., 11 grandchildren- Amy Slater and Tasha of Blue Springs, Mo., Neill Slater of Midland, Tex., Drew Graul, Jennifer and Robert Nehring, Mindy Bailey and fiance Kevin Miller, Ryan Brock, Jessi Behm, Judson Behm, Jordan Behm, Katherine Haggard and Madelyn Haggard, all of Du Quoin, eight great grandchildren- Ricquel Worthington, Jayden Slater, Bailey and Eli Nehring, Autumn and Kelsey Bailey, Gabe and Ella Brock.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son- Robert Eugene Slater, granddaughter- Kristi Elaine Graul, mother and father in-law- Eva and Luther Bailey, and sister-in-law- Fleta Eubanks.
Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Pastor Donna Blythe officiating.
Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.
Military graveside rites were conducted by the Du Quoin VFW and American Legion.
Friends may make memorials to the Alzheimer's Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.