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Lonnie Dean Dutton of Golconda

Lonnie Dean Dutton Sr., age 82, of Golconda, passed away in Harrisburg on Nov. 4, 2019.

Lonnie was born June 9, 1937, on Rock Creek near Cave-in-Rock to Kenneth and Nellie (Rash) Dutton.

While attending college, he met and married Wilma (McGill) and upon graduation he began his teaching and coaching career at the age of 21 in Hardin County.

Over the next 35 years of coaching, his boys' basketball teams won nearly 500 games. The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association cited that only four coaches won more than 300 games in the history of the Greater Egyptian Conference and he was one of the four.

In 1994, he was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame. While also coaching cross country teams, he had 96 dual-meet wins, one undefeated boys' team and two undefeated girls' teams and five class A boys or girls Invitational Champions. After retiring, he assisted coaching Pope County girls' basketball for several years.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Wilma, in 2017; his parents; two brothers, Mitchell and Doyle Dutton; stepmother Electa Dutton; and stepsister, Judy Tyre.

He is survived by his four children, Pam Keeling of Paducah, Kentucky, Dean (Kathi) Dutton of Harrisburg, Kirk Dutton, and Kevin (Melanie) Dutton of Metropolis; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and stepbrother Lloyd (Sherry) Tyre.

The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at Aly Funeral Home in Eddyville. Burial will follow in the Palestine Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 at the funeral home. Masonic funeral rites will be 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 at the funeral home.