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Gary W. Bright Xenia, IL QCWA # 25945 |
Gary W. Bright, 57, of Xenia, Ill., died at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Feb. 4, 1954 in Marysville, Calif. to William L. and Idell M. (Ostendorf) Bright. He married Barbara A. Wood on February 8, 1975 in Mount Vernon, Ill. Upon graduating from Edwardsville High School in 1972, Gary earned his Mortuary Science Degree from SIU, graduating in 1974. On April 1, 1983, he purchased what is now known as the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, Il.
Gary has served as the Clay County Coroner since 1989, a position that he felt honored to do. He also earned his certification as a Diplomat of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.
Gary was a member of Orchardville Church and was currently a First Responder for Flora/Clay County ESDA. He previously served on the Flora Volunteer Fire Department for over 18 years, the last several of which he served as captain. His other memberships include Flora Rotary Club, Flora Elks, Flora Sons of the American Legion, Flora Moose, Flora Masonic Lodge #204 AF & AM, Ainad Temple, Clay County Shrine Club, and the Wabash Outing Club. He also served on the Flora Industrial Commission and the Flora Academic Foundation. Gary was an amateur radio operator since the age of 13 with the call sign W9WF and played an active role in communications in the Clay County area.
He is survived by his wife, Barb Bright of Xenia; one son, Greg Bright of Flora; one daughter, Kim Jones (Josh) of St. Louis; one sister, Beth Krouse of Edwardsville; one sister-in-law, Sarah Sledge of Mount Vernon; nieces and nephews, David Krouse, Nicole Krouse, Quinton Sledge, and Kathleen Sledge.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 pm with an 8 pm Masonic Service on Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am
Wednesday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Flora. In keeping with Gary's generous nature, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gary W. Bright Memorial Fund that is being established to aid individuals who need a helping hand.
See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/goedwardsville/obituary.aspx?pid=152262027#sthash.ib0VWTNm.dpuf