Charles "Ernie" Ernest Pritchett

Charles Ernest "Ernie" Pritchett, 74, of DeSoto passed away at 3:31 PM Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Funeral service will be 2 PM Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Pettett Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Hicks officiating. Burial will follow at DeSoto Cemetery in DeSoto, with military services conducted by the American Legion Post # 127, V.F.W. Posts # 7190 and 2605, and the Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Monday and until 2 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the VNA or the Elks Crippled Children's Hospital. For more information please visit http://www.pettettfuneralhome.com. Charles was born on October 4, 1939, in Williamson County, Illinois, to Woodrow Pritchett and Mildred (Dunham) Pritchett. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. He had worked as a driver for Martin Oil Company, and then worked for thirty years on the railroad and retired in 2004. He had also worked as a bartender and bouncer. Mr. Pritchett was a member of the Carbon Lake Club, V.F.W. Post # 7190, and the American Legion Post # 127, and the Elks Lodge. Charles "Ernie" is survived by a loving companion of thirteen years Alice Brewer; three children Charles Eugene (Sheila) Pritchett and Tina (Bryan) Stewart, all of Murphysboro, and Melinda Jo Mardlin of Metropolis; two step sons and two step daughters Robert Ellis and Kristy Cox of Metropolis, Debbie Miles of Paradise, CA and Audie (Judy) Walker of DeSoto; fourteen grandchildren Charles "Chad" (Barbie) Pritchett and Chelsea (William "Zack") Gale of Murphysboro, Ashley Schoolcraft of Carterville, Adam Stewart of Murphysboro, Katie Mardlin and Donnie Mardlin of Metropolis, Autumn (Adam) Dart of Colp, Miranda Miles and Charlie Miles of Paradise, CA, Austin Walker and Alex Walker of Seattle, WA, Alivia Necole Pritchett of Sevierville, TN, Jennifer (Doug) Sanford of Brookport, and Dewey Wright of SC nine great grandchildren Charles "Brock" Pritchett, Mason Palmer, Brayden Pritchett, Jude Marshall Rushing, and Lillian Amalia Pritchett, of Murphysboro, Kenneth Arthur of Colp, Sadi Mays and Devin Sanford of Brookport, Tallon Xavier Miles Manzo of Paradise, CA two brothers Carl R. Pritchett and Raymond "Butch" Pritchett, both of Murphysboro; one sister in law Nancy (James) Hartsock and one brother in law Howard (Shirley) Vancil; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one grandson, one great granddaughter and his parents.

Charles "Ernie" Ernest Pritchett

October 4, 1939 - July 2, 2014