James Robert Kerley

James Robert Kerley, 90, of Murphysboro, passed away at 9:17 a.m. Friday, April 6, 2012, at the Herrin Hospital in Herrin, Illinois. His body will be donated to the SIU-C School of Medicine. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Ted Mayes officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran School or Immanuel Lutheran Church. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com. James was born on June 23, 1921, in Union City, Tennessee, to Jessie (Corum) Kerley and Jim Bob Kerley. They moved to Murphysboro after living in Kentucky. He attended Murphysboro Grade Schools and graduated from Murphysboro Township High School in 1939. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1940. After leaving Great Lakes Training Center, he served on the U.S.S. Boise and the U.S.S. Nashville CL 43. Jim married Betty Baumler on June 23, 1946, in Wood River, Illinois. They lived in Panama at the Coco Solo Naval Air Station, then moved to Norfolk, VA, New Port, RI, and Great Lakes, IL. Other ships that he served on were the U.S.S. Shelikof, the U.S.S. Valcour, and the U.S.S. Kenneth D. Bailey. He also trained recruits at Great Lakes, IL Recruit Training Center for six years. After serving his country for twenty years, he retired in 1960 from the Navy and moved back to Murphysboro. He was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Jackson County in 1964. He served for twenty three years. In 1988, he was elected to the Jackson County Board. He served for eighteen years. He also farmed and raised cattle. Mr. Kerley was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post # 127, V.F.W. Post # 7190, and the Elks Lodge. Besides his wife, Betty, he is survived by two daughters Kay (Tom) LoCicero of Southfield, Michigan, and Karyn (Larry) Wright of Las Vegas, NV. Other survivors include two sisters in law Peggy Kerley and Marie (Bill) Quigley, all of Murphysboro; four nieces and nephews and their families Brenda (Steve) Estel of West Frankfort, John Quigley, and Billy (Carla) Quigley, all of Murphysboro, and Jane Ann (John) Tiemann of Las Vegas, NV; his cousins Carolyn Corum and Dilla Marie Kerley Burt. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Lloyd Kerley. He will be missed by all who knew him. Gravesite and Military Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2012, at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park with Rev. Ted Mayes officiating and military services conducted by the American Legion Post # 127, V.F.W. Post # 7190 and 2605 and the Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69.

James Robert Kerley

June 23, 1921 - April 6, 2012