Paul E. McRoy

Paul Edward McRoy, 85, of Murphysboro, passed away at 2:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Paul was born on Tuesday, May 13, 1930, in Murphysboro, to James McRoy, Sr. and Pauline (Gregory) McRoy Lemons. He married Marilyn Buford on Saturday, August 31, 1957, at the First Christian Church in Murphysboro by Preacher A. J. Collins. They had fifty-eight wonderful years together. Paul served in the National Guard from 1948 to 1951. He worked at the former Wellworth Dime Store, Murphysboro Abstract Company, the former City National Bank for eighteen years, and he retired after working twenty three years from the Murphysboro Police Department as a radio dispatcher. Mr. McRoy was a member of the First Christian Church where he became a Deacon in 1961 and an Elder in 1973. He was so proud of his church family and really enjoyed serving the Lord; and he was also a member of the Workers For Christ Sunday School Class. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 127 and the Murphysboro Senior Citizens. Paul was a very avid Cardinal and Miners fan. He is survived by his wife Marilyn of Murphysboro; one daughter and son in law Paula and Jon Baker of Herrin; four grandchildren Hollie Reams and Nik Reams and their families of Murphysboro, Kristy Stapleton and her husband Andy Stapleton and their children Josie and Carly of Creal Springs, and Mike Baker and his wife Bridget Baker of St. Petersburg, FL; two nephews Greg McRoy and his wife Deb McRoy of Carterville, and Scott Higgins of Forest Hills, NY; one niece Leslie Staffey and her husband Sam Staffey of Pinckneyville and her children James Rigdon and Jaclyn Ridgon of Murphysboro; one brother in law Dayton Higgins of Elmhurst, NY; several cousins and lots of friends, especially his church family. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Evelyn McRoy; one brother James McRoy, Jr., who also passed away on February 14, only in 2012, James' wife Edith "Jo", and their daughter Patricia; his mother in law and father in law Louis and Wilma Buford; and sister in law Rhonda Lou Higgins. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at the First Christian Church in Murphysboro with Mike Williams and Rick Sutton officiating. Burial will be at Murdale Gardens of Memory with military services conducted by the Paul Stout American Legion Post # 127. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Celtic Hospice. For more information, please visit http://www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Paul E. McRoy

May 13, 1930 - February 14, 2016