Carl E. Stoker

Carl E. Stoker, 88, of Murphysboro, passed away at 9:35 a.m. Sunday, June 25, 2017, at Manor Court of Carbondale. Carl was born on June 28, 1928 in Paducah, Kentucky, to B. N. Stoker and Elizabeth "Betty" (Carter) Stoker Simmons. He was a graduate of the Metropolis Community High School, Metropolis, Illinois, and joined the U.S. Marine Corp to serve in World War II. He attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and graduated from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Mr. Stoker belonged to the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, a life member of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Alumni Association, past member of the Jackson County Building Commission and SIU Civil Service Review Board, member of the Southern Illinois Airport Authority, ARRL and SARA Ham Radio and his call sign was AE9KY, National Rifle Association and Mississippi Valley Gun Club, 50 year member of the Elks Club and Masonic Lodge, Royal Arch, Council of Knight Templars, Scottish Rite Ainad Shriners. He was also a member of the Murphysboro Rotary Club and Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce for many years. Mr. Stoker was a member of the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Carbondale and he attended the United Methodist Church in Murphysboro. Carl was a registered Pharmacist and owned Stoker Drug Store in Murphysboro and later managed Medicare Glaser Pharmacy and The Medicine Shoppe, at that same location. Carl married Gloria Hempfling on July 27, 1952, in the St. James Episcopal Church in Vincennes, Indiana, and she survives. Other survivors include three children Andrew (Mary) Stoker of Manchester, MO, Mark (Emely) Stoker of Bradenton, FL, and Jill Stoker of Marietta, GA; ten grandchildren: Adam Stoker, Brian (Michele) Stoker, Kate (Will) Hacker, Michael Stoker, Carol Stoker, Mark J. "Jake" Stoker, Theresa Stoker, Kristen Jacoby, Kyle Jacoby, and Eloisa Soledad; eight great grandchildren Tyler Stoker, Colin Branch, Brooklyn Stoker, Sienna Hacker, Cole Hacker, Luke Stoker, Kialy Stoker, and McKenzie Meyer; and one brother Charles (Barbara) Stoker of Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one grandson Luke Stoker. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Murphysboro, with Rev. Larry Gilbert officiating, with burial to follow. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Pettett Funeral Home and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. There will be the Elk's Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday night and the Masonic Services at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Elk's Crippled Children's Hospital or the Shriners Children's Hospital. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Carl E. Stoker

June 28, 1928 - June 25, 2017