John A. Hudson

John A. Hudson passed away in his sleep Wednesday morning. John was born in Princeton, Indiana on July 17, 1944 to Catherine Gilkison Hudson and Chesley Hudson. He grew up in Mt. Carmel, Illinois but moved to Southern Illinois in the early 1960’s and considered this area his home. He served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Early on John was a dispatcher for the City of Carbondale. For 26 years he served as a police officer for Southern Illinois University Carbondale Police Department and retired as a Lieutenant in 1996. He then was appointed Chief of Police in Grand Tower, IL for five years and Chief of Police in Ava, IL for ten years. He married Deborah Springman Price in 1998 in Murphysboro, IL. She survives along with his son, John A. Hudson (Cheryl) of Carterville, a daughter, Nicole S. Hudson of Jonesboro, and stepdaughters, Kristine Uffelman (Scott) of Murphysboro and Stephanie Simpson (Eric) of Centreville, Virginia. Also surviving are grandchildren Brianna, Keighlyn, Kyleigh, Jonathan and Ryder, along with step grandchildren, Matteson, Maci, Jagger, Jourdan, Jaeden, and one great grandchild. His brother William (Judy) Hudson, sister Marcia (George) Woodcock, sister-in-law Melinda (Neill) Hartman, brother-in-law Michael (Trudi) Springman, and his mother-in-law Bernice Springman also survive. He has three nieces and one nephew, and many great nieces and nephews. His parents and a stepfather preceded him in death. He loved fishing, golf, karaoke, and hanging out with the guys at Carbon Lake Club. He was a member of the Carbon Lake Club, Paul Stout American Legion Post 127, Murphysboro Elks Lodge, the Carbondale Eagles, Jackson County Country Club and was a lifelong member of the Illinois Police Association. He also served on the Jackson County 911 board. John had a one-of-a-kind personality and all who knew and loved him will miss him. He always “Did it his way”. Funeral services will be at 11am on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Crawshaw Funeral Home in Murphysboro, Kent Burns will officiate; burial with military rites by American Legion Paul Stout Post 127 of Murphysboro will follow at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 8pm on Monday at the Crawshaw Funeral Home. Memorials are encouraged and may be made to the Elks Children’s Care Corp or to Fishing for Friendship at Bleyer’s Lake.

John A. Hudson

July 17, 1944 - May 20, 2015