Obituary of Jesse East

Jesse Clarence East Funeral services for Jesse Clarence East of Savoy, IL, formerly of Winfield, MO, were held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2003 at the Foley Baptist Church in Foley, MO. Rev. Richard Turnbull, church pastor, officiated with burial in Winfield Cemetery in Winfield. Serving as pallbearers were Zachary Robinson, Douglas Robinson, Sr., Douglas Robinson, Jr., Gregory East, Richard Davis, and Larry Briscoe. Mr. East, 87, died early Sunday morning, July 20, 2003 at Carle Hospital in Urbana, IL. Born July 1, 1916 in Foley, MO, he was the son of the late Rev. Jesse Kelly and Pearl Elizabeth Davis East. He was a 1933 graduate of Winfield High School. Mr. East was united in marriage on May 20, 1938 in Troy, MO, to Thelma Irene Lynn. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy from June 27, 1944 until February 4, 1946. Mr. East was employed for a number of years as a construction superintendent for S.J. Groves Construction Co., retiring in 1983. He worked on many major construction projects in the Missouri and Illinois area including the Winfield Lock and Dam project at the beginning of his career. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Carpenter's Local #1987 for over 60 years. Mr. East was a life-long member of the Foley Baptist Church and served as church deacon for many years. Besides his parents, Rev. Jesse and Pearl East, he was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond George East, who died June 4, 1998; and his beloved wife, Thelma East, who died November 22, 1988. Survivors include one son, Douglas Ray East and his wife, Sharon, of Loveland, CO; one daughter, Lynette Smith and her husband, Charles, of Savoy, IL; four grandchildren: Douglas Robinson of Carbondale, IL, Kelley Robinson of Rantoul, IL, Gregory East and Tracey Warner, both of Loveland, CO; and eight great-grandchildren: Doug Robinson of Carbondale, IL, Melissa Robinson of Las Vegas, NV, Paul Nelson of Oregon, April Bruck of St. Louis, MO, Zack Robinson of Rantoul, IL, Jesse East, Kathryn East, and Garrett Warner, all of Loveland, CO. He also leaves one sister-in-law, Juanita Jones, of Washington, MO; four nieces, other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2003 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, MO. Memorials may be made to Foley Baptist Church in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.