Clayton E. Emling's Obituary
Clayton E. Emling, age 84, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
Clayton was the son of Russel A. & Lena Mae (Gillis) Emling. He married Martha Iler Pope on August 24, 1963 in White Haven, TN. Clay and Martha spent 60 years of marriage together. Clayton attended several colleges after graduating from DuQuoin High School in 1957. He attended the University of Illinois, Union University, and the University of Tennessee. Clay graduated with a degree in mathematics and a Doctorate degree in Pharmacology.
After graduating, Clay and Martha moved to Pinckneyville purchasing their first home, where she still lives today. They also purchased the Clinic Pharmacy from George Tedford in 1968, and he operated it until retirement in 2007. Clay was an active member of the First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School for over 50 years. He had served as Deacon at the church and served several stints as chairman. Clay joined and was a member of Holts Prairie Baptist Church later in life. He loved to watch sports, especially Panther Basketball. He never missed any of his kids games in high school or college. Clay was fortunate enough to do this all over again when his grandkids were old enough to play.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Martha I. Emling of Pinckneyville, IL; one daughter, Elizabeth E. Shanklin of Pinckneyville, IL; two sons, Rusty (Kathi) Emling of Chanute, KS, and Richard (Tanya) Emling of Pinckneyville, IL; one sister, Janet (Dieter) Schmidt of Show Low, AZ; grandchildren in birth order, Kala (Seth) Baxter, Shelbi (Blake) Holmes, Peyton (Blaise) Emling, Syndi (Cameron) Dietsch, Emily Shanklin (Michael), Sophi Emling, and Kedric Emling; two step-grandchildren, Hayden (Madison) Carter and Chris Galbraith; five great-grandchildren, Izabel, Drake, Jett, Ivy, and Kasen; and his caregivers, Maria, Rita, Phoebe, Savannah, Dixie, Ramona, and Shelly.
Preceded in death by both of his parents; and a son-in-law, Donald Shanklin.
Funeral services will be held at Holts Prairie Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., with Brother Collin Hirsch officiating. Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park, DuQuoin, IL.
Visitation will be at Holts Prairie Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and again on Monday morning at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the family.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with arrangements.
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