James Amos Wilbern's Obituary
James Amos Wilbern, age 90, of New Mexico, formerly of DuQuoin, IL, died on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 2:50 a.m. in the New Mexico State Veterans Home. James was born on January 25, 1916 in Rockford, IA, a son to Amos W. and Caroline M. (White) Wilbern. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served during World War II as a Carpenters Mate 3rd Class where he participated in the invasion of Casablanca, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Northern France, and he also was an avid boxer in the Navy. He married Santina Mannino on June 18, 1949 in DuQuoin, IL and she preceded him in death on February 3, 1975. He then married Frances R. (Mannino) Ferro in October 1975 in DuQuoin, IL and she preceded him in death on May 25, 2002. In his lifetime, he worked for the United States Postal Service at the DuQuoin Post Office for 34 years as a rural letter carrier, and as the owner/operator of Wilbern Refinishing in DuQuoin, IL refinishing furniture and interiors of churches and pews. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, DuQuoin, the Knights of Columbus, the Citizens Committee of DuQuoin, and involved in the planning and construction of the DuQuoin/Rte 51 overpass in its earliest stages. Survivors include three sons: Larry E. and Nancy Wilbern of Pinckneyville, Robert V. and Debbie Wilbern of Petersburg, IL, and James D. and Barb Wilbern of Springfield, IL, two daughters: Mary and Michael Hall of Alamogordo, NM, and Tina and Don Pollack of Hanes City, FL, fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives: Santina and Frances, three brothers: Robert W. Wilbern, Dewitt Wilbern, and Guy E. Wilbern, one sister: Alcy Ytzen, and one daughter in infancy: Joan Wilbern. Graveside Services with military rites will be held in Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, IL on Monday, July 3, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. Friends may call at Pyatt-Harrawood & Epplin Funeral Home, DuQuoin, IL on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Wilbern family.
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