Orel E. Bigham's Obituary
Orel E. Bigham of Pinckneyville, passed away Sunday, May 20, 2007 in Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO. Orel was born on January 14, 1930 in Pinckneyville, IL to William Leslie and Ernestine (Heisner) Bigham. He was a sergeant of the United States Army serving from 1951-1953. On February 23, 1957, he married Shirley J. Martin at St. Bruno Catholic Church. During his life, he worked for Pick Feed Store, Sunstrand Corp., and retired after 35 years as a self-employed barber and school bus driver. Orel was a member of St. Bruno Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Veteran of Foreign Wars. He graduated with the Class of 1948 and served as a member of the PCHS school board, Parish Council, and Perry County Housing Authority. Survivors include his wife: Shirley of Pinckneyville, children: Beth A. Bigham, M.D. and husband Robert J. Davidson, M.D. and Sandra J. Ferrero and husband Rex all of Pinckneyville and Gary A. Bigham and wife Annette of Swansea, IL. Surviving grandchildren are: Sarah Jane, Elizabeth Anne, and Katherine Anne Bray, Andrea Elizabeth Davidson, and James Edison Davidson, all of Pinckneyville and Abigail Marie and Stephanie Marie Bigham of Swansea, IL. Brothers: Wayne Bigham (Charlene) of DuQuoin, and Eldon Bigham (Gloria) of Glen Carbon, IL. Other survivors include two sisters-in-law: Patricia Gladson, and Marilyn Bigham, and four brothers-in-law: Dr. J.A. Martin (Linda), Mick Rheinecker, Bob Kohlsdorf, and Bob West, and several nieces, nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother: Winton Bigham, four sisters: Bessie Rheinecker, Beulah Hamm, Blanche West, and Nila Kohlsdorf, two brothers-in-law: Dean Gladson, and Kenny Hamm, and one sister-in-law: Lynn Martin. Funeral mass will be held at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in St. Bruno Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. and again Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of services. Donations may be made to Orel Bigham Memorial.
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