Didge Foster

MARION, Ill. -- William Eugene "Didge" Foster, 84, died Dec. 18, 2002, at his home.

Born Nov. 18, 1918, in Murphysboro, son of the late Edward and Alice Wyatt Foster, he worked in several coal mines in the Southern Illinois area before retiring from Freeman No. 6 in 1974 after 46 years of working in the coal mines. He was a proud and devoted member of the United Mine Workers of America and honorably served his country overseas with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during World War II. A member of the Crainville Baptist Church, he was a very creative person and enjoyed working with his hands. He was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

On June 10, 1945, at Carterville, he married Margie Lucille Flora who preceded him in death on Dec. 28, 1967.

Survivors include: four sons and daughters-in-law, Billy and Donna Foster of Mulberry, Fla., Preston and Gayla Foster and Tim and LaDina Foster of Marion and Bob and Toni Foster of Herrin; one daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Joel Boren of Charleston, Mo.; one sister Dorothy Rowatt of Carterville; two brothers, Wilbur Foster of Florida and Fred Foster of Michigan; and 12 grandchildren, Cheryl Counts of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Chris Boren and Scott Eugene Boren of Charleston, Beth Ann Foster of St. Louis, Joseph William Foster of Herrin, Ashleigh Elizabeth Foster, Christyna Inez Foster, Hannah Lucille Foster and Jacob Nathaniel Foster of Marion, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Clifton Bowers of San Diego, Calif., Patty Watts of North Carolina and Kelli Mouton of Lakeland, Fla.; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, James Foster, Andy Foster and Lee Foster; and two sisters, Alma Foster and Margie Foster.

Visitation begins at 6 p.m. today at Riggin-Pillatch Funeral Home in Carterville, where services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday. The Rev. Jerry Ford will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Carterville, where graveside military rites will be provided by the Herrin VFW and American Legion Post.

Memorial contributions may be sent to:

Hospice of Southern Illinois 1110 N. Johnson Marion, IL 62959

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