Elva DeJournett

BLUFORD, Ill. - Elva W. DeJournett, 96, formerly of Essex, died at 11:20 p.m. April 13, 2002, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital.

Born Jan. 1, 1906, in Essex, Mo., son of the late William A. and Leona P. Skaggs DeJournett, he was a farmer and boilermaker for Illinois Central Railroad. He was a Sunday school superintendent at the Olive Church near Bluford and served on the Witherspoon School Board, assisting in its consolidation. DeJournett also helped construct the Salem Freewill Baptist Church in Salem.

On Oct. 14, 1923, in Essex, he married Edith Arminta Crites who preceded him in death on July 21, 1993.

Survivors include: four daughters and three sons-in-law, Leona Greko of Saginaw, Mich., Betty and Glenn Catron of Bluford and Ruth and Paul Wilson and Barbara and Ron Wilson of Mount Vernon; three sons and daughters-in-law, Loren and Mary DeJournett of Decatur, Carl and Lois DeJournett of Farrington Township and Robert and Jean DeJournett of Bluford; one brother, Theodore DeJournett of Ellsinore, Mo.; and 18 grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, four stepgreat-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by one brother, four sisters and two grandchildren.

Services were conducted Tuesday at Salem Freewill Baptist Church with the Revs. James Boggs and George Waggoner officiating.

Burial followed in the Salem-Mateer Cemetery.

Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon was in charge of arrangements.