John Louis Morris

John Louis Morris, 83, of Shawneetown, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2014, 9:58 a.m., at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.  He was born on August 30, 1930 in Shawneetown, the son of Joseph Eugene and  Margaret (Schmitt) Morris.  He was retired form the Illinois Department of Transportation.  John was a member of the St. Kateri Catholic Church and Ridgway Knights of Columbus Honorary Life member of L.A. Lambert Council 1581 and 4th Degree Assembly 232.  John had served our country in the Army during the Korean War and was member of the Shawneetown American Legion Post#585.  He is survived by Alice Jewell Barker West, Gary Barker Sr., Rodney Barker Sr., Tim Barker and Helen Powell all of Shawneetown; cousins, Mary McGuire and Charlie Morris both of Harrisburg, Joe McGuire of Tampa, Fla.; several other cousins and niece, Barbara Jo Morris of Colorado.  John was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Barbara Elizabeth Morris; one brother, Joe Morris and Helen Oliver who raised him.  Visitation for John will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Shawneetown.  Funeral Mass will be on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shawneetown with Father Steven Beatty officiating.  Burial will in St. Joseph Cemetery near Ridgway with military honors by Ridgway American Legion and Military Honors Team from Marion.  Donations may be made to St. Kateri Building Fund or the American Legion Post #585.  Internet condolences may be made at the website, www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com.