Carl Ragle

TAMMS, Ill. -- Carl "Cotton" William Ragle of Tamms went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. Cotton was born March 20, 1923, in Murphysboro, Ill., to John B. Ragle and Ruby May Blankenship. He married Vera Mae Marshall on Jan. 16, 1947.

Cotton was retired after 43 years of service with the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio and Illinois Central-Gulf railroads. He was a derrick engineer and later promoted to and retired as a mechanical foreman.

He was a decorated World War II veteran. He served in the 11th Airborne, 511G Company paratroopers. He received three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star with Oakleaf Cluster, an American Campaign Medal, an Asiatic Campaign Medal with Bronze Star Attachment, a Triple World War II Victory Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, an Expert Infantry Badge, an Honorable Service Loyal Button, a Good Conduct Medal and a Presidential Citation.

Cotton was an avid outdoorsman and bird hunter.

He is survived by loving wife of 66 years; two daughters, Carlene Stewart (Richard) of Lansing, Mich., and Ladonna Murray of Cape Girardeau; nine grandchildren, Richelle Wright, Julie Shangraw, Carl Sims, Kendra Davis, Steffanie Giles, Niki Gettinger, Richard Stewart, Jared Murray and Gabrielle Murray; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; one great-great-grandson; one sister, Virgina McKay Grantham of Smyrna Beach, Fla.; and special friends Malcolm and Karen Schack of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruby Ragle; brothers, Gene and John Ragle; and son-in-law Carl Murray.

Visitation for Cotton will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, and from 10 until time of service Tuesday.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jack Cathcart officiating. Interment will be in Tower Grove Cemetery in Murphysboro with military honors.

To leave online condolences, visit crainsonline.com.