CECIL B. LYERLA

JACKSON -- Cecil B. Lyerla, 95, died Monday, March 22, 1999, at the Jackson Manor Nursing Home where he had been a resident since 1993.

Born March 29, 1903, in Alto Pass, Ill., he was the son of Jacob and Flora Nipper Lyerla. On March 27, 1937, he married Evelyn C. Davis. She died April 22, 1976.

In 1963, Lyerla moved to Jackson and worked as a union carpenter out of St. Louis, Carbondale, Ill., and Cape Girardeau.

From 1964 to 1978 he and his wife owned and operated the Lyerla Upholstery Shop in Jackson.

He was a former member of the Beach Grove Baptist Church.

He is survived by three sons, Dave Lyerla of Jackson, Carroll Lyerla of Gains, Mich., and Bruce Lyerla of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Shirley Ferguson of Wellsboro, Pa.; two sisters, May DeHart of Alto Pass and Zelma Lowery, of Anna, Ill.

Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.

In addition to his wife, Lyerla was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, with the Rev. John Stinnett officiating.

Friends may call after noon Thursday. Burial will take place in Alto Pass Cemetery.