CHARLES MEARS

COBDEN, Ill. -- Charles Kenneth "Kenny" Mears, 55, of Cobden, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at his home.

He was born Aug. 6, 1945, at Ridgway, Ill., son of Hallas and Mary Satterfield Mears. He and Virginia "Ginny" Cates were married Jan. 13, 1980, at Jonesboro, Ill.

Mears retired from the Choate Mental Health and Development Center in Anna, Ill., after 35 years as a mental health supervisor. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cobden and the Union County Bass Club.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Amy Palmer of Goreville, Ill.; a son, Jeff Mears of Cypress, Ill.; two stepchildren, LaDonna Basler of Anna and Lisa Basler of Greenville, Tenn.; his parents of Carmi, Ill.; two brothers, Paul Mears of Norris City, Ill., and Wayne Mears of Anna; two sisters, Dorothy Buntin of Cypress and Yvonne Aldridge of Carmi; a grandchild; and four stepgrandchildren.

Friends may call from 5-8 today at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. The Rev. Dewayne Taylor will officiate, with burial in Casper Cemetery near Anna. Graveside military honors will be performed by the Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455.