Herbert Hodges

CAIRO, Ill. — Herbert W.H. Hodges, 79, of Cairo died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at his home.

He was born Jan. 20, 1929, in Cairo, son of Liston and Jennie Crippen Hodges.

Hodges was a member of Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center in Cairo and was district manager with Cairo-Illinois-American Water Co. before his retirement.

He was a member of Illinois National Guard, former Civil War re-enactor with the 8th Illinois Regiment, planted more than 100 trees at Fort Defiance Park (Cairo Point), and had a street named in his honor.

Survivors include his wife, Opal E. Hodges; three daughters, Janice Sutton, Janet Allison and Vickie Caldwell, all of Cairo; three sons, Herbert "Mike" Hodges of Cairo, Bryon Hodges of Little Rock, Ark., Philip Hodges of Cairo; a brother, Bobby Hodges of Cairo; three sisters, the Rev. Wilma Williams of Cairo, Rossie Bingamen of Ullin, Ill., Margaret Tibbs of Cunningham, Ky.; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, a grandson and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Dr. Larry L. Potts officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge, Ill.