Seldon Grant

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Seldon S. Grant, 81, of Olive Branch passed away at 2:50 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2011, at his home.

He was born Sept. 1, 1929 in Tamms, Ill, the son of Eldon and Dovie Dyer Grant. He married Charlotte Grable on Nov. 3, 1956, at Mounds (Ill.) United Methodist Church.

He graduated from Mounds Township High School in 1947. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War as a radio operator from 1951 to 1955. He retired from ICGRR after 38 years as a locomotive engineer. He was a 32nd degree Mason with Caledonia Lodge No. 47 in Olive Branch. He belonged to Ainad Shrine in East St. Louis, Ill., Elks Lodge in Cairo, Ill., American Legion in Mount Vernon, Ill., and a life member of the VFW in Cape Girardeau. He attended Olive Branch United Methodist Church.

Sel was a lover of the outdoors, always took great pleasure in making a vegetable garden and sharing with family and friends. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and taught and shared these sports with his sons. He and Lottie took pleasure in fishing and taking vacations together. Sel made and kept numerous friends wherever he lived. He always wanted to be the giver and helping others any way he could. He will certainly be missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, whom he affectionately called Lottie; a son, Brad and his fiancee Sharon Williams of East Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Frances Travers of Springfield, Ill., Pam and husband Bob Timm of St. Charles, Ill.; nieces; nephews; and other relatives.

Besides his parents and son Kenneth E. Grant, he was preceded in death by an infant sister.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, with a Masonic service at 8.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Brent Gordon officiating. The service will be followed by a flag presentation by the Illinois National Guard. Internment will follow in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Olive Branch Methodist Church or Shriners Children's Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com.