Collin Wesley Lyerla

Mr. Collin W. Lyerla Sr. age 89 of Anna, died at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2013 in the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born November 4, 1923 in Alto Pass, the son of Milas Omar and Nora Lee Edmonds Lyerla. He married Ethelene Wright on July 1, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri. Collin is survived by his loving wife, Ethelene Lyerla of Anna; two sons, Richard "Rick" (Donna) Lyerla of Jonesboro, and Collin "Wes" Lyerla Jr. of Cobden; one daughter, Judy Ann Lyerla of Anna; five grandchildren, Jamie Clary, Wendy Armstrong, Courtney (Adam) Haddick, Collin Wesley (Amy) Lyerla III, and Kimberly Wilber; Joel (Amber) Martin; eleven great grandchildren, Samantha Clary, Jackson Armstrong, Peyton Lyerla, Carolynn Lyerla, Camille Haddick, Alianna Haddick, Isaiah Martin, Jesse Lee Wilber; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers and three sisters. Collin has been a member of the Anna Heights Baptist Church since 1957. He was a lifetime charter member of the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V. F. W. in Anna. He proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. Collin retired from the Anna State Hospital after twenty eight years of service as the last blacksmith for the State. Collin was Master of Anna Lodge No. 520 in 1980 and 1999.He petitioned Cobden Lodge No. 466 for plural membership on February 18, 2010 and was elected a plural member of Cobden Lodge on March 3, 2010. He served the Grand Lodge of Illinois, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, as District Deputy Grand Master for the 18th Southern District of the State of Illinois from 1998 to 2000. Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master from 2001 to 2006 coordinating the Blue Lighting Program in the Southern Area. Grand Steward from 2001 to 2002, Grand Standard Bearer from 2002 to 2003, Grand Sword Bearer 2003 to 2004, and the Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of the Republic of San Marino from 2007 to 2013. He was elected to receive the degrees in Freemasonry by Anna Lodge No. 520 on January 21, 1969, initiated as an Entered Apprentice: January 28, 1969, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft: February 25, 1969, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason: March 25, 1969. Funeral services for Mr. Collin Wesley Lyerla Sr. will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2013 at the Anna Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Scott Harner officiating. Interment will be in the Ebenezer Hall Cemetery in Lick Creek. Graveside military honors will be conducted by the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V.F.W. in Anna and the Illinois Army National Guard Military Honors Team of Marion. Friends may call from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2013 at the Anna Heights Baptist Church. Masonic services will begin at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Children's Home in Murphysboro or to the Ebenezer Hall Cemetery. Envelopes will be available at the Church and at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Visitation Service Friday, August 16, 2013,4:00PM-8:00PM Anna Heights Baptist Church 100 Turner Ave Anna, Illinois 62906 Memorial/Funeral Service Saturday, August 17, 2013,11:00AM Anna Heights Baptist Church 100 Turner Ave Anna, Illinois 62906 Cemetery Service Saturday, August 17, 2013,12:00PM Ebenezer Hall Cemetery New Saratoga Road Lick Creek, Illinois