John Warren Widdows

John Warren Widdows

John Warren Widdows, 79, of Alto Pass, died Saturday, May 18, 2019, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. 

He was born on Jan. 30, 1940, in Carbondale, the son of John and Zelda Thomas Widdows. 

He married Alice Faye Rendleman on Aug. 11, 1984, in Cobden.  

He is survived by his wife of almost 35 years, Alice Faye Rendleman Widdows of Alto Pass; a son, Kevin Widdows of Alto Pass; stepsons Brian Hoxworth of Alto Pass and Michael (Alex) Hoxworth of Crawfordville, Fla.; a brother, Darrell Thomas Widdows of Alto Pass; a brother-in-law, Jerry Beeson of Casey; a niece, Sherry (Dean) Sloan of Casey; a nephew, Brad (Annette) Beeson; step-granddaughters Hailey Merriman of Jonesboro, Mindy Sanders and Jody White of Jackson, Mo., and Makayla Hoxworth of Crawfordville, Fla.; a step-grandson, Brian Hoxworth Jr. of Jackson, Mo.; step-great-grandchildren Steven, Rykan, Olivia and Lucas; and many other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Donna Beeson. 

Mr. Widdows served in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. He was commissioned in December of 1963 and retired from active duty in June of 1967. He completed his 20 years of Naval Service in the Naval Reserves, retiring as LCDR John Warren Widdows.

He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1963. After his active military duty, he began his 30-year teaching career at Shawnee High School in Wolf Lake as a computer and science teacher. He was known as “Wid” by his students, and this greeting always brought a smile to his face, especially after retirement. 

Mr. Widdows helped to organize the Alto Pass Fire Department and helped to establish the Alto Pass Veterans Memorial. He served as an active board member of the Alto Pass Cemetery Trust Fund and the Alto Pass Veterans Memorial until his death. He was a member of the Cobden Masonic Lodge and the VFW’s Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 in Anna.   

Funeral services were at noon Wednesday, May 22, at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass, with Davy Miller officiating. 

Graveside military rites were conducted by VFW’s Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 in Anna and the Navy funeral honor detail. Interment was in the Alto Pass Cemetery.

Masonic rites were conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 22.

Memorials can be made to the Alto Pass Veterans Memorial or to the Alto Pass Cemetery Trust or Maintenance Fund. 

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass was in charge of arrangements.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
1 + 0 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
Comment Here