William Dean Elsner

William Dean Elsner, 72, of Anna, died at 12:40 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at his home.

He was born on Aug. 5, 1944, in Alton, the son of William R. and Lois Jean Barnett Elsner.

He married Jessie Darling Wallace on March 30, 1973, in Granite City.

He is survived by his wife, Jessie Darling Elsner of Anna; sons Mark David (Patti) Elsner of Reynolds, Ga., Noah Scott (Heather) Elsner of De Soto, Michael Shannon (Debra) Elsner of Glenallen, Mo., William Steven (Jamie) Elsner of Anna, Phillip Paul (Brienna) Elsner of De Soto and Daniel (Dawn) Anderton of Collinsville; a daughter, Becky (Billy) Hardin of Evansville, Ind.; 16 granchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Shirley Gage of Alton and Mary (Lynn) Hotuiz of Alton; two brothers, Harold Francis Elsner and Kenneth Wayne Elsner, both of Alton; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cobden. He worked for over 40 years for the railroad, 18 years in freight and 18 years with Amtrak. He was a member of Cobden Masonic Lodge No. 466 and the American Legion Post No. 344.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam.

Memorial services for Mr. Elsner will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Cobden Masonic Lodge. Military rites will be conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna. Masonic rites will be conducted by Cobden Masonic Lodge No. 466.

Memorials can be made to Celtic Hospice.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.