Anice Edward "A.E." Corzine
Anice Edward “A.E.” Corzine, 92, of Perks, died at 6:10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, with his family by his side.
He was born on Nov. 26, 1931, in Johnson County, the son of William H. and Mary Ethel Corzine.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Janis Arlene (Melvin), who passed on Nov. 10, 2011; by six brothers, William, Amos, Kenneth, Donald, Wilborn, Milburn; and one sister, Mary Antis.
He is survived by twin sisters Betty Corzine and Patsy Johnson of Kentucky; as well as three daughters, Pamela Corzine McSorley (Jerry) of Vienna, Tamela Lingle (Carl) of Dongola and Melinda Corzine of Vienna. He has also left behind four grandchildren, Carla Holderfield (Shane) of Dongola, Brian Lingle (Stephanie) of Vienna, Michael Brown (Natalie) of Anna and Heather Brown or Scott City, Mo.; 13 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Corzine served in the U.S. Army in the Signal Corps starting in August 1952 and was honorably discharged in July 1954.
He and his wife, Janis owned and operated a television/radio repair service in Perks for 27 years and served the Southern Illinois area.
In 1985 he went to work for the Illinois Department of Conservation, working at Ferne Clyffe and Belknap and retired in 1998. During his 13 years of employment with IDOC, he also donated his services to numerous organizations and agencies, including CCSCR, LCRP Inc., TNC, the State Water Survey and the Illinois Environmental Protection Association.
He spent the next two years writing a history book on the Lower Cache River, LCR. Sometime before 1970, he and other locals documented changes in the LCR river and wetlands. By 1979, he began his journey to gather assistance in protecting destruction in the LCR.
He also dedicated his land as a “Wildlife Enhancement Area.”
Mr. Edwards worked tirelessly with an organization called the “Citizens Committee to Save Cache River” to restore the Cache River and adjoining wetlands. Up until his death, he still provided valuable information to the state and federal agencies which are supposed to protect and preserve this Natural National Landmark designated by RAMSAR as of Wetlands of International Importance.
In 2006, he received a letter from President George W. Bush which read, “Your experiences have helped enrich and strengthen our nation.”
Mr. Corzine was the star of a trailer for a documentary titled “A.E. Corzine’s Last Stand” by Bar W Productions. Many people across the country considered him a “Southern Illinois Hero” and he will be remembered for generations to come.
He never gave up the fight, even up to his last day on Earth. His courage and dedication on behalf of all of us is remarkable beyond words.
Funeral services honoring the life of Anice Edward “A.E.” Corzine were at noon Saturday, Dec. 30, at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. The Rev. Scott Sparks officiated. Interment followed at the Cypress Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the U.S. Army National Guard burial detail team.
Pallbearers were Brian Lingle, Mike Brown, Cole Hansens, Daniel Holderfield, Kyle Holderfield, Luke Lingle, Caleb Lingle, Brayden Brown, Levite Biddle and Shane Holderfield.
Mr. Corzine was dearly loved by his family.
To leave an online message for the family, visit www.wilsonfuneralhome1928.com.
Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak was in charge of arrangements.