Marion Illinois History Preservation

Boatright, Wilbern 1912-2002

Posted on October 14, 2013 by wcihsOctober 15, 2013

Wilbern Boatright was born on September 12, 1912, in Galatia, Saline County, to Mack Boatright (1872-1951) and Cora Jane Blackburn (1875-1945).

When the 1920 federal census was taken, Wilbern’s parental family was living in Brushy, Saline County, on a farm owned by his parents. His parents were then in their 40’s and his father was farming for a living. Wilbern was aged 7 and had four brothers living at home. Brother Roy was 19 and teaching public school, Lloyd was 17 and a farm laborer, Leman was 14, attending school, and Walter was 2. Continue reading →

Deaton, Wesley D. 1937-2007

Posted on October 11, 2013 by wcihsOctober 11, 2013

Wesley Dean Deaton was born July 24, 1937, to Clyde and Velma (Edwards) Deaton. He was a life-long resident of Marion.

He graduated from Marion High School in 1955. He spent three years in the United States Navy as a radioman, stationed at Kamiseya, Japan and graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Master’s Degree in Science and Education and a 6 year Specialist Certificate. Continue reading →

2008, Marion Recreation Department

Posted on October 10, 2013 by wcihsFebruary 28, 2014

In this writer’s opinion, The Marion Recreation Department has been one of the most significant factors if also one of the most unheralded— in the overall quality of life in Marion for the past 60 years. Marion is the only community in the immediate area to have a recreation department as a function of local government. Continue reading →

Boyt, Bobby D. 1939-2007, Boyt Accounting Service

Posted on October 10, 2013 by wcihsOctober 10, 2013

Bobby D. “Bob” Boyt was born April 2, 1939 in Marion to Jack Boyt and Amy Haesker Barnett. He married Emily Sue Bishop on September 19, 1998.

Bob graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in accounting.

He worked for GTE for 25 years. He was a priesthood member of the Community of Christ Church for 35 years and a member of the Marion Rotary Club and Paradise Alley Players. Continue reading →

Pulleys BBQ

Posted on October 9, 2013 by wcihsOctober 16, 2013

The following article was extracted from a Marion Living Magazine article written by Lila Colloton in April 2007 and describes one of the old eating institutions of Marion. Located for many years just outside the city limits of Marion next to the fair grounds on old route 13, the restaurant has certainly seen its share of history. Continue reading →