Earl R. Milton

Earl R. Milton, 82, of Herrin, died at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at Helia Healthcare in Energy. 

He was born on Sept. 25, 1934, in Carterville, the son of Irving Earl and Morine Pearl Reeves Milton. 

Mr. Milton graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in higher education administration, with a specialty in college and university fiscal affairs management.

Mr. Milton served as senior internal auditor, director of internal auditing and director of general accounting at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  He was also the dean of business services and in 1973 the first treasurer at John A. Logan Community College in Carterville.  

Mr. Milton also worked in California as comptroller at California State University-Long Beach, before moving to Missouri to take a position as vice president for business and finance at Fontbonne College in St. Louis. Before coming to Missouri Western, Mr. Milton served as director of fiscal affairs at Regis College in Denver, Colo.

He loved to play golf, go bowling and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.  He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph, Mo.

He is survived by his daughter, Debra Vanvalkenburg; a grandson, Jordan Vanvalkenburg; a sister-in-law, Virginia Milton; several nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Mr. Milton was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sarah Milton; a brother, Richard Milton; and sisters and brothers-in-law Myra (Bob) Davidson and Evelyn (Bill) Toler.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Anna City Cemetery, with the Rev. Les Sinks officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery on Thursday.

Memorials can be made to local animal shelters. 

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.

Crain Funeral Home Egyptian Chapel in Energy is in charge of arrangements.