Eldon L. ‘Pappy’ Brooks
Eldon L. “Pappy” Brooks, 97, of Carbondale, died Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
He was born on April 10, 1925, in Carbondale, the son of James and Maude Rich Brooks.
On Dec. 6, 1946, he married Mary Margaret Johnson. They shared almost 54 years of making wonderful memories. Mary preceded him in death on Nov. 27, 2000.
Mr. Brooks served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in Leyte, Philippines, and in Okinawa (Ryukyus). He earned a Purple Heart with an Oakleaf Cluster, a Bronze Arrowhead, two Bronze Stars and three Overseas Bars.
He was a postal clerk for the United States Post Office in Carbondale for 25 plus years.
He was a member of the Hourglass 7th Infantry; 32nd Regiment Veterans Organization and the Eagles.
He loved the St. Louis Cardinals and was honored to be a lifetime fan.
Mr. Brooks is survived by his sons, Terry (Carla) Brooks of Edmond, Okla., and Gordon (Joan) Brooks of St. Louis; grandchildren Timothy (Renee) Brooks of St. Louis, Tara (Jon) Crowell of Wentzville, Mo., Julie (Trevor) Davis of Edmond, Okla., Matthew (Victoria) Brooks of Kirkwood, Mo., and Christopher Brooks of Shrewsbury; Mo.; great-grandchildren Ryan Brooks of St. Louis, Olivia Davis of Edmond, Okla., Tucker Davis of Edmond, Okla, Jonathan Crowell of Wentzville, Mo., Trigg Davis of Edmond, Okla., Lucas Crowell of Wentzville, Mo., and Arthur Brooks of Kirkwood, Mo.; other relatives and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and siblings Charles Delmus Brooks, Reba Maushardt and Mable Kennel.
Funeral services for Eldon L. “Pappy” Brooks were at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home, with Trevor Davis officiating. Interment followed in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Full military honors were accorded.
Memorials can be made to Drury Christian Church, 781 Drury Rd., Carbondale, Ill.
Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home in Murphysboro was in charge of arrangements.
To view the obituary and/or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.