Loel Verble Jr.

Loel Verble Jr.

Loel Verble Jr., 94, of Anna, died on Oct. 28, 2022, in Chesterfield, Mo., surrounded by his family in his last days.

He was born on Oct. 17, 1928, in Anna, the son of Loel and Agnes Ledbetter Verble.  

He married Joyce Davis on Dec. 11, 1948.  Joyce preceded him in death on March 7, 2014, after they had just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. 

Loel is survived by two daughters, Charla Verble (Dennis) Edmonds of Lake St. Louis, Mo., and Debbie (David) Treece of Gilman; grandchildren David Edmonds of Manchester, Mo., Laura (Shaun) Cox of Cottleville, Mo., and Sarah (Brandon) Handy of Richardson, Texas; great-grandchildren Jade Edmonds of Myakka City, Fla.,  Annabelle and Benjamin Cox of Cottleville, Mo.; one sister, Jean Cauble of Ballwin, Mo.; and many close nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce; parents Loel and Agnes Verble; and two brothers, Carl Verble (and wife Jane Verble), and Don Verble (and wife Janet Verble). His brother-in-law Bill Cauble (husband of Jean Verble Cauble) also preceded him in death.

He was born and raised in Anna. He attended the Lincoln Grade School, Anna  Junior  High School and graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School with the Class of 1946.

After graduation, Loel worked with the State of Illinois in Chicago, prior to serving with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.   

Upon discharge from active duty, Loel enrolled at Southern Illinois University and completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.  After graduation, Loel was employed with the Illinois Youth Commission as a youth counselor.

In 1959 he was appointed as the principal of  Davie Elementary School in Anna for six years. In 1965 he became the superintendent of Anna School District No. 37. In 1969 he also earned his Ph.D. in administration from SIU and was known to many in his career as Dr. Verble.  

During his tenure as superintendent, Loel was very active in the Illinois Association of School Administrators.  He served on the board of directors of the association and in 1977 was elected president of the State of  Illinois Association of School Administrators.  Loel was privileged to serve on  both the State of Illinois and national conference committees.

From 1970 to 1985 he served on the executive committee of SIITA (Southern Illinois University television station).  

In Anna, Loel was an active member of the Kiwanis Club. 

Loel was also a 50-year plus member of the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Anna. Loel served as both a deacon and elder, as well as on other church committees. 

Loel was always friendly and interested in visiting with old friends and new acquaintances who quickly became new friends as well.  He was blessed to spend a lifetime of work and play and raising his family in the special little town of Anna.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Anna, with Rev. Dr. David Fischler officiating. 

Interment will be in the Anna Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna and the Illinois Army National Guard military honor team. 

Friends may visit after 11 a.m. and until the service hour at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the church. 

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Anna.  Envelopes will be available at the church and at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home.

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

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

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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