Posted: 2:01 PM - Oct 14, 2005
(From the Roger Atkins Funeral Home, Salem, Illnois)
(He corresponded with our first Newsletter Editor, Wallace Shipp. He is a descendant of a John Branson who settled in Maryland. It is unknown if he connects with our William Branson family.)
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the Rogers-Atkins Funeral Home in Salem for Donald J. Branson, 87, of Salem, with burial in the Bell Cemetery in Kell. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by the Salem American Legion. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
Branson died at 11:34 p.m. on Monday at the St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He was born March 25, 1915, in Iuka, the son of Kirby E. and Hertha Michael Branson. He married Shirla Myers on April 11, 1941, in Centralia. She preceded him in death in 1996.
He was a construction laborer and member of Local 96 of Glen Ellyn. He was a member of the Bell Baptist Church, Salem VFW and Salem American Legion. He was an Army veteran of World War II, earning the Meritorious Unit Award, GO #54 Hq MTOUSA 45 Good Conduct Ribbon, European, African, Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars and four Overseas Service Bars. He fought in Naples, Foggia, Rome, Arno, North Appennines, and Po Valley. Branson was an avid local historian and was co-author of, "Ellis Branson of Romine Township."
Survivors include: one son, Gary Lee Eagan and wife AeCha of San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Linda Kay Guenther and husband Jim of Circleville, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Donald Ray Branson, two brothers and three sisters.
Memorials may be made to the Bell Cemetery or The Marion County Historical Society.
(He corresponded with our first Newsletter Editor, Wallace Shipp. He is a descendant of a John Branson who settled in Maryland. It is unknown if he connects with our William Branson family.)
Donald J. Branson
(March 25, 1915 -- February 24, 2003)
(March 25, 1915 -- February 24, 2003)
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Branson died at 11:34 p.m. on Monday at the St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He was born March 25, 1915, in Iuka, the son of Kirby E. and Hertha Michael Branson. He married Shirla Myers on April 11, 1941, in Centralia. She preceded him in death in 1996.
He was a construction laborer and member of Local 96 of Glen Ellyn. He was a member of the Bell Baptist Church, Salem VFW and Salem American Legion. He was an Army veteran of World War II, earning the Meritorious Unit Award, GO #54 Hq MTOUSA 45 Good Conduct Ribbon, European, African, Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars and four Overseas Service Bars. He fought in Naples, Foggia, Rome, Arno, North Appennines, and Po Valley. Branson was an avid local historian and was co-author of, "Ellis Branson of Romine Township."
Survivors include: one son, Gary Lee Eagan and wife AeCha of San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Linda Kay Guenther and husband Jim of Circleville, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Donald Ray Branson, two brothers and three sisters.
Memorials may be made to the Bell Cemetery or The Marion County Historical Society.
Courtesy of
Rogers-Atkins Funeral Home
Salem, Illinois
Rogers-Atkins Funeral Home
Salem, Illinois