Carl Edward Hethmon, age 71, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 7:30 A.M. on Monday, December 28, 2015 at his home in Centralia, Illinois with his family at his side.  He was born on May 4, 1944 in Cairo, Illinois, the son of Arnold James and Alice Virginia (Stevens) Hethmon.  He married Ka Beard on April 28, 1967 in Carbondale, Illinois and she survives him in Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, Mr. Hethmon is survived by his children, Stacey Allen of Graham, Texas, Lynn Hethmon and wife Maureen of Anchor, Illinois and Julia Crowe and husband John of Nokomis, Illinois, grandchildren, Tim DeJaynes, Kasie Sedwick, Justin DeJaynes, James Hethmon and wife Sarah, J'Dah Hethmon, Jessica Thorndyke and husband Jake, Matt Crowe, Jonathon Carl Hethmon, Jorgia Crowe, Danielle McLeod, Conner McLeod, Rachel McLeod and Lauren McLeod, great grandchildren, Jayce DeJaynes, Jakob DeJaynes, Alivia DeJaynes and Carl Koger, brother, Paul Hethmon and wife Janet of Collierville, Tennessee, sister, Dianna Young and husband Dan of DeSoto, Illinois, 1 niece and 4 nephews.

Mr. Hethmon was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Hethmon was raised in DeSoto, Illinois and graduated from Carbondale Community High School in 1962.  In October of 1962, he joined the U.S. Navy and went to the Great Lake Naval Radar School.  He is a Plank Owner of the ship, USS Sylvania, he commissioned in Long Beach, California.  Mr. Hethmon was stationed in the Mediterranean and played short stop on an All Europe Softball Team, which was number 2 in the nation. He chopped out of the Navy at the rank of  E-5 in September of 1966.  He was a life time member of the Grand Tower American Legion and Centralia Elks BPOE 493.  He was a member of the Centralia Moose Family Center #1219.  Mr. Hethmon loved hunting and going to the cabin in Alexander County with his friends Mike and Merle.  He loved having his grandchildren and great grandchildren around and his favorite dog, Evelyn and cat, Ya Ya, by his side.

Earlier in life, Mr. Hethmon worked at GTE Telephone Company in Carbondale, Illinois, where he met his wife of 48 years.  Over the years, he worked as manager at CrediThrift of America, Personal Finance and Heights Finance. He has lived in Centralia, Illinois since 1987 and formerly lived in Benton, Illinois.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Mr. James Hethmon officiating.  Military rites accorded by the Centralia American Legion Post # 446 and V.F.W. Post # 2055 at the funeral home.   Friends may call from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the services at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois. Memorial Contributions may be made in Mr. Hethmon's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project or SSM Hospice of the Good Samaritan and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Hethmon's family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on Facebook.