Charles F. "Charlie" Mandrell, 76, of Benton went to be with his Lord Tuesday morning, Jan. 26, 2010, from the St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Immanuel Baptist Church with Dr. Willis Henson and the Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.
A law-enforcement walk-through will take place at 5 p.m. Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He was born April 24, 1933, in West City, the son of Raymond and Polly (Nalley) Mandrell.
He married Betty K. (Sneed) on March 5, 1953, and she preceded him in death on July 26, 1997.
He married Mary (Stewart) on April 4, 1998, and she survives.
Charlie was a Christian and a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church.
He retired after 29 years with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, serving as sheriff for eight of those years.
He was in the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart.
Charlie was always outgoing and made friends wherever he was. He always treated everyone the same, and had a story to tell. He was a kind, gentle and loving man, known to his grandchildren as "Papaw," and they loved him dearly.
He loved the outdoors.
Mr. Mandrell is survived by his wife, Mary Mandrell of Benton; two sons, Charles E. "Ed" Mandrell of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Gordon D. Mandrell of Pinckneyville; daughter, Rhonda Metheney and husband, Monty, of West Frankfort; grandchildren, Brandon Mandrell and wife, Alex, of Benton, Jared Arnett of West Frankfort, Samantha Arnett of Benton, Jeremy Mandrell of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Josh and Amy Mandrell of Pinckneyville; special great-granddaughter, Mekaela Arnett; sister, Rue Riberdy of Benton; special mother-in-law, Stella Stewart of Benton; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Frankie Howard, Madge Giovale, Dwight L. Sneed, Bob and Doris Stewart, Bud Stewart, Bev and Barry Seddon, Dick Stewart, Jack and Kerrie Stewart, Danny and Marsha Stewart, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; sisters, Jean, Madge and Beulah; a brother, Bobby; and a sister-in-law Joann Waggoner.
We will always remember his kind, caring ways and his love for his family.
