Category Archives: People

Citizens of Marion

Rodd, Dee L. 1921-1980, DFC Recipient, Veteran of WWII and Korea

Posted on by December 17, 2013

Dee L Rodd 1921-1980Dee Larue Rodd, who resided at 1904 W. Warren Street in Marion, was born September 17, 1921 in Cambria, Illinois to the late Leonard Rodd and Kate Lipe Rodd.

A graduate of Marion High School in the Class of 1939, he attended Southern Illinois University from 1939-1942 and was graduated from the U.S. Naval Flight School in late 1942.

He was married October 11, 1943 to the former Ruth Anne Bowman in St. Louis, Missouri. Ruth was born October 7, 1925 to Virgil W. Bowman and Gladys Butts.

Rodd served in World War II and the Korean War as a combat pilot. A squadron leader, he flew 50 missions over Korea. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals, among several decorations. He left the Navy with the rank of Commander. Continue reading →

1974, The Cold Case Murder of Dr. Donald Ripley

Posted on by December 17, 2013

Dr. Donald Ripley
Dr. Ripley Murder
Dr. Ripley Murder
Dr. Ripley Murder

On December 4, 1974, Dr. Ripley’s chiropractic office at 1825 W. Main Street was full of patients awaiting treatment. At 9:30, an hour after the office should have opened, an unanswered telephone prompted one of the patients to answer it. Upon opening a hallway door he discovered the body of Dr. Donald Ripley. Ripley had been shot seven times with a .45 caliber hand gun. Most of the efforts to uncover his murderer centered around a mysterious, well-dressed black man, but his killer was never found and remains one of Marion’s cold cases to this day.  Continue reading →

Parmley, Dr. Joseph G. 1876-1954, Publisher of “Williamson County Physician”

Posted on by December 14, 2013

Dr. Joseph Green Parmley was born on a farm near Golconda on October 24, 1876, the son of Rev. George W. Parmley and Mary Daniel.

He attended Creal Springs Academy and Southern Illinois University before teaching school in Marion for four years. In 1904, he entered the University of Louisville, School of Medicine and graduated in 1908. Continue reading →

1974, The Murder of 13 Year Old Frances Buckner

Posted on by December 13, 2013

John Bilyew 1974 Buckner MurderOn June 1, 1974, 13 year old Frances Buckner, a resident of Creal Springs, was spending time in Marion with her father, Robert Buckner, who lived on the Public Square. They decided to walk down E. Main Street to Small’s Market at 1005 E. Main to buy milk. Frances outpaced her father who had health issues and was last seen about a half a block from Small’s. She wasn’t seen again until five nights later.

Her nude body was found lying in the street in the 500 block of E. Marion Street around 11 p.m. under a street light. Someone had thrown a rock through a local resident’s window to alert them of her presence. Continue reading →

Chase, Harold L. 1916-2006

Posted on by December 13, 2013

Harold Chase 1916-2006Harold L. Chase was born March 23, 1916 in Marion, Illinois to Walter Chase & Altha (Ozment) Muir.

He married Geneva Todd Spence on August 21, 1943 in O’Fallon, Illinois and together they shared over 62 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on January 5, 2006.

On July 30, 1957, Harold and Geneva Chase purchased the historic old home located at 601 E. Thorn Street from Pearl Parks, widow of F.E. Parks, and lived in the home for four decades. Continue reading →