Ferrell, Denton 1899-1966 Engineer and Inventor

Denton “Dent” Ferrell was born in Crainville on November 11, 1889, the son of Hosea V. Ferrell and Mildred Cassandra Davis. His father, Hosea, was a physician and prominent citizen in Carterville. Of his many siblings, a brother named after his father, Hosea V. Ferrell, became a leading attorney and prominent citizen of Marion for decades. Continue reading

Fosse, Raymond E. 1947-XXXX

Raymond Earl Fosse was born April 4, 1947 in Marion, Illinois, the son of Wayne and Pauline Fosse. Ray had an older brother Jerry, and younger brother Jim.

Ray played the infield his freshman year at Marion High School, but his second year moved to catcher and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player all three years. He hit .475 his sophomore year and .535 as a junior. In his last season, Fosse posted a .465 mark, with four home runs, and led Marion to the Illinois Regional Finals. Ray also lettered in football as a fullback and in basketball as a forward. Continue reading

Duncan, Robert W. 1920-2013, WWII Flying Ace

Robert DuncanRobert W. Duncan, age 92, lifelong resident of Marion, IL except for the time he served in the Navy, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at his home.

He was born in Marion on Monday, December 20, 1920, the son of Absalom Wesley and Nellie Mae (Drake) Duncan. Continue reading

Fowler, August L. 1900-1997, Fowler and Novick

August Fowler 1918August L. “Gus” Fowler was born December 11, 1900, in Marion, to John Vancleve Fowler and Mary Charlotte Birkholz. He grew up in the family home located at 919 W. Cherry Street with one younger sister, three years his junior, named Cecile Fowler.

Gus was a graduate of the Marion Township High School and was vice president of his senior class in 1918, and the editor-in-chief of the first yearbook at Marion Township High School. In the same year that Gus graduated from high school, his 14 year old sister, Cecile, passed away. Continue reading