CAIRO, Ill. -- John W. Womble, 66, of Cairo died Saturday, March 1, 2003, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Marion, Ill.

He was born March 8, 1936, in Kosciusko, Miss., son of James W. and Gladys Hodges Womble.

He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after 30 years with the rank of gunnery sergeant.

He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, in which he served three tours of duty, and the Korean War. He was a member of Cairo VFW Post 2649.

Survivors include his wife, Irma Womble; a daughter, Jean Marie Mitchell of Belizoni, Miss.; three sons, Tommy Glen Womble of Zainesville, Ohio, John H. Womble of Swansboro, N.C., Billy Gene Womble of Belizoni; a stepson, Harold Eugene Harget of Swansboro; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

No visitation or services will be held. Barkett Funeral Home in Mound City, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.