Ford Barkett

CAIRO, Ill. -- Ford Barkett, 89, of Cairo died Saturday, July 31, 2004, at his home.

He was born Aug. 1, 1914, at Hickman, Ky., son of Wade and Rumzey Barkett.

Barkett served as the Alexander County circuit clerk for three terms, for one term as county treasurer and assessor, and two terms as Cairo city commissioner. He was a member of Cairo Baptist Church, a 60-year member of Cairo Elks Lodge 651 and a member of Cairo VFW Post 2649. He was a life member of the Illinois Association of Court Clerks. He formerly served on the board of the Lower Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association for Cairo. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Africa, Italy and the Middle East.

Survivors include a son, David Barkett of Cairo; a daughter, Mara Stelzried of Winston-Salem, N.C.; a brother, James Barkett of Paducah, Ky.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Dr. Larry L. Potts officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge, Ill.