CHARLES CLAXTON

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- Charles E. Claxton, 81, of Newton, formerly of Mound City, died Wednesday, March 1, 2000, at the home of a daughter in St. Charles, Mo.

He was born Sept. 28, 1918, in Centralia, son of Logan and Leona Claxton.

Claxton was a boilermaker 32 years, retiring from Local 363 in Belleville.

He was a member and trustee of Grace United Methodist Church and member of Masonic Lodge 216 in Newton, Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Southern Illinois, and Order of Eastern Star Amaryllis Chapter 750 of Illinois.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia; two daughters, Donna Kinslow and Kathie Kiethline of St. Charles; a son, Charles "Bud" Claxton Jr. of O'Fallon; a sister, Rose Nugent of Centralia; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.

Friends may call at Crain Funeral Home in Newton from 4-8 p.m. Friday, and at Barkett Funeral Home in Mounds from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Church in Newton.

Graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge, with the Rev. F. Jerry Herring officiating.

Barkett Funeral Home at Mounds is in charge of local arrangements.