Gerald Wayne “Red” Elders – Murphysboro, IL

Gerald Wayne “Red” Elders, 96, of Murphysboro, finished a full and notable life peacefully on February 24, 2017.

Red was born June 29, 1920 in Christopher, Illinois, to Louis “Rabbit” Elders and Flora (Dreimeyer) . Red grew up in Christopher and was a proud Bearcat. He was later a member of the Fighting Illini football team. Red then moved to Seattle, Washington, to pursue a career in semi-pro football.

In Seattle, Red married Billie Marie Hutson of Sesser, Illinois, before enlisting in the Merchant Marines. He became a First Mate on a sea going tugboat in the South Pacific during WWII. 

Red was a man of many talents and great accomplishments.  He opened E & E Mine Service, which operated in Christopher for many years. Red invented and developed several patents for mining tools, including a roof support system, which changed the face of modern day coal mining.  After moving from Christopher, Red and Billie lived in Aspen, Colorado, and Prescott, Arizona.  In Arizona, Red was a founding member and president of Oxycal Laboratories, Inc. and was involved in the development and patenting of ESTER-C. Red returned to southern Illinois and resided in Murphysboro for the past 17 years.     

Red is survived by daughters Suzi (Neal) Persky of Austin, Texas, and Tia Elders of Murphysboro, Illinois, and grandson Evan (Purvi) Persky, of Los Angeles, California.  He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Billie, one brother Leonard Elders, and companion, Alice Limpus.

Red was a world traveler, sportsman and someone who lived life to the fullest. His final years were spent surrounded by family, friends, pets, care-givers, laughter and adventures! Red never met a dog he didn’t like, never lived in a house that he didn’t build and knew that he had lived a very blessed life. Red  will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Christopher.  Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.