Mr. Andrew Cordell Cairel, age 78, of Benton; passed away Friday, October 13, 2017 at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at the First Christian Church, 302 South Main Street, Benton, IL with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial with full military honors, conducted by the Illinois National Guard, will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL, where Sons of the American Revolution Funeral Ritual will take place at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church.
Cordell was born on August 18, 1939 in Logan, IL, the son of Raleigh Cairel and Janet (Berry) Cairel. He married the former Barbara Jo Neal on September 12, 1960, and she preceded him in death on February 28, 1988. He would later marry the former Barbara Tedrow on July 3, 1990, and she survives.
Mr. Cairel served his country in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis, with the 82nd Airborne Signal Corps, where he received a Parachutist Badge. He was a member of the Thompsonville American Legion Post 1194.
His working career was in the Coal Mines. He formerly worked with Old Ben Coal Company at Number 9, 24, and 27 coal mines. He was a proud member of the U.M.W.A.
Cordell loved his Lord and Savior. He was an ordained minister, and was the former pastor of the Parrish Baptist Church from 1981 to 1988. Currently, he and his wife are members of the First Christian Church of Benton.
Cordell was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed shooting guns. He enjoyed honoring fellow veterans with assisting with military rites. He was a former member of the Benton Kiwanis and Gideons. Also, he is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution of Marion.
Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Surviving is his loving wife of 27 years, Barbara Cairel of Benton; his two sons: Frank Cairel and wife Felicia of Benton, and Derrick Cairel and wife Angelia of Benton; Barb’s two sons: John Rose and wife Judy of Benton, and Ron Rose and girlfriend Lisa Bradley of Benton; eight grandchildren: Ashley Cairel of Champaign, IL, Alexandria Cairel of Benton, Andrew Cairel of Benton, Kirsten Page and husband Bennett of Benton, Bailee Cairel of Benton, Amanda Hill and husband Dan of Madison, MS, James Rose of McLeansboro, Scott Rose of Benton; two great-grandchildren Eli Hill and Jackson Rose; a sister Janice Williams and husband Sam of Johnston City, IL; an aunt Martha Purcell of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Barbara Jo Cairel; and a sister Kitty Baker.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund, and will be accepted at the funeral home on Tuesday, and at the church on Wednesday.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Cordell, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
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