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Apr 8th, 1924 - Dec 12th, 2016Funeral: 1 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Saturday and 12 noon until the hour of service on Sunday at the funeral home
Interment: Powers Cemetery with military honors
Harold R. “Boscoe” Cantrell, age 92, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away Monday, December 12, 2016, at the home of his daughter in Port St. John, Florida.
Harold was born April 8, 1924, in Deer Grove, Illinois, the son of Burl R. and Mae G. (Renner) Cantrell. He married Dorothy Marie Sanders on April 26, 1947, in Louisville, Illinois, and she preceded him in death August 25, 1966. Harold later married Vivian (Higgason) Wyman on September 10, 1970, and she preceded him in death on September 13, 2008.
Harold served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He farmed and worked on construction projects, and served as a tax assessor and Garden Hill Township road commissioner, and had been a member of the VFW, American Legion and Central Laborer’s Union. He was often thinking of friends and family, and took time to visit with others including those in nursing homes for the hope of bringing a smile with a joke, and loved reminiscing about the times spent laughing over many windy tales told at Knapp’s in Xenia. He enjoyed fishing, working in his garden and taking rides out in the countryside looking at the deer and wildlife.
He is survived by his children: Walter (Barbara) Cantrell of Plano, Dale (Janice) Cantrell of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Rita Byrum of Oakland City, Indiana, and Charlotte (Scott) Cummins of Port St. John, Florida; a step-daughter: Phyllis (Ken) Hill of Riverdale, Michigan, including her 3 sons: Todd Hill, Tracy Hill, and Stacy Hill and their families; a brother: Howard (Frances) Cantrell of Xenia; 9 grandchildren: Matthew (Danielle) Cantrell of Round Lake Beach, Deanna Cantrell and Michael Cantrell both of Plano, Chad Cantrell and Brad (Dana) Cantrell both of Alamogordo, New Mexico, Carl (April) Byrum-Mann of Haubstaudt, Indiana, Don Byrum-Mann of Maryland, Ryan (Anne) Cummins of West Hills, California, and Autumn Cummins of Jacksonville, Florida; and 8 great-grandchildren: Brittany Cantrell, Lily Doukas-Cummins, Connor Cummins, Cody Mann, Ava Mann, Will Mann, Madeline Mann, and Bennett Mann. He was preceded in death by his parents and both wives.
A funeral service for Harold R. “Boscoe” Cantrell will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2016, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Burial will follow in Powers Cemetery, Xenia, with military honors. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday and 12 noon-1p.m.until the hour of service on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans) and these will be accepted through the funeral home.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
"Boscoe"......my ole fishing buddy....my friend. I never saw him without a smile on his face & a twinkle in his eye. Rest in peace, my friend. So sorry for your loss Phylis & Kenny.
You are going home Daddy! I hope you enjoy your ride. May this candle light your way. Love you with all my heart. Love Charlotte
Our sympathy and condolences to the Cantrell family.
I loved to hear his stories in the downtown café in the afternoon when they would all gather around 2 pm for a cold or hot drink. What a wonderful generation and so so much knowledge and pride. He will never be forgotten
We are so Sorry for your loss. What a wonderful person Boscoe was . Always had a smile on his face and a GREAT story to tell.... We Will Miss You....
Our sincere sympathies to the family during this difficult time. Many fond memories of time spent at the Cantrell home :) never forgotten. God Bless.
Use to enjoy delivering meals to the house and spending a few minutes visting.
Boscoe will be greatly missed. I know it has been a while since he came to drink coffee at the station in Xenia. He was a regular. Always had a story. Great guy.
I remember my sister (Debbie Holman) and I going to Boscoe's house to visit Charlotte when we would stay at Grandpa & Grandma (Coak & Marge)Wesner's. Boscoe & Vivian were always so nice & welcoming to us. So sorry to hear of your loss.
We are very sorry to hear the passing of your father. Bosco was a wonderful neighbor and my family friend. We all thought a lot of him. He would stop by and chat with us on many occasions. After mom and dad passed away, he would look out for anyone stopping by the house. If a vehicle was there and he didn't recognize it, he would call me. I was very greatful and appreciative of that. You did a wonderful job taking care of him. You all are in our thoughts and prayers during this sad time. God bless each of you.
My father, Delbert.Colclasure and Bosco would share rides to construction jobs ie. Olney Central College. Bosco was a laugh a minute. I enjoyed their banter back and forth.
I am sorry to hear of Boscoe's passing. I did not know him till his later years, but he always had a smirk and sparkle that lit up the room. It was a pleasure to know him!
We both have fond memories of Boscoe. Darrell has childhood memories of the two family's visiting together. I also have fun times when Harold and my mom dated after her divorce from my dad. They took me and Charlotte and Rita on a few excursions, Cave in Rock, fishing and more. He was a great guy. Praying for all of you during this time.
We are really going to miss Bosco. He was a kind person and always had time for a chat. Prayers to the family and God BlessHim !!
I will never forget Boscoe ! He was a good man and brought joy everywhere he went. I wish I could recall all the stories he shared at the shop . My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
