Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Harold Cantrell
Apr 8th, 1924 - Dec 12th, 2016Harold 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.