Vonley L. Elmore (88) of rural Wheeler

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Published on February 5 2024 6:36 am

Vonley Lynn Elmore, age 88, of rural Latona, Illinois, passed away at 11:10 PM – Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Vonley’s life will be held at 10:00 AM – Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Mike Knepper officiating.  The burial will be in the Bailey Cemetery, west of Latona, Illinois.  Visitation will be held 4:00 to 7:00 PM – Friday, February 9, 2024, at the funeral home.  Masonic rites will be held at 5:00 PM, by members of the Winterrowd Lodge and surrounding Lodges.  The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Vonley was born August 31, 1935, in rural Wheeler, Illinois, the son of Homer and Mamie (Clagg) Elmore.  He married Evelyn Brown Staley Gowin on June 23, 1957, and she preceded him in death on February 19, 2004.   

Vonley worked in construction for Charles Fritchle and with Bender Brothers Construction in grain elevator construction.  He later worked for Hicks Gas as a truck driver.  In later years, he had his own business--Elmore Oil.  He was a member of Winterrowd Masonic Lodge #664, member of the Ainad Temple and the Jasper County Shrine Club.  He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting and visiting with family and friends.

He is survived by:

Daughter - Doris (Don) Cochran of Latona, Illinois

3 granddaughters - Kimberly Cochran of Cerro Gordo, Illinois; Crystal (Will) Hembree of Neosho, Missouri; and Dana (Nate) McQuillen of Effingham, Illinois.

Sister - Beverly (Paul) Flinn of Milton, Florida

Brothers - Loren Elmore of Johnsonville, Illinois; Sheldon Elmore of Mason, Illinois

Brother-in Law - Dean (Shirley) Brown of Clay City, Illinois

Sister-in-Law - Claire Elmore of Latona, Illinois

He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. 

Vonley was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, his parents, Son Harry Dale "Buddy" Gowin; sisters Ilene "Sis" Osborn Hake Corso and Kathleen Elmore; brothers Marvin, Alvin, Merle, Dean, and Roscoe Elmore; brothers-in-law Arley Osborn, Tom Hake, Dominic Corso; sisters-in-law Dorothy Elmore, Charlene Elmore, Norma Jean Elmore, Edith Elmore, Betty Elmore and Rosemary Elmore.