ERNEST "ERNIE" F. DOIRON, 82, of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, passed away at 5:45 am, Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Red Bud Regional Care, Red Bud, Illinois. Ernie was born in rural Prairie du Rocher, Illinois on December 27, 1932. His parents were Ernest E. and Theresa (nee Mathews) Doiron. He graduated from Red Bud High School as valedictorian of his class in 1951. He attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for one year. He married Ina Jean Kempfer on November 28, 1953. He was employed by Randolph Service Company which later merged with Monroe Service Company to become Gateway FS Inc. Ernie served this farmer-owned Co-Op for 42 years, his last 24 years as Grain Department Manager. As Grain Department Manager, he promoted the development of the grain barge loading facility at Evansville, Illinois on the Kaskaskia River. Ernie served for 19 ½ years as trustee of the Village of Prairie du Rocher and 6 ½ years as Mayor of the Village. During his time on the Village Board of Trustees, Ernie was instrumental in the implementation and completion of the new water line and water tower from Ruma to Prairie du Rocher. He also served as Village Coordinator to the Prairie du Rocher-Modoc Drainage and Levee District culminating in the raising of the levee in 2003. As Mayor of the Village, he continued efforts to improve the financial condition and infrastructure of the community. Ernie continued the cooperative efforts between the Village and the Levee District as new challenges were encountered. He served as secretary and treasurer of School District 134 for many years and coached Khoury League baseball for 25 years. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher and served as Trustee for 18 years. He served as President of the Boy Scouts parent organization of Troop 338 for 8 years. Ernie served as Trustee and Treasurer of the Prairie du Rocher Commons Board for 11 years. For many years, Ernie and his brother Lavern operated the Prairie Theatre in Prairie du Rocher. Ernie retired from Gateway FS Inc in 1995. He remained active in the community by serving on the St. Clement Community Foundation Board, promoting healthcare in the community. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was a member of the Randolph County Rod and Gun Club and the Fort Chartres Sportmans Club and was an avid bass fisherman. Survivors: Wife: Ina Doiron Prairie du Rocher, IL 4 Children: Michael (Beth) Doiron Red Bud, IL Barbara (Michael) Sutterer Perryville, MO Gary (Angie) Doiron Glen Carbon, IL Timothy (Jill) Doiron Aurora, IL 10 Grandchildren: Sarah (Kevin) Heine, Kyle Doiron, Ryan Sutterer, Jennifer (Andrew) Maurer, Jessica Sutterer, Zachary (Alison) Doiron, Joshua Doiron, Claire Doiron, William Doiron and Benjamin Doiron 1 Great Granddaughter: Katelyn Heine 3 Sisters-in-law: Wilma Wagner Red Bud, IL Betty Deterding Red Bud, IL Shelba Kempfer Modoc, IL 1 Brother-in-law: Virgil Kempfer Red Bud, IL Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends Preceded in death by Parents and 2 Brothers - Lavern (Audrey) Doiron and Lilburn (Shirley) Doiron Funeral Mass: 11:00 am, Saturday, June 27, 2015 St. Joseph Catholic Church, Prairie du Rocher, Illinois Officiating: Msgr. Daniel J. Jurek Msgr. Dennis Schaefer Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery Prairie du Rocher, Illinois Visitation: Friday - 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday - 8:00 am - 10:15 am Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud, Illinois Memorials: St. Joseph Church Renovation Fund Hospice of Southern Illinois
