CENTRALIA — Michael Ray Barr, 79, of Centralia passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2022, in his home.
Michael was born August 14, 1943, in Mt. Vernon, the son of Lewis Raymond “Bill” Barr and Martha Jane (Orrison) Barr. Michael had one brother, Rodger Barr, who preceded him in death. Michael married Peggy June (Russell) Barr on August 5, 1961, in Mt. Vernon. She preceded him in death after 47 years of marriage, on May 20, 2008.
Michael enlisted in the military in 1961 and served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Independence. Michael and Peggy resided in Mt. Vernon for 40 years until they moved into Michael’s family home in Centralia. Michael later married Peggy Sue (Thompson) Barr, on August 15, 2011, at Fouts Christian Church. She preceded him in death on November 8, 2015.
Michael was a jack of all trades. He was a coal miner at Inland Steele for nearly a decade; he owned his own TV repair shop; he retired from World Color Press; was the Maintenance and Custodial Director at Summersville Grade School; and retired, for a second time, from Sears, where he worked as an appliance salesman, just to list a few.
Throughout his life, Michael was a member of Casey Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as treasurer and deacon, he was a proud, long-time donor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and was a member of the Centralia Elks. He loved to fish, watch the St. Louis Cardinals, and spend time with his family.
Michael is survived by his daughter Michelle VanDeveer and husband Tracy of Centralia; three grandchildren: Blake VanDeveer and wife Megan, Tyler VanDeveer and wife Cassie, and Jordan VanDeveer and fiance Kyle Kinley; five great-grandchildren: McKenna, Piper, Camryn, Luke, and Tessa; two sisters-in-law: Brenda McGarvey and husband Kevin, and Sharon Karch; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service for Michael R. Barr will be held on Monday, October 17, 2022, at Hopewell Cemetery in Mt. Vernon at 1:00 pm with Pastor Don Verhines officiating. Military Honors will be accorded at the gravesite by the Centralia American Legion Post 446 and Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, 618-532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Barr family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook page