Jimmie Lybarger, 90, of Troy, Illinois, born June 6, 1920, in Madison, Illinois, entered heaven's gates at 4:40 p.m. on Monday, June 28, 2010, from Anderson Hospital, Maryville, Illinois.

Mr. Lybarger graduated from Madison High School in 1938. After graduating, he became a member of Local 90 Cement Masons and began working for C. A. Lybarger Construction Company in Granite City, Illinois, and later worked for H. H. Hall Construction Company. After retiring, his passion became his involvement in prison ministries that took him to many cities and towns in the area. He served through both the Madison County Correction for Christ organization and also through the Ministry of Criminal Justice.

He was also active in the Troy Lions Club, Troy Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges, the
Granite City Elks organization, and served on the Triad School Board for 18 years. He was a loving and giving Christian who enjoyed people while serving and helping others. He and his wife, Lela, were founding members of Son Life Church in Collinsville, Illinois, and he served many years as an elder in the church as well as working with the senior members of Son Life.

Mr. Lybarger was a well-respected husband and father who served and loved the Lord above all other things as well as enjoying the loving relationship he had with his family and friends. When he could, he also took the time to enjoy hunting, fishing, Cardinal baseball, golfing, bowling and traveling with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles A. and Nanie (Jones) Lybarger; his wife Lela (Lockley) Lybarger whom he married on June 28, 1941, at the First Presbyterian Church in Madison, Illinois; a brother, Leonard W. Lybarger; and a newborn baby sister.

He is survived by his two daughters, Karen (Robert) Freeman of Highland, Illinois; Patti Jean (Dennis) Amsden of Collinsville, Illinois; and a son, Jimmie Lybarger, Jr. (fiancée Terri Suter) of St. Jacob, Illinois; his grandchildren Kristan Freeman (Warren) Byrd; Kyle (Amy) Freeman; Kane (Jennifer) Freeman; Dawn Amsden (Tim) Stark; Denny (Shelley) Amsden; Deedra Amsden (Paul) Mager; David (Kami) Amsden; Dallas (Megan) Amsden; and Ryan, Christopher, Jordan, Marissa Lybarger as well as his great grandchildren Caitlin, Devynn, Cali, Camryn, Chayse and Jackson Byrd; Sophie and Will Freeman and Jake and Sky Freeman; Lydia, Isabelle, Michael, Dennis and Rebekah Stark; Cole, Hope, Lela and Ash Mager; Judah Amsden and Alexander "Lex" Amsden.

Also surviving are brothers Courtland of Granite City, Illinois, Charles "Bud" (Jean) of Effingham, Illinois, and Ronald of Summerfield, Florida, and sisters Ruth Nicholas, Shirley Rapoff, Clova May Howard, Janice Rice and Charlene Burns of Granite City.

Memorials may be made to Son Life Church in Collinsville, Illinois.

Friends may call Wednesday, June 30, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Laughlin- Richeson Funeral Home, Troy, Illinois, and may call from 9:00-10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 1, 2010, at Son Life Church, Collinsville, Illinois.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 1, 2010, at Son Life Church, Collinsville, Illinois, with Pastor David Amsden officiating. Interment will be in Friedens Cemetery, Troy, Illinois.

LAUGHLIN`RICHESON FUNERAL HOME,
Troy, Illinois