2022 08/21 – Ernest Joe Stonecipher, Jr

Mr. Ernest Joe Stonecipher, Jr., age 94, of Murray, Kentucky, died on, Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray, Kentucky.

Mr. Stonecipher was born on November 24, 1927, in Centralia, Illinois to the late Ernest Joe Stonecipher, Sr. and Thelma Shaffer Stonecipher. He retired as an agent for the Standard Oil Company and after retiring worked for the Centralia Propane Company. In addition, Mr. Stonecipher was a member of the First Baptist Church in Centralia, Illinois, and was a loyal member of the Order of Moose and Elks Lodges.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Wham; as well as one brother, C.W. Stonecipher.

Survivors include his wife, Alta Nadine Stonecipher of Murray, Kentucky; they married on August 1, 1948, in Centralia, Illinois; one daughter, Christie Stonecipher Cistola of Centralia, Illinois; one son, Ernest Joe Stonecipher, III and wife Dana of Murray, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Sean Stonecipher and wife Stacey, Shea Lowe and husband Scott, Kacee Barrow and husband Landon, Andrew Cistola and wife Hannah, and Nicholas Cistola and wife Amanda; as well as nine great-grandchildren, Sayde Lowe, Sayler Lowe, Chase Stonecipher, Brylee Barrow, Layla Barrow, Adalynn Barrow, Frankie Cistola, Kimber Cistola, and Rylan Cistola.

As early as age 13, Joe began driving big trucks on his grandparents’ (Lewis and Etta Stonecipher) farm in Field Twp. He finally drove his last big truck when hauling grain (while in his 80’s) for Rick and Jerry Corners. Second only to his loyalty to his ‘farm customers’, Joe was known for his skill as a batter in fastpitch softball and having a sharp eye for hunting in Horsecreek, Jefferson County.

Having to stay home during WWII for necessary services (fuel oil for homes, schools, oil rigs), he demonstrated his love of the country by building and then selling children’s picnic tables for donation. Joe personally donated over $8,400 to the Veterans Tribute located at Kaskaskia College. A more honest and honorable man has never existed – he will be missed by many.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia with Bro. Tom Clendenen officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11: 45 a.m., on Sunday, August 21, 2022, in the Hillcrest Lakeside Chapel in Centralia.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the First United Methodist Church, Attn: Help House, 503 Maple Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071, Kaskaskia College Foundation, Subject Line, Veterans Tribute, 27210 College Road, Centralia, Illinois 62801, or to the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, 803 Poplar Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071 and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, Illinois 62801 (6180 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Stonecipher family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.