Delbert Birkner

	Delbert Birkner, age 82, of Rural Route 1, Unicorn Road, Pinckneyville, passed away early Saturday morning in the Pinckneyville Community Hospital.
	Delbert was born July 19, 1918 in Pinckneyville, the son of Fred J. and Cora J. (Cottom) Birkner.  He was united in marriage to Martha Marie Harvey on January 8, 1938 in St. Louis, Mo. and she preceded him in death on September 23, 1999.  Delbert was a retired coal miner with the Pyramid and Consolidated #2 mines and was a member of the UMWA.  Delbert was  a lifelong resident of Pinckneyville, was very involved with horses and other animals and was a loving husband, father and grandparent.
	Delbert is survived by a son, Delbert D. Birkner and wife Marge of Lenzburg; two daughters, Nina Rae Schramm and husband John of Loami and Dianna J. Jebron and Joe of Coulterville; one brother, Harold Birkner and wife Loretta of New Athens; four sisters, Erma Kelley and Audrey Stone and husband James, both of Pinckneyville, Geraldine Woodside and husband Nelson of OFallon and Edna Dietrich of Belleville; five grandsons, five granddaughters and 14 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; infant daughter, Rose Marie; two brothers, Nelson and Milton and a son-in-law, Jim Jebron.
	Funeral services were Monday, January 22 at 1 p.m. at the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home in Pinckneyville with Rev. John C. Riggs officiating.  Interment was in the Mueller Hill Cemetery.
	 Friends called Monday morning from 8 a.m. until time of services at the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home in Pinckneyville.
	 Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Parkinson Disease Association.
