Aird A. Emery

	Aird A. Skeez Emery, 71, of Crainville, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2001 at 7:17 a.m. in Carbondale Memorial Hospital.
	Skeez retired from the Department of Justice, United States Bureau of Prisons after 20 years of service.  He started his career at the Marion Federal Penitentiary and also served at prisons in Memphis, Tenn. and Bastrop, Tex.  After retiring from the prisons, he worked as a police officer and building inspector for the City of Carterville.  He honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948 on the Island of Guam.  He was a long-time member of the Grand Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as church trustee.  he was a life member of the National Rifle Association and an avid hunter.  He was a member of the Williamson Lodge #802 Masonic Lodge in Carterville.  Skeez was very proud of his family and loved them very much.
	He was born January 1, 1930 at Crainville, the son of Thomas Lee and Dorothy (Williams) Emery.  He married Barbara Brown on June 1, 1951 at Piggott, Arkansas.
	 Surviving are his wife, Barbara Emery of Carterville; son, Rex and Christy Emery of DuQuoin; two sisters, Ruby Poteete of Crainville and Faye Cronin of Crainville; two grandsons, Lee Emery of St. Louis, Mo. and Aaron Emery of DuQuoin; granddaughter, Megan Emery of DuQuoin and many nieces and nephews.
	 He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Alva, Russell, Carl and Bill Emery and four sisters, Mary Ruth Webb, Agnes Victor, Lenora Cowan and Nancy Houschild.
	Funeral services were Friday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at Riggin-Pillatsch Funeral Home in Carterville with Rev. David Byrd officiating.  Interment was in North Oakwood Cemetery at Carterville.
	Friends called after 6 p.m. Thursday at Riggin-Pillatsch Funeral Home.
	Williams Lodge #802 conducted Masonic services at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home
	Memorials may be made to the Carterville Fire Department or to Carterville Public Library.
