Earl L. Porter

	Earl L. Porter, 85, of West Frankfort, passed away at 6:55 a.m. Sunday, June 10, 2001 at Franklin Skilled Care in Benton.
	 Mr. Porter was a retired coal miner from Old Ben.  He lived in Southern Illinois all his life, except for seven years spent in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  During the 1950s he owned and operated Porters Hardware in Dowell and worked in the coal mine.  He retired in 1977.  He was a member of the UMWA.  He was of the Christian faith.
	Mr. Earl Porter was born October 1, 1915 at Christopher, the son of Arthur Porter and Dona Graeff.  He married Grace on February 7, 1938 in Jackson, Mo.
	Surviving are his wife, Grace Porter of West Frankfort; daughter, Carolyn McCarty and husband Billy Joe of Austin, Tex.; son, Art Porter and wife Cathy of West Frankfort; grandchildren, Billy J. McCarty and wife Judi, Brian McCarty, Andrew Nicholas Porter and Natalie Porter, great grandchildren, Jessi Lynn McCarty, Tyler Andrew Porter and Carley Jayne Porter.
	 He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Robert Porter in 1948.
	Funeral services were Thursday, June 14 at 10 a.m. at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort with Bro. Lloyd Whittaker officiating.  Interment was in Hallidayboro Cemetery.
	Visitation was after 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
