	Gerald Ray Bigham, age 65, of Granite City, formerly of Pinckneyville, died Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 5:20 p.m. in Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.
	Gerald was born on February 24, 1940 in Pinckneyville, a son to Elmer and Bertha (Becker) Bigham.  He married Marietta Foutch at First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, Ill. on October 25, 1958 and she survives.  He was retired as an assembly worker from General Motors, St. Louis, Mo. and was a member of United Auto Workers.
	Survivors include his wife: Marietta of Granite City, two daughters: Debra and William Kennedy of Festus, Mo. and Mary and Andy Bartling of St. Louis, Mo., one brother: Glen and Thelma Bigham of Granite City, one sister: Carolyn and Mike Jewel of Belleville, three grandchildren: Rebecca and Chris Wright of Imperial, Mo., Justin Kennedy of Festus, Mo. and Adam Bartling of St. Louis, Mo. and one great-granddaughter: Ava Nicole Wright.
	He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: Elmer, Elvis, Leroy and Russell Bigham, five sisters: Velma Hopp, Opal Bigham, Rebecca Lynch, Irene Schmidt and Lois Jenkel.  
	Funeral Services will be held at Holt's Prairie Baptist Church, Pinckneyville on Friday, May 6, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Collin Hirsch officiating.  Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery,
Pinckneyville.
	Friends may call at Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home, Pinckneyville on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday at the funeral home from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. and then at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.
	Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
