Elizabeth Marie Birkner 

Marie Birkner, age 88, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. at Pinckneyville Healthcare, in Pinckneyville. 

Marie was born on April 1, 1919 in Creal Springs, a daughter to Neal and Ella Mae (Rodgers) Campbell.  She married James B. Bryant in 1936 and later married Russell Birkner.  She owned the Walnut Caf in Pinckneyville, and was a waitress and cook for Lukes Caf in Pinckneyville, for many years. Marie was of the Protestant Faith. 

Survivors include her children Mike (Sharon) Bryant of Murphysboro, and June (Don) Stanton of Centralia, one sister: Dorothy Smith of Honolulu, Hawaii, a sister-in-law: Katherine Campbell, Louisville, Ky., a grandchild: Mike T. Bryant of Murphysboro, two great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, four brothers, and two grandsons: Don and Bill Stanton. 

A memorial visitation will be held Friday evening, May 16, from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. at Pyatt Funeral Home in Pinckneyville. 

Memorials may be made to St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, Tenn. 38101 or VNA-TIP Hospice, 101 N. Walnut, Pinckneyville, Ill. 62274, or donors choice. 

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.
