Ernest Thornton “Buck” Pickens, age 96
November 11, 1925 – March 28, 202
Ernest Thornton “Buck” Pickens, age 96, of Wheeler, Illinois, passed away at 5:15 AM – Monday, March 28, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.
Funeral services celebrating Buck’s life will be held at 11:00 AM – Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. Burial will be in the Trexler Cemetery in rural Newton, Illinois, with full military rites by the Dieterich American Legion Post #628. Visitation will be held 1 hour before the service. In loving memory of Buck, memorials may be made to the CAN Memorial Foundation (to help families who are dealing with Autism)
The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Ernest Thornton better known as “Buck” was born on November 11, 1925, on the family farm near Latona, in North Muddy Township, Jasper County, Illinois. He was the son of Ernest Trexler and Gertrude Pearl (Austin) Pickens.
Buck married Marilyn M. Burton on February 3, 1948, and she preceded him in death on February 1, 2021.
Buck was a lifelong farmer. He also worked on the pipeline and did a lot of work for North Muddy Township. He was member of the Latona Church of Christ, 75-year member of the Dieterich American Legion Post #628 and a 73-year member of the Winterrowd Masonic Lodge #664.
Buck enjoyed quail hunting, mushroom hunting and going to horse races.
Buck is survived by:
Children – Christine Milliman of West Liberty, Illinois; Jenni (Roger) Ervin of Hidalgo, Illinois; Gregory T. (Doris
Jane) Pickens of Jasper, Texas and Stanley (Tracey) Pickens of Morrison, Tennessee
12 Grandchildren
24 Great Grandchildren
3 Great-great Grandchildren
Several nephew, nieces and other family members survive
Buck was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 72 years, son-in-law Dale Milliman and siblings Rex A. (Wilma) Pickens, Larry Pickens, Art (Wilma) Pickens, Lorraine (Vernon) Stauth, Marjorie (Lawrence) Harvey and Herbert Shirley Pickens.
