Elmer Sigle (Pee Wee) Hacker

Elmer Sigle (Pee Wee) Hacker, son of John Franklin Hacker, Sr. and Icvilla (Shrater) Hacker, was born January 8, 1915 in Vienna, Johnson County, IL. He departed this life Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 12:05 PM at Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna, IL. At the time of his passing, Elmer had attained the age of 95 years and 13 days. Elmer was united in marriage to Virginia Duncan on February 3, 1935 at Golconda, IL. She preceded him in death on March 6, 2002. He was also preceded in death by his parents, siblings Amaziah, Earl, Christine, Alberta Plunkett, Irma Wanda Johnston, Verna Margaret Rann, John Franklin Hacker and one son Douglas Lee Hacker in 1958. He is survived by 2 sons, Donald & Nelda Hacker of Vienna, IL, Gary & Janet Hacker of Tunnel Hill, IL and a daughter, Lois & Dale Ludwig of Gilbertsville, KY; 3 grandchildren, David Lee Hacker of Vienna, IL, Gregory Douglas & Kelli Hacker of Morton, IL and Mary Jane Hacker & Matthew Dallefeld of Lynn Haven, FL; 4 great-grandchildren, Ian Michael & Susan Hacker of Peoria, IL Nicole Marie Hacker of Morton, IL, Kylie Nicole Hacker of Pekin, IL & Cyrus Lee Hacker of Vienna, IL; 4 great-great grandchildren, Riley Marie, Olivia Michelle, and twins Sophia Maeleen and Lillian Michael Hacker of Pekin, IL; 6 step-grandchildren, Ed Soper, Belinda Penrod, Sabrina Alstat, Marilyn Wathen, Zachary Lawrence and Brandon Gettings; 15 step great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In high school, Elmer played and lettered in football, basketball and track. He played on the last football team of Vienna Township High School in 1931. It was in his football playing days that he picked up the nick name of "Pee Wee" that stayed with him throughout his life. He was the smallest player on the team, standing almost five feet nine inches and weighing in at one hundred and fourteen pounds. He played in the backfield and carried the ball. It was reported that he was so quick on his feet that it was hard for the defensive players to catch him. Elmer was a 1935 graduate of the Vienna Township High School. During World War II, he worked at the Ordnance Plant at Crab Orchard Lake and then the bomb factory at Paducah, KY. After the War, he worked for a while in the construction of the uranium plant at Paducah. His father taught him the painting and wall paper hanging trade and he pursued that for many years in and around Vienna. He assisted his father, Frank, in operating the Hacker Shoe Store in Vienna. Then, until he retired, he worked in the maintenance department at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. After World War II, he played independent league baseball. He coached Koury League youth baseball for several years. He served as a volunteer for the Vienna Fire Department and served over thirty years as a member of the Board of Education for the Vienna Grade School. Elmer enjoyed gardening, fishing and watching baseball and basketball, and in recent years, he enjoyed hanging out at Veach's Short Stop with his friends. He was honored and proud to have been chosen the 2009 Grand Marshall of the Johnson County Heritage Festival. He was a longtime member of the First Christian Church in Vienna, IL. Funeral services will be held Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 2 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna, IL. Pastor Keith Bradley will officiate. Burial will be in the Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 PM - 8 PM Saturday at the Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Contributions in memory of Elmer are suggested to the Vienna First Christian Church, PO Box 637, Vienna, IL 62995.

Elmer Sigle (Pee Wee) Hacker

January 8, 1915 - January 21, 2010