John D. Cavitt

December 3, 1926 - July 17, 2018

John D. Cavitt, age 91 years, a resident of rural Vienna, passed away Tuesday morning, July 17, 2018, at 1 AM at Parkway Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Marion, Illinois. John was born December 3, 1926 in New Burnside, Illinois. He was the seventh of eight children born to Arthur and Noma (Watkins) Cavitt. On June 28, 1948, John was united in marriage to Geraldine Odum in Carbondale. She preceded him in death on October 13, 2016. John is survived by: his children – Sondra Goins of Vienna and Greg (Trina) Cavitt of Creal Springs; 7 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; a brother – Jesse (Mary Lou) Cavitt of Manteno; a brother-in-law – Wayne (Ethel) Odum of Tunnel Hill; a sister-in-law – Mary Lee (Bill) Veach of Goreville; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by: a daughter – Vicki Gordon; a grandson – Jarrod Cheek; a son-in-law – Woody Goins; 4 brothers – Cecil, Bob, Lester and Gail Cavitt; and 2 sisters – Nadine Gurley and Bonnie Penrod. John was a U.S. Army and Army Air Forces veteran. He served in the European theater of operation during World War II and was honorably discharged from military service on December 15, 1946. John was employed at the former Vienna Hatchery for 8 years. Beginning in February 1958, John was employed by Duracrate (later Stone) Containers in Herrin. He worked as a maintenance supervisor until his retirement in February 1989. John was a member of Bethlehem Gospel Mission Church near the Lake of Egypt. He was a skilled mechanic and enjoyed working on lawnmowers. In his spare time, John was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed the companionship of his beloved dog, “Buddy.” A service honoring the life of John D. Cavitt will be conducted Friday, July 20, 2018, at 2 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Clark Madden will officiate. Burial will be in the Graves-Mt. Olive Cemetery north of Vienna. Military honors will be accorded. Visitation will be held Thursday evening, July 19, 2018, from 6 PM – 8 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, 320 East Walnut Street, Suite A, Carbondale, IL 62901 or to the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, IL 62995.