Obituary of Henry Hill Pokey

Carter Ricks Funeral Homes Phone 573-898-2181 / Fax 573-898-3148 Newspaper Notice of Death Henry Edward "Pokey" Hill Funeral services for Henry Edward "Pokey" Hill of Elsberry, MO were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 2006 at Carter Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Connie Atchley, pastor of the Elsberry First Christian Church, officiated with burial in the Elsberry City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Bob Kindred, Wayne Pflasterer, Kevin Hill, Kyle Hill, Dick Mayes, Tom McLeod and Ronnie Vaughn. Honorary Pallbearers were Don Bronson, Hershel Tiller, Hick Stonebraker, Joe Crenshaw, John Smith, Richard Masterson, Tommy Hunter, Lloyd Powelson, Jr., Alfred Masterson, Jr. Sammy Mayes, John Howard and Marion Keim. Mr. Hill, 83, died Monday afternoon, January 2, 2006 at Elsberry Healthcare Center near Elsberry, MO. Born November 29, 1922 in Dameron, MO (near Elsberry), he was the son of the late Edward Alfred and Clyde June (nee Presley) Hill. His family moved to Foley, MO in the mid 1920's and this became his hometown until he was united in marriage. He graduated from Winfield High School in 1941. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1943 until 1946 on the destroyer ships, U.S.S. Haggard and U.S.S. Newman K. Perry. He played minor league professional baseball for the St. Louis Browns in the Summer of 1946. He was united in marriage on November 9, 1946 in Elsberry, MO to Mary Grace "Gracie" Cunningham. This union was blessed with two children: Marcia and Marc. He managed LaCrosse Lumber Yard in Elsberry for 37 years, until retiring in 1988. He played for East Missouri Hard Road Baseball League in the 1940's and 1950's. He was an avid fisherman, pet lover and gardener. He enjoyed fishing with the late Huck Schuster. He was a member of the American Legion Post #226 in Elsberry, MO. He also contributed his time to helping the Elsberry Khoury League Association and American Legion Baseball teams. He was also the Past-President of the Elsberry Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hill attended the Foley Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Clyde Hill; two sisters: Dorothy McQueen and Nellie Powelson; and two brothers: Dale Hill and Estel Hill. Survivors include his beloved wife of 59 years, Mary Grace Hill of Elsberry; one son, Marc Hill and his wife, Judi, of Elsberry; one daughter, Marcia Hill of Elsberry; one brother-in-law, Lloyd Powelson, Sr. of Elsberry; one sister-in-law, Ruby Hill of Foley, MO; two grandsons: Kevin Hill of Elsberry and Kyle Hill of Clarksville, MO; one granddaughter, Kara Hill of Tampa, FL; three great-grandsons: Gavin, Garik and Gabre Hill of Clarksville, MO (sons of Kevin Hill and Tylie Hill); several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2006 at Carter Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Elsberry Khoury League Association, Elsberry Healthcare Center or American Legion Baseball Teams in care of Carter Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.