Emmett C Sefton Obituary (1932 - 2013)

Emmett C. Sefton 81, of Rural Mt. Zion passed away at 7:33 a.m., Monday June 24, 2013 in St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur. A service to celebrate Emmett's life will be at 12:00 Noon Friday, June 28, 2013 at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, with Rev. Albert Weidlich. Burial will be in Mt. Zion Township Cemetery with full military rites provided by the Macon County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Thursday, June 27, 2013, beginning at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Masonic rites service will take place at 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening. Memorials may be made to the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church or First Lutheran Church, Decatur. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Emmett was born March 6, 1932 in rural Mt. Zion, IL the son of Ernie A. and Bertha (Kinser) Sefton. He was a 1949 graduate of Mt. Zion High School and went on to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War. He married Joann Koshinski on March 14, 1954. Emmett was a professional farmer for over 51 years. He served on many agricultural related boards including: Macon County Farm Bureau (President 1979-1985), Corn Growers Board, Heritage Grain Elevator Board, and the American Soybean Board where he traveled to Japan and Taiwan promoting their agenda. He was a member of the FSA. He was also involved, with others, in bringing the Farm Progress show to Decatur. Emmett was a 50 year member of First Lutheran Church, the Dalton City American Legion Post #475, 4-H Youth Council, a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge and belonged to the Ansar Shrine and Jesters. In 2000, he received the Mt. Zion Lion's Club Citizen of the Year award. Emmett also served his community on the Richland Community College Board of Trustees having been the Secretary of the board, a Trustee of the Mt. Zion Township Board, a member of the Macon County Zoning Appeals Board, an Election Judge, and a Precinct Committeeman. He had a love for big band music and was a member of the Juvae Jazz Society. Surviving is his wife: Joann of rural Mt. Zion; daughter: Sharon Sefton-Jenkins of Decatur; son: Steve Sefton and his wife Georgia of Mt. Zion; grandchildren: Dawn Osborne and her husband Kelly of Forsyth, Tracy Verbiski and her husband Brian of Mt. Zion, Joshua Jenkins of Decatur, Brett Jenkins of Decatur, Jacob Sefton of Harristown, Joseph and Rebecca Sefton of Mt. Zion and Anthony Mancini of Mt. Zion; and fourteen great-grandchildren, special nephew: Mike McGeehon and his wife Julie of Decatur; brother-in-law: Donald Koshinski and his wife Diana of Mt. Zion. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister: Alberta McGeehon, and one great-granddaughter. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the Dr. Richard Fritz, Dr.George Lui, Dr.Gale Zacheis, Dr. Mario Velasco, Jr. and the 4th Floor Nursing Staff of St. Mary's Hospital for all their care.