Clarence "Cotton" Houchens

Carbondale - Clarence "Cotton" Houchens, 88, of Carbondale passed away at 10:25 p.m. on January 12, 2016 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Clarence was born on December 29, 1927 in Owen County, Kentucky to Brack Foster and Anna Lee (Thomas) Houchens. He married Elnora Bowles on April 29, 1949 in Shelbyville, KY. She survives and is of Carbondale. Other survivors include his three daughters, Marsha Long of Bloomington, Linda (Gary) Pinkham and Peggy (Jesse) Maggos both of Carbondale; five grandchildren, Justin and Staci Long, David (Amanda) and Chris Pinkham and Elly Larsen; and four great-grandchildren, Damion, Warren, and Kymmi Long and Makenna Pinkham. Clarence served his country in the U.S. NAVY. He was in the dry cleaning business for over 43 years ending that career with Custom Cleaners of Carbondale. He was a Master Mason in Masonic Lodges in Bloomington and Ottumwa, Iowa and a member of the Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies, Valley of Southern Illinois. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorials are the preferred form of remembrance and can be made to St. Francis Care Animal Shelter, 6228 Country Club Rd; Murphysboro, IL 62966. Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is in charge of arrangements. To share a special story or memory of Clarence, please visit, www.meredithfh.com. The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and doctors in the Emergency Room and on the 3rd and 4th floors at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale for the wonderful care and compassion they provided to Clarence.