M. Kent Bishop

Carbondale - M. Kent Bishop, 76 of Carbondale, passed away at 4:15 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2015, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Kent was born on June 23, 1939 in Dongola, to Marvin "Bud" and Alene (Jenkins) Bishop. On September 6, 1959, Kent was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Betty Jo Bird in the Lutheran Church of Dongola. She survives and is of Carbondale. He is also survived by three daughters, Christine Bishop of Colorado Springs, CO, Natalie (Regan) Wear of Bunker Hill, and Suzanne (John) Chartrand of Red Bud; a son, Matt (Laura) Bishop of Carbondale; one sister, Beverly Bishop of San Antonio, TX; ten grandchildren, Ryan (Katie) Wear, Ashley (Lane) Patterson, Dylan Wear, Andrew Crain, Lily, Olivia, and Molly Bishop, and Johnny, Kenny, and Tom Chartrand; one great grandson, Jack Chartrand and one great grandson, Landon Wear, who is on the way. Kent is preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Alene Bishop, a baby sister, Marlene, his grandparents, Oscar and Mame Bishop, and Roscoe and Lillie Jenkins. He obtained his Master's in Education and was employed as a Band Director and Music Teacher in Illinois and Ohio for 26 years. He was also a new student recruiter at SIU for 20 years for the College of Applied Science and Arts. Kent was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Carbondale, where he drove the church van for many years, and a Stephen Minister at the church. In earlier years he was active in the Jaycee's, United Way, and the Lions Club. He directed the Children's Choir and Hand Bell Choir at several churches where the family attended. He loved to travel, with the highlight being the Mediterranean and Greek Isles trip, to celebrate Kent and Betty's 50th Wedding Anniversary. He enjoyed Antiquing, oil painting, crossword puzzles, and a great cup of coffee. But most importantly, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, officiated by Pastor Alan Rhein. Interment will be at St. John's Cemetery, Dongola. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at the church. Memorials to the St. John's Cemetery in Dongola, Amyloidosis Foundation, or the First United Methodist Church Music Fund will be accepted at the funeral home.



Service:



2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2015



First United Methodist Church Carbondale, Illinois







Visitation:



5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2015



First United Methodist Church Carbondale, Illinois