Glen Keith Newcom

Herrin- Glen Keith Newcom, 85, of Herrin, lost a courageous battle with cancer at 12:05 PM, Saturday, December 17, 2016 at his home in Herrin. He was born on March 7, 1931 in Herrin to Glen G. and Edith (Burklow) Newcom.  He married his longtime girlfriend of 34 years, Loretta Brown, on August 8, 2015 at a special ceremony held at his beloved Herrin Bowl.  Loretta survives of Herrin. Glen Keith retired from the United States Air Force in 1975 after 23 ½ years and 6 days of service.  Most of those years were spent working as an air traffic controller at Lakenheath and Milden Hall Air Force Bases in England.  He also spent time at Air Force Bases in Germany, France and Vietnam.  He earned the Bronze Star for courageous conduct in Vietnam. He was an avid bowler who spent 4 nights a week bowling with Loretta at Herrin Bowl.  They travelled all over the US bowling in ABC Tournaments.  He once bowled a 299 and was also asked to be on the All Military Bowling team while he was in the Air Force.  At the age of 59, Glen Keith achieved a blue belt in the discipline of Tae Kwon Do at Master Emile Wrights Tae Kwon Do academy in Herrin.  He had a sharp mind and was very good at Trivial Pursuit and hardly ever missed an episode of Jeopardy.  He will be dearly missed by his close friends and family. Survivors include- Wife- Loretta Newcom of Herrin Son- Mark Woolsey and wife Charl of Bolingbrook, IL Cousin- Marla Duff and husband Mike of Herrin Two nephews Close friends- Tim and Crystal LaBotte of Carterville Close friends- Joseph and Kristin LaBotte of Carterville Close friend- Matthew LaBotte of Carterville He was preceded in death by his parents, sister- Lou Ann Butcher and nephew- Roger Snider. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin.  Rev. David Dyer will officiate.  Inurnment will follow at Oddfellows Cemetery in Marion.  Military rites will be performed at graveside by the Herrin VFW and American Legion Posts with assistance from the United States Air Force.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Memorial donations are suggested to Disabled American Veterans or Paralyzed American Veterans and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home/ 201 S. 13^th St/ Herrin, IL   62948.  For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.