Katherine "Papa Sue" Oakley

Herrin- Katherine “Papa Sue” Oakley, age 71, of Herrin, passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

Katherine Sue was born in Herrin on May 23, 1949, the daughter of Ralph Kenneth and Blanche Mary (Brown) Eckols. She had worked as a greeter at Herrin Hospital for many years, but her true calling and greatest accomplishment was being a mom and raising three sons.

Survivors include:

Son- Mike and Marilyn Cain of Champaign

Son- Jeff Cain of Herrin

Eight Grandchildren- Austin, Sydney, River, Kyle, Jourdyn, Gabriel, Tyler, and Jade Dawn

Great Grandson- Grayson “Pooker”

Sister- Rosie Eckols of Herrin

Brother- Big Mike Eckols of Herrin

Nephew- Christopher and Emily Eckols

Half Sister- Sandra

Best Friend- Linda Smith of Herrin

Host of many friends

She was preceded in death by her parents, son- Jason Edward Cain, brother- Kenneth Eckols, and two sisters- Linda McGuire and Patricia Ann Eckols.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Friday, October 2, 2020 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin with Rev. Don Colson officiating. Burial will follow at Herrin City Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held from 11am until 2pm on Friday, October 2, 2020 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin.

For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to the family.