Anderson, Samuel Edgar Sr.

1923 - 2019  (96 years)

• Name	Anderson, Samuel Edgar
  Suffix	Sr.
  Birth	28 Feb 1923	Bradley, Kankakee County, Illinois   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Reference Number	ANDE.S007
  _FGRAVE	205680327
  Military Service	World War II, Petty Officer Second Class, United States Navy  [2]
  	After working in a shipyard supporting the war effort after high school graduation in 1941, enlisted in the Navy Seabees in October 1943. Subsequently transferred to the Navy's Amphibious Forces as a Ship Fitter and trained by the Marines for assault landings. After 30 days at sea en route from San Francisco, landed on the beach of Okinawa before the battle was won in July 1945. Thereafter engaged in the salvage and repair of damaged ships and other ship maintenance activities for the duration of the war. Departed Okinawa on December 23, 1945 and was honorably discharged stateside on January 9, 1946 as a Petty Officer 2nd Class. Earned The Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively authorized by congressional legislation in 1999), American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and The WWII Victory Medal. (This information has been posted on the National World War II Memorial's Registry of Remembrances website by Robert Medley Gatewood. It is entered here with his permission.) Source: https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=1779195
  		Brochure, World War II Memorial, Flora, Illinois, Nov 11, 2007, page 01 of 26 pages On Veterans' Day, 2005, the city of Flora, Illinois dedicated a memorial to all known Clay County, Illinois World War II Veterans. Located on the south side of the city library, this is a copy of the brochure honoring that event. This 2007 brochure adds a matrix for locating the memorial brick that was laid in honor of each veteran. This…
  		American Campaign Medal, United States
  		Samuel Edgar Anderson (1923-2019)
  		Brochure, World War II Memorial, Flora, Illinois, Nov 11, 2007, page 02 of 26 pages On Veterans' Day, 2005, the city of Flora, Illinois dedicated a memorial to all known Clay County, Illinois World War II Veterans. Located on the south side of the city library, this is a copy of the brochure honoring that event. This 2007 brochure adds a matrix for locating the memorial brick that was laid in honor of each veteran. This…
  		Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, United States Armed Forces
  		Brochure, World War II Memorial, Flora, Illinois, Nov 11, 2007, page 03 of 26 pages On Veterans' Day, 2005, the city of Flora, Illinois dedicated a memorial to all known Clay County, Illinois World War II Veterans. Located on the south side of the city library, this is a copy of the brochure honoring that event. This 2007 brochure adds a matrix for locating the memorial brick that was laid in honor of each veteran. This…
  		Combat Action Ribbon, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps
  		Brochure, World War II Memorial, Flora, Illinois, Nov 11, 2007, page 05 of 26 pages On Veterans' Day, 2005, the city of Flora, Illinois dedicated a memorial to all known Clay County, Illinois World War II Veterans. Located on the south side of the city library, this is a copy of the brochure honoring that event. This 2007 brochure adds a matrix for locating the memorial brick that was laid in honor of each veteran. This…
  		Okinawa Island
  		United States Navy
  		United States Navy Enlisted Rates
  		World War II (1939-1945)
  		World War II Victory Medal, United States Military
  		Brochure, World War II Memorial, Flora, Illinois, Nov 11, 2007 On Veterans' Day, 2005, the city of Flora, Illinois dedicated a memorial to all known Clay County, Illinois World War II Veterans. Located on the south side of the city library, this is a copy of the brochure honoring that event. This 2007 brochure adds a matrix for locating the memorial brick that was laid in honor of each veteran. …
  		World War II Honoree, Anderson, Samuel Edgar (1923-2019)
  		Flag of the United States, 48 Stars (1912-1959) In 1912, two stars were added to the United States flag, representing Arizona and New Mexico, bringing the total number of stars to 48. They were arranged in six rows of eight stars each. American fighting men would fight under this flag during four wars: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the beginning of the Vietnam War. (In 1959, a…
  		Combat Action Ribbon, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps
  		Military Service Ribbons, Samuel Edgar Anderson Sr. Contributed by Carl Wayne Gray
  		American Campaign Medal, United States Armed Forces
  		Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, United States Armed Forces
  		Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) United States Navy, World War II
  		United States Navy Shield
  		World War II Victory Medal, United States Military
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  Death	23 Dec 2019	Flora Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Flora, Clay County, Illinois
  Burial	30 Dec 2019	Elmwood Cemetery, Flora, Clay County, Illinois   [1]
  	A memorial graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2019, at Elmwood Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors. Those attending are asked to go directly to the cemetery.
  Person ID	I43108	Carl Wayne Gray Research
  Last Modified	2 Jun 2023

  
  

  Father	Anderson, Jesse Edgar,   b. 15 Jan 1894, Orchardville, Wayne County, Illinois d. 3 Jul 1978, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois (Age 84 years)
  Mother	Guyott, Madge E.,   b. 28 May 1899   d. 23 Feb 1992 (Age 92 years)
  Marriage	Y  [1]
  Family ID	F16702	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Henson, Flora J.,   b. 9 Jun 1924, Flora, Clay County, Illinois d. 3 Mar 2019, Flora Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Flora, Clay County, Illinois (Age 94 years)
  Family ID	F18871	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	21 Oct 2026

  
  

  Family 2	Henson, Lucille J.,   b. 9 Jun 1924, Flora, Clay County, Illinois d. 3 Mar 2019 (Age 94 years)
  Marriage	22 Jan 1942	Flora, Clay County, Illinois   [1]
  Age at Marriage	He : 18 years and 11 months - She : 17 years and 7 months.
  Children	> 1. Anderson, Samuel P. > 2. Anderson, Michael > 3. Anderson, Russell R. > 4. Anderson, Celia
  Family ID	F5944	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	21 Oct 2026

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 28 Feb 1923 - Bradley, Kankakee County, Illinois Marriage - 22 Jan 1942 - Flora, Clay County, Illinois Death - 23 Dec 2019 - Flora Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Flora, Clay County, Illinois Burial - 30 Dec 2019 - Elmwood Cemetery, Flora, Clay County, Illinois  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Notes

  Samuel E. Anderson, age 96, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Monday afternoon, December 23, 2019, at Flora Rehabilitation & Health Care Center. He was born February 28, 1923, in Bradley, Illinois, the son of Jesse and Madge (Guyott) Anderson. He was united in marriage to Lucille J. Henson on January 22, 1942, in Flora, and together they celebrated 77 wedding anniversaries until her death March 3, 2019. Sam served in the U.S. Navy (Seabees) for four years during World War II. Upon returning home from the war, Sam operated a small grocery and meat market located in the north end of Flora. Sam worked for a period of time as a derrick hand drilling wells between Flora and Fairfield. With the encouragement of Lucille and her family Sam was introduced to the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. Sam and Lucille, along with their first two children, Samuel and Michael, moved to Lamoni, Iowa, where Sam earned his associate degree. He and his brother Estelle operated a Marathon Gas Station in Flora. Sam enjoyed his church work and was ordained into the Priesthood of the RLDS Church and worked as a Missionary preaching throughout Southern and Central Illinois. He continued his church work but opened and operated a Dixie Cream Donut business on the west end of Flora. Sam’s continual interest in being a Missionary brought about numerous moves and occupations during the next several years. The businesses included during these years were Southern Lumber Company in Fairfield, Missionary Field in Aurora, and Chicago Motor Club Insurance in Taylorville. In 1959, Sam and Lucille returned to Flora where Sam again held numerous occupations while Lucille opened a Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio. Sam managed Flora IGA, co-owned and operated Tastee Freez, Flora Greenhouse, Flora Bakery, and G.E. / Radio Shack Appliances. Sam and Lucille resided at their home on East North Avenue in Flora for over 50 years where they raised 4 children. They were dedicated to their church work and faithful leaders. Sam continued to serve faithfully in his ministry to the Community of Christ (RLDS) locally for several more years. He was a founding member of the Flora VFW, a past member of the Flora Rotary Club, began the Chamber of Commerce, and served many years on the Police Commission Board. Sam was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed planting a very large garden and several flower beds around their home. He is survived by three sons: Sam P. Anderson and wife Ramona of North Padre, TX, Michael Anderson and wife Kayla of Flora, and Russell R. Anderson and wife Denise of McLeansboro; a daughter: Celia Anderson Dempsey and husband Dave Merrihew of Flora; 11 grandchildren: Holly Taylor, Robin Jackson and husband Kemp, Bronson Anderson and wife Jennifer, Clark Anderson and wife Heather, Michael Tyler Anderson and wife Donna, J.B. Anderson and wife Marisol, Samuel Tyler Mink and wife Lexi, Derek Lake and wife Kristine, Marshall Andrew Lake and wife Callie, Jodi West, and Jenny Wieseman and husband Craig; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Lucille Anderson; brother: Estelle Anderson; and sister: Evelyn Anderson. A memorial graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, December 30, 2019, at Elmwood Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors. Those attending are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to Community of Christ Church in Flora or Clay County Hospice.

  
  

• Sources

  [S13496] http://www.findagrave.com, Obituary, Anderson, Samuel E., (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205680327), none. (Reliability: 2). [S13461] World War II Honoree, Samuel Edgar Anderson, (https://wwiiregistry.abmc.gov/honoree-plaque/?honoree_id=1779195) (Reliability: 2).