James Roy Hackett

James Roy Hackett, 82, of Benton; died at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, August 7, 2011 at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2011 at the Leffler - Poulson Funeral Home, Benton with Rev. Charles Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, where Military rites will be performed by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post 2671 and National Guard Honor Squad out of Marion, IL. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. Friday until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m. Masonic Rites will be observed at 12:00 noon on Friday at the Leffler - Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.
Mr. Hackett was born on October 6, 1928 in Franklin County, the son of Leroy Hackett and Leon (Ponder) Hackett. He married the former Ada Ruth McCarty and she preceded him in death on March 20, 1996.
James was a retired welder. He was also an Ordained Lutheran Bishop. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
James was also very active in the Masonic Fraternity. He was a member of the Akin Lodge #749 A.F. & A.M. of Thompsonville, IL; where he was a Past Worshipful Master. He was also a Honorary Member with several Masonic Lodges throughout Southern Illinois. Mr. Hackett was a member and Past-Commander of the Order of the Knights Templar Patton Commandery No. 69 Mt.Vernon, IL; a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Valley of Southern Illinois; a member of The Grand Council Allied Masonic Degrees Little Egypt Council No. 400, York Rite of Freemasonry Royal Arch Chapter No. 69 in Mt. Vernon, IL; and a member of The Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine Ainad Temple of East St. Louis.
Survivors include two sons: Stanley Hackett of Golconda, IL, Gary Hackett and wife Patty of Kingman, AZ; a daughter: Barbara McCoy of Las Vegas, NV; a step-daughter: Belinda and husband Mike Maceri of Benton; six Granddaughters: Stephanie Rodriguez of Oregon, Michelle Hackett, Dana Hackett and Laura Hackett all of Las Vegas, NV, Christa Dipalo of Miami, FL, Tyra Hackett of Benton; three step-Grandsons: Daniel Buckmaster and Brian Buckmaster of Michigan, Destin Buckmaster of Benton; twelve Great-Grandchildren and two step-Great-Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister: Hazel Hackett, and his wife.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Akin Lodge# 749 A.F. & A.M. and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To sign the online memorial guest book visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Service Information

VISITATION: 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2011
at the Leffler - Poulson Funeral Home
401 East Main Street
Benton, IL 62812

MASONIC RITES 12:00 noon Friday, August 12, 2011
at the Leffler - Poulson Funeral Home

FUNERAL: 1:00 p.m. Friday August 12, 2011
at the Leffler - Poulson Funeral Home

BURIAL: in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery
Benton, IL (Block: S )

MILITARY RITES: will be performed at the cemetery by the Benton American Legion Post#280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and the Illinois National Guard Honor Squads.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Roy Hackett, please visit our floral store.