Buddy Earl Tackitt, age 72, of Xenia, Illinois passed away Thursday, April 17, 2014 at his home in Xenia. 

    Buddy was born on October 26, 1941 in rural Flora and lived in the area and in Texas and Michigan while growing up.   He married Rosemary Hunter at a ceremony on September 4, 1965 at the Xenia United Methodist Church and together they started their family of two boys and a girl. Buddy joined the U.S. Army and served for more than 14 years in Germany, Alabama, Texas, and two tours of duty in Viet Nam and Germany. After the Army, he worked in the oil fields, including Haliburton, and then locally at NAL.  He loved car races, demo derby and circle track racing, and going dancing.  Over the years, Buddy attended and participated in his grandchildren’s school activities, ballgames, and tumbling events.  He enjoyed being in the outdoors, going camping with his family, and loved to fish and hunt mushrooms wherever he lived.

    He is survived by his wife: Rosemary Tackitt of Xenia; his mother: Margaret Tackitt Dulaney of Flora; 2 sons: Samuel Tackitt of Xenia and William (wife Marsha) Tackitt of Tuscola; a dear daughter: Madge (husband Jason) Grace of Flora; 7 grandchildren: Amanda (Luke) Czyzewski, Ciera Young, Zacaria (Jaimie Gindelsberger) Wasion, Trenton Tackitt, Brock Tackitt, Baylee Tackitt, and Jaxsun Grace; 1 great-grandchild: Alayna Tackitt and Baby Jake Wasion on the way; 6 siblings: Leslie A. (wife Lynn) Dulaney of Jeromesville, Ohio, Kenneth (wife Kendra) Dulaney of Flora, Sharon Weaver of Flora, Elaine Dulaney of Flora, Marilyn (husband Mike) Harper of Noble, and Carolyn Hall of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; along with many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his step-father Harry A. Dulaney and grandparents William and Gertrude Tackitt.

    The funeral service for Buddy Tackitt will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Xenia United Methodist Church with interment following in Campground Cemetery, Xenia, with military honors.  Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 18, 2014 at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora.  Memorial donations may be made to D.A.V. and will be received at the funeral home.  An online guest book is available at www.frankandbright.com.