Thursday, March 28, 2024
Betsy and Rex L. Wright

Rex L. Wright

Betsy and Rex L. Wright

Rex L. Wright, 78, of Vienna, died Wednesday afternoon, July 11, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind., from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

Rex was born on Nov. 7, 1933, in West Union, the son of Harry Lee Wright and Esther (nee Wright.)

Rex married Betsy Clark on April 1, 1956 at United Methodist Church in Martinsville. Betsy also died on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, from injuries she sustained in the motor vehicle accident.

Survivors include a son, Scott Wright and his wife Melanie of Vienna; a daughter, Tracy Dalton and her husband Mike of Vienna; three grandchildren, Hilary Wright, Lucas Wright and Michael Dalton; and a sister, Phyllis Bennett of Aurora, Colo.

Rex was a graduate of Marshall High School and had earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Illinois.

Rex served in the late 1950’s in the Army Air Corps. He was an associate member of the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post in Vienna.

Rex served as a sales manager for Effingham County Farm Service in Effingham. In 1964  the family moved to Vienna where Rex assumed the management of the Fruit Belt Farm Service office, a position he held for approximately 30 years prior to his retirement. In his retirement, Rex worked in the carpentry and roofing trade.

Rex was a member of the Elks Lodge No. 800 in Marion. He was also a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society of Carbondale and chapter for the past 18 years and the Sebring, Florida chapter for the past 17 years.

Rex was a faithful and devoted member of the Vienna United Methodist Church, where he sang in the church choir, had formerly served as the church treasurer, as well as serving in a number of other capacities.

Rex had a zest for life and enjoyed many activities and sports. In his youth, Rex was a noted fast pitch softball player and later coached. He was also a very active Khoury League supporter and had coached baseball and refereed basketball.

Together, Rex and Betsy enjoyed ballroom dancing, were avid golfers, and were devoted to their family and especially enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and attending their athletic and school activities. They also were strong supporters of the American Red Cross blood drives.  Rex had donated over four gallons of blood thru local blood drives.

Funeral services for Rex and Betsy Wright were held Monday morning, July 16, at 11 a.m. at Vienna First United Methodist Church.  Pastor Don Meeks officiated.

Interment was in Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Military graveside rites were accorded by Beggs-Gurley VFW Post and the Illinois National Guard burial honors detail.

Memorials can be made to Vienna First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1349, Vienna, Ill. 62995; the American Heart Association, 2524 Farragut Drive, Suite A, Springfield, Ill. 62704; the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, 320 East Walnut Street, Suite A, Carbondale, Ill. 62901; or to Children’s Lifeline, 194 Sunset Drive, Clay City, Ky. 40312.

To share a memory of Rex or to leave an online message of condolence for the family, please visitwww.baileyfh.com.

Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna was in charge of arrangements.