Bennie Van Salisbury, 73, of Centralia, Mo., died July 4, 2010, at his home.
He was born Feb. 26, 1937, in Rushville, the son of Bennie and Maude R. Salisbury. He married Marcia Atwater on June 4, 1955, in Ipava. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Tim (and Gaye) Salisbury and Kimball (and Denise) Salisbury, both of Centralia; and one daughter, Rhonda (and John) Kottwitz of Centralia; and eight grandchildren.
He graduated from Astoria High School, and earned a bachelor degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb.
He taught and coached in Illinois before moving to Centralia in 1961. He continued teaching and coaching at Centralia Schools and farmed for several years.
He was a member of First Christian Church where he served as elder, Centralia School Board for nine years and several agricultural boards throughout the area.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at his church in Centralia with Rev. Joe Jimerson officiating. Burial will be in Centralia City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia.
Memorials may be made to his church, c/o Oliver Funeral Home, PO Box 125, Centralia, MO 65240.
Condolences may be sent to oliverfuneralhome@yahoo.com.