MOUNT VERNON — Harry Echols, 75, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 10:58 a.m., Sunday, March 17, 2024, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, in St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born October 22, 1948, in Mt. Vernon, the son of Claude and Alice (Coleman) Echols.  On December 10, 1968, he married Sue Tinsley, and they celebrated 55 years together.

Harry graduated from SIU, Vocational Technical Institute in 1968, and was self-employed as a journeyman tool and die maker, a craft he loved.  He spent many days fishing, and he loved to travel.  He was a wonderful gardener and grew many crops, which he happily shared with friends and neighbors.  He was a member of Boyd Christian Church, where he held several positions over the years.  He loved his family and his church family.

In addition to his wife, Sue Echols of Mt. Vernon, he is survived by brothers, Frank Echols of Houston, Texas, and Jeff Echols of Mt. Vernon; sisters, Janet Hanes and husband Bill of Mt. Vernon, Anita Thompson of Mt. Vernon, Loretta Karcher and husband Gail of Mt. Vernon, Cindy Diller of Katy, Texas, Jane Douthit and husband Marty of Dix, and Nancy Wessling of Ashley; brother-in-law, David Tinsley and wife Kathy of Mt. Vernon; sister-in-law, Debbie Tinsley of Dix; many nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Alice Echols; father-and-mother-in-law, Claude and Charlene Tinsley; brother, Eddie Echols; sister, Brenda Smith; niece, Rebecca Hanes; and brothers-in-law, Dannie Tinsley and Don Wessling.

Funeral Services for Mr. Echols will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2024, at Boyd Christian Church, with Steve Bratton officiating.  Burial will follow at Boyd Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Friday, March 22, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service, at the church.  Memorial gifts may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital or the Woodlawn Baptist Church Food Pantry, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830.  Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.