W.E. "Junior" Catey Jr.

W.E. “Junior” Catey Jr. age 91, of Greenup, IL passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 13, 2024, at 6:44 p.m. at the Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon, Illinois.

            Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday November 19, 2024, at the Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday November 18, 2024, at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at the Harmony Cemetery in rural Greenup, with Military Rites by the Cumberland County Veterans.

            Junior was born on July 22, 1933, to Winfred E. and Grace (Carson) Catey in Greenup, Illinois. On May 5, 1957, he married Reta Rogene Stults in Casey, IL. Junior is survived by his loving wife Rogene; children Reta (Stan) Holsapple, Debbie (Dave) Love, Rob (Anne) Catey, and Donnie (Brenda) Catey; grandchildren Rachel (Kevin) Hoene, Justin (Kristen) Holsapple, Shawn (Jacki) Love, Kyle (Heather) Veach, Tyler (Emilie) Catey, Kelli Catey, Marki (Clayton) Millsap, and Dalton (Allison) Kemper; great-grandchildren Liv, Reese, and Nash Hoene; Layla, Vada and Fae Holsapple; Beckett, Parks, Slate, and Decker Love; Adriana and Bryant Veach; Aiden, Alya, and MJ Catey; Lola and Quinn Van Deventer; and JT Millsap. Brothers and sisters-in-laws Nancy "Susie" and Denny Shupe, Larry and Tammy Stults, Mike and Karen Stults, and Dick Stults. Junior was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ruth Koteskey, and brothers John Catey and Harold Catey.

            Junior’s life reflected deep devotion to his family, friends, farming, his community, and country.  He graduated from Cumberland High School in 1952, was a member of the U.S. Marine Corp from January 31, 1953, to January 30, 1956, serving in the Korean War. Many generations of Junior’s family have been proud to serve in the military. Junior was honored to have been given the discharge papers for his grandfather’s service in the Civil War signed by Abraham Lincoln. He served his community in many ways, including his involvement in Greenup Kiwanis, Cumberland County Farm Bureau, Greenup VFW, Cumberland Nursing Home Board, Cumberland County Fair Board, and Cumberland Unit 77 School Board. 

Junior enjoyed his life as a farmer and was proud to take over the family farm. In addition to farming, Junior enjoyed tractor pulling, motorcycling, boating, camping, traveling with family and friends, and teaching numerous people how to water ski.  His more recent loves were going to his great grandchildren’s activities and mowing his lawn (even this past summer). 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Willow Breeze Hospice House Endowment Fund of SBLHC.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.barkleyfuneralchapels.com

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