Gilbert Funeral Home Website Also in Southern Illinoisan Mar 12, 2015 MULKEYTOWN -- Thomas Pickering, 82, died Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Heartland Regional Medical Center. He retired after 22 years in the U.S. Army and was a veteran during World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He attended Bear Point Church in Sesser. Thomas was born May 31, 1932, in West Frankfort, to George and Olive (Liddle) Pickering. He married Loretta (Stalcup) Pickering and she preceded him in death Oct.26, 2006. Survivors include children, Laura and Cary Hammonds of Mulkeytown, and David Pickering of Mulkeytown; grandchildren, Adrea Barnes and fiancé, Ryan Petro of Christopher, Kyle Hammonds and fiancée, Abigail Presswood of Du Quoin, and Kaylee and Derek Smith of Pinckneyville; and great-grandchildren, Sawyer Smith and Lorelai Hammonds. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard and George Pickering; and grandson, Brandon Thomas Pickering who died April 10, 2010, in Afghanistan. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Mulkeytown. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.