ENERGY - Valgene Gould, 84, a native of Johnson County, passed away at 2:10 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2013, in Herrin Hospital. Valgene was born May 16, 1928, in Johnson County Illinois. He was the son of Audis L. and Faye (Newton) Gould. Valgene was united in marriage to Gertrude "GiGi" Johnson on Dec. 9, 1946, in Johnson County Courthouse in Vienna. She survives. Other survivors include a daughter, Brenda Rea and her husband, Robert, of Benton; a son, D. Michael Gould and his wife, Jody of Energy; three grandchildren, Michael "Cole" Gould and his wife, Lesley, of Energy, Scarlett Rea Lyons and her husband, Kenny of Florence, Ala., and Hilary Rea Remm and her husband, Paul, of Benton; and five great-grandchildren, Adeline and Emmalise Lyons, Sarah Hope Lyons, Ariadne Remm and Teresa Pender. In addition to his parents, Valgene was preceded in death by an infant grandson, Robert Jefferson Rea; two brothers, J.D. Gould and Robert J. Gould and an infant brother. Valgene attended the Tall Tree Grade School and the Vienna High School. Valgene had a strong work ethic and he is remembered by his family for being paid at the age of nine years the same wage as his father, Audis, when he assisted neighbors with farm work. Valgene served in the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge, Valgene worked in area ordnance plants as a welder. He later was em-ployed by Knutt Aronson, a general contractor, and worked on a number of building projects including the construction of the Herrin Swimming Pool. Valgene became a general contractor and was an Illinois licensed plumber. He developed Gould Subdivision and later built and operated the Green Acres Golf Course at Energy. Valgene, along with his family, operated the course until his retirement and sale of the course in 2004. Valgene loved the game of golf and was a member of the Southern Illinois Golf Association. Over the years, he sponsored numerous sports teams and particularly enjoyed supporting and participating in various bowling leagues. Valgene loved to travel and loved motorcycling. He was a dedicated "Ford" man and approved of any piece of equipment that bore a Ford label. Valgene was a devoted Christian and had a deep faith in God. He and his family were charter members, along with Mildred Hindman Phegley and her family, of the Herrin Church of Christ. Valgene oversaw the construction of the original church building in the early 1960's. Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in Herrin Church of Christ. Interment will be in Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post 5222 and the Illinois National Guard Burial Honors Detail. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Herrin Church of Christ, 3101 S. Park Ave., Herrin, IL 62948. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. To share a memory of Valgene or to leave an online message of condolence for his family, visit www.baileyfh.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan from March 19 to March 20, 2013 Print | View Guest Book