Andrew "Andy" Birkner, 79, of McLeansboro, passed away at 11:03 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, 2010, at McLeansboro Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.He was born in Hamilton County on Nov. 8, 1930, the son of Loui and Mary (Wuebbels) Birkner. He married Alberta VanWinkle on Feb. 6, 1950, and she preceded him in death. He was a retired farmer.Funeral services will beheld at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Clements Catholic Church in McLeansboro; Monsignor Joseph Lawler will conduct the funeral Mass. Interment will follow at St. Clements Cemetery in McLeansboro.Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro with a rosary service held at 7 p.m.Mr. Birk-ner is survived by two sons, David Birkner and wife Carmen Jo of McLeans-boro and Danny Birkner and wife Janet of McLeansboro; one daughter, Shirley Hoffeditz and husband Bill of Newton; 12 grandchildren, Jon-athon Birk-ner, Brandon Combs, Kev-in, Bobby and Jason Schnicker, Kimberly Kaufman, Kelly De-Peugh, Will-iam and Sarah Hoffeditz and Nathan, Aimee and Kristin Birkner; several great-grandchildren; brother, Fred Birkner of Cam-argo; and sisters, Lena Wilhelm of Pesotum, Rosie Leonard of New Holland, Alberta Humes of Tuscola and Genevieve "Jennie" Kearns of Tolona.He was preceded in death by four brothers, Conrad, Joe Herman and infant Phillip Birkner; and one infant sister, Christina Birkner.Mr. Birkner was a member of the Hamilton County Coyote Club, McLeansboro Eagles Lodge, Knights of Columbus and St. Clements Church in McLeansboro. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Foundation of St. Clements Church and will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home. Published in the Mt. Vernon Register News from 3/15/2010 - 3/16/2010