ENERGY - Ben E. "Gene" Moore, 87, of Energy, passed away 8:09 a.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011, at the Herrin Hospital with his loving sons at his side. Mr. Moore was the band director for the Herrin Junior High School in Herrin from 1967 until his retirement in 1982. He formerly taught at Mt. Vernon High School from 1959 to 1965 and at Harrisburg Junior High School from 1965 to 1967. He was of the Christian faith, graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a bachelor's degree and was a veteran of the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II, serving from 1943 to 1946. Ben was born July 20, 1923, in West Frankfort, to Bert B. and Mabel Katherine (Nangle) Moore. Ben was united in marriage with Mary Juliaette Webb on April 11, 1947, in West Frankfort. She preceded him in death on Dec. 24, 2003. Surviving are a daughter, Kathryn Wilham of Sequamish, Wash.; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Russ Moore of Energy and Mark and Linda Moore of Champaign; six grandchildren, Alesia Alanso and husband Gary of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Amileth LeeAnn Brooks and husband Chad of Cobden, Nicholas Morgan Moore and his friend, Scott Stephens of Chicago, Thomas Moore of Champaign, Adrienne Moore of Athens, Ga., and Mary Moore of Champaign; five great-grandchildren, Isaac John Brooks and Abram Xavier Brooks of Cobden, Morgan Alanso, Delaney Alanso and Sawyer Alanso of Manhattan Beach, Calif. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; daughter-in-law, Jane Ann Moore; and a brother, Bert Moore. A time of gathering for friends and relatives will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, at Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in Herrin. Private family graveside services will be at Webb Cemetery at Tunnel Hill with the Rev. Ed Hoke officiating. The preferred form of remembrance is memorial donations made to the Herrin Junior High School band; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.