John Raymond Degen

, age 66 of Lomax, Illinois died at 3:00 a.m. Saturday August 7, 2010 at his home. He was born December 29, 1943 in Oakville, Iowa the son of Raymond W. and Mellie L. Lott Degen. On March 18, 1977 he married Mercedes Jones in Carthage, Illinois.

Mr. Degen was a navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He had worked at J.I. Case Co., General Electric, and in the oil fields of Oklahoma for CMI, Inc. He also was a truck driver for Richers Trucking in Wever, Iowa, and was an independent truck driver for many years. He was a member of the OOIDA Independent Truckers Association.

Survivors include his wife, his mother Mellie Degen of Morning Sun, Iowa, three sons- Vernon Ray Degen, Robert McBride of Oklahoma City, OK., Glen (Myrna) McBride of Choctaw, OK., two daughters - Robin Reu of Burlington, IA., Dawn (David) Davolt of Fort Madison, IA., eight grandchildren, one brother - Howard Degen of Burlington, IA., and three sisters - Evelyn Beard of Winfield, IA., Lois (Lyndle) Hull of Hannibal, MO., and Dorothy Bowers of Burlington, IA. He was preceded in death by his father, one brother - Melvin Degen, and one grandson- Jacob Adam Olsen.

Visitation will be from noon until 1:45 p.m. Thursday August 12, 2010 in the Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, IL. Graveside services with military rites will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Crane Cemetery near Lomax. A memorial fund has been established for the Lomax Ambulance Service. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.