Birchard Lee Wampler - Benton, IL Birchard Lee Wampler, 72, of Benton, IL, died at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at his home. Mr. Wampler was born on March 9, 1938 in Wise, Virginia the son of Gilbert Creed Wampler and Louannie (Adams) Wampler. He married the former Anna Belle Powers on December 26, 1955 and she preceded him in death on September 7, 2009. As a young man, Birchard worked with his father in the logging business in Wampler Hollow, Virginia. He later went to work in the coal mines near Norton, Virginia and then for Old Ben Coal Company at Princeton, Indiana and Old Ben #24 in Benton, IL. After retiring from the coal mines he started his own construction company called Wampler Construction building pole barns and doing residential and commercial construction. He enjoyed woodworking and raising his pet squirrels. Surviving relatives include four children, Ricky L. Wampler (Rita), Benton, IL, Sheria A. Sullivan (Bert), Benton, IL, Kathy L. Ingram, Flower Mound, TX, Charles B. Wampler and girlfriend, Cleona Pedigo, Sesser, IL, sixteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, one brother, William Wampler (Barbara), Blackstone, VA, a sister, Eva Dela Baker, Ocala, FL, several nieces and nephews. Mr. Wampler was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a son, Birchard Neil Wampler, a grandson, Oliver Wampler, and three brothers, Junior Kraft, Orbin and Kenneth Wampler. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2010 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Dean Severin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL, 62959. Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.