Everett T. "Junior" Birdsell, 88, of Jacksonville, IL died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. He was born July 4, 1934, in Jacksonville, the son of Everett T. Sr. and Cordelia R. Bosse Birdsell. He married Mary Ann Ritchie on Oct. 12, 1952, at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville and she preceded him in death on Oct. 21, 2021. He is survived by two daughters and one son, Judi McGath of Murrayville, Jacquie (Willie) Stewart of Jacksonville, and Doug (Karmen) Birdsell of Jacksonville; eight grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and one brother, Garry Birdsell of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a son-in-law, Bob McGath; one brother, Albert Birdsell; and one sister, Yvonne Meyer. Early in life, Mr. Birdsell worked in sales and service for Maytag, but that job proved to be too "lonely". He then repaired and reinstalled electric motors, using his Sky Hook Crane, for manufacturing plants and grain elevators in the Jacksonville area. Following that he founded Birdco Fabricators in Jacksonville, fabricating structured steel and rebar. Junior was a member of First Baptist Church, as well as the Jacksonville Moose and Elks Lodges. He enjoyed spending time with friends at Bahans as well as watching the St. Louis Cardinals with Mary Ann. He loved spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed singing riddle songs to his grandchildren. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, with burial at Ebenezer Cemetery. The family will meet friends 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church or Jacksonville Salvation Army. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com. Visitation Thursday, January 1, 1970 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM First Baptist Church 1701 Mound Road Jacksonville,Illinois 62650 Funeral Service Thursday, January 1, 1970 11:00 AM First Baptist Church 1701 Mound Road Jacksonville,Illinois 62650