Storm tears through Marion Town and Country Village
Storm and tornado devastate the Marion Town and Country Village shopping center. Ben Franklin, P N Hirsch, Germania Savings and Loan, and Long John Silver’s take heavy damage while Town and Country Cinema Four and Coast To Coast appear less affected. Police, firefighters, and volunteers rush to aid, secure ruins, and search for trapped people amid shattered storefronts and overturned cars. Local residents recount the frightening crawl of the twister and the chaos that followed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alan Baker
Town and Country Cinema
Germania Federal Savings and Loan Association
Marion mayor injured in storm during tornado outing
Marion Mayor Robert Butler was injured when a tornado struck the Town and Country Shopping Center. His car was destroyed and the center leveled as he helped coordinate clean-up and rescue efforts. A temporary morgue was set up at Marion Junior High, with victims moved to Lincoln Junior and High Schools then churches and shelters. Butler said he was right in the tornado and had no clear warning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kroger
Long John Silver’s
Lowell’s
O.R. Walley
Kelly van Laningham
Southern Illinoisan
Marion
Robert Butler
Eyes
Butler
Lincoln
Tornado Outbreak Destroys Homes Near Conant
A tornado near Conant wrecked a 150 year old Hedrick home, hurled a barn into a bedroom, and sent debris like wood slats through walls. Bees disrupted cleanup while authorities blocked roads to keep sightseers away. Residents reported no looting as communities helped each other recover.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J.W
Vera Hedrick
Jim Sutton
Conant
Pinckneyville tornado survivor prays under car during storm
Tony Karabec, 20, of Pinckneyville, sheltered with friends under a car as a tornado ravaged Conant. He and one friend were hospitalized with injuries, while two others remained in serious condition. Karabec described praying and watching debris fly, later planning to go fishing once discharged.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
H.B. Koplowitz
Southern Illinoisan
Tony Karabec
Pinckneyville
Conant
Karabec
Pinckneyville Community Hospital
Also Mentioned on This Page
Jean Ann Bailey
Southern Illinois
Ben Franklin
P.N. Hirsch
Tom Kirby
Village Squire
Duane Agee
IGA
Bob Mitchell
Christopher
Ken Sims
L.B. Hunter
Margaret Dunaway
People’s Bank
Marion-Ford Mercury Inc
Illinois 13
Robbie Holland
Town and Country Plaza
Marion Truck Plaza
Marion Ford
Town and Gaunt Shopping
Westmore
Stockton and
Boulevard Avenues
Ant
Schwartz
Nage
Sutton
Joe Jines
Campbell
Moore
Julie
Pinckneyville Hospital
Lorraine Hagene
Perry County
Karabee
Southern
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