Byron Eugene Sackett

Pfc. Byron Sackett Hurt in Action
Less than two weeks after his nineteenth birthday, Pfc. Byron E. Sackett of the 275th Infantry Regiment was wounded in France on Jan. 15. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan H. Sackett of 3010 Edgewood avenue. The parents recelved a telegram from the War Department Feb. 6 informing them their son had been wounded.
     A letter written on Feb. 1 in France has been received by the parents, the only one they have had from Pfc. Sackett since he went overseas. He said he was all right and described his surroundings as "fine" but said nothing of having been hurt. He said he had had his feet frost-bitten. in December soon after arriving in France.
     Pfc. Sackett attended Alton High School. The family moved to Pittsfield later and he graduated there. He was born at Meredosia. Before entering the army he attended Alton Vocational School. He entered the army May 16, 1944, and had trained at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Ark. He went overseas last November after being stationed a short while at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

—Alton Evening Telegraph, Alton, Illinois, 22 Mar 1945, p 20

Sackett-Taylor Wedding Friday, March 30
Miss Darlene Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Taylor of 2121 Country Club drive, became the bride of Byron Sackett, son of and Mrs. Jonathan H. Sackett, 3010 Edgewood avenue, Friday, March 30, at 2 o'clock in Calvary Baptist Church, with the Rev. J. Curtis Martin officiatIng. Glenn Sackett was best man for his brother and Mrs. Maurice Elfgen, twin sister of the bride, was matron of honor. The wedding was attended by members of the immediate families. The double ring ceremony was used by the officiating clergyman.
     Miss Taylor and her sister wore suits of blue and matching accessories. A corsage of white carnations was pinned to the bride's shoulder, and yellow carnations formed a corsage worn by the matron of honor.
     A reception was held at the home of the bride's parents, and later Mr. Sackett and bride left Carbondale where they are residing at 310 South Graham avenue.
     Graduates of Alton High School, Mr. and Mrs. Sackett are students at Southern Illinois University. Mrs. Sackett will receive her degree in June but Mr. Sackett, who served in the Army for two years, will complete his studies next winter.

—Alton Evening Telegraph, Alton, Illinois, 4 Apr 1951, p 9

Byron Eugene Sackett, 94, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2020, at home with his family by his side. Byron was born on January 2, 1926 in Meredosia, Illinois. His parents, Jonathan and Jane (Powers) Sackett and siblings Josephine Pennock, Mary Carr and Glen Sackett preceded him in death.
     He served as a First Sergeant with the 15th Infantry from 1944-1946. Following his time in the Army, he enrolled at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale receiving a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and Education. There he met Darlene Taylor. They were married on March 31, 1951 in Alton.
     His first job upon graduation was as a research chemist for Celotex Corporation in Chicago. Upon moving back to the Alton area, he taught Science at Central Junior High School for a few years. After receiving his Masters degree in Media and Educational Administration he began his dream job for Alton Public Schools as their audio visual/media specialist. He introduced the teachers to video recording and computers, retiring in 1991.
     He was an avid boater and water skier, teaching his wife, children and nieces to water ski on the Mississippi. Other interests included photography and videography. Those in his extended family believed he could fix anything, sometimes bringing him very challenging projects.
     He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Darlene Sackett, daughter, Debbie Sackett, son, Richard Sackett, grandsons, Jamie and Kieran Moylan, sisters-in-law, Betty Taylor, Eilene Taylor and Violet Sackett and numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
     In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by two nephews Scott Rhodes and Ryan Aud.
     A private graveside service was held at Upper Alton Cemetery on April 9. Memorials may be made to Oasis Women’s Center.
     Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences and guest book can be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.

—Alton Daily News.com, 13 Apr 2020

Darlene Sackett
Darlene Sackett, 94, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in her apartment at Cedarhurst of Godfrey. She was born on November 15,1929, in Chicago, IL and was followed closely by her identical twin sister, Eilene. Darlene and Eilene joined older sister Betty, and brother, Charles. Their parents Clyde and Minnie (Rollings) Taylor were thrilled to have twins but faced difficult times weathering the Great Depression with four young children. They moved around southern Illinois and Kentucky eventually settling in Alton where all four children attended Alton High School.
     Darlene met the “love of her life”, Byron Sackett at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Her first teaching job was at Milton Elementary in Alton. The couple lived in Collinsville, Chicago and Rolling Meadows, Illinois before returning to Alton to live near family. Darlene again worked for Alton Public Schools finishing her 35-year career at Gilson Brown School.
     While raising a family, daughter, Debbie and son, Richard, Darlene obtained her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. Both children attended Alton High School like their mother. Daughter, Debbie followed in her mother’s footsteps attending SIU-C and becoming a teacher.
     Darlene and her twin, Eilene, were weekly volunteers at the Oasis Women’s Center and their thrift shop. They started when the center opened in 1978 and continued volunteering there for 35 years. Most often they scheduled overlapping shifts so they could spend their Sunday evenings together.
     Darlene is survived by her daughter, Deborah Sackett of Portland, Oregon and son, Richard Sackett of Alton. She has two grandsons in Portland, Jamie and Kieran Moylan. Her older sister, Betty Taylor, niece Sherry Greening and nephew, Glenn Greening all live in Eugene, Oregon. She is very close with her twin sister’s daughters Jo Gammage, Sandy Rhodes, Nancy Aud and Cathy Elfgen who all live the in area. She also has a niece and nephew in Decatur, Illinois, Brenda Wilson and Bobby Taylor and a nephew in Arizona, Alan Taylor. In addition, she has numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews in Illinois, Missouri and Oregon.
     She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Minnie; husband, Byron; and sister, Eilene.
     A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 10am at Upper Alton Cemetery. Burial will follow.
     Memorials are suggested to 5A’s Animal Shelter or Oasis Women’s Center.
     Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.

—advantage news.com, 18 Jul 2024