Herbert "Herb" Leslie Koonce, Sr. age 80 of Collinsville, IL, born March 17, 1944 in St. Louis, MO, transitioned to his Savior's care on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in O'Fallon, IL.

Herb retired from the Collinsville Library after many years of service working in maintenance.  He was a hard worker and served the community in many ways.  He worked and volunteered at the Collinsville Senior Center and assisted the elderly community.  Whether it be a ride home, cleaning gutters or cutting grass, Herb never hesitated to help in any way he could. He was a member of Wilkerson Chapel AME in Collinsville, served as a steward, and sang in the choir for many years.  He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Gladys (nee Redd) Koonce; a brother, Leon Koonce; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Robert John DeLoach Sr. and Christine (nee Smith) DeLoach; and a brother-in-law, Carl Brown.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Rosetta (nee DeLoach) Koonce, whom he married June 10, 1967; a son, Herbert Jr. (Gabrielle) Koonce of Collinsville; two grandchildren:  Gavin and Janiece (James) Burress; three great-grandchildren:  Kaiden, Ava and Reese; a brother, Wendell Koonce of Springfield, IL; two sisters:  Barbara Evans of Augusta, GA and Sharon (Tony) Pettit of Springfield, IL; seven sisters-in-law:  Dorothy Sharp, Myrtle DeLoach, Mamie Jean DeLoach, Henrietta (William) Hayes, Selena DeLoach, Dora Faye (Hassen) Saleh, and Sharon DeLoach; a brother-in-law, Robert John DeLoach; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express a heartfelt "Thank You" to Herb's caregivers, Bill Holt and Tonisha Ballinger, and many friends for their support and compassion throughout the years.

Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL.

Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Gary McCants officiating.  Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Collinsville.

Memorials are suggested to Wilkerson Chapel AME and will be received at the visitation or can mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.