Tommy "Joe" Slater, 53, of Alma, formerly of Olney died Saturday September 27, 2003 at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Centralia.  Services at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney with Pastor Roger Crites officiating. Burial in Dundas Cemetery in Dundas with full military rites.

Mr. Slater was born on December 17, 1949 in Olney, the son of John E. and Ruth Ann (Meadows) Slater. He married Beverly Zerkle on December 13, 1969 and she survives.

Mr. Slater was an electrician for UNOCAL Pipeline Company for 25 years. He was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran from April 1969 to April 1973. He was a member of Patoka American Legion. He graduated from East Richland High School in Olney in 1968.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Slater of Alma; his mother, Ruth Ann Slater of Olney; two daughters, Tiffany Slater-Handshy of Glen Carbon and Melissa Slater of Edwardsville; three brothers, John Slater (Linda) of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Mike Slater (Rosalie) of Olney and Dick Slater (Judy) of Teutopolis; a sister, LeAnn Seabolt and her husband, Tom of Mt. Carmel; brother-in-law, Dave Zerkle (Marianne) of Dundas and his father-in-law, Clarence Zerkle of Olney; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Memorials to The Brain Tumor Society.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)