It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Jerome Busler Gholson, age 85, longtime owner and operator of Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro & Dahlgren, IL. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL with his beloved daughters by his side. Jerome was born at home on the family farm April 30th, 1935 in rural Saline County, IL to his parents Elmo & Abbie (Busler) Gholson. He was known by many people throughout Southern Illinois for his dedicated service as owner and operator of Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro & Dahlgren for over 55 years. Jerome was a second generation funeral director, following in the footsteps of his father Elmo Gholson, who started the family business in 1947. He previously served as an EMT for Gholson Ambulance Service for many years. He was also a US Army veteran, having served stateside during the Vietnam War era at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was a 50+ year member of the Kiwanis Club in McLeansboro, a lifetime member of the McLeansboro B.P.O.E. #1882, and member of the American Legion Post #106 in McLeansboro. He served previously as the Hamilton County Coroner and was a member of the First Baptist Church in McLeansboro, where he also served as a trustee. He was a longtime supporter and sponsor of Hamilton County Athletics Teams and was actively involved in multiple community organizations throughout his life.