Fred H. Bright, Jr., 82, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at his home.
Born June 24, 1942 in Granite City, he was the son of Fred H. Bright, Sr. and Pearl (Graham) Bright.
A U.S. Army veteran, Fred served his country in Vietnam. After his discharge from the service, Fred started his longtime career in law enforcement working for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department at the County Jail. He joined the Alton Police Department for many years, and then was hired as Chief of Police for the Village of East Alton. After serving as Chief, he later served with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department as Major. During his law enforcement career, he also proudly graduated from the FBI Academy.
Fred served his community five terms as Mayor of the Village of East Alton. He cared deeply for the village employees as well as the community, and will be missed by all. He was a beloved State Farm Insurance Agent since 1983. Fred also was a member of the Wood River Masonic Lodge, the Ainad Shrine Temple, and the Royal Order of Jesters Court 86.
Fred married Shirley R. Rieken Nov. 26, 1965 in Moro. She preceded him in death Feb. 24, 1994.
Surviving are two daughters, Lisa (Sam) Darr of Edwardsville and Erin (Todd) Watson of East Alton; 4 grandchildren, Megan (Steve) Flowers, Zackary (Kinzi Kizer) Watson, Braydon Hensley, and Jadyn Watson; 4 great grandchildren, Camden Henry, Kennedi Watson, Olivia Flowers, and Blakely Flowers; his brother, Richard Bright of Kentucky; nephews Marc and Todd Hickman; niece Terri Ann Bright; a brother- and sister-in-law Larry and Vickie Woods and their children, Joe Woods and Cassy Kelly.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barbara Hickman.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday, March 3 at Paynic Home for Funerals, with a Jesters Walk-through at 7:13 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 4 at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Moro Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to “Shriners Children’s-St. Louis”, with ‘fundraiser’ on the memo line of the donor’s check.
An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com.
