Dr. Bernard F. Slaughter, 62 of Robinson, IL, died at 7:31 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2004 following an auto accident on Illinois Route One, south of Gordon, IL. He was born November 11, 1941 in Alton, IL, the son of Bernard U. Slaughter and Mary Blanche Ireland.
He graduated from the University of Illinois School of Dentistry in 1970 and established his dental office in Oblong, IL, where he practiced for 33 years.
Dr. Slaughter was a former president and member of the Wabash River Dental Society, a member of the Illinois State Dental Society, The American Dental Association, and the American Orthodontic Society. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, which include the Doctor Stanley Tylman Award, The Award of Merit from the American College of Dentists, the Highest Academic Achievement Award, the Award for Most Outstanding Student from Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity. In addition Dr. Slaughter received the Comprehensive Patient Care Award from the University of Illinois.
He married Zhanna E. Elochkin on May 20, 2002 and she died in the same accident. He is survived by his former wife, Barbara Optholt, 2 sons and a daughter-in-law, Bernard W. Slaughter, Hutsonville, Michael and Ellen Slaughter, Robinson; two daughters and sons-in-law, Heather and James W. Lane Jr., Robinson, Rebecca and Robert Angus, Marshall; 2 step sons, Sergey N. Zelenev and Yurii N. Zelenev; 6 grandchildren, Kiefer Manning, Jacob Manning, and Clayton Manning, all of Robinson, Sydney Slaughter, Robinson, Rowan Fox Angus, Marshall, and Cade Michael Slaughter, Robinson; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and David Heckman, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, Mary Beth and Nick Carter, Fidelity, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 6th at 10:00 a.m. at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Rev. Louis Youngs is in charge of services. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Cremation will follow services. Memorials may be made to the Lincoln Trail College International Student Fund and to the Illinois State Dental Society Clopper Foundation.