Kenneth Hale Doty, 84, of Benton passed away on Monday, April, 8, 2024 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana.

Mr. Doty was born on June 17, 1939 the son of Cecil & Rosalie (Furlow) Doty.

He married Rita Ann (Threlkeld) on September 3, 1960.

Mr. Doty was a Deacon and a founding member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton. He served in the US Navy. He worked for CIPS/Ameren.

Kenneth is survived by his:
Wife: Rita Ann Doty
Children:
Steve & Susan Doty
David & Amber Doty
Grandchildren:
April & Joe Emery
Emily DeForest & Cory Braden (friend)
Anthony Doty
Caleb & Alexandrea Doty
Great-Grandchildren:
Michael Emery & Emma Clites (friend)
Alex Emery
Eva Emery
Jacob Braden
Oliver DeForest
Arthur Doty
Brother-in-law & Sister-in-law: Richard & Marlene Threlkeld
Several Nieces & Nephews

Mr. Doty was preceded in death by his Parents, Sister-Jerry Ann Tennyson and In-laws-Harry & Wanda Threlkeld.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 13th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd
Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, April 12th and from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 13 at the funeral home.
For those who wish Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Vernon Dale Waller, 95, of McLeansboro, IL, passed away at 9:22 p.m., on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Integrity Healthcare of Anna, IL.

He was born on December 27, 1928, to Clyde and Stella (Ing) Waller in Benton, IL. On October 29, 1955, Vernon married Charlotte L. Carrell, and she preceded him in death on December 13, 2011, after 56 years of marriage.

Vernon was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, serving during the Korean War.

Vernon loved reading books on history, exploring nature and rock and arrowhead collecting with his granddaughter, Kaitlyn. He also enjoyed playing cards, games, gardening, and going to church. He especially loved tending to his pets and spending time with his family and friends.

Vernon is survived by his daughter, Regina Nakamura of Jonesboro, IL and his granddaughter, Kaitlyn Nakamura.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Stella Waller, his wife, Charlotte L Waller, his stepson, Gus Edward Smith, his brother, Clyde Waller and his sister, Oma Randall.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main St., Benton, IL.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Little Springs Cemetery in Hamilton County, IL, with Minister Roger Turner, officiating.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com

George “GP” Paul Shovan III, 86, of Valier, passed away on Sunday April 7, 2024 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on March 18, 1938 in St Louis, MO to George Paul and Loretta (Farkus) Shovan Jr. He married Phyllis (Chandler) Shovan on March 18, 1960 and she survives of Valier.

He is also survived by his two sons Mike (Kia) Shovan of Jackson, MO and Greg (Lori Robinson) Shovan of Herrin; grandchildren Hayden Shovan and Aslee Shovan and one sister Francesca Hart of Valier.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He loved to be outdoors hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Edwards Lodge of Texarkana. He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp and was stationed at 29 Palms in California and he worked at Old Ben Coal Central Shop until his retirement.

Funeral services will be on Sunday April 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother George Marshall officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 12:30 PM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Shelby Jean Seals, age 84, of Benton, passed away at 5:05 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Seals was born on September 28, 1939, in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Edward Kuykendall and Marjorie (Odle) Kuykendall. She would marry Adrian Dean Seals on October 21, 1960, together they would share fifty years of marriage, until his death on February 18, 2011.

Mrs. Seals worked as a bookkeeper. She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene of Benton, and the Daughters of Dorcas.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed word games. She enjoyed worshipping and attending her church, and she enjoyed being a part of the Daughters of Dorcas Ministries. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving are her two children Robin Wininger of Benton, IL, Marc Seals of Benton, IL; two grandchildren Jarred Alan Hurt of Phoenix, AZ, Corey Ryan Seals and wife Jennifer of Oklahoma City, OK; a great-grandson Lathan Isaiah Hurt; a sister Linda Noel of Kenai, AK; a brother Jerry Kuykendall and wife Nadine of Chicago, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a sister Joyce Burford.

The family prefers Memorial contributions may be made to the Ministerial Alliance Summer Lunch Program and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mrs. Shelby Seals, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Frances Palmer, 87, of Christopher, passed away on Friday April 5, 2024 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis, MO.

She was born on June 14, 1936 in New Matamoras, OH to Paul and Bernice (Hall) Petty.

She is survived by her children Paula Meinert of Christopher, Edward (Sherry) Palmer of Sesser, George Palmer of Christopher and Hubert Leon (Shelly) Palmer II of Florida; grandchildren Mike Meinert, Jordan Flatt, Drew Palmer, Alex Palmer, Justin Palmer, Tia Haught, Allen Byrns, Toby Byrns and Stephanie Byrns; great grandchildren Aleesha, Payton, Kamryn, Ryker, Henry, Vada, Ryan, Hazel,Arya, Ella and Oliver; one sister-in-law Phyllis Petty of Benton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson Matt Meinert and one brother Warren Petty.

Graveside services will be on Friday April 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Miner’s Cemetery in Royalton with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Audrey Faye Summers, 84, of Benton, passed away at 3:12 a.m., on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Fairview Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in DuQuoin, IL.

She was born on March 22, 1940, to Paul and Emma (Price) Hatley in White Bluff, TN. She married James Edward Summers and he preceded her in death.

Audrey was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Audrey is survived by her daughters, Debra (David) Gergely of Benton, IL and Marie (Willow) Baker of WA; Grandson, Andrew Gergely of Benton, IL; Granddaughter, Katie Gergely of Benton, IL; her brother, Bobby Williams of Dixon, TN; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Emma Hatley, her husband, James Summers and her sister, Brenda Dowdy.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held onWednesday, April 10, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.
Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton. IL.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Dean Webb, 79, of Sesser, passed away on Friday April 5, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

He was born on June 26, 1944 in McLeansboro, IL to Roe and Mary (Veatch) Webb. He married Beverly (Mausey) Webb on June 13, 1964 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his two sons Jeff (Julie) Webb of Sesser and Darin (Jill) Webb of Dardenne Prairie, MO; grandchildren Hannah (Rachel) Webb, Madison (Devan) Lamke, Ali (Tyler) Krough, Ben (Taylor) Webb, Sam Webb and Jozy Webb; great grandchildren Ayson, Collins, Isla, Ivory, Rhen, Weston and Jules and one brother Cecil (Paula) Webb of McLeansboro, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother John Robert Lee Webb.

Dean was a devout Christian and member of Sesser First Baptist Church for 60 years where he served as a former deacon, taught all ages of Sunday school and initiated the “Children’s Playground” project. At McLeansboro High School he excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track. In football he was the MVP in his conference and the leading scorer in Southern Illinois. As a starting guard, he was on the first McLeansboro team to go to state. His love for sports continued by serving local children through coaching and training clinics. In retirement he focused on his love for woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Dean will be on Saturday April 12, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the church. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First Baptist Church for the Children’s playground and will be accepted at the church.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Clarence Allen “Tike” Lampley, age 70, of Benton, passed away at 10:15 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Tike was born on April 19, 1953, in Christopher, Illinois; the son of Clarence Everett Lampley and Mary Lou (Poynor) Lampley. He married the former Cynthia Lynn Hackleman on March 25, 1974, and she survives.

Tike was the owner and operator of Positive Impressions of Benton. He formerly worked as a coal miner with Old Ben #21 of Sesser. He was a member of the U.M.W.A. and was of the Baptist faith.

He enjoyed going to the horse races, trips to Florida, fishing, and most of all enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Surviving is his loving wife of 50 years, Cindy Lampley of Benton; two children: Stephanie Neal and husband Bryan of Benton, Casey Allen Lampley of Benton; four grandchildren; a brother Keith Lampley and wife Christine of Benton; two sisters-in-law: Mindy Szoke and husband Dr. David Szoke of Murphysboro, Alice Hackleman of Benton; an uncle Paul Lampley and wife Diane of Buckner; an aunt Mary Summers and husband Wayne of West Frankfort; special friends including: Kenny Irvin, Roger Kirk, Danny Johnson, Dale Irvin, Garrett Irvin, and Andy Sloan; also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: David Lampley and Stephen Lampley; father and mother-law: Lewis E. and Peggy Lou Hackleman; brother-in-law Lewis E. Hackleman; a daughter-in-law Bobbie Lampley; and several aunts and uncles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ministerial Alliance Summer Lunch Program and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Tike, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Richard “Dick” Dean Stritzel, 85, of Christopher, passed away on Wednesday March 27, 2024 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

He was born on May 24, 1938 in St Louis, MO to Frank and Mae (Husky) Stritzel. He married Carolyn Lee Ann Stritzel on May 30, 1963 and she preceded him in death on May 15, 2023.

He is survived by his daughters Lori (Dennis) Tindall of Mulkeytown, Kellie (Scott) Bast of Chesterfield, MO, Julie (Vas) Sabeeh of Phoenix, AZ and Holly Helfrich of Christopher; grandchildren Kati (Steve) Borta, Matt (Leighann) Thomas, Rachel (Jeremy) Chaney, Jacob (Niki) Tindall, Chloe Bast, Audrey Bast, Miles Sabeeh, Simone Sabeeh, Rollin Sabeeh, Ryan Helfrich, Jack Helfrich and Sam Helfrich; great grandchildren Jaxon, Charley, Gwen, Evan, Ryleigh, MeMe, Luke, Wyatt and Khloe; siblings Larry (Carolyn) Stritzel of Valier, Marilyn (Richard) Wall of Trenton, IL and David (Becky) Stritzel of Diamond Head, MS.

Dick was a school teacher and had taught at West Frankfort High School and John A. Logan College and Rend Lake College. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Christopher.

Funeral services will be on Thursday April 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com