Donald “Lil Doggie” Gene Montgomery, 78, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday February 18, 2024 at his home.

He was born on August 12, 1945 in Sesser to Lester and Oma (Weatherly) Montgomery. He married Diane (Loman) Montgomery on August 7, 1964 in Whittington and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his sons Mark Montgomery of Sesser, Russell (Stephanie) Montgomery of Sesser and Randy (Julie) Montgomery of Christopher; grandchildren Derrik (Kimberlee) Montgomery of Sesser, Morgan (Carson) Montgomery of Marion, Olivia (Matthew) Robertson of Benton, Courtney Hubbard of Christopher, Jeremy (Felicia) Johnson of West City, Faith (Danny) Smith of South Carolina, Jordan Johnson of Texas and Lance Johnson of Sesser; great grandchildren Oliver Montgomery, Bella Johnson, Jasper Johnson and Sutton Smith; one sister Joyce Dunovan of Springfield, IL and one brother Ronnie Montgomery of South Carolina and several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law’s and sister-in-law’s Nancy and Doug Linn, Marsha and Allen Willford, Michael Loman and Jerry Loman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Doris Newberry and three brothers Jimmy Montgomery, Frank Montgomery and Wayne Montgomery.

Donald was retired from Old Ben Coal #26 and was a farmer. He loved to talk and tell stories and also loved to drive around Rend Lake after Church. He was a member of the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday February 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Curtis Smith and Brother Randy Cash officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Clarence Deon Seiler, 84, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday February 17, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born March 21, 1939 in Sesser, IL to Clarence Walter and Mary (Cantrell) Seiler. He married Vivian Elaine (Dixon) Seiler and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children DeMara (Jim) DelBene of Sesser, Ilana (Scott) Ganswindt of Milwaukee, WI and Marcus (Stefany) Seiler of Wentzville, MO.; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and one brother Freddie (Carol) Seiler of Sesser.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a carpenter in Chicago for 25 years,

Graveside services will be on Tuesday February 20, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Ralph Brandon officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Eternal Friends of Christ and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Marjorie Louise (Sullivan) Neal, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, February 11, 2024 surrounded by her family.

Marjorie was a devout Christian, a loving mother, doting grandmother and good friend. She gave the best hugs and welcomed everyone.
She was born July 7, 1934 the daughter of Zenas and Vivian Sullivan. She was married to Roscoe Neal. Marjorie is survived by three daughters: Karen (Keith) Duckworth, Kathy (Jim) Lambert and Kendra (David) Clark.

She leaves behind seven grandchildren, Kevin and Kory Duckworth, Brett Burnett and Brooke Loyd, Eric, Trent and Kaitlyn Clark. She also leaves behind fifteen great grandchildren, Riley, Theodora, Hudson, Hunter, Ace, Landon, Layton, Leah, Colter, Kellan, Eli, Mia and Elizabeth, Axton, and Roscoe Maxwell.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband Roscoe, her parents, 2 infants Janice and Russel, and 2 brothers.
Marjorie worked for years as an insurance agent for Country Companies Insurance. She also was a church secretary at Thompsonville First Baptist Church and North Benton Baptist Church.

Visitation services will be held 11am February 15, at, Thompsonville First Baptist Church and funeral at 1:30p.m. She will be buried in a family plot in the Neal cemetery.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Gene Loucks, 71, of Scheller, passed away on February 13, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born on October 12, 1952 to Carl and Annamae (Zettler) Loucks.

He is survived by his two children, Brent and Becky Loucks of Scheller and Chanda and Edvis Taylor of Scheller; four grandchildren Seth Loucks and special friend Haden, Wyatt Loucks and special friend Reesie, Shaelyn Taylor and Tra Taylor and his Special Lady Friend Deni Ward. He is also survived by his mother Annamae Loucks, one sister Doris (Randall) Worley along with nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Carl Loucks.

He was a member of the White Oak Baptist Church of Scheller. He was a coalminer, worked road construction and was Goode Township Road Commissioner. After retirement, Gene enjoyed spending time with his family, working on the cattle farm and helping his grandchildren prepare for the 4 H Fair.

Funeral services for Gene will be on Saturday February 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Gowdy Cannon officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Residential Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

James “Jim” Nielan Painter, 93, of Valier, passed away on February 9, 2024 at Advent Medical Center in Ottawa, KS.

He was born on June 28, 1930 in Alton, IL to Noble James and Julie Ann (Jones) Painter. He married Lillie Mae (Price) Painter on June 21, 1956 and she preceded him in death on January 11, 2023.

Jim is survived by his daughters Tracy Ann Painter of Edwardsville, IL and Amy Jo (Daniel) McKean of Homewood, KS; three grandchildren Dustin Cain Sizemore, Alexander James McKean and Jack Thomas McKean.

Jim was a Veteran of the United States Marines and served during the Korean War. He worked for the Department of Defense as an Investigator for the Inspector General. Jim loved to support many organizations.

Graveside services for Jim will be on Friday February 16, 2024 at 12:30 PM at Miner’s Cemetery in Royalton with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Burial will be at Miner’s Cemetery in Royalton.

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

Mary Francis Coomber was called home to be with the Lord.

Mary was born on February 28, 1948 to Richard Porter and Alma Jean Piper. She was a 1966 graduate of Sesser-Valier High School where she excelled academically and socially. She was a leader in student government. She was also a cheerleader.

Mary went on to lead a respected career as a legal secretary and law office manager for a Federal Judge. She moved to Denver, Colorado in the late 1970s where she met her husband Phil Coomber and they married September 16, 1988. Mary and Phil moved to Sesser in 2008, where Mary has been active in her church and served on the library board. Mary is survived by her loving husband and her cousins Vickie Hasting and Cletus Piper of Woodriver, IL. The love of Mary’s life was growing and sharing her roses.

Mary’s Celebration of Life will be at the Sesser Methodist Church, 108 East Matthew Street, Sesser, IL 62884 on her birthday February 28. 2024 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Lung Association.

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

Mr. John William “Bill” Gwaltney, Sr., age 77, of Benton, IL; passed away at 12:06 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the Anchor Assisted Living in Marion, Illinois.

Graveside Services with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, Benton V.F.W. Post # 2671, and the U.S. Army National Guard, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 12, 2024, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, IL. Brother Bob Brockett will officiate. The family requests that everyone meet at the cemetery. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the services.

Bill was born on October 1, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Beryl and Evelyn (Brown) Gwaltney.

Bill was a graduate of MTHS in McLeansboro, IL, and Eastern Illinois University of Charleston, IL. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era. Bill married Linda Webb on August 29, 1970, in McLeansboro and she survives.

Bill worked for Webb Oil Company, a family business, and retired from the State of Illinois Department of Transportation.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed golfing.

Bill was a man of God and a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton, IL.

Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Linda Gwaltney of Benton, IL; two sons: Bill Gwaltney, Jr. and wife Julie of Carterville, IL, Kent Gwaltney of Benton, IL; two grandchildren: Madison and Will Gwaltney both of Carterville, IL; a brother Bob Brockett and wife Ruth of McLeansboro, IL; a sister Kathy Pryer and husband Earl of McLeansboro, IL; a sister-in-law Sylvia Gwaltney of California; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Beryl and Evelyn (Brown) Gwaltney; a brother Ron Gwaltney of California. Bill was also blessed to have a second mom and dad: R.L. and Buneda Brockett of McLeansboro, IL, who also preceded him in death.

The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the caring staff at the Anchor for their attentive care for Bill.

Memorial contributions be made in memory of Bill to the organization of the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the graveside services.

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

Joyce Emily (Holman) Gilbert, 83, of Effingham, IL passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton, IL.

She was born June 8, 1940 in Ewing, IL, to Edgar and Rosie Fern Holman. She married William P. Gilbert on May 19, 1957 in Mt. Vernon, IL.
She is survived by four children; Russell and Sally (Winn) Gilbert of St. Elmo, IL; Doug and Vickie Munton of O’Fallon, IL; Dave and Terri (Stephens) of Effingham, IL; John and Lisa Loy of Effingham, IL; twelve grandchildren and thirty-one great-grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) Gilbert on January 24, 2022 and by an infant daughter, Janice Renee on February 26, 1960; her parents, Edgar and Fern and six siblings—Louise Williams, Russell Holman, Doris Douglas, Mary Cook, Stanley Holman and Sharon Burton.
Joyce was a loving wife, mom, sister and aunt and “Nanny”. She was a homemaker in her early years, volunteered at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL and later retired from TSI Graphics of Effingham, IL.

Funeral services will be held at Johnston’s Funeral Home in Ina, IL on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 12:00 P.M. with visitation starting one hour prior. Burial will be in the Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing.

Memorials can be made to Stonebridge Senior Living Center, 902 South McLeansboro Street, Benton IL 62812
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com