Susan Jane Stubblefield, 81, of Mulkeytown, passed away on March 1, 2026 at Herrin Hospital.

She was born on March 20, 1944 in DuQuoin, IL to Raymond “Chick” and Ruth (Duncan) Huie. She married Richard Stubblefield on August 31, 1962 and he survives of Mulkeytown.

She is also survived by her sons Scott (Sheila) Stubblefield of Christopher, Greg (Pam) Stubblefield of Johnston City, Brian (Karli) Stubblefield of Ewing and Robert (Amanda) Stubblefield of West Frankfort; grandchildren Matthew, Lyle, Brittany, Kaci, Brandon, Alli, Draven, Dylan and Olivia; nine great grandchildren and one brother Louis Huie of Ava.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Janet Houghlan.

Funeral services will be on Monday March 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Mary Lou Smith, 79, of Benton passed away on March 2, 2026 at her home.

She was born on January 15, 1947 in Phoenix, Arizona the daughter of Ellsworth & Constant Regina (Pannell) Shaw.

She married Dennis Smith on June 20, 1970.

Mrs. Smith was a CNA, working at several area nursing homes.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her:

Husband: Dennis Smith of Benton

Son: Chris Smith of Benton

Daughter: Heather Powell of Benton

Grandchildren:
Austyn Smith of Benton
Alyssa Pulliam & husband Braxton of Benton
Makenzie Powell & fiancé Cameron Bujnoch of Hattellesville, TX

2 Great-Grandsons: Bryson & Colt

Sister: Betty Brown of California

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her Parents and a Brother-Robert Shaw.

Graveside services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, March 7th at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. There will be No Visitation, those attending the services are requested to meet at the cemetery.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Anzel Kay Kotval, 87, of Benton, passed peacefully from this life into the arms of our Lord after an extended illness on February 21, 2026. Kay was born the eldest child and only daughter of the late Arthur Gordon Rice and Ruth Warren Rice on a family farm near Akin, IL on September 24, 1938. Her maternal grandmother, Lionne Conover Warren, assisted with the delivery.

During high school in Malden, Missouri, Kay was dual enrolled in high school and the local college, which was quite a feat for a 17-year-old woman at the time, earning her Associate of Arts degree two weeks before her high school diploma in 1956. She met the love of her life soon after and was wed to John D. Kotval, Jr of Bridgeview, IL, on May 2, 1958; they were married for 41 years. They spent their honeymoon traveling on the historic Route 66 from Chicago to California.

Two children, both living, were born, a son, Donald Lee Kotval in 1959 and a daughter, Paul Jean Kotval in 1962. The family resided in Hickory Hills, IL, New Lenox, IL and Bourbonnais, IL with many cherished family memories, including summer vacations to Daytona Beach and attending Chicago Cubs baseball games.

Kay retired as Assistant Controller of Olivet Nazarene College in 1986 and retired with John to Benton to be near her parents. Those years until his passing in 1999 were filled with extensive traveling including many Caribbean Cruises with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Helen Roberts, frequent trips to Callaway Gardens, and visits to Walt Disney World with grandchildren. Kay was an avid genealogist leaving behind volumes of her work and her autobiography.

Kay is survived by her brother, Kevin Warren Rice of Bourbonnais, IL, son and daughter-in law, Donald and Charity Kotval of Columbia, TN, and daughter, Paula Kotval of Benton. Kay is also survived by three grandchildren, John D. Kotval, III (wife Lauren) of Marietta, GA, Courtney Metschuleit of Seattle, WA, and David Hamilton Kotval (wife Jenny) of Columbia, MO, and great-granddaughter, Raelyn Nelson of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Gordon Richard Rice, and her granddaughter, Stephanie D. Learned.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday March 6th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Pamela Sue Robinson, 73, of Benton passed away Friday morning February 27, 2026 at Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion.

She was born on April 26, 1952 the daughter of Gene & Eddyth (Bullington) Mandrell.

She was married to Dave Robinson.
Pamela loved fishing, camping and going to Jones Lake. She enjoyed spending time with her kids, grandkids and her dog “Rowdy”.

Pamela is survived by her:
Son: Pat McClerren of Benton
Daughter: Bridgett Young & husband Art of McLeansboro
Mother: Eddyth Mandrell of Benton
10 Grandchildren: Patrick Jr., Cassie, Morgan, Gabriela, Rachel, Emmett, Kameron, Destiny, Nick & Maelee
9 Great-Grandchildren
Sister-in-law: Becky Mandrell of Benton
Nieces & Nephews: Angela, Lana, Jeff & Lee
Pamela was preceded in death by her Father, Husband, Daughter-Kelly Jo, 2 Grandsons-Wyatt & Dalton and Brother-Brad Mandrell.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 10th at the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. There will be No Visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.
For mor information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

James Russell Shelby, 79, of Christopher, passed away on Monday March 2, 2026 at the Marion VA Medical Center.

He was born on December 24, 1946 in Mt Vernon, IL to Jesse James and Nona Elva (Russell) Shelby.

He is survived by his daughters Malinda (Wayne Harris) Pierce of DuQuoin, Cindy (Richard) Bradford of Christopher and Crystal Tarr of Christopher; grandchildren Michael Scroggins, Ashley Bradford, Trevor Tarr, Ritchie (Angie) Bradford and Jonathan (Kaitlin Swain) Pierce; four great grandchildren; one brother Dennis (Carrie) Estes; one niece Brandi Estes and three nephews Jason Estes, Adam Estes and Josh Estes.

He was a Veteran of the United States Army and was a Police Officer.

His wishes were to be cremated.

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

October 2, 1937 – February 19, 2026

James (Jim) David Chady passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He has reunited with the love of his life, his wife Daryl.

Services will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Morton Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with a visitation and rosary from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church on Saturday, March 14, at 10:00 am, burial at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery thereafter; and followed by a luncheon at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton.

Jim was born on October 2, 1937. in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

He was the youngest son of Ernest Edward and Mary Lucile (Daley) Chady

Married Daryl Kirsti (Haven) on April 27, 1957 in Watertown, Wisconsin. She preceded him in death on April 18, 2012

Jim graduated in 1962 from the University of Wisconsin Platteville with a degree in Mining Engineering.

He went to work immediately after graduation for Old Ben Coal as a mining engineer and held the positions of: Face Boss, Mine Manager, Mine Superintendent, General Superintendent, Safety Director, General Manager & Vice President of the Illinois Division, and spent 4 years in Pennsylvania managing a KITT Energy Corporation owned by Old Ben.

He retired in 1992 and went to work as a consulting engineer for J.T. Boyd Company on a project in the United Kingdom.

He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benton Elks, Boccie Ball Club and Past President of the Illinois Mining Institute.

He was an avid golfer. He was a longtime fan of the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinal baseball teams. He loved traveling, bird watching, reading. He also spent time volunteering at the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance food pantry and delivering lunches at Thanksgiving for those who were homebound.

Jim and his wife, Daryl, were partners that owned and operated “Hard Day’s Nite” Bed & Breakfast, a historic landmark on the Illinois Historic register. The home was formerly owned by George Harrison’s sister, Louise.

Jim is survived by his five children:

Linda Chase & husband Gary of Frisco, TX

David Chady & wife Ruth of Belleville, IL

Jodi Ussery & husband Roy of Corpus Christi, TX

Daniel Chady & wife Shirley of Benton

Peter Chady & wife Christine of Endwell, NY

10 grandchildren

14 great grandchildren

1 brother – John Bernard Chady, San Marcos CA

8 nephews and 7 nieces

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Edward & M. Lucile, wife Daryl Kirsti, brother Edward Joseph, brother Thomas Charles, and sister Mary Therese.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Randall D. Majdich, 78, of Christopher, passed away at the age of 78 Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at a Christian Care Center in Indiana.

Randy was born February 23, 1948 at his childhood home in Sesser Illinois to Gertrude and August “Goose” Majdich. He married Sue Hammonds on August 19, 1978. Together they shared 46 years of marriage.

He is survived by sons Anthony Majdich, Wesley (Ewar) Cook, Andrew (Julie) Cook, daughters Tiffany Mahon and Juliane Hamilton. He will also be fondly remembered and loved by his grandchildren Halle Majdich, Emma Cook, and Nicholas Cook. Randy was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Majdich, parents Gertrude and August Majdich, sisters De Etta Lou Sanchez, Roberta Brown and brother Dennis Majdich and many loving nieces and nephews.

Randy’s loving and loyal commitment to his family, country, careers and special interests are some of the many things that made him special and unique to us. Randy was a Christian man, a leader in the coal mining industry, a veteran CPT of the Vietnam War and a Freemason which all played a vital part in shaping him as a young man. Randy was a family man who loved the outdoors. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Randy was a talented musician who also enjoyed taking in a game of poker with his children, nieces and nephews.

We would all like to say thank you grandpa, Randy, Uncle Randy, husband, pops, friend and fellow Christian, we appreciate you and your commitment to our family and future. We love you pops. Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

Terry Frank Patyski, 84, of Mulkeytown, IL, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Herrin Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Terry was born on January 4, 1942, to Zigmund and Elizabeth (Chazar) Patyski. He was a native of Valier and a 1960 graduate of Valier High School.

Terry married Marcella Ziarnek on November 24, 1966 and they shared 59 years of marriage together.

Terry honorably served his country in the United States Army from March 1964 to February 1970, where he achieved the rank of SP-4. Terry worked at Orient No. 3 Mine, in Waltonville until its closing, and then added a second career working for 24 additional years as a well-loved custodian at SIU School of Medicine, before retiring there.

Terry is survived by his wife, Marcella (Ziarnek) Patyski, of Mulkeytown; three children, Lyn T. (Terri) Patyski, of Marion, IL (longtime companion Steve Lincks, of Oakville, MO), Karen Cabaness, of Marion, IL (husband Rodney Cabaness) and Mark Patyski, of Mulkeytown, IL (wife Ginger Patyski); grandchildren Bryce Cabaness, Courtnie Patyski, Peyton Cabaness, Camree Patyski, Ty Cabaness and Drew Cabaness and one brother, Ronnie Patyski, of Valier, IL. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

Terry was an active member of the Christopher Knights of Columbus and was also a longtime member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher, IL, before it closed. Terry was the proud owner and operator of Walnut Hill Winery, located in Mulkeytown (or “Hooterville,” which is a small suburb of Mulkeytown, as he called it) where he grew his own grapes, that he turned into his own brand of wine.
He was a lifelong animal lover and through the decades owned horses, ducks, dogs and in his later years, his “herd” of cats that he lovingly tended to daily.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL, with Father Mark Reyling officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Finding Forever Animal Rescue, in Marion, IL or the Christopher Knights of Columbus.
Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit their website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Joseph Wendell Robinson, 85, of Sesser, passed away on Wednesday February 25, 2026 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.

He was born on July 28, 1940 in Sesser, IL to Ellery and Velma (Loucks) Robinson. He married Diana Wilma (Eady) Robinson on July 20 1975 and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by his step-sisters Jamie Mikulonis and Denise Lewis.

He was preceded in death by his two brothers Virgil Robinson and Butch Robinson and one step-sister Nancy Bushong.

He was a retired Coalminer and a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday March 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Maple Hill Cemetery with Brother Jim Sloane officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Jimmie D. Gosney, 85, of Christopher, passed away on Wednesday February 25, 2026 at his home.

He was born on July 27, 1940 in Sedalia, MO to Everett and Lillian (Frisbee) Gosney. He married Carlene (Palmiter) Gosney on October 22, 1957 and she survives in Christopher.

He is also survived by his children Rhonda (Richard) Horton of Mt Vernon, Carla (Phillip) Pryor of Ina and Stephen (Crystal) Gosney of Christopher; eleven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his father Everett Gosney, mother Lillian (Frisbee) Issler, one brother Jerry and one sister Judith.

He owned his own construction company and was a Veteran of the United States Air Force.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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