Donella M. Hickey, 83, of Christopher, passed away on Saturday May 3, 2025 at her home.

She was born on December 8, 1941 in Christopher to Dominic and Charlotte (Antonino) Maceri Sr. She married Bill Hickey on March 16, 1972 and he survives.

She is also survived by her step children Dennis (Tina) Hickey of London, Ontario, Lisa (Tom) Arledge of Kerrville, TX and Maria (Larry) Morgan of Cypress, TX and several grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and one brother Charles Macari of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one step son Kevin Hickey and one brother Dominic Maceri.

She was a member of the St Andrews Catholic Church and was proud of her Italian heritage.

Graveside services will be on Monday May 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM at the Harrison Cemetery with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Marcella Walker, 104, of Benton passed away on Sunday evening May 4, 2025 at her daughter’s home. Marcella was born in Hamilton County, IL on March 22, 1921 the daughter of Madison & Bertie (Hunt) Johnson.

She married Floyd Walker on September 27, 1947 in Morganfield, KY and he preceded her in death on November 12, 2008.

Mrs. Walker was a charter member of the West City Church of God.

Mrs. Walker is survived by:

3 children:

Dennis Carlton & wife Judy of Benton

Karen Montoya of Benton

Beverly Bellevue & husband Ken of Portsmouth, New Hampshire

6 grandchildren:

Duaine Carlton & wife Marcia of Herrin

Quentin Montoya & wife Jennifer of Cobden

Nicole Rechsteiner & husband Terry of Benton

Monica Markham & husband Daniel of Portsmouth, NH

Madison Bellevue of Jackman, ME

Rebecca Bellevue of Portsmouth, NH

13 great grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews

Mrs. Walker was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 brothers – Leo & Eugene Johnson, 1 sister – Shirley Neal, and her great grandson Gabriel Bellevue

Marcella and her husband, Floyd, loved to travel in their RV with their friends and family. She planted a large garden every year with an equally large harvest. Marcella loved her family, loved to cook and try new recipes, particularly desserts! She was a prayer warrior. Her family knew if you were on her prayer list, everything was going to turn out alright. Marcella’s presence was the center of every family gathering and she will be missed terribly until we all meet again in heaven. Marcella’s family gave her the blessing of aging gracefully in the presence of her loved ones. She remained surrounded by family and friends until the very end. Special thanks to Beth Hall, her friend and caregiver, Dr. Latta, and Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 8th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.

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

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marcella (Johnson) Walker, please visit our floral store.

Esther Jean Kretz, 92, of Christopher, passed away on Sunday May 4, 2025 at her home.

She was born on May 11, 1932 in Sesser to Merideth and Mary (Jolley) Huie. She married Victor Dean Kretz and they were married for 75 years.

She is survived by her son John (Maria) Kretz of Christopher and one daughter Jennifer Kretz of Christopher; daughter-in-law Debbie Kretz of Christopher; grandchildren Wade (Torie) Kretz, Ami (Anthony) Hargrove, Kyle (Kim) Kretz, Emily (Wayne) Wilson, Merideth (Mark) Rogers and Joe (Megan) Kretz; great grandchildren Allie, Trent, Isaac (Jasie), Tyson, Amiah, Madi, Aiden, Kaylee, Mila, Cole, Jack, Samuel, Bennett and Aralynn; and two great great grandchildren Iversyn and Jhy’eir.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Thomas Kretz, siblings Ilah Winn, Mable Page, James Huie, Metzie Ward, Charles Huie and Ronald Huie.

Funeral Services will be on Friday May 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 12:30 PM. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher, IL.

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

Robyn Dale Hammonds, 58, of Sesser, passed away on Friday May 2, 2025 at her home.

She was born on April 4, 1967 in Benton, IL to Bobby and Pamela (Webb) McGhee. She married Randy Franklin Hammonds Sr. and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her mother Pam McGhee of Christopher, children Randy (Leah) Hammonds of Benton and Ryan Hammonds of Christopher; step-daughter Teneva Johnston of Nashville; granddaughter Rynlee Mae Hammonds; step-grandchildren Byron Johnson, Tayron Johnson and KJ Johnson; one sister Andrea (Gary) Kelley of Christopher; three nephews R.J. (Jessie) Kuh, Brennen Kelley and Dakota Kelley and two great nieces Lorelei and Adelaide.

She was preceded in death by her husband, father and one brother Robert McGhee.

Funeral services will be on Saturday May 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastors Rod and Jeremy Joplin officiating. Visitation will be on Friday May 9, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and on Saturday from 8:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Zeigler Cemetery.

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

Marsha Kay Kern, 86, of Benton, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Benton, surrounded by her family.

She was born on September 7, 1938, to Howard Rogers and Lucille (Glass) Smith in Benton, IL. For many years, Marsha was co-owner of the Benton Locker Plant. She later worked for McCollum real estate and Bank of America.

Kay was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Benton.

She was preceded in death by her Father, Howard Rogers and wife, Margery Rogers, Her Mother, Lucille G. Smith and husband Stephen “Smitty” Smith.

She was a loving mother and grandmother.

Kay is survived by her daughter, Kimberly “Kim” K. King and her husband Brian; her three granddaughters, Aisha (Nathan) Golliher, Kailee (Eric) McCollum and Taigan (Chase) McLaren; her six great-grandchildren, Carrigan Mitchell, Lily Bowlin, Jaycee McCollum, Hudson McCollum, Emma Lynn McLaren, and Drew Kendall McLaren; her brother, David (Vicki) Rogers and her sister, Idalla(David) Smith and several nieces and nephews and longtime friends.

Kay had a love for golf and enjoyed many memorable rounds on the course over the years. She also cherished playing cards with friends and found joy in visits to the casinos to play the poker machines. Even in her final months, her spirit remained strong. She was able to enjoy one last outing to play the machines, a moment filled with laughter, love, and cherished memories.

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

Per Kay’s wishes, cremation will take place and there will be no services.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

William “Smiley” McClellan, 88, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 10:26 pm May 3, 2025 SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He was born September 26, 1936 in rural Sesser, Illinois to the late William and Myrtle McClellan. Smiley married Joy Bullock on January 1, 1956 and she survives.

Mr. McClellan proudly served his country in the United States Army from October 1954 until October 1957, where he also played football. He attended William and Mary College and SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Smiley worked as a coal miner until retirement at Zeigler Coal Co. (Old Ben 26). After retirement, he worked for Quest Diagnostics as a route server. Before retirement, he taught at Dodds Community Unit School and Roberts and Schaeffer Const. Co. He also served on the Sesser Valier School Board for thirteen years.

Smiley was a past member of First Baptist Church in Sesser and Spring Hill, Florida. He was a present member at West Salem Trinity Methodist Church in Mount Vernon. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He enjoyed reading, fishing, playing golf, singing, telling jokes, and above all, being with his family. Smiley took great pride in being married to the love of his life for sixty-nine and a half years.

In addition to his parents, Smiley was preceded in death by his son, Michael McClellen; daughter, Teresa Phillips; grandmother, Fannie Jurcich; and sisters, Bertha Fredrickson, Suella Cox, Vickie Ashment, and Billie Gilbreath.

In addition to his beloved wife, Smiley is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Benedict and husband, Rick of Mount Vernon; grandchildren, Danielle Dalsanto of Olney, Illinois, Sierra Grider and husband, Robert of Mount Vernon, and Karlee Benedict of Mount Vernon; great-grandson, Brooks Grider; sister and brother-in-law, Bobbie and J.T. Ingram of DuQuoin, Illinois; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Donna Bullock of Johnston City, Illinois; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Sheri Bullock of DuQuoin, Illinois; several nieces and nephews; and foster sons, Randy and Walter Palmowski.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Friday, May 9, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at West Salem Trinity Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Celebration of Life will begin at 12:00 pm with Reverend Harold Quick officiating. Memorials may be made in William’s honor to West Salem Trinity Methodist Church.

Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-246-0100 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.

“And to think, the first thing you saw when you opened your tiny little eyes was the face of Jesus.”

On April 28, 2025, our beautiful daughter, Weslie Grace was welcomed into the arms of Jesus and is now flying with the angels. She blessed us here on earth for nine perfect days. She was so strong, perfect in every single way, and all she felt was love. On her last day, she was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. She was held, loved, received endless amounts of snuggles, and tons of kisses when she passed peacefully in her mommy and daddy’s arms.

Weslie’s time on earth was short, but her impact on everyone was unexplainable, and she will forever leave a massive mark on this world. She was able to meet and feel the love from her brother, Cole and all of her grandparents. She was welcomed at Heavens gates by June Read, Mahlen Hunt, Deanna Hunt, Suzanne Roule, and Victor Brandalise.

She is survived by her mommy and daddy, Morgan and Jared, her proud big brother Cole, her grandparents Rudy and Janette Roule, Michael Hunt and Terri Page, Teresa Hunt, an Uncle Justin and Aunt Jenny Roule, and great grandparents Rudy Roule, William Read, and Connie Brandalise. We know you are dancing in the streets of gold and watching over us. We love you beyond words, Weslie Grace and we cannot wait to see you again.

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

William “Bill” G. Hutchison went home to be with the Lord on April 29, 2025, following a brave and determined battle with an exceedingly rare cancer known as Urachal, which he fought for nearly four years.

Bill was born on March 20, 1956, in Greenville, Mississippi, to William Franklin Hutchison and Glenda Mae (Ferguson) Hutchison. In 2017, Bill met Vickie (Bates) Hutchison. They were married on May 16, 2019, and made their home together in West Frankfort, Illinois. United by a strong faith, Bill and Vickie were devoted members of Whittington Church in Whittington, Illinois, where they loved worshiping and serving together.

Bill is survived by his two children, Nichelle (Brad) Drew and Paige Bertrand, along with her fiancé Nick Alexander. He was a proud grandfather to six grandchildren — Kelsey Drew, Kaleb Drew, Kaitlyn Drew, Halley Drinkwater, Isaiah Bertrand, and Julian Alexander — all of Villa Grove, Illinois. Bill wife, Vickie, has two children and five grandchildren, and they reside in Sesser, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William F. Hutchison, and Glenda M. Hutchison, as well as a granddaughter, Kylie Drew, and a grandson, Kolby Drew.

Bill held an MBA and spent over four decades working as an electrical engineer, most recently retiring from Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC) in 2022. Throughout his career, he made significant contributions to several power cooperatives, always leading with professionalism and integrity.

After retirement, Bill embraced a life of joy and purpose. He and Vickie loved spending quality time with family, sharing meals and laughter with close friends, and traveling with their extended “golf family.” Bill was an avid golfer and a proud member of both Franklin County Country Club in West Frankfort, Illinois and Tara Golf and Country Club in Bradenton, Florida. He especially cherished his twice-yearly men’s golf trips and the camaraderie they brought.

In addition to his love for golf, Bill found great joy in attending his grandchildren’s events and sporting activities. He continued his involvement in local athletics by becoming a licensed umpire, officiating high school and junior high baseball and softball games across Southern Illinois — a role he took great pride in.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Friday May 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 PM until the time of the service at 6:00 PM at the funeral home.

Bill will be remembered for his strong faith, kind spirit, and unwavering love for his family and friends. Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy will continue in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bear Point Church Youth, FCA, Whittington Church Youth, Hospice of Southern Illinois, or Autism Special Olympics in honor of his grandson, Kaleb Drew. Donations will be accepted at the funeral service.

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

John L Watson, 71, of Sesser, died Sunday, April 27, 2025, at home.

He was born June 1, 1953 in Du Quoin, IL to Wray Watson and Ann (Howe) Watson. On June 20, 1992, he was married to Janet (Williams) Watson, who survives. Other survivors include a sister, Patricia Kanovsky of Homosassa, FL; one step-daughter, Mikah Salonies of Wentzville, MO; one step-son, Deric Brookman of Charlotte, NC, and two step-grandchildren Karsen and Will. John was preceded in death by his parents Wray and Ann Watson, his brother Robert Watson, and his sister Elsie “Toots” Pope.

John was a lifelong resident of Sesser. He was a coal miner for 20 years before working as a pest control technician until his retirement. He was a member of the Ainad Shriners.

Funeral services will be on Friday May 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM at the First Methodist Church in Sesser with Pastor Jim Slone officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 12:00 PM at the Church. Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First Methodist Church, envelopes will be available at the church.

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