Mathel M. Delaval 87 of Christopher, passed away at 1:10 A.M. at her daughter Jan’s home in Benton, IL on Friday October 17, 2014.  She was surrounded by her children and their families, who were expressing their love for her through words from their hearts, hugs, and kisses.

Mrs. Delaval was born on October 24, 1926 in Royalton, IL to Ralph and Gertrude Gordon.  She is survived by her husband Leon Delaval Jr. of Christopher, IL.

She is also survived by nine children Beverly Smith (Carl), Gary “Buzz” Reed (Marilyn),                        Brenda Armstrong (William), James “Deedi” Reed (Ashley), Trudie Boldery all of Benton, IL, Ralph Reed (Michelle) of Buckner, IL, Cherylle Reed of Miami, FL, Janet “Jan” Buckmaster (Richard) of Pottsboro, TX, Ida Murry (Roger) of Sesser, IL.

She is survived by 20 grandchildren, 34 Great Grandchildren and a great grandchild due on March 13, 2015 and she will be named after her great grandmother, and 3 great great grandchildren.  Mathel has two surviving brothers Rex Gordon (Lucille) of Chicago, IL, and Norman Gordon (Shirley) of Sun City, AZ and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and two brother-in-laws Coleen Brady (Chester), Darlene Julian (David), a late husband William “Bevis” Reed, one infant grandson Howard Wayne Wilson Jr., and a great grandson Jeren William Crain.

Funeral Services will be held at the Gilbert Funeral Home of Christopher on Wednesday October 22, 2014 at 11:00 A.M., officiatedby her son-in-law the Rev. William J. Armstrong.  Burial will be in the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner, IL.  Visitation will be on Tuesday October 21, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thankfulness to all those who had a part, for their prayers, deeds of kindness, health care, and compassion shown to them and their mother during her illness and after her passing.  The family would like to thanks the employees at the Herrin Hospital of Herrin, Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis, Helia Healthcare in Benton, the 4th floor nursing staff at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center Mt Vernon, Gilbert Funeral Home, Coello Fire Department, St Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospice who ministered health care and compassion to Mathel and her family.

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

Helen L. Gulley, 90, of Benton, IL, passed away October 14, 2014 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center, in Benton.

Helen was born May 31, 1924 in Christopher, IL, to Benjamin Pharis and Agnes (Swain) Pharis.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Benton-West City Church of Christ.

She was married to Albert Gulley and he preceded her in death on April 5, 2014.

Helen is survived by a sister, Ruby Gage, of Wright City, MO.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one son, Alan Gulley and one brother, Raymond Pharis.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Steve Reeves officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 12 noon until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Hammond Cemetery, in Buckner, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Benton-West City Church of Christ and will be accepted at the funeral home

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

David L. “Monty” Rea, 57, of Whittington, departed this earth to go to his Heavenly Home on Wednesday morning, October 15, 2014 at his home.

He was born in Benton, IL on April 5, 1957, the son of David R. & Carole (Taylor) Rea.

He married Marsha (Whittington) on August 4, 1979 in Benton and she survives.

Monty was on the original group that organized the Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District and served as the only chief from 1992 until present.  He started coal mining in 1979, most recently working at Nighthawk Coal Co.  Monty was an 18-year member of the Ewing-Northern Grade School board and also served on the Ewing Township board from 1992 to the present.

He attended Whittington Church.

Monty loved to hunt, fish and farm but above all was his family, especially his three grandbabies, Bentley, Blakely and Sawyer, then his dedication to the fire department.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha, of Whittington, , two daughters, Whitney Winstead and husband Johnny, of Benton, and Haley Smith and husband Cory, of Benton and three grandchildren, Bentley Rea Smith, Blakely Pavin Smith and Sawyer Michael Winstead.

Also surviving are his parents, David and Carole Rea, of West City, a sister, Diana Ing, and husband Keith, of Benton, mother-in-law J. Irene Whittington, formerly of Whittington, grandmother, Edith Taylor, of Benton, brother-in-law Mike Whittington and wife Donna, of Marion and nieces and nephews Marci, Eric, Lindsay and Nathaniel.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Noel Whittington and by his grandparents, Verbal and Anna Belle Rea and Kenneth and Viola Taylor.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October, 18 at the Whittington Church with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. A fireman’s walk-through will be Friday at the church.  Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Rea’s memory to the Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District and will be accepted at Whittington Church or at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, Benton.

For more information or to sign the guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

Michelle Ward, 47, of Sesser, passed away October 8, 2014 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon.

Michelle was born June 2, 1967 in Mt. Vernon, the daughter of Mickey Earl Riley, of Mt. Vernon and Carol (Brown) Beppler, of Sesser, who both survive.

She was married to Scott Ward, of Sesser.

Michelle worked as a dialysis nurse at DaVita Dialysis, in Brunswick, GA.

She is survived by her husband, Scott Ward, of Sesser; children Jered Benson, of Brunswick, GA and Abbie Leigh Ward, of Sesser, IL.  Other survivors include one brother, Brian Roehm, of Valier, and two sisters, Kimberly Grob, of Sesser, IL and Nanette Riley, of Benton, IL.  She was preceded in death by one sister and by her ‘Granny’ and ‘Pops.’

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, IL with Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday October 11, 2014 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:30 p.m.

Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL is in charge of arrangements.  For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.