Roberta Joyce Barnfield, age 73, of Benton, passed away at 2:50 a.m. Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Aperion Care of Fairfield, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Mrs. Barnfield was born on December 12, 1948, in Thompsonville, Illinois, the daughter of Roy R. Piercy and Margaret (Absher) Piercy. She married Kenneth Eugene Barnfield on April 5, 1966, and he survives.

She formerly worked as a CNA, fiberglass and body repair at many of our former boat manufacturers, and she worked at Maytag until its closure.

Roberta enjoyed camping, fishing, cross-stitch, knitting, and crocheting. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and going on picnics and hiking with them at Garden of the Gods.

She was a member of New Life Church of God in Benton, where she enjoyed worshipping with her church family.

Surviving is her loving husband of 56 years, Kenneth Eugene Barnfield, Sr.; three children: Michelle Elaine Shurtz of Marion, Illinois, Cindy Ann Schmechel of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Kenneth Eugene Barnfield, Jr. of McLeansboro, Illinois; two granddaughters: Taylor Lenae Koch of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Chelsea Renae Smith of McLeansboro, Illinois; five great-grandchildren: Rylen, Walker, Charli, Vedder and Presley; siblings: Roy Russell Piercy of Sikeston, Missouri, Randy Piercy and wife Margaret of Soperton, Georgia, Leslie Piercy and wife Barb of Marion, Illinois, Garry Piercy and wife Dianna of Benton, Illinois, Pam Barwick and husband John of Marion, Illinois; two sisters-in-law: Sharon Piercy of Benton, Diane Piercy of Marion, Illinois; several nieces and nephews.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter Brittani Nichole Shurtz; a brother Dennis Piercy; maternal grandmother Una Absher; paternal grandparents: Nathan and Dolly Piercy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Life Church of God and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

John Daniel Stelle, 74, of Waverly, OH, passed away on Tuesday November 29, 2022 at Chillicothe VA Medical Center.

He was born on January 29, 1948 in Christopher to Ben and Lenora (Armstrong) Stelle. He married Linda Stelle and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by his children Danielle Jean (Brian) Bailey of Evansville, IN and Steven (Traci) Stelle of Oklahoma; step-daughters Christina Williams of Johnston City, IL, Anna Carter of West Frankfort, IL and Sheila Clark of Benton; grandchildren Caden Bailey, Kirsten Bailey, Dakota Jones, Cage Stelle and Reven Stelle; one sister Betty (Donnie) Stroud of Waverly, OH and one brother Tom (Julie) Stelle of Mattoon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Susan Morgan and one sister Margaret Stelle.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday December 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Wednesday 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

Gladys Eulene (Green) Wright, age 80
October 27, 1942 – November 29, 2022
Loving wife, mother, sister, Granny, and friend peacefully passed away at home after a long battle with cancer. She was born to Lester and Dora (Creech) Green in Blair, KY. She married James Wright on July 26, 1960 and shared 62 wonderful years of marriage.

Eulene loved all of God’s creation including the company of friends, being outside, and tending many gardens. She enjoyed being with her grandkids and great-grandchildren. She was the best Granny ever. She was a member of Ina Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband James Wright of Whittington, IL. Children Jennifer Bjorlin (Dugan) Becker, MN, James Lee Wright (Gina) Kalispell, MT, Cynthia Wright, Sesser, IL, Teresa Thompson, Whittington, IL.

Grandchildren Tiffany Baune (Jason), Samantha Swofford, Joshua Bjorlin (Dani), Tyler Thompson, Shane Swofford, Makala Bishop (Caleb). Step grandchildren Max, Alex, Nicholas, and Sophia Sulzbacher. Great grandchildren Nevaeh, Brynlee, and Nolan Baune, Noah Wright, Lucy and Leo Bjorlin, and Briggston Bishop.

Sister Betty Tackett (Arnold) Marion, OH
Brother-in-law Martin Wright Jr. Dearborn Heights, MI
Sister-in-law Vickie Moore (Birchell) Howe, IN
In-laws Judy Kirk (Charlie)
Many nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents Lester and Dora Green, brothers Tom Green, Jimmy Green, Eugene Green and baby brother Green.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday and from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

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

Wayne Edward Jacoby, 74, of Christopher, passed away on Tuesday November 29, 2022 at his home.

He was born on October 18, 1948 in Coello, IL to Robert Lee and Mary Ann (Vandevelde) Jacoby. He married Emma (Wohlwend) Jacoby on November 13, 1987 in Pinckneyville, IL.

He is survived by his wife Emma Jacoby of Christopher; children Emily (Robert) Flood of Christopher, Dwayne Williams of Valdosta, GA and Darrin Jacoby of DuQuoin, IL; one step-son Jason Shockley of Christopher; grandchildren Zoey, Robert, Casey, Courtney, Jeremy, Kasey and Bryson; step-grandchildren Syaira Harmon, Jaron Shockley, Briana Shockley and Robert Shockley; one brother Charles Jacoby of Lake of Egypt.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother LeeRoy Jacoby.

Wayne loved to go hunting and fishing and to spend time with his grandchildren and special friends Mike Smith, Isaac Smith and Jeremy Poe.

Wayne’s wishes were to be cremated with a graveside service to be held at a later date.

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

James Lee Dorris, JR., of Christopher, passed away on Friday November 25, 2022.

He was born on September 15, 1961 in Benton, IL. He married Windie (Grove) Dorris on December 8, 1997.

He is survived by his wife Windie Dorris of Christopher; children Amanda (James) Whitmer II of Christopher, Chelsea Dorris of Christopher, Breanna (David) Dorris of Christopher and Chris (Sasha Ladd) Dorris of Christopher; grandchildren Brenden Whitmer, Elise Whitmer, Nora Sisney, Riley Redding, Bailey Redding, Aubrey Redding and Desmond Dorris; one sister Tammy (David) DeSpain of Thompsonville and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father James Lee Dorris SR, mother Barb (Bowers) Palmer, step-father Charlie Palmer, father-in-law Cecil Grove and mother-in-law Lucill Grove.

He was a United States Navy Veteran.

Funeral service will be on Wednesday November 30, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Wayne Purdie officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Trace Bittle, age 18, of Marion, Illinois passed away on Sunday, November 20th surrounded by an outpouring of love, hope and prayer from his cherished family and friends.

Trace was a beautiful boy, inside and out. He loved life and lived life to the fullest. Trace loved and adored his family with all his heart. He brought joy to all of us with his quick smile, his kind heart, and infectious personality. He could warm your heart like no other.

He was cherished by his parents, devoted tirelessly to his life and happiness. He was adored by his grandparents who played such a big role in his life. He shared a special bond with his sister Jerzy, only 16 months apart. He was so proud of her accomplishments and she treasured him in every way. Trace had the gift of a family who loved him so much and would give him the world. He would always say “I love you more” and give us the best hug ever.

Trace was a Marion High School athlete where he played baseball and golf and graduated with the class of 2022. His true love was being outdoors. Trace was an avid hunter and fisherman with a passion for the thrill of the hunt – whether it be chasing a little green lizard to hunting a 10-point buck. He loved the Hunting Lodge. That was his happy place – shared by family and friends, his Heaven on earth.

Trace liked the best of the best. You could always find him in the “Gucci of camo.” Nobody could light up a room like Trace Bittle. Words cannot describe the effect Trace had on people.

Trace was a member of the Grange Hall Church. The days were brighter when Trace was around. His light will burn forever.

He is survived by his parents, Barry P. and Melissa A. Bittle of Marion, IL; three siblings, Dymin (Lance) Lynn, Jerzy Bittle, and Kruz Hayes all of Marion, IL; his Paternal Grandmother, Connie Dodson, Maternal Grandparents Danny (Sherry) Johnson, aunt Shelley (Scott) Bittle-Schonewolf of Marion, IL, uncle JoJo Johnson of Benton, IL, uncle Robbie Dodson of San Francisco, CA.; niece Mia Lynn, niece Lively Lynn, niece Rumer Lynn, and nephew Judge Lynn. He is preceded in death by his Paternal Grandfather, Larry Bittle.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 26th, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Grange Hall Freewill Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, 1:00 PM at Grange Hall Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin McNeely officiating. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Marion High School Bass Fishing Team.