Gwendolyn Sue McGill – Benton, IL

November 3, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Gwendolyn Sue McGill, age 71, of Benton, passed away at 2:31 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2021, at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 4, 2021, 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. Thursday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Sue was born on September 17, 1950, in Benton, the daughter of Homer Spain and Anna (Harold) Spain. She married Gary Edward McGill on May 7, 1993, and he survives.

She worked as a laundry aide at the Franklin Hospital of Benton; and was a member of the Eakin Grove Free Will Baptist Church.

Sue enjoyed decorating her home, cooking, and working crossword puzzles.

Surviving is her loving husband of 28 years, Gary E. McGill of Benton; two sons: George Pulliam and wife Lisa of Mt. Vernon, KY, Randy Pulliam of Benton; two step-children: Bryan McGill and wife Melinda of Ewing, Cindy Ward and husband Darren of New Berlin, IL; seven grandchildren: Misty Sullivan, Nora Pulliam, John Pulliam and wife Kaitlynn, Jacob Norris, Murphy Ward, Lenox Ward and Rogan Ward; four great-grandchildren; siblings: Helen and husband George “Itchy” Davis of Benton, Linda Taylor of Junction, IL, Charles Spain of Benton, Louise and husband Alan Minton of Christopher; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son John Pulliam; four brothers: Kenneth Lavern Spain, Paul Eugene Spain, Robert Lee “Butch” Spain; a sister Gladys Louise Spain; and her two fur babies: Zelda Mae and Foxy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Ernest W. (Zeke) Smith – Benton, IL

November 3, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Ernest W. (Zeke) Smith, 79, of Benton passed away at 12:00 noon on Monday, November 1, 2021 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Mr. Smith was born in Benton, IL on December 14, 1941, the son of William G. & Birdie (Roberts) Smith.

Mr. Smith was an excellent horse trainer, and worked road construction. He loved hunting, fishing & animals but the most important thing to him was his family.

He leaves behind:
1 Son: Carl Smith & wife Nancy of Caseyville
Loving Companion: Mary Jane Tasky of Benton
Daughter: Crystal Balota of Benton
5 Grandchildren:
Miranda Frailey
Caylie Smith
Ashley
Nikki
Brandon
Great-Granddaughter: Stella Frailey
Mary Jane’s children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren
3 Brothers:
Jim Smith & wife Virginia
Gene Smith
Gary Smith
6 Sisters:
Judy & MIke Ward
Edna Fotheringhame
Nita Adams
Geneva Smith
Jeannette Tasky
Dorothy Cockrum
Several Nieces & Nephews to numerous to mention
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his mother & father Bill & Birdie Smith, Granddaughter-Carly Smith, brothers- Robert, Dale, John C., sisters-Eunice Conner, Mary Hobbie & Sharon Heinrich.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, November 5th at the Morton & Johnston Funneral Home in Benton with Rev. Don Colson officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Illinois Senate revives measure to allow limited sports betting on in-state colleges

November 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment

SPRINGFIELD — A state Senate committee revived a gambling bill Wednesday that would allow for limited betting on in-state college sports teams, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Filed Under: Featured

A Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights may leave thousands of fans with worthless Soldier Field seat licenses

November 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment

When Chicago attorney Jerry Latherow paid $18,000 to buy four permanent seat licenses at Soldier Field last year, the Bears season ticket holder upgraded from a nearby section to get a better view of the scoreboard.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Filed Under: Featured

Dorothy Gaters, Illinois’ winningest high school basketball coach, steps down after 45 years. ‘She coached them. She didn’t coddle them.’

November 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Dorothy Gaters said she cannot remember anything about the first game she coached for Marshall Metropolitan High School’s girls basketball team in 1975.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Filed Under: Sports

Aspen Institute names RLC one of 150 US Community Colleges eligible for 2023 Aspen Prize

November 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Aspen Institute announced today that Rend Lake College was one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. The colleges selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

The 150 eligible colleges have been invited to submit data and narratives as the next steps in an intensive data and practice review process, culminating in the announcement of the Prize winner in spring 2023.

“Every year the Aspen Institute has had this program, Rend Lake College has been named in the top 150 colleges across America,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. “This is our seventh time and it is always a high honor. It means we are among the top 15% at retention, completion, transfer, and equity. It recognizes and confirms the shared commitment of faculty, staff and administration here at the college. The methods may be different, but the mission has been the same for more than 50 years. Rend Lake College improves our communities with quality education and training options for everyone.”

Wilkerson added that Lori Ragland, the college’s Vice President of Instruction and Student Affairs, will be spearheading Rend Lake’s application again. Ragland has had a key role in putting together the last three Aspen applications for RLC.

“Our next step will be to put together a team to complete the application process,” Ragland said. “This team is made up of a cross-section of campus. It’s an honor for us to once again be qualified to apply for the top 10 prize.”

The Aspen Prize spotlights exemplary community colleges in order to elevate the sector, drive attention to colleges doing the best work, and discover and share highly effective student success and equity strategies. Since 2010, Aspen has chosen to focus intensively on community colleges because they are—as First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stated at the 2021 Aspen Prize ceremony—“a powerful engine of prosperity.”

But student outcomes vary enormously among community colleges, and improving those outcomes is essential to securing our nation’s economic future, strengthening communities, and ensuring that diverse populations experience economic mobility and prosperity. With these goals in mind, the Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding achievement in five critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, and equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

“In an era of persistent inequity and workforce talent gaps, our nation’s best community colleges are stepping up to deliver more degrees to increasingly diverse students so they are prepared for the good jobs waiting to be filled,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Leaders of exceptional community colleges understand that achieving excellence requires expanding college access and increasing degree completion, but it doesn’t stop there. They are committed to ensuring that all students—including students of color and those from low-income backgrounds—graduate with the skills needed to secure a job with family-sustaining wages or successfully transfer to and graduate from a university. That same commitment that stands at the center of the Aspen Prize: to advance the goals of social mobility and equitable talent development.”

The eligible colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector. Located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across 34 states, these colleges serve as few as 230 students and as many as 57,000. Winning colleges have ranged from smaller institutions serving rural community and smaller towns—including Lake Area Technical Institute (SD, 2017 Prize winner) and Walla Walla Community College (WA, 2013)—to large community colleges serving major metropolitan areas, including Miami Dade College (FL, 2019) and San Antonio College (TX, 2021).

The four other previous winners are Indian River State College (FL, 2019); Santa Fe College (FL, 2015); Santa Barbara City College (CA, 2013); and Valencia College (FL, 2011).

In this first round, eligibility for the Aspen Prize is based on publicly available data. Eligible colleges must show strong and improving student outcomes in key areas such as retention, completion, transfer, and equity. Nationwide, 15 percent of community colleges (150 of the approximately 1,000 public two-year colleges nationwide assessed for the Prize) have been invited to apply—the full list can be accessed on the Prize homepage.

The next steps in the process include:

Selection of the top ten finalists by an expert panel of 15 experts in community colleges, higher education, and workforce training, to be announced in spring/summer 2022
Fall 2022 site visits to each of the ten finalists, during which the Aspen Institute and partners will collect additional information, including employment and earnings data and insights about promising practices
A distinguished jury will meet and make award decisions in the first quarter of early 2023
Announcement of the Aspen Prize in late spring 2023
For a full list of the top 150 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit www.highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize.

# # #

The Aspen Prize is generously funded by Ascendium and the Joyce Foundation.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices, policies, and leadership that significantly improve student outcomes, especially for the growing population of low-income students and students of color on American campuses. For more information, visit www.highered.aspeninstitute.org and www.linkedin.com/showcase/aspenhighered, and follow @AspenHigherEd on Twitter. The Aspen Prize hashtag is #AspenPrize.

The Aspen Institute is a community-serving organization with global reach whose vision is a free, just, and equitable society. For 70 years, the Institute has driven change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the world’s greatest challenges. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Institute has offices in Aspen, Colorado, and New York City, and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

Filed Under: Featured

Daniel Ree Martin-Sesser, IL

November 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Daniel Ree Martin, 77, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday October 30, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on March 16, 1944 in Shawneetown, IL to John and Mary (Seeley) Martin. He married Linda (Schneider) Martin on December 22, 2001.

He is survived by his wife Linda Martin of Sesser; children Darrin Martin of Sesser and Keith Martin of Sesser; grandchildren Kristen Martin and Caitlyn Haynes and several great grandchildren; brothers and sisters Lawrence Martin of Shawneetown, Roberta Thompson of Equality, Norma Jones of Shawneetown, Gary Flahardy of Shawneetown, Clifton Flahardy of The Villages, FL, Mike Flahardy of Thompsonville, Rex Flahardy of Harrisburg and Monty Flahardy and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Nathan Martin and two sisters Birdie Brooks and Becky Christian.

He was Vietnam veteran serving in the United States Army.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Melissa Mae Storey – Ewing, IL

November 1, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Melissa Mae Storey, age 44, of Ewing, passed away at 2:20 p.m. Friday, October 29, 2021 at her home with her loving family by her side.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Melissa Mae Storey was born on November 25, 1976 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the daughter of Larry Storey and Brenda (Johns) Storey.

She graduated from the Benton Middle School and later Christopher High School.

Missy was always happy and would make those around her smile. She enjoyed watching Professional Wrestling, watching television, loved food and always enjoyed her trips to McDonalds.

Surviving is her mother and step-father: Brenda and Steve Doxsie of Ewing; her father Larry Storey of Benton; a sister Christina Cooper and husband Tony of Ewing; a brother Michael Storey of Benton; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents: James and Dorothy Storey; maternal grandparents: Bill and Loma Johns; and a special aunt Charlotte Leonard.

The family would like to say “Thank You” to Hospice of Southern Illinois, and to family and friends for their care and compassion.

To leave online condolences to the family or share memories of Missy visit: www.lpfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Alexander James Barclay Jr. – Christopher

November 1, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Alexander James Barclay Jr., 64, of Christopher, passed away on Saturday October 30, 2021 at his home.

He was born on April 10, 1957 in Germany to Alexander James and Mary Catherine (Donelson) Barclay Sr.

He is survived by the love of his life for 43 years Gail Barclay of Christopher; his father Alexander James Barclay Sr. of Royalton; two daughters Amanda (Brian) Gant of Christopher and Nichole Thorpe of Christopher; grandchildren Brittni, Dakota, Bianca, Junior, Hunter and Harley; one great grandchild Kahmara; brothers and sisters Starlene Underwood of Oklahoma, Michael Barclay of Nashville, IL, Steve (Cindy) Barclay of DuQuoin and Linda (Michael) Murphy of Johnston City.

He was preceded in death by his mother and one sister Cheryl Lynn Smillie.

He was a diehard Cubs fan.

A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday November 3, 2021 at 6:30 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Donald Schluter officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:30 PM until the time of the service at 6:30 PM.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Bonnie B. Maller – Marion, IL

October 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Bonnie B. Maller, 81, of Marion, passed away on Wednesday October 27, 2021 at her home.

She was born on September 12, 1940 in Ewing, IL to Coy and Frieda (Conner) Harmon. She married Joseph Maller and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Teresa (Roger) Roberg of Beafort, SC, Tammy (Jim) Sheehan of Benton, Traci Wright of Marion and Michael Todd of Columbus, GA; grandchildren Isaac (Jenny) Roberg, Lindsay (Jim) Roberg, Tysen (Jennifer) Yates, Amanda (Brandon) Yates, Bethani (David) Shultz and Zackary Moore; 9 great grandchildren; one sister Violet Mandrell of Valier and one brother Tom (Jane) Harmon of Ewing and several nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson Eric Roberg, two sisters Delena Kniffen and Mary Lou Kniffen and two brothers Max Harmon and Ted Harmon.

Bonnie’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

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

Filed Under: Obituaries
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