Marlene Edwards, 81 of Benton, IL passed away Tuesday evening February 16, 2021 at the Franklin Hospital.

Marlene was born in Franklin County, IL on August 11, 1939 the daughter of Ralph and Ruby (Tharp) Edwards.

She worked for the Bank of Benton for several years. She then worked as a secretary at Benton High School for many years. She was a bookkeeper at heart. She enjoyed greeting people at her nephews store-Edwards Antique & Jewelry on the square in Benton, she loved helping the customers there.

Marlene is survived by one brother, Melvin Edwards and wife Carol of Ewing, IL; nephews and nieces, Kevin Edwards, of Benton, IL, Janet Langa of Mt. Vernon, IL, Debbie Brown of Mt. Vernon, Mike Anderson of Mt. Vernon, Donna Conway of Mt. Vernon.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by a half brother, Russell Anderson.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home with Pastor Phillip Kennedy officiating. Entombment will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.

We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time.

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

Karen Kay Hargis, 83, of O’Fallon, MO formerly of Christopher, IL passed away on Wednesday February 17, 2021.

She was born on August 16, 1937 in West Frankfort, IL to Rupert L. and Freda (Crawford) Cook. She married Ronald W. Hargis on October 11, 1956. Loving wife and mother of three daughters, she loved spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, cooking and crocheting.

She is survived by her husband Ronald Hargis; three children Kathy Hamilton (Jimmy Woods) of O’Fallon, MO, Christy Meyer (Steve Watkins) of Wentzville, MO and Roni Kay (Jason) Solimando of Wentzville, MO; grandchildren Kyle (Yvonne) Hamilton, Kristopher Hamilton, Nicholas (Rachel) Meyer, Reese Diesel, Ashton Diesel, Joey Solimando and Alyson Solimando; great grandchildren William Hamilton, Colton Hamilton, Benjamin Hamilton, Samantha Hamilton and George Meyer.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother James Cook.

Funeral services for Karen will be on Saturday February 20, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton.

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

Charles Edward Helton (Eddie) passed away at home on January 31, 2021 at the age of 83.

Charles was predeceased by his wife the love of his life, Norma Jean (Sullivan), his brother, Albert Helton, and his parents, Marion and Lovina (Thompson) Helton.

Charles is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Donna Sue Helton Davis (Greg) of White House, Tennessee. The grand children and great-grandchildren Celeste Davis (Kara Morris), Caleb Davis (Virginia) Natalee Crunk, Addison and Hazlee. Christian Davis (Emily) Kaiya and Tennison. Charles is also lovingly remembered by his son, Charles Travis Helton (Bobbi), Charles Matthew Helton, Courtney Helton Overturf (Jared), and Mitzi (Tristan) Jay-Lynn, William (Ashley) Luke, David, and Nicolas of Valier, Illinois.

Charles was born May 24, 1937 in Carbondale, IL to Marion Tracy and Lovina Thompson Helton in a Hostess Cake Truck on the way to the hospital.

His education was all at Southern Illinois University from K-12 and 2 years of college.

He married Norma Jean Sullivan on November 26, 1960. She went to Heaven on August 1, 2016. She was a teacher at Sesser-Valier School District for 30 years.

Charles worked 30 years for the U. S. Forest Service and was a Security Guard until he got his Private Investigator License.
Charles served in the Army Reserves and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class E-7 in the first 7 years of service. He was High Gunner with the 30-caliber machine gun. He was very proud to have served his country.

He was a Lifetime member of the Goode Masonic Lodge #774. He was a past Master and Treasurer for 30 years. He was awarded the Outstanding Mason Award in 1990.

His final wishes were to be cremated and his ashes inurnment at Mt. Etna Cemetery. The graveside memorial will be held on February 21, 2021, at 3:00 p. m. at Mt. Etna Cemetery in Akin, Illinois.

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

Rhonda Skurat, 71, of Christopher, passed away on February 15, 2021 at the Herrin Hospital.

She was born on March 8, 1949 in Christopher to Stanley and Betty (Snider) Gossett.

She is survived by her two sons Davis (Kim) Skurat of Dieterich, IL and Jodie (Stephanie) Skurat of Sesser; three grandchildren Bryton Musgrave, Hannah Skurat and Zachary Avery and one sister Sandra Gossett of Carbondale;

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Debra Gossett and one brother Jerry Gossett.

Her wishes were to be cremated with a memorial service at a later date.

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

Leon Edgar Delaval, 88, of Christopher, passed away on February 12, 2021 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born on March 12, 1932 in Christopher to Leon and Hortense (Lenglin) Delaval. He was united in marriage on January 7, 1974 to Mathel (Gordon) Reed. She preceded him in death on October 17, 2014.

He is survived by his daughter Trudi Boldrey (Steve House) and step-children Beverly (Carl) Smith, Gary (Marilyn) Reed, Brenda (Bruce) Armstrong, Bill (Cheryl) Reed, Ralph (Michelle) Reed, James (Ashley) Reed, Janet (Richard) Buckmaster and Ida (Roger) Murry; one brother Edgar (Donna) Delaval; one sister Sandy (Joe) Mucinski and several grandchildren and great grandchildren that he loved dearly.

Leon took pride in his community service as an assistant fire chief for the Coello Fire Department. He received a plaque for 50 years of service. He was a genuine person and was loved by many. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mathel, daughter Rita Lynn and a brother Joe Delaval.

Funeral services for Leon will be on Wednesday February 17, 2021 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Steve House officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

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

Leandra Wilson, 62, of Sesser, passed away on February 8, 2021 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

She was born on October 11, 1958 in Christopher, IL.

She is survived by her aunt Donna Frye of Sesser and several cousins.

Leandra was the librarian for the Sesser Library.

She was preceded in death by her mother Ruth Ann (Wilson) Howard.

A memorial visitation will be on Wednesday February 17, 2021 from 2:00 Pm until 3:00 Pm at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

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

Eric Leon Hammonds, 55, of Herrin, passed away on Friday February 12, 2021 at his home.

He was born on May 17, 1965 to Jessie Leon and Paula (Preston) Hammonds. He is survived by his mother Paula Hammonds of Christopher; two children that he loved very much, Brittany Hammonds of Christopher and Derick (Morgan) Hammonds of Christopher; one sister Sandy Skurat of Herrin and her child Alex.

He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. and had worked at General Tire. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday February 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilbert Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Betty Bowman, 84, of Benton passed away Friday, February 12, 2021 in Mt. Vernon with her family by her side.

She was born in Benton, IL on October 19, 1936 the daughter of Hobart and Estelle (Bray) Williams.
She was married to Marion “Spank” Bowman and he preceded her in death on February 21, 2019.

She attended New Life Church of God in Benton.

Mrs. Bowman is survived by her daughter, Sherry Howard, of Splendora, TX; son Steve Bowman, and wife Teresa of Bonnie, IL; grandsons Joshua Bowman, and wife Bri of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Brandon Howard, of San Angelo, TX and Travis Howard, and wife Brooklyn, of Splendora, TX; great-grandchildren Chaye Davidson, Tate Howard and Thomas Howard.
Daughter: Sherry Howard of Splendora, TX

Mrs. Bowman was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one sister, Patsy Mabry.

Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday February 14th at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home with Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.
We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time, and masks are recommended.

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

Jerry “Eddie” Edmund Doty II, 50, of Benton, passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2021, at his residence.

He was born on April 24, 1970, to Ed and Sue (House) Doty at Franklin Hospital in Benton. Eddie was a 1988 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School. After graduating, he completed an apprenticeship program through the National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.

Eddie was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 702 and Elks Lodge 1234, Benton. He was a loving son, brother, uncle and enjoyed spending time with his family and his pet dog, Casey. Eddie loved the outdoors and nature.

He is survived by his parents, Ed and Sue Doty; sister, Tammy Doty-Martin and Jeff Lonnon; two nephews, Hagan Schneider and Lucas Martin; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

A private service will be held at the funeral home for his family with the Rev. Kurt Sanders officiating.

A public celebration of life will be held at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, February 20, 2021, at the Benton Elks Lodge 1234, 167 Industrial Park Road, Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Elks National Foundation and the Franklin County Humane Society, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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