Barbara Sue (Rone) Wilderman – DuQuoin, IL
July 26, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Barbara Sue (Rone) Wilderman, 75, of DuQuoin, IL, passed away on Friday July 23, 2021 at her home.
She was born on June 2, 1946 in Benton, IL to Delmont “Dink” and Marcella (Coffel) Rone. She married Jerry Wilderman on September 21, 1996. She is survived by her husband Jerry Wilderman of DuQuoin; children Kendra Burgess of Sesser, Diane Goff of Benton, Melissa Higgans of DuQuoin and Shane Wilderman of DuQuoin; grandchildren Isabel Burgess, Cullen Higgans, Braden Higgans, Zachary Wilderman; and one brother Pete (Linda) Rone of Sesser.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Lana Wilson and one brother Dennis Rone. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday July 30, 2021 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Dale Allen Pinkham – Mulkeytown, IL
July 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Dale Allen Pinkham, 54, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Thursday July 22, 2021.
He was born on December 29, 1966 in Herrin, IL to Allen and Heather (Naylor) Pinkham.
He is survived by his children Dustin Pinkham of Mulkeytown and Maddy Pinkham of Buckner; parents Allen and Heather Pinkham of Mulkeytown; five grandchildren Regan, Bronson, Gavin, McKenna and Darryl; one sister Dawn (Kevin) Brown of Mulkeytown and their children Noah and Kirsten; fiancé Sandy Voice of DuQuoin and his mother’s fur baby Daisey that Dale referred to as his sister.
Dale was an outgoing person that loved the St Louis Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys. He also loved NASCAR races, traveling and boating but most important was spending time with his family especially when him and Dustin would go dirt bike racing and watching Maddy play volleyball.
He was preceded in death by one son Brayden Scott Pinkham.
Funeral services will be on Thursday July 29, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Rev. Bill Wiggs officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Mulkeytown.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family. Checks can be made payable to Heather Pinkham.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Buy Saluki Football group tickets vs. Dayton online for $10
July 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Have a group of 10 or more? Starting today, tickets are available online to the Dayton game on Sept. 18 for just $10. Groups have the opportunity to send a photo and be recognized on the videoboard during the game.
Here’s the link to purchase tickets.
The Salukis enter the 2021 season ranked in the Top 10 in the Football Championship Subdivision. They open the season at SEMO (Sept. 2) and Kansas State (Sept. 11) before returning home to play Dayton. The game versus the Flyers is “Group Night” with $10 tickets available to any group of 10 or more.
When you buy tickets to Saluki Athletics events online, you skip the line and pay the same price.
Two-sports standout from Hardin County signs with SIC Falcons
July 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
HARRISBURG, Illinois – Hardin County Cougar Calen Banks has signed with the Southeastern Illinois College Falcons to play both basketball and golf for the 2021-22 season.
In basketball, Banks is a 6’1 guard. As a senior he averaged 19.1 points per game and shot 47.3% from the field.
“Calen is a player who makes any team better. It is always great to add a player local to the school who is as good of a player and person as Calen is,” said head SIC basketball coach, Sam Swinford. “He had a great high school career and I am excited to watch it translate to our team here.”
To learn more about SIC Athletics programs, email athletics@sic.edu.
Calen Banks of Hardin County signs with SIC basketball and golf amidst family supporters. Pictured are (standing l-r) David and Linda Banks, SIC basketball coach Sam Swinford, Loni Banks, and Doug Kaegi. Sitting are Raegan Banks, Bradley Banks, SIC golf coach Shain Miller, Calen Banks, and Judy Kaegi.
Clara Lu Vise – Benton, IL
July 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Clara Lu Vise, 88, of Benton, IL passed away Wednesday evening July 21, 2021 at her home.
She was born in Benton, IL on November 14, 1932, the daughter of Otis Miles & Lucille (Burkitt) Keener.
She married James M. Vise on July 24, 1955 at the First Christian Church in Benton, and he preceded her in death on November 15, 2018.
Mrs. Vise was a beloved kindergarten teacher, and a member of the First Christian Church in Benton.
Mrs. Vise is survived by two daughters, Linda Maddox, and husband Keith, of Chesterfield, MO and Susan Brookins, and husband Ron, of Ellijay, GA; grandchildren Emily (Maddox_ Wissman, and husband Taylor, Lindsey (Maddox) Gross, and husband Ryan, Whitney (Brookins) Pulliam, and husband Christopher, Tyler Brookins and Chandler Brookins; great-grandchildren, Koa, Hudson and Nash Wissman and Cohen and Maevry Gross
Mrs. Vise was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at the First Christian Church in Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mrs. Vise’s Memory to the First Christian Church.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Norma L. “Susie” Darnell – Dale, IL
July 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Norma L. “Susie” Darnell, 69, of Dale passed away Friday, July 23, 2021 at her home.
She was born on November 5, 1951, the daughter of Roy & Betty Russell.
She was married to John Albert Darnell in 1974, and he preceded her in death in April 2017.
She was retired from Trelleborg Automotive in Carmi.
Mrs. Darnell is survived by her:
4 Children:
Larry E. Moles & wife Linda of McLeansboro
Bobby Moles of Kentucky
Johnny Darnell & wife Jackie of Woodriver
Jason Darnell of McLeansboro
11 Grandchildren
Several Great-Grandchildren
3 Sisters:
Barbara Russell Dill of McLeansboro
Sissy “Bill” Russell of McLeansboro
Kelly Farthing & husband Mark of McLeansboro
1 Brother: Manuel Russell & wife Kim of Walpole
Mrs. Darnell was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and by a Sister-Betty Funkhouser.
Graveside Fuenral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 25th at the Smith Cemetery in Dale. There will be a visitation beginning at 12:00 P.M. Noon on Sunday at the cemetery.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Remembering Mary Havlovic – an iconic educator who left a huge impact on students’ lives
July 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment
By Jim Muir
Many people probably glanced over the obituary of Mary Havlovic and didn’t pay much attention. Perhaps the most noteworthy item listed in the brief death notice was the fact that Mrs. Havlovic lived to be 101 years old, a quite remarkable feat.
But for many, news of her death brought sadness and bittersweet, nostalgic memories of an iconic teacher and a long passed era when the world was far safer and when time didn’t seem to pass so quickly.
Mary Havlovic passed away on Monday, July 19, 2021 and will be buried in Mount Auburn, Illinois on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Mrs. Havlovic was a longtime teacher at the old Washington Grade School in Sesser, located near where the Miner’s Memorial Park is located. She had the distinction of being a teacher there both before and after the 1963-64 consolidation that created a unit school district that is now known as Sesser-Valier. Countless children had the blessed opportunity to have Mrs. Havlovic as a teacher and can still recall her ‘big’ voice and hearty laughter.
It was not unusual in that era to see Mrs. Havlovic – wearing a dress and barefooted – in the middle of a dusty ball diamond, pitching softball during recess. In conversations I’ve had with those who fondly remember her and from comments I’ve read on social media, the most significant thing that stands out decades later was her kindness to everybody. And it didn’t matter – rich, poor, boys, girls, smart and those who struggled – she was kind to everybody. In fact, the only thing that exceeded her kindness back in those wonderful days was her keen ability to help her students learn and to make school fun.
Washington Grade School
Mrs. Havlovic didn’t have any children of her own, but she made a huge difference and a positive impact on an untold number of lives, mine included. Simply stated, she was one remarkable lady!
Interestingly, when I heard of the death of Mrs. Havlovic I thought of a short quote written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It reads:
“What is success?
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”
Based on that description, Mary Havlovic’s time on earth was a smashing success and hers was a life well-lived.
Obituaries are adequate and purposeful when describing the highlights of a person’s life but they fail to reveal the real fabric of that person.
Today I would like to add a footnote to Mary Havlovic’s obituary.
Along with the relevant facts that were listed, Mrs. Havlovic should also be remembered as a person that loved all children, helped shape and mold an untold number of young lives and spent her best years making the small mining and farming community of Sesser a better place to live and attend school.
And most importantly it should be remembered that Mrs. Havlovic is still admired and revered by former students, many who are now in their 60s and 70s. That’s a legacy with quite a lasting impact.
RIP Mrs. Havlovic. Your race is run but your contribution to children’s lives will carry on for generations to come!
Harold Lee Moore – Benton, IL
July 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Harold Lee Moore, 94, of Benton, IL passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at his home.
He was born in Benton, IL on August 26, 1926 the son of Ernest Lewis & Mary Louetta (Webb) Moore.
On October 21, 1953 he married Wynona Jeannine Samples and she preceded him in death on December 11, 1980. He then married Helen Partin on September 2, 1988, she also preceded him in death on November 19, 1989.
He was a graduate of Benton High School Class of 1944. Mr. Moore was a retired Farmer.
Mr. Moore is survived by a daughter, Sheree Falkenberry, and husband Greg, of Benton; granddaughters Amanda Kay Moore McKee, and husband Ryan, of Mt. Vernon, IL and Danielle Lynn Moore Hatfield, and husband Josh, of West City, IL; four great-grandchildren, two nieces, four nephews.
Mr. Moore was preceded in death by his parents, wives, son, Gary Alan Moore, daughter, Teresa Kay Moore and siblings, Dorothy Rice, Helen Woodland and Carl Moore.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton with Elder James Stearns officiating. There will be no visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Rev. Charles Davis – Benton, IL
July 21, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Rev. Charles William Davis, age 92, of Benton; went to be with his Lord and Savior at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the Brushy Cemetery of Harco with Pastor James Clardy officiating. Military Honors will take place at the graveside services. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Charles was born on November 23, 1928, in Hurst, Illinois, the son of Charlie Davis and Elosie (Carnahan) Davis. He married the former Helen Fay Trent on March 30, 1960 and she preceded him in death on November 17, 2006.
Mr. Davis was a Pentecost-minister, having served for many years at the Ward Street Full Gospel Church of Benton.
He was a retired die-setter with Norge Industries of Herrin.
Rev. Davis enjoyed preaching the gospel, reading his bible, playing the guitar, and worshiping his Lord and Savior.
Surviving are three children: Dwight Davis & wife Diana of Tamaroa, IL, Vivian Lynn Sutliff and husband Ron of Olive Branch, MS, Thelma Sullivan of California; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; a brother Jesse Davis of Creal Springs, IL; two sisters: Sara Baxter of Bascan, FL, Marilyn Tuttle of Sharon, TN; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a daughter Mary Devonda Davis; a grandson Mark Davis; a granddaughter Christy Simpson; two brothers Dewel and Allen; and three sisters: May, Zora and Addie.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Charles; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
