Gary Edward Browning, 71, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Thursday January 6, 2022 at Herrin Hospital.

He was born on July 30, 1950 in Auburn, WA to Rev. Ernest and Thelma (Ball) Browning. He married Cheryl “Cherie” (Swisher) Browning on July 12, 1975 and she preceded him in death on April 3, 2014.

He is survived by his two children Joseph Browning of St Louis, MO and Angie Worley of Mulkeytown; two grandchildren Braden Worley and Emma Grace Lynn Browning; two sisters Darlene (Dale) McDaniel of Villa Ridge, IL and Cindy (Donald) Jackman of Sikeston, MO and three brothers Ernie (Jan) Browning of Florida, Robert (Sherry) Browning of Florida and Gilbert (Donna) Browning of Olive Branch, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Graveside services will be on Friday January 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Ward Cemetery in Mulkeytown with Pastor Robbey Smith officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Delton Ray Cook, 84, of Mulkeytown, passed away on January 7, 2022 at Pinckneyville Community Hospital.

He was born on July 3, 1937 in Mulkeytown to Jesse O. and Mildred Elizabeth (Uhls) Cook. He married Mary Catherine (Bryant) Cook on July 22, 1937 and she preceded him in death on May 11, 2020.

He is survived by his children Danny Cook of Mulkeytown, Christy Cook of Mulkeytown and Neita Cook of Surprise, AZ; one granddaughter Shonda (Roger) Pinkham of Mt Vernon; great grandchildren Chelsea Oliver, Hannah McKinney and Alexis Oliver; great great grandchildren Ethan Fletcher, Finnley Shirrell, Adlynn McKinney and Carter Oliver and one sister Marty Hargraves of Herrin, IL and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one infant brother Marion Lee Cook.

He was a devout member of the Greenwood Methodist Church in Mulkeytown for 72 years and played the piano the majority of those 72 years.

Funeral services for Delton will be on Thursday January 13, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Bill Wiggs officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Ward Cemetery in Mulkeytown.

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

Mrs. Connie Ann Wyant, age 75, of Benton; passed away at 12:11 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022, at the Herrin Hospital.

Connie’s wishes were to be cremated. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in May.
The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

She was born on May 27, 1946, in Benton, IL, the daughter of Alice Elizabeth Vandover.

She was a retired EMT. Connie enjoyed fishing, camping, playing BINGO, and spending time with her family.

Surviving is her three children: Robin Mitchell and husband Mark of Sesser, IL, Terry Wyant, Jr. and wife Kim of Benton, IL, Daniel Wyant and wife Angel of Kentucky; eight grandchildren: Kaitlin Mitchell, Joshua Rathbun, Aaron Wyant, Blake Wyant, Devin Wyant, Taylar Sparks, Caroline Reilly, and Adrianna Simelton; three great-grandchildren: Kennedy Wyant, Evie Wyant, Lilyann Wyant; two sisters: Laverne Dillon of Benton, IL, Carol Easley of Benton, IL; a brother David Dillon; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother; a grandson Skylar Rathbun; and a brother Dennis Dillon.

Memorial contributions In Memory of Connie Wyant, may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Jerry Dean Rice, 75, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Thursday January 6, 2022 at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin.

He was born on March 4, 1946 in Christopher to Vernon and Geneva (Baldwin) Rice. He married Nancy Jean (Edmonds) Rice on September 12, 1964 and she preceded him in death on August 26, 2021.

He is survived by his sons Jeffrey Rice of Mulkeytown and Shannon (Melissa) Rice of Mulkeytown; granddaughter Adrian (John) Rapp of Mulkeytown; great grandchildren Mykie and Isabel; one sister Darla Minton; five brothers Roger (Brenda) Rice of Coello, Lee (Diane) Rice of Mulkeytown, Donald Rice of Frankfort, KY, Vernon Paul Rice Jr. of Mulkeytown and Robert Rice of Marion and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death parents, wife, three sisters Fay Furlow, Donna Barlow and Roberta Bullock and one brother Bill Rice.

Funeral services for Jerry will be on Wednesday January 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Denny Bush officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday January 11, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home and on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Zeigler Cemetery.

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

Charlotte Petrazio, 93, of Benton, passed away on Wednesday January 5, 2022 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born on July 22, 1928 in Alma, IL to Jacob and Bertha (Sidwell) Kramer. She married Ralph Dasher and he preceded her in death, she then married Harry Tate and he preceded her in death and she married Phillip Petrazio and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Martin (Judy) Tate of Macedonia, IL and Melissa (Keith) Cash of East St Louis; grandchildren Mark Tate, Angie Tate, Brad Veteto, Martha Veteto, Melanie Pierce, Steven Underwood and Shane Tate and several great grandchildren and one brother Glenn Kramer of Cleveland, TN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Theresa Chwarczinski, one son Mike Tate, one grandson Travis Underwood, four sisters Ruth Marie Kramer, Jennie Mitchell, Mabel Cowan and Katherine Bell and five brothers Owen Kramer, Kenneth Kramer, Dewey Kramer, Jacob E. Kramer and Harold Kramer.

Graveside services for Charlotte will be on Tuesday January 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Minnie Marguerite Blain, 72, of Sesser, passed away on Monday January 3, 2022 at her home.

She was born on September 4, 1949 in Edina, MO to Charles and Marguerite (Smalls) Heimer.

She is survived by her son James Devere (Angela) Blain of Mulkeytown; four grandchildren Jonathon Nutt, Morgan Blain, Madison Blain and Megan Blain; one great grandchild Ariana Blain and two brothers Richard Allen Heimer of Kansas City, MO and Charles “CJ” Breusch of Moberly, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents and eleven brothers and sisters.

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

She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

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

Karen Lee Rice, 71, of Macedonia passed away Monday morning December 13, 2021 at SSM Health Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.

She was born in Christopher, IL on January 4, 1950 the daughter of Harlie & Jessie M. (Lairsey) Webb.

She married Warren Rice on June 17, 1971.

Mrs. Rice was a retired school teacher. In her first year of teaching she taught at Edwardsville. She then spent the rest of her teaching career (34 years) at Ewing-Northern Grade School. She started out teaching Kindergarten for the first 2 years. She then moved to the 5th grade where she remained. She enjoyed gardening & being outdoors.

Mrs. Rice is survived by her:

Husband: Warren Rice of Thompsonville
Son: Ben Rice & wife Heather of Sesser
2 Grandsons: Ryker & Kyler
1 Brother: Don Webb & wife Judy of Benton

Karen was preceded in death by her parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the Barren Township Townhouse.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Linda Mae Spain, age 68, of Benton; passed away at 9:51 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at her home with her loving husband by her side.

Linda’s wishes were to be cremated. A small private ceremony of immediate family and friends was held on December 31, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

She was born on October 6, 1953, in Flagstaff, AZ, the daughter of Wartha Eldridge Branch and Lenora (Fisher) Branch. She married Bryan Douglas Spain on November 10, 1989, and together they shared 32 years of marriage.

She was a former housekeeper, having worked with Super 8 Motel and Severin Intermediate Care Nursing Home, which later became Stonebridge Nursing Home. Prior to moving to Benton, she worked as an armed security guard for the city of Jacksonville, FL, where she oversaw protecting the mayor’s wife.

Linda was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed reading plant gardening and loved animals.

Linda is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Bryan Douglas Spain of Benton; two children: Danny Delk, Jr and Linda Gail Delk, both of Jacksonville, FL area; a brother Robert Branch and wife Cathy of Gainesville, FL; and SPECIAL NIECES Alisha Spain and Kassey Spain, both of Delevan, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother George Branch.

Memorial contributions In Memory of Linda Spain, may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton

Gracie A. Shreve, 24, of Benton, passed away at 6:20 p.m., on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

She was born on July 18, 1997, to Alan and Stacey (Key) Akin in Carbondale, IL. On June 24, 2019, Gracie married Troy W. Shreve.

Gracie was a loving wife, daughter, and friend to many. She enjoyed spending time with her family as much as possible, making crafts, and taking photographs. Gracie adored her pet Chihuahua named Boss.
She is survived by her loving spouse of 2 years, Troy W. Shreve; two sisters, Brittany Akin and Mia Akin; three brothers, Frank Akin, Gary Akin and Aiden Akin; paternal grandfather, Gary L. Akin; five aunts, Viola (Stewart) Edwards, Olga Easley, Patsy Larson, Ida (Matthew) Tiberend and Danielle Oellermann; one uncle, Jason Akin; mother-in-law, Cindy (Josh) Bundy; father-in-law, Barry Shreve; and many cousins and friends.

Gracie was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Barbara Ann Akin; maternal grandmother, Minnie Key; and maternal grandfather, Frank Key.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

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