Doris J. Mabry, 86, of Benton, passed away at 1:15 a.m., on Sunday, May 3, 2020, at the Helia Care Center in Energy, IL.

She was born on June 2, 1933, to Lawrence and Gladys (Wooldridge) Clifton in Mt. Vernon, IL. Doris worked in data entry in the Computer IT department for Franklin Hospital for 26 years, retiring in 1998. On August 2, 1952, she married James Lee Mabry, and he preceded her in death on June 4, 2002.

She was a member of the North Benton Baptist Church. Doris was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed traveling, going shopping, socializing and going out to eat. She also loved her pets.

Doris is survived by her loving children, Gary L. (Pam) Mabry and C. Larry (Valerie) Mabry; two grandchildren, Brea (Cliff) Thomas and Brian (Steph Schaaf) Mabry; two great-grandchildren, Olivia Thomas and Avery Thomas; special friend, JoAnn Nuenswander and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Gladys Clifton and her husband, James Lee Mabry.

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

Private graveside services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL, with the Rev. Mark Minor, officiating.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or the Benton Ministerial Alliance, and can be mailed to the funeral home.

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

Joan Haas Johnson, 90, of Christopher, Illinois died Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at home. Joan’s wishes were to be cremated upon her death. The Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

Joan was born on February 12, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois. The daughter of Floyd Earl Haas and Melanie Hedwig Ursula (Kleih) Haas. She was married to E. Kenneth Johnson on February 25, 1950.

Joan was the editor of the Beverly Review in the 60’s ad 70’s and later in the real estate business in the Chicago area.

She is survived by her five children, Melanie (Stephen), Cynthia (Donald), Mark (Karen), Pamela (Patrick), and Wendy (Joseph) as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ken and her parents and brothers, Floyd and Jack.

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

Gloria Mae Menckowski, 80, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Wednesday April 22, 2020 at her home.

She was born on July 2, 1939 in Royalton, IL to Walter and Edna (Eades) Smillie. She married James Menckowski on December 24, 1958 and he preceded her in death on October 23, 1994.

She is survived by her children James (Christine) Menckowski II of Mulkeytown, Chris (Jerri) Menckowski of Mulkeytown and Tonya Menckowski of Zeigler; grandchildren Kara Alford, James Menckowski III, Shane Menckowski, Jamie Sizemore, Nicolas Menckowski, Chloe Menckowski, Kennedy Menckowski, Jessie Menckowski, Preston Clark and Payton Clark; great grandchildren Xander, Koda, Serenity, Josie, Naomi, Channa, Jacob, Briley, Bryson, Avery, Camille and Adlee; two brothers and one sister Bill (Pat) Smillie of Royalton, Glenda (Glenn) Tripp of Herrin and Jerry (Barbara) Smillie of Troy, IL.

Gloria had worked in the sewing factory and was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

The family will have a private graveside service at Miner’s Cemetery in Royalton, there will be a Celebration of Life service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Family Church of God. Donations can be sent to the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

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

Arnold Nadler, 92 of Benton, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Our extended family has lost our role model, who was a dedicated, affectionate and steadfast rock and haven for all of us. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren with all his heart and soul. He will be sorely missed as the patriarch of our family and our core and our source of goodness, honesty, advice and trust. Every family should be as lucky as we were to have this wonderful man in all or our lives.

Arnold started his life in Wilsonville, Illinois, Macoupin County, born April (1928) to Elsie (Bourlard) and William “Bill” Nadler. He had a fun, resourceful and loving family growing up in a small supportive Italian community where his father worked in Coal Mine #4. Arnold distinguished himself early, played in a big band, tended bar at “the Club,” provided carpenter services and co-owned the area’s first bowling alley.

Arnold served with distinction in the Korean War (1950-1952) Company C, 17th Regiment Combat Team, 7th Division North Korea. Upon returning home he attended the newly formed vocational education program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU-C) obtaining first a BS and then a MS in vocational education. While attending school, he met the love of his life and soul mate Rosalie Whitecotton.

Arnold and Rosalie built their first house in Herrin, Illinois while he oversaw the Building trades program at Royalton high school. They were blessed with the arrival of their children Richard, Susan, and Valerie while living in Herrin. Rosalie and Arnold then moved to Sesser where he continued teaching building trades at Sesser High School. Sesser was a great place for the new family and many, many friends were established. Long summer afternoons were spent with fellow teachers and friends on porches while all of the children were playing games in vacant lots. Arnold built a new home in Sesser as well as many building trade homes on South Broadway in Sesser. As the family continued to grow a second home was built in Sesser and their fourth child, Joel, was born. From Sesser they moved to Benton again for Arnold to teach the Building Trades program at Benton High School. Throughout all his teaching he also worked as a master carpenter and built and remodeled many homes in southern Illinois. He often oversaw the entire building process from creating the original architectural plans to final finishing of the houses he built. The impact of the number of houses he built in Benton, Illinois, resulted in being honored with his own street, Nadler Drive, in Benton. The children moved on to homes of their own; however Benton, a great community with many great friends, remained “home” for all the family.

Arnold’s passions included family history, gardening and fishing. He researched the family history extensively and was a source of information for all who shared his passion for their families past. He also provided the entire family and community with produce from his garden. The grandkids all wanted to go fishing with grandpa.

Rosalie his wife and partner was the love of his life serving him gourmet meals, taking care of the children and house in an extraordinary way, and loving him as only she could. Susan married Bob Blaylock and currently lives in Huron, Ohio and has 2 children, Doug and Richard. Valerie married Scott Newberry and lives in Marion, Illinois and also has 2 children, Angie and Greg. Joel married Lisa Mix and has one son, Raymond. Joel is now married to Meghan Lowery and currently lives in Indianapolis. Both Valerie and Joel attended and received PhD degrees from SIU-C and became teachers, just like Dad. There are five grandchildren, Doug and wife Heidi Blaylock of O’Fallon, Illinois; Angie and husband Tim Belford of Marion, Illinois; Richard Blaylock and wife Besse Rawitsch of Wilmington, North Carolina; Greg and wife Jennifer Newberry of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada; and Raymond Nadler of Carbondale, Illinois. There are seven great grandchildren; Jared and Travis Blaylock, Sherri and husband Trenton Pulley, Aidan Belford, and Gregory, Savannah, and Jonathan Newberry. There is a great-great grandchild, Natalie Jo Pulley.

Arnold was preceded in death by his beloved son Richard Dale Nadler. There will be a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.patefh.com.