Debra Colette Lang, age 72, of Benton, IL, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Per her wishes she will be cremated, with inurnment at a future date in the National Memorial Cemetery of Phoenix, Arizona.

Debra was born on September 27, 1953, in Trenton, New Jersey, the daughter of Theodore Dutro and Lorraine (Harding) Dutro. She was married to Jackie Lang, and he preceded her in death on September 5, 2017.
She was retired from the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Debbie enjoyed reading and shopping. She enjoyed attending and singing at church. Locally she attended the Fires of Revival Church.

Surviving are two sons Jason Laney of Austin, Texas, Jeff Laney and wife Michelle of Kilgore, Texas; a granddaughter Kellie Laney, two step-granddaughter Arial Copeland and Brianna Copeland, a sister Luan Owens and husband David of Benton, Illinois, two nieces Stephanie Lopez and husband Eric of Topeka, Kansas, Dana Rios of Fort Collins, Colorado; and her two fury friends, Chico and Sammy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a nephew Johnny Rios.

The family prefers donations in memory of Debbie be made to the Friends of Franklin County Animal Control, P.O. Box 210, Christopher, Illinois 62822-0210.
The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.
To give condolences online to the family or to share memories of Debbie, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Norma Ruth Johnston, 92, of Ina passed away on Thursday morning October 9, 2025 at her home.

She was born in Mt. Vernon, IL on April 4, 1933 the daughter of Blake Elijah & Ama Ruth (Hale) Burton.

She married Billy Lee Johnston on June 16, 1951 in Whittington, IL and he preceded her in death on February 24, 2011.

She was a member of the Ina Free Will Baptist Church where she played the piano for several years. She grew up in Whittington and helped her parents work in the Burton’s Cafe. Later she worked at S & W Motors in Mt. Vernon, before assisting her husband at Johnston Funeral Home. Norma and Bill enjoyed getting away for a day with friends looking for antiques and going out to eat.

Mrs. Johnston is survived by her:
Son: Bruce Johnston & wife Shirley of Ina
Grandson: Brad Johnston & wife Latisha of Ina
Granddaughter: Kelly Downes & husband Andy of Woodlawn
Great-Grandchildren: Alli Jo Downes & Tucker James Downes
Step-Great-Grandchildren: Philip Riley & wife Chelsey, Sean Riley, Mikey Harper & Paupiann Harper
1 Great-Great-Grandson: Drew Riley
Sister-in-law: Deanna Johnston of Whittington
Nephew: Jeff Johnston & wife Jan of Whittington
Great Nephew: Jared Johnston & wife Makennah and their children Jovi & Jubilee of Benton
Great Niece: Jenna Schimpf & husband John of St. Louis, MO
She is also survived by several cousins, dear friends, and her church family.

Mrs. Johnston was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and Brother-in-law: Bobby Lynn Johnston.
Funeral services will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 17th at the Ina Free Will Baptist Church in Ina with Bro. Brad Ryan officiating. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday at the church.

For those who wish, Memorials may be made to Kirk Cemetery or Shiloh Cemetery.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

It is with deep love and gratitude that we celebrate the life of Shirley, (also known as Shirl, Mom, Grandma, Grams, and GiGi) who passed away peacefully at the age of 93.

Shirley lived a long, happy, and healthy life filled with love, laughter, and purpose. She was known for her sweet and gracious spirit, and for the kindness she extended to everyone she met. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she found her greatest joy in her family — always our biggest cheerleader, offering encouragement, wisdom, and unconditional love.

Even in her later years, Shirley continued to touch lives with her gentle words of encouragement and genuine sincerity. She had a remarkable gift for making others feel seen and valued. Her strength and positivity carried her through life’s challenges, including her final month following a hip fracture, with grace and courage.

Her legacy of love and kindness will live on in all whose lives she touched — especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will forever cherish her example and her beautiful heart.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Roger Teel officiating. Entombment will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Memorial contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Shirley, go to www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Rickey Gene “Moose” McLaskey, 76, of West Frankfort, Illinois passed away Tuesday October 7, 2025 in his residence at 3:15p.m.

Rick was born July 18, 1949 in Herrin, Illinois to Dean and Ruth (Rotramel) McLaskey. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church – West Frankfort, Illinois. Rick worked for the city of West Frankfort from 1973 until his retirement as the Superintendent of the Water Department. He also worked for the Route 37 Water District. Rick enjoyed playing golf, Cardinals baseball, Alabama football “Roll Tide.” He loved coaching baseball for his son. Rick was a former member of the FCHS football chain gang and the scorekeeper for FCHS basketball. He also received the Tom McKie Award.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Elizabeth Ann Vincelette; parents; three brothers: Donald, Tim, and Larry McLaskey; mother and father-in-law, Charles and Betty Christian.

Rick is survived by his son, Christopher (Scherrie) McLaskey; sisters: Cathy (Paul) Dial, Judy (Bob) Hayes, and Sharon (James) Vaughn; brother, Harold McLaskey; former wife, Mary Jo Snider; granddaughter, Emma McLaskey; grandson, Emerson Vincelette.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday October 11, 2025 in Union Funeral Home – West Frankfort, Illinois with Rev. Dr. Eusebius Mbidoaka officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the FCHS golf team. Envelopes will be available and accepted at the funeral home.

Roy L. Pribble, 93, of Thompsonville, passed away at 3:20 a.m., on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.

He was born on May 10, 1932, to John and Pearl (Blessing) Pribble in Carterville, IL. Roy married Mary Alice Summers and she preceded him in death on November 22, 2014.

Roy was a United States Army Veteran, serving in the Korean War.

After his time serving in the Army, he attended college. Roy then began working at Herrin and Carbondale Hospitals as a Dietician and in Administration. After his retirement he started working at Federal Crop Insurance.

He was a member of East Benton Baptist Church and then joined Calvary Baptist Church in West Frankfort, a member of the Akin Masonic Lodge for 59 years and a member of the Franklin County Shriners.

Roy loved his family very, very much and enjoyed getting together with his family and talking to them. He loved coming out to the farm and helping wherever he was needed, but most of all, his family was his pride and joy and could not wait for the get-togethers and cooking for them.

Roy is survived by his son, Tim Pribble (Clytie Zimmerman) of Thompsonville, IL; four grandchildren, Jeremiah (Dana) Pribble of Goreville, IL, Amanda (Kris) Mayberry of Norris City, IL, Josh (Stacy) Pribble of Thompsonville, IL and Jacob Pribble of Thompsonville, IL; eight great-grandchildren, Loren (Reice) Pribble of Goreville, IL, Shelby Pribble of Goreville, IL, Blaire Mayberry of Norris City, IL, Marissa Mayberry of Norris City, IL, Brayden Mayberry of Norris City, IL, Alan Pribble of Thompsonville, IL, Casey (Raleigh) Pribble of Thompsonville, IL and Courtney Pribble (Gavin Melton) of Thompsonville, IL; one great-great-grandchild, Oaklynn; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pearl Pribble, his wife, Mary Alice Pribble, his daughter-in-law, Debbie Pribble, his four brothers, Ed, Bob, Andy and Gene and his sister, Geneva.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home and Crematory, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL, with The Reverend Lloyd Whittaker, officiating.

The family wants to extend a very, very special appreciation and thanks to Carolyn West for her care giving to Mary and Roy, the VA staff at the hospital and CLC Unit Hospice.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital and will be accepted at Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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