Katherine K. Sanford, a long-time Benton native, passed away late Monday, April 15, 2019 at Franklin Hospital.

Mrs. Sanford was born on January 1, 1931 in San Antonio, Texas to Robert D. and Elizabeth Ross Kemp. She was a 1949 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, W.Va. and received Bachelor’s degrees from West Virginia University and SIU Carbondale.

Mrs. Sanford taught GED classes for over 15 years in addition to being a long time member of Benton First United Methodist Church Benton as well as serving on the Benton Public Library Board for several years.

Katherine was a world traveler where her travels took her to China, Russia and nearly every country in Europe as well as sailing through the Panama Canal. She and her sister also traveled to both the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic, experiencing the world pole to pole as she liked to describe it.

Mrs. Sanford is survived by daughter Martha S. (Bill) McCreery of Benton, grandchildren Amber E. Winters, Jordan J. (Elizabeth) McCreery, Michael L. McCreery and great-grandchildren Syler and Jaylen McCreery. She was preceded in death by husband Charles E. Sanford, sister Dr. Virginia M. Kemp, daughter Deborah Sue Winters and sister-in-law Lois Sanford McMillen.

As per her wishes, Mrs. Sanford donated her body to the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Medicine. There will be a memorial visitation on Monday, April 22, 2019 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Morton-Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, memorial gifts may be made to Benton First United Methodist Church, the Benton Public Library or Franklin County Animal Control.

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

Kenneth Bielecki, 73, of Valier, IL formerly of Chicago, IL passed away on April 16, 2019.

He was born on August 29, 1945 in Chicago, IL to Walter and Dorothy (Kendzierski) Bielecki. He married Catherine (Fries) Bielecki on April 16, 1983 and she survives of Valier.

He is also survived by his children Lisa (Ryan Stapleton) Bielecki of Crystal Lake, IL and Tracy (Jacob) Bielecki Smith of Naperville, IL; one sister Karen Bielecki of Chicago, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his little buddy “Bear”.

Military Rites will be performed by the Christopher American Legion Honor Guard at 7:00 PM on Friday April 19, 2019 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Friday from 5:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Southern Illinois Honor Flight or to the Christopher American Legion. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Margaret Vettorello, 96, of Christopher, passed away on Monday April 15, 2019 at her home.

She was born on July 25, 1922 in Christopher to Arthur and Bessie (Milburn) Giles. She married Albert “Red” Vettorello and he preceded her in death on April 21, 1999.

She was a member of the First Christian Church in Christopher.

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and church community.

Funeral services will be on Friday April 19, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Daniel Ison officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 Am until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Masonic & IOOF Cemetery in Benton, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to the First Christian Church of Christopher and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Scott Allen Gaither, 25, of Thompsonville, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born on June 9, 1993, to Wayne and Kim (Craun) Gaither in Fostoria, OH. He was a 2011 Graduate of Thompsonville High School. Scott worked as an Assembler Technician 2 for Fabic Mining and was a Volunteer Fire Fighter for Thompsonville Fire Department. On September 15, 2018, he married his best friend and soul mate Kelsey Nolan in Thompsonville, IL. Even though Scott and Kelsey’s marriage was cut so short they had spent 10 years together. In that short period of time they had endured so much from outdoor adventures, attending costume parties, and being admired for their photogenic love for each other. Scott had always told his family he knew from day one that she was the love of his life.

Scott was a loving husband, son, brother and uncle. He enjoyed watching all sports, racing four wheelers, playing golf with his father, brothers and friends, playing football and baseball with his nephews, going out Jeeping and Kayaking with his best friends, going to watch and coach his nephews play baseball, spending quality time with his nieces and nephews and hanging out with his friends. Scott was known for his caring personality and a smile that would light up a room.

Scott is survived by his loving spouse, Kelsey Gaither; his parents, Wayne and Kim Gaither; Scott and Kelsey’s Fur Babies, Duke, Mini, Mila and J.J; his two big brothers, Kenny Gaither and wife Tiffany, of Thompsonville, IL and Dave Gaither and wife Brittany of Thompsonville, IL; grandmother, Marilyn Craun of Fostoria, OH; nieces and nephews, Hunter Gaither, Bradyn Gaither, Riley Gaither, Gentry Gaither, Rynlee Gaither and Kennley Gaither; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth and Rose Gaither and John Craun, Sr.; his dear aunt and uncle, Sherry Isaacs and Wayne Bowers.

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

Visitation will be held Friday, April 19, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Brother John Robinson, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Thompsonville, IL.

Memorials contributions may be made to the family and accepted at the funeral home.

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