Illinois last Top 200 list could be one of the toughest for voters.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Illinois bicentennial voters to pick state’s top moments at IllinoisTop200.com
November 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Doris M. Choisser – Benton, IL
November 24, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Doris M. Choisser, 91, of Benton passed away Friday morning, November 23, 2018 in Benton.
She was born in Benton, IL on February 3, 1927, the daughter of Frank Edward & Gladys Marie (Williams) Seibert.
She married Harry Myron “Sparky” Choisser on October 13, 1945 in Marion, IL, and he preceded her in death on January 16, 2009.
Mrs. Choisser was a member of the North Benton Baptist Church. She first placed her faith in Jesus Christ in March of 1955 when she asked Him to forgive her of her sins and to come into her life. Because of the Lord’s promises of salvation she has now been reunited with loved ones in eternity and has finally met Jesus face-to-face.
Mrs. Choisser is survived by her children, Randy Choisser and wife Alice of Ewing, Scott Choisser and wife Brenda of Ewing and Phillip Choisser and wife Michelle of Logan, Alabama; grandchildren, Barry Choisser and wife Denise, Bryan Choisser and wife Jennifer, Nicci Haney and husband Eric, T.J. Choisser, Seth Choisser, Nathan Choisser and wife Cristan, Kelsey Denny and husband Daniel, and Alyssa Choisser; great-grandchildren, Kayla Hermann and husband Kurt, Elijah Haney, Abigail and Amelia and Alaina Choisser, Hayley Griffen, Carson Choisser, Tallie Choisser, Andrew, Harrison and Emberlee Choisser, and Trace Choisser; brother, Ralph Seibert of Benton, sister Shirley Tennison and husband William of Benton, and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Jones of Benton.
Mrs. Choisser was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband, by a sister, Winifred Tennison, a brother William Eugene Seibert, brother-in-law Robert Jones, and sister-in-laws Betty Storey and Louise Seibert.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 27th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Josh Crisp officiating. Private graveside services will follow. Visitation will be from 4 p.m.. to 7 p.m. Monday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carmi Children’s Home and will be accepted at the funeral home or memorials may be made at http://www.bchfs.com/ways-to-give/
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Shirley Harland – Christopher, IL
November 24, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Shirley Marilyn Harland, 89, of Christopher, IL., died Thursday, November 22, 2018, at 11:35 a.m. at her home. Shirley was born on July 12, 1929, in Mulkeytown to Lester A. and Effie G. (Jones) Gregory. She graduated from Christopher High School in 1948.
She married Charles K. Harland on June 10, 1948, in Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on October 29, 1992. Survivors include her children – Charles S. Harland of Mulkeytown, Kathryn C. (Dean) Pearce of Centralia, and Debra D. Gerdes of Sandwich – one grandson Michael E. (Ally) Gerdes of Bloomington. She also leaves three step-grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and one special cousin who was like a brother, Keith (Elizabeth) Gammon of Eagle, Idaho.
She was a faithful member of the First Christian Church, Christopher, for the past several years after being a member of Du Quoin First Christian Church for more than 50 years. Shirley was a farm wife with numerous homemaking skills including gardening, canning, baking, sewing, and most notably quilting. Hobbies included reading, crossword puzzles, stamp collecting, and fishing.
Her funeral service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, December 1, 2018, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Daniel Ison officiating. Burial will be in Ward Cemetery, Mulkeytown. A visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, December 1, 2018, at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Christopher.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
IHSA says it found no wrongdoing by refs in Nazareth-Simeon playoff game
November 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Illinois High School Association said it has found no impropriety in the officiating of a high school football playoff game between Nazareth Academy and Simeon Career Academy that led to a lawsuit accusing a Nazareth parent of influencing the game’s outcome.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Pharmacy resident killed at Mercy Hospital ‘had a wonderful life. She was a fighter’
November 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
At 24, Dayna Less had the world in front of her. She was engaged to her childhood sweetheart, and she was in the first year of a pharmacy residency at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center. She was planning to go home to Indiana for Thanksgiving and spend the holiday with her family.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Mary Ruth Cook – Ewing, IL
November 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Heaven gained an Angel on Sunday evening, November 18, 2018 when Mary Ruth Cook, 81, of Ewing, IL passed away at Helia HealthCare in Benton, IL.
She was born in Jefferson County, IL on February 4, 1937, the daughter of Edgar & Fern (Fields) Holman.
She married Gary Cook on November 25, 1995.
Mrs. Cook was a Charter Member of the Benton First Free Will Baptist Church. She was “Mema” to her grandkids who were her life. She loved and supported them in everything they did and will always be remembered for her amazing sugar cookies.
Mrs. Cook is survived by her husband Gary Cook of Ewing; two daughters, Pam Tomer and husband Frank, of Cape Coral, FL and Becky Reed and husband Mike, of Benton; grandchildren Clint Tomer and wife Caryn, of Edwardsville, IL, Amber Price and husband Ben, of St. Louis, Amanda Lewis and husband Aaron, of Benton, Michelle Potter and husband Jacob, of Benton, Il; great-grandchildren Eli and Hannah Lewis, Riley, Jackson and Dylan Potter; step-son Eric Cook and wife Delia, of Florida; step-daughters Heather Habseiger, of St. Louis and Jackie Cook, of Tennessee; sister Joyce Gilbert and husband Billy, of Effingham, IL
Mrs. Cook was preceded in death by her parents, by two brothers, Russell and Stanley Holman and by sisters-Louise Williams, Doris Douglas and Sharon Burton.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, November 23rd at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Larry D. Clyatt officiating. Burial will be in Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Friday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to Benton First Free Will Baptist Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Helia HealthCare & Hospice of Southern Illinois for the excellent care given to Mrs. Cook.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
RLC Foundation extends open invite to 2018 Annual Dinner
November 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
INA, Ill. – The Rend Lake College Foundation is “Celebrating Champions: Past, Present, and Future” next month with the Alumnus of the Year award and several other special recognitions. The RLC Foundation Annual Dinner is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Mt. Vernon.
Guests are invited to enjoy cocktails at 6 p.m. before the dinner and program begin at 6:30 p.m. During the program, the RLC Foundation will posthumously honor Curtis Smith as the 2018 Alumnus of the Year. To read more about Smith and his contributions to RLC, visit www.rlc.edu/pressroom. There will also be a few surprise announcements to highlight the evening.
In addition to celebrating the RLC Foundation Children’s Center’s 20th Birthday, other special recognitions include Jo Ann Joy’s tenure on the RLC Foundation Board of Directors. Joy recently stepped off of the board after serving for 15 years. RLC Alums Rodney Cabaness and Shad Zimbro of Black Diamond Harley-Davidson will also be honored for their support of students at RLC and across Southern Illinois. Through charitable contributions to community colleges across the region, the duo have awarded $500,000 in scholarship funds over the last 10 years.
“The Annual Dinner is a very special evening for us to honor and recognize friends of the college and the foundation for their involvement and support of our mission. This year, we’re celebrating the life of several true RLC Warriors, like Curtis Smith, Mark Kern and Jim “Hummer” Waugh. We also have some special announcements to share,” said Kay Zibby-Damron, RLC Foundation CEO. “We welcome everyone to join us for this memorable evening.”
Tickets to the RLCF Annual Dinner cost $40 per person or $400 for a table of ten and must be purchased by Tuesday, Nov 27. To purchase tickets, contact the RLC Foundation at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1324 or foundation@rlc.edu.
Charlette Risley-Sesser, IL
November 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Charlette Risley, 86, of Sesser passed away on Tuesday November 20, 2018.
She was born on September 14, 1932 in Sligo, MO to Wilmer and Marie (Broyles) Smith. She married Norman Risley on December 16, 1950 and he preceded her in death on January 24, 1990.
She is survived by her children Ida Fay (Bill) Harriss of DuQuoin and Norman Dwayne Risley of Sesser; two grandchildren Angela (Adrian) Rigsbee of Durham, NC and Chris Harriss of Belleville; one great granddaughter Ava London Harriss; one sister Lavern Talbert of Rushville, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister Hazel Saladine.
She was a homemaker.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday November 21, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Elevator in Chicago skyscraper fell 84 floors before rescue
November 20, 2018 By Leave a Comment
CHICAGO (AP) — People rescued from a trapped elevator in one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers later learned they had dropped 84 floors.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Judge bars US from enforcing Trump administration’s asylum ban
November 20, 2018 By Leave a Comment
A federal judge in San Francisco on Monday barred the Trump administration from refusing asylum to immigrants who cross the southern border illegally, likely prompting a legal challenge from the White House.
Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.
