Theresa Marie Sample, 87, of Sesser, passed away on Wednesday May 29, 2024 at her home.

She was born on April 22, 1937 to George and Theresa (Feichtmeier) Undiener. She married William “Bill” Sample on November 7, 1959 and he preceded her in death on September 1, 2019.

She is survived by her children Edward (Veronica) Sample of St Charles, MO, Michael (Pat) Sample of Sesser and Bradley Sample of Jacksonville, IL; grandchildren Katie Sample, Patrick (Kristy) Sample, Kayla (Gowdy) Cannon, Hunter (Presley) Sample, Kyle Sample, Danica Rich and Austin Sample; seven great grandchildren and two brothers George Undiener of Plato Center, IL and Richard (Joyce) Undiener of Little Rock, AR.

She was preceded by her parents, husband, one son Douglas Sample.

Theresa was a homemaker, liked to travel, was a craft enthusiast, quilter and loved doing geneology and tracing her family tree.

Funeral services will be on Sunday June 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Gowdy Cannon officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Horse Prairie cemetery in Sesser.

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

Barbara June (Trybull) Ore, aged 61, passed away on May 26, 2024 at her home in Benton, IL. She was born on October 10th, 1962 to Kenneth and Dorothy (Carter) Trybull in Geneva,IL.

Barb is survived by her three sons; Justin (Karissa) Borowiec, Tim (Tara) Borowiec, and Tyler (girlfriend Chelsea) Ore all of Benton, bonus daughter Andrea (Bobby) Davey of Christopher, her father Kenneth Trybull of Benton, her two brothers Larry (Carol) Trybull of Hinckley, IL and Dave (Tracy) Trybull of Plover, WI, her loving grandchildren Branlee and Tynlee Borowiec, Meryl Ore, Kalie (James) Triplett, her niece and nephew Jack and Tess Trybull, and many cousins and other family members that will miss her so much.

She was proceeded in death by her mother, Dorothy Trybull.

Barb had a wonderful sense of humor and always had the biggest smile on her face, especially when she would talk about her grandchildren. Her three boys and her grandchildren were her biggest accomplishments and her pride and joy. Her grandchildren will miss Grandma Monday’s where they were spoiled rotten all day long. She worked at Flower’s By Dave for over 20 years and was everyone’s go to girl for flowers.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home. The funeral will immediately follow with burial at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Morton and Johnston Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

Edith C. Flannigan, 72, of Thompsonville, IL, passed away at 9:10 a.m., on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in the Franklin Hospital ER in Benton, IL.

She was born on August 20, 1951, to Charles and Minnie (LaVelle) Harding in Boise, ID. Edith married David Flannigan and he preceded her in death on January 12, 2018.
Edith was a member of Plasters Grove Freewill Baptist Church. She enjoyed selling antiques and bowling.
Edith is survived by her son, James Matthew Schwei; two sisters, Yvonne (Kim) Wohlfeil and Teresa Frederick; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Minnie Rose Harding and her husband, David Flannigan.

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

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Pastor Kim Wohlfeil, officiating.

Per Edith’s wishes, cremation will take place.

Memorials may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Bette King was born in Melford, MA on January 3, 1934, and peacefully passed away on January 27, 2024. This obituary deviates from the conventional. It doesn’t detail Bette’s life achievements, her loved ones, and family members who preceded her in death.

Truth be told, not much is known about Bette other than she was a wife, mom, grandmother and an LPN. Bette was full of personality. She was stubborn and funny. She loved to tease people and she beamed when they would banter with her. She enjoyed coloring, chatting with friends, playing cards, crafts and sitting outside on pretty days. Bette adored her mother. She loved her son, daughter, and granddaughter. Her longing for their presence was so profound that she often envisioned warm visits from them, sometimes imagining invitations to be with them. Given the limited knowledge of her family background and circumstances, no assumptions or judgments are made on either side.

A memorial service to honor Bette will take place on Friday, May 24th, at 1 pm at the Brady Cemetery in Akin, IL. The service will be a simple graveside ceremony conducted by Greg Poole from Can’s Can Ministries. The public is welcome to attend.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

A heartfelt expression of gratitude extends to all those who contributed funds toward Bette’s cremation, funeral arrangements, and burial plot. Your kindness and generosity is profoundly appreciated. Bette now rests in eternal peace, embraced in the loving arms of our Savior. Your presence was cherished, Bette, and you are dearly missed.

To leave online condolences or to share memories of Bette, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Michelle R. “Shelly” Clayton, 56, of Whittington passed away at 5:58 P.M. on Friday May 17, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

She was born in Sparta, IL on October 5, 1967 the daughter of Gail & Sherry Cockrum.

Shelly married David Sidney Clayton on August 13, 2001 and he preceded her in death on August 25, 2021.

Shelly loved kids, and worked at a Day Care and as a Teachers Aide. She enjoyed cross stitching, working puzzles, especially word puzzles of all kind and reading her Bible. She was a proud mom who supported and attended all of her daughter’s activities.

Shelly is survived by her:
Daughter: Sydney Renee Clayton of Whittington & boyfriend Aaron Rorie
Sister: Tonya Steele of Sesser
Brother: Wendell Cockrum & wife Shelly of West Frankfort
Brothers-in-law:
Jerry Clayton of Montana
Marvin Clayton of Georgia
Jason Clayton & wife Barb of Benton
Several Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews & Cousins
Best Friend: Pam Dorris of Benton
Mrs. Clayton was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and a Nephew-Trent Cockrum.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 25th at the Whittington Church with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. on Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made in Shelly’s memory to the family to assist with expenses, or to her daughter Sydney for school and living expenses.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Anna Mae Riggs, 92, of Christopher, passed away on May 14, 2024 at her home.

She was born on February 3, 1932 in Murphysboro, IL to Eugene and Margaret (Ward) Qualls. She married Leonard Riggs Sr. on November 23, 1957 and he preceded her in death on May 7, 2016.

She is survived by her children Leonard Riggs Jr. of Christopher, Loretta (Tom) Mitchell of Sikeston, MO, Kimberly (Charles) Diuguid of Royalton and Lucinda (Rodney) Hill of Christopher; two sisters Marge Mosbacher of Waterloo and Faye (Homer) Campbell Hill, IL and one brother James Qualls of Dupo, IL; grandchildren Erik (Melinda) Redding, Randy (Terry Dawn) Redding, Natalie Elam, John (Anki) Mitchell, Jason Mitchell, Daniel (Elizabeth Reeder) Tolley, Donald (Chelsea) Basenberg, Joshua (Alyssa) Basenberg, Melissa (Andy) Leedle and Jared Diuguid and several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter Consuela Redding Ward, one great granddaughter Ashley Dawn Redding, two sisters Lucille Holecek and Barbara Jo Qualls and one brother and sister-in-law Ed and Jean Ann Qualls.

Graveside services will be on Monday May 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Alma Louise (Mandrell) Hefner, 66, of Sesser, passed away on Tuesday May 14, 2024 at her home.

She was born on August 8, 1957 in Sterling, IL to James and Lida L. (Shaw) Mandrell. She married William Hefner and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her mother Lida Mandrell of Sesser; one sister Angel Todd of Sesser; two brothers James Mandrell of Mt Vernon and Steven Mandrell of Mt Vernon and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, husband and one sister Jo Ellen Mandrell.

Alma’s wishes were to be cremated.

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

Kent Bertrand Gross, age 62, of West Frankfort, Illinois; passed away at 4:40 a.m. Sunday, February 4, 2024, at his home.

Kent was born March 15, 1961, in Belleville, IL. He was the third boy born, with a full head of beautiful blonde curly locks, to the proud parents of Patricia Marie and Amander Valentine Gross.

Kent passed away peacefully at home after fighting his battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister-in-law Denise Gross, and his nephew Paul Michael Gross.
He was a proud member of Local 702 and an employee for twenty-one years with Nelson Tree Service, West Frankfort, IL. He loved his job and his co-workers and was proud of the brotherhood.
Kent enjoyed the outdoors, including fishing, hunting, camping, and especially canoeing on the Current River.
He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family and fine cuisine. He was always the life of the party, telling jokes and making people laugh. He will be dearly missed. His saying in life was “Life is short so enjoy every minute and don’t sweat the small stuff”.

Kent loved the holidays. He held a special place in his heart for Thanksgiving at Uncle Charlie and Aunt Lisa Bertrand’s, and especially Christmas with his family.
He is survived by his loving wife Dana Durham; his two brothers Keith Allen Gross and his two sons Brett and Scott Gross, his brother Gregory Kevin Gross and wife Mary along with their son Alex Gross; and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Kent’s Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Honker Hill Winery, 4861 Spillway Road, Carbondale, Illinois 62902.
The family looks forward to seeing anyone that would love to Celebrate Kent’s life.
“It’s never good-bye my love, it’s till we meet again” Love always Dana “wife”
To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Kent, visit www.lpfuneral home.com.
Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.