Mary Ann Townzen-Wall, 83, of Christopher, passed away on Sunday June 25, 2023 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

She was born on March 11, 1940 in Coello, IL to Dave and Jeanette (Docherty) Orr.

She is survived by her step-children Michael (Jaymie) Townzen of Peoria, IL, Jeremy (Christina) Townzen of Missouri, Patrick (Lindsey) Townzen of Marion, IL and Christopher (Crystal) Townzen of Indiana, nieces and nephews Michael (Judy) McClendon of Missouri, Sharon King of Benton, Gary (Sally) Ceasar of Christopher, Phillip (Sonja) Ceasar of Buckner, Danny Ceasar of Christopher and Cyrilene Hicks of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband Michael Townzen and two sisters Grace Howerton and Irene Ceasar.

Mary Ann’s wish was for her body to be donated to the SIU School of Medicine.

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

Eugenia Darlene “Dar” Kollra, age 70, of Benton, Illinois and formerly of Tuscon, Arizona; passed away at 9:09 a.m. CST, Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the St. Mary’s Hospital of Tuscon, Arizona.

Dar’s wishes are to be cremated. A graveside Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, Illinois.

She was born in Newnen, Georgia, on August 30, 1952; the daughter of Roy Milam and Charlotte (Guinn) Milam. She was married to Mark Kollra; and he preceded her in death.

Dar was a retired Canteen Supervisor with the VA Hospital in Tuscon.

She enjoyed playing cards, watching Investigation and Discovery Television (IDTV), visiting and spending time with family and friends, and especially enjoyed spending time and spoiling her grandchildren.

Surviving are two daughters: Denise Chaffin-Ford and wife Wanda of Benton, IL, Debbie Jean Gibbs and husband Ken of Galatia, IL; a son Rondal Lee Ford of Marion, IL; four grandchildren: Kelsey Clark, Kaitlyn Ford, Destin Ford, Aiden Ford; three great-granddaughters: Americus Clark, Skyler Clark, Kynzley Ford; a sister Holly Andrus of Florida; several brothers; close friends: Sandy, Ed, Rebel, Kim; and he fur baby Namey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mark Kollra, a son Jeffrey Wayne Ford (Nov. 19, 2021) and twin sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lady’s Auxiliary of the Benton American Legion and VFW.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Darlene; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Victor H. Sauerhage, Jr., 62, of St. Louis, MO passed away after a short battle with cancer on Wednesday afternoon June 14, 2023 in Mercy West Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

He was born in DuQuoin, IL on April 24, 1961 the son of Vic Sauerhage, Sr. & Barbara Sue (Moore) Sauerhage.
When he was young Victor was a coach at Sloan Gymnastics and he loved that, he also traveled to several meets as a judge. Mr. Sauerhage worked in Retail Sales.
Victor is survived by his:

Mother: Barbara Sauerhage of Benton
Sister: Lynda Depue & husband George of Taylorville
Brother: Harry Lee Sauerhage & wife Lisa of Benton
Lifelong partner: John Parker, Sr. of St. Louis, MO
2 Children:
Onae Parker of Alton
John Parker, Jr. of St. Louis, MO
3 Grandchildren: Kadyn, Royce & Raegyn (his little Lucy Mae)
Very special Cousin: Janaira Wagoner
Special Uncle & Aunt: Wilma Wagoner & husband Bud
Nieces & Nephews:
Toni & Tod Morgan and their children Tad & Heather
Tyler & wife Kirsten Malkovich
Ryan & wife Brandi Sauerhage and their children-Brantlee & Hadley
Ryan & wife Rachel Fraulini and their children-Easton & Paisley
Whitney Sauerhage & Mark Kovach
Nic & wife Sam Depue and their children-Leah, Noah, Luc & Madeline
His very special furry babies: Jody & Max
Several very special Cousins, Aunts & Uncles
Special lifetime friend: Bradley Willard aka “Little Willie”

Mr. Sauerhage was preceded in death by his Father-Vic Sauerhage, Sr., Great-Niece: Adalynn Depue and Grandparents-Willie & Minnie Moore and Raymond & Bertha Sauerhage.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 17th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Joe Zbinden officiating. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home. A meal will be served immediately following the service at the Steel City Baptist Church.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Ian David Fee, age 40, of Benton, passed away Sunday evening June 11, 2023, from injuries sustained in a single vehicle accident.

Ian was born on November 27, 1982, in Manchester, KY, the son of Roscoe Fee and Rhonda Marshall.

He was employed as a safety inspector with Sierra Bravo Contractors of Sesser.

Ian was a graduate of SIU-Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in Work Force Education and Development.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and snow skiing. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his daughter.

Surviving is his daughter Darby Laine Fee of Benton, IL; father Roscoe Fee of Benton, IL; his mother Rhonda Marshall of Marion, IL; two sisters: Andrea Fee and wife Paige of Austin, TX, Macy Fee of Benton, IL; his grandmother Bonnie Marshall of Benton, IL; many friends and acquaintances.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Kent Marshall; and paternal grandparents Arlee and Daisy Fee.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Karl Barnfield officiating.

Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions In Memory of Ian, may be made to his daughter Darby, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Ian, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Peggy Ann Severin, age 76, of West Frankfort; went home to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven at 5:47 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2023.

Peggy’s wishes are to be cremated.

Private family Celebration of Life Services will be held at a future date.

Peggy was born on September 13, 1946, in West Frankfort, IL, the daughter of Aud Edwards and Bonnie (Odle) Edwards. She was adopted and raised by Walter and Louise Fleming of West Frankfort. She would marry Dale Russell Severin on October 28, 1962; and together they shared 60 years of marriage.

She along with her husband was the owner/operator of Severin Garden Center of West Frankfort.

Peggy was a member of Faith Assembly Fellowship of West Frankfort, where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School to pre-K children. She was exceptionally talented as a Sunday School Teacher.

Peggy had a passion for Missions. She and Dale would spend many Christmas Days aiding and assisting children in Jamaica. She was very compassionate to help and see to the needs of others.

She enjoyed and loved cats, especially her cat Milo.

Surviving is her loving husband of 60 years, Dale Severin of West Frankfort, IL; a son Steven Severin of West Frankfort, IL; three grandsons: Cory Severin of West Frankfort, IL, Adam Severin of Marion, IL, and Jacob Severin of West Frankfort, IL.

She was preceded in death by her birth parents, adopted parents, a son Shawn Severin, and a sister Janice Spain.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions In Memory of Peggy, may be made to Dale Severin to be designated for Missions. Please mail donations to Dale Severin, 717 North Gardner Street, West Frankfort, IL 62896.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Peggy; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Jerrel D. Dungy went home to be with the Lord on June 10, 2023, with his family around him.

He was born to Drennan & Genevieve (Tate) Dungy on October 1, 1941.

He married Katie (Conner) Dungy on March 16, 1963. Together they have three children: Karen Miller, Rhea Eva (Joey) Hutchcraft & Matthew (Andrea) Dungy.
They have 7 grandchildren: Brandon Hess (fiancé Laura), Samuel Miller, Shelby (Matthew) Androvandi, Ben (Katlynn) Hutchcraft, Ike (Parker) Hutchcraft, Zach Dungy (deceased) and Addie Dungy. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren: Wesley, Noah and Jaxson Androvandi and Audrey Hutchcraft. He is survived by two sisters, Reita Morris and June Jones, several nieces, nephews and cousins, a special nephew Brent (Susan) Morris who they helped raise, and a special friend Dan Halliday who was such an encourager and help through Jerrel’s illness (22 months) as was his sister June.

He was preceded in death by his grandson Zach and two brothers-in-law, Ed Morris and Melvin Jones.

He was saved when he was 21 years old at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He said he might have failed God, but God never failed him. He wanted people to come to know the Lord as their Savior and had the privilege of leading some to Salvation.

Jerrel was a faithful member of the Jackson Grove Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher until his health failed.
He loved the farm and wanted to be a good steward of the land that God gave him.
He loved his family and his desire was to see all of them in Heaven someday.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 14th at the Jackson Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Don Bullard, Pastor Kevin Bullard and Dan Halliday officiating. Burial will be in the Phillips Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M to 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the church.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Jimmy Doyle Jarrett, 80, of Christopher, passed away on Thursday June 8, 2023 at the Herrin Hospital.

He was born on November 14, 1942 in Hickman, KY to Fonnie Leroy Jarrod and Gussie Mae (Brewer) Blackmon. He married Donna (Kretz) Jarrett on July 16, 1966.

He is survived by his wife Donna Jarrett of Christopher; two sons Mike Jarrett of Christopher and Jeff (Michelle) Jarrett of Mulkeytown; four grandchildren Jonathon (Sabrina) Jarrett, Alex (Rikki Ward) Jarrett, Taylor Jarrett and Ashlee Jarrett; three great grandchildren Bentli, Bristol and Lilliana and one brother Phillip Blackmon of Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Shirley Raabe and three brothers James Miller Blackmon, Billy Blackmon and David Blackmon.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday June 15, 2023 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

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

Gloria Jean Berner, 78, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Friday June 2, 2023 at SSM Saint Louis University Hospital.

She was born on June 25, 1944 in West Frankfort, IL to Darrell and Angel (D’Haillecourt) Fiorenzi.

She married the love of her life Ivan Berner on September 5, 1964 and they spent over 57 years together until his passing in late 2001. They had one son, Brian Keith Berner (1968 – 2012). She is survived by grandson Dakota (Haley) Berner of Coronado, CA; adored great grandchildren Amelia Rose, Piper Jane, and Oliver James; brother Mike (Judy) Fiorenzi of Herrin; brother-in-law Clyde Furlow of Mulkeytown; sister-in-law Kay Fiorenzi; nieces and nephews Christy (Paul) Douglas, Bradley (Christian) Furlow, Nellie (Christian) Baril, Ben (Courtney) Fiorenzi and Joe (Janice) Fiorenzi, Tom Fiorenzi, Angela Polen, Chris Fiorenzi, and David Fiorenzi; several great and great-great nieces and nephews; and many close friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ivan Berner, son Brian Berner, brothers Jim and Don Fiorenzi, one sister-in-law Evelyn Furlow, father-in-law and mother-in-law Ralph and Bertha Berner. She was a beautician for many years and also worked as a home care assistant.

She was a devoted Christian and member of the Mulkeytown Christian Church, serving for many years as a Sunday school teacher and ladies fellowship member and officer. A visitation and memorial service will be held in early July to allow currently-deployed Navy grandson Dakota to be present. Burial will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Franklin Historical District or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

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

George J. Spotanski Jr., 94, of Scheller, passed away on Sunday June 4, 2023 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born on January 17, 1929 in St Louis, MO to George Michael and Anna Rose (Kurczynski) Spotanski. He married Evelyn (Czerwinski) Spotanski on May 3, 1952 and shared 57 years of marriage until her passing in 2010.

George is survived by his children Garry (Phyllis) Spotanski, Don (Debi) Spotanski, Cheryl (Donald) Martin and Susie (Steve) Doty all of Scheller; 11 grandchildren Tara (Jarrett) Biggerstaff, Tracy Spotanski, Tiffany (Kyle) Kluck, Brandon (Kandace) Spotanski, Melissa (Tim) Bathon, Jennifer (Ryan) Blankenship, Kathy (Ryan) Lott, Tony (Jessica) Martin, Christina Martin, April (Joe) Emery and Emily DeForest and friend Corey Braden; 26 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Evelyn Spotanski and his brother Leroy Spotanski.

George was a member of the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sesser and St Barbara’s Catholic Church in Scheller. He had worked at Wagner Electric & Dowzer Electric in Mt Vernon. He was retired from Sesser Concrete Products and was an Active Farmer. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his visits with Special Friends JoAnn Butler and her daughter Patti Doerr. He especially loved seeing his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. He enjoyed Bowling and had a special bond with his teammates.He also enjoyed mowing grass and an occasional trip to a Casino or going with his niece Vicki to Mississippi as well as watching the St. Louis Cardinals.

Funeral Mass will be on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St Barbara Catholic Church in Scheller with Father Nick Junker officiating. Visitation will be on Friday June 9, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Jullian Graves, 12, of Sesser, passed away on May 30, 2023 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on December 26, 2010 in Mt Vernon to David Graves and Ashley (Pedigo) Smolley.

He is survived by his mother Ashley (Blake) Smolley of Sesser; siblings Corey Pedigo, Trinity Graves and Hadley Smolley, he is also survived by his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother Brenda Pedigo.

Funeral services will be on Saturday June 3, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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