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

Charlotte Smith, 84, of Valier, passed away on May 26, 2023 in Herrin, IL.

She was born on June 15, 1938 in Herrin to Gilbert and Lois (Ross) Prather.

She is survived by her children Lisa (Cord) Girten of Valier and Kevin Colyer of Mundelein, IL; grandchildren Ryan (Krystal) Girten of Yukon, OK, Kaci (Jasmine) Girten of Collinsville, IL, Emma Colyer of Mundelein, IL and Jake Colyer of Mundelein, IL and one great grandchild Zoe Overton.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Valeta Ruth Morgan.

A memorial service will be on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Holman. Visitation will be on Saturday from 2:00 PM until the time of the memorial service at 4:00 PM.

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

On May 27, 2023, at 88 years of age, faith became sight as Clyde “Butch” Burzynski quietly passed from this world, into the presence of his savior, Jesus Christ.
The youngest of 12, Dad was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence & Martha Burzynski, his brothers Stanley, Walt, John, Raymond and Lawrence, his sisters Helen, Mary, Ruth, Jane and Stella, and is survived by one brother, Marion.

He leaves behind his wife of 21 years, Janet, as well as his children Susan Barnhart & husband Jack, Russell Burzynski & wife Debbie, Katy Montoya & husband Gordon, Gloria Waddell & husband James, and his first wife, Donna Hardell; grandsons Aaron, Josh and David Burzynski, granddaughters Elyse Shirley, Clarissa Wells, Courtney Cimala and Stefani Waddell; and 13 great-grandchildren. Additionally, Janet has two children, Martin Lewis and Kathy Deason, and their families.
A graduate of Valier High School, Dad had many occupations – Fuller brush salesman, over-the-road truck driver, appliance sales, floral delivery, running the old Shell station on North Main Street in Benton, coal miner, school bus driver and janitor at BCHS – just to name a few. Dad loved talking to people. Seems like everywhere we went, Dad knew and was known by someone. He loved teaching Sunday School and serving in his church, playing harmonica with a band, ministering to folks in nursing homes and caring for friends and neighbors.

Any conversation you had with him would remind dad of a song lyric, and he would launch into song. And he especially loved to sing hymns. He’d sing and we’d join in. He loved watching the Cubs play on tv, and in time, when his eyesight failed, he’d tune in to the radio broadcast. He loved buying and selling cars. Every time he called one of us, he had a new joke, and told it masterfully. Nobody could tell a joke like Dad. He will forever be in our hearts and our best memories.

Visitation will take place at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, 410 S. Main St., on Friday, June 2, at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 3, at 10:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00. There will be a graveside service immediately following. Reverends Mark Minor and Chris Hottensen officiating.

Flowers are welcomed or donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Sesser, 5422 Church Street, Sesser, Illinois 62884, in memory of Butch Burzynski.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Freda A. Hobbs, 102, of Benton, passed away at 3:35 a.m., on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Helia Heathcare of Benton, IL.

She was born on October 19, 1920, to Cloyd and Chloe (Meadows) Foster in Denning Township, Franklin County, IL. She married Marvin Hobbs, and he preceded her in death.

Freda was a loving mother, mother-in-law and grandmother and her family meant the world to her. She loved family get-togethers and cherished that special time with her family. She loved to go to the movies, and play games, she was an avid card player. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting and making crafts.

Freda is survived by her loving son, Charles (Mary) Hobbs of Marine, IL; son-in-law, Tim Pribble of Thompsonville, IL; eight grandchildren, Jeremiah (Dana) Pribble of Goreville, IL, Amanda (Kris) Mayberry of Norris City, IL, Josh (Stacy) Pribble of Thompsonville, IL, Jacob Pribble of Thompsonville, IL, Dennis (Cheryl) Hobbs of Festus, MO, David (Christina) Hobbs of East Alton, IL, Jeffrey (Julia) Hobbs of Marine, IL and Kurt (Angie) Hobbs of Marine, IL; fifteen great-grandchildrens, Loren Pribble, Shelby Pribble, Blaire Mayberry, Marissa Mayberry, Brayden Mayberry, Alan Pribble, Casey Pribble, Courtney Pribble, Jason (Leslie) Grace, Trisha Farnam, Donnella Hobbs, Phillip (Nicole) Hobbs, Jacob (Laura) Hobbs, Justin (Rachael) Hobbs and Matthew Hobbs; fourteen great-great-grandchildren, Ryan, Lucas, Emily, Ian, Ethan, Lilly, Ava, Elizah, Erica, Kaylee, Rebekah, Lillian, Payten and Eliott; one sister, Leona Middleton of California; nieces and nephews, Fred, WM, Sherlene, Aubrielle Middleton, Mike, Mendy, Robin, Laida Hediger, Mary Beth Barnhardt, Michael, Stephanie, Taylor, Kaylee Harkness, Jacie, Mattie, Nicky, Jeanette Dorchinciz, Becky, John Gaylor and dear friend Roy Pribble.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cloyd L. and Chloe E. Foster, husband, Marvin Hobbs, daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Kay Pribble, brothers, John Walter (Edie) Hobbs, Bobby Frost and Carl Foster; sisters, Hazel (Michael) Dorchincez and Gloria (Wayne) Hediger, brother-in-law, Buck Middleton, grandson, Charles Hobbs, great-grandson, Jonathon Hobbs, nephews, Jim Dorchinciz and Steve Dorchinciz, and her dear friend, Mary Alice Pribble.

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

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Pate Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton with Pastor Jesse Hinds, officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Franklin County Animal Shelter and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Dwight Lee Waller, age 97, of Macedonia, passed away at 3:11 a.m. Sunday, May 21, 2023, at the Silver Foxes Senior Living and Rehabilitation of McLeansboro.

Mr. Waller was born on February 23, 1926, in Hamilton County, Illinois; the son of Marion Leslie Waller and Irene (Lampley) Waller. He married the former Lois Pauline Biddle on February 16, 1947, and she preceded him in death on June 28, 2016.

Dwight was a retired self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking, gardening, and enjoyed family fish fries. His family said he was the best at frying fish.

He is survived by a daughter Vickie L. Ward and husband Dale of Macedonia, a son Billy Waller of Macedonia; two grandchildren: Jordan Lee Ward of California, Shelby Lynn Ahlfeld and husband Nick of Benton; four great-grandchildren: Justin, Mariah, Samuel and Sadie; a brother Carol Dean Waller and wife Margie of Hamilton County; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a daughter-in-law Karen A. Waller, three brothers: Bob Waller, Wayne Waller and Jerry Waller.

His wishes are to be cremated.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2023, at the Brady Cemetery, with Rev. Greg Shelton officiating. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; and will be accepted at the services and at Leffler Funeral home.

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

LeeAnn Stritzel, 81, of Christopher, passed away on Monday May 15, 2023 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

She was born on September 12, 1941 in Christopher, IL to Carl Steven and Lela (Jones) Webb. She married Richard “Dick” Stritzel on May 30, 1963 and he survives of Christopher.

She is also survived by her daughters Lori (Dennis) Tindall of Mulkeytown, Kellie (Scott) Bast of Chesterfield, Mo, Julie (Vas) Sabeeh of Phoenix, AZ and Holly Helfrich of Christopher; grandchildren Kati (Steve) Borta, Matt (Leighann) Thomas, Rachel (Jeremy) Chaney, Jacob (Niki) Tindall, Chloe Bast, Audrey Bast, Miles Sabeeh, Simone Sabeeh, Rollin Sabeeh, Ryan Helfrich, Jack Helfrich and Sam Helfrich; great grandchildren Jaxon, Charley, Gwen, Evan, Ryleigh, Meme, Luke, Wyatt and Khloe; one sister Jane Brayfield of Benton and one sister-in-law Jeanie Webb of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Carl Dean Webb.

Graveside services will be on Monday May 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Harrison Cemetery with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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