Mary Ellen Wright-Naylor, 94, of Benton, IL, passed away at 6:55 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Nature Trail Nursing Home in Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was born on April 15, 1923, to Russell and Ruby (Wright) Kilgore. Mary Ellen retired as a LPN for Good Samaritan. She married Leon Wright and he preceded her in death on March 1, 1981. She later married Ted Naylor who also preceded her in death on September 29, 2005.

She was a member of North Benton Baptist Church in Benton, IL.

Mary Ellen is survived by, one daughter, Carolyn (Terry) Wright-McCauley of Mt. Vernon, IL; one son, David Wright of Columbus, OH.; five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Ruby Kilgore, first husband, Leon Wright, second husband, Theodore “Ted” Naylor, one son, Robert Wright, two brothers, Russell Wayne Kilgore and Robert Donald Kilgore in infancy.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St. Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Per Mary Ellen’s wishes cremation will take place and will be buried with her first husband, Leon, in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Worthington, OH.

Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or to Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com

Joseph Wayne Baker, 50, of Christopher, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at the Franklin Hospital ER.

He was born on December 8, 1966, to David and Francis (Cihak) Baker in Oak Lawn, IL. He married the former Judith “Judy” Meier. Joseph was a loving husband, father, and son. He enjoyed fishing.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Judith Baker, his six loving children, Thomas Baker, Emily Baker, Autumn Baker, Cathy Baker, Pearl Baker and Kimberly Baker; his father, David Baker; two brothers, Mark (Cheryl) Baker and Thomas (Michelle) Baker; and three nephews, Michael Baker, Matthew Baker, and Jason Baker.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Francis Baker.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Per his wishes, cremation will  take place.

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

Vera L. (Hiller) Flowers, 86, of Mulkeytown IL passed away in the Sunshine Gardens Memory Care Unit on Sunday May 28, 2017.

Vera was born on March 24, 1931 to Everett and Bonnie (Sanders) Hiller in Christopher.

She graduated from Christopher High School in 1948, where she was a proud Bearcat cheerleader, and married Larry D. Flowers on November 23, 1950 at the First Christian Church in Christopher.  They shared over 66 years of marriage together.

Vera owned and operated many businesses with her family including Vera’s Flower’s and Gifts, Flowers Fashions, Larry’s Trailer Sales and Flowers Farms.

Throughout her life, Vera was very active, social and involved with the Zeigler Saddle Club, Christopher Saddle Club, Boy Scouts, Zeigler Eastern Star, Homemaker’s Extension as well as holding several positions at area churches.  She was active in horse shows for her sons and attended most events for her grandchildren.  Vera always looked forward to her annual high school class reunions, often hosting the celebrations at her home.

Vera is survived by her husband Larry D. Flowers, son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Gayle Flowers, grandchildren Lacey Holt, Larry A. Flowers, Courtney Flowers, Chad Flowers, and Chase Flowers, great grandson A.J. Holt, daughter-in-law Pricilla Flowers, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Carolyn Flowers as well as several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents, one son Larry Allen Flowers, brother and sister-in-law Archie and Doris Hiller, and a sister and brother-in-law, Loretta and Nelson Harris.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday May 30, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with brother Denny Bush officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday May 30, 2017 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher from 11:00 AM until 12:45 PM.

Vera’s family would like to thank all the caregivers and staff at Sunshine Gardens Memory Care for their love, respect and dignity provided to Vera and the family as well as the caregivers at Reflections Memory Care and Hospice of Southern Illinois.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Sunshine Gardens Memory Care Unit or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.  For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuenralhomes.com

Olga B. Roush, 88 of Chirstopher IL, passed away on Saturday May 27, 2017 at 5:30 AM at Parkway Manor in Marion.

She was born on January 19, 1929 in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Tolstoy Leo and Margarita (Castellanos) Binswanger.

 She is survived by her children Kitty and Mark Cavinder of Mulkeytown, Mark Roush of Midland, TX, Paul Roush of Lubbock, TX, Viki and Joe Jensen of Midland, TX; grandchildren Kimberly and James Nesler of Herrin, Mandy Sneed of Christopher, Casey Cavinder of Mulkeytown, Tracy Cavinder of St. Louis, MO, Lucas Roush of Arlington, OR, Sarah Roush of Lubbock, TX, Marta Jensen of St Paul, MN, Emma Jensen, Midland, TX, Matthew Roush of Lubbock, TX; great grandchildren Hannah Nesler and Jake Nesler both of Herrin; brother Lewis Binswanger of El Paso, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Enedina Ellzey, one sister-in-law Corine Binswanger, one brother-in-law Paul Ellzey, grandson Vincent Paul Sneed, three great grandchildren Eliana Kathryn Nesler, Karissa Hazel Nesler, and Alexa Renee Nesler.

Olga lived the majority of her life in Carlsbad, NM, where she raised her four children.  She retired from the banking business while living in Carlsbad.  She relocated to Christopher in 2005.  She enjoyed being with family, reading, crocheting, needlepoint, and crossword puzzles.  She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher.

She was an amazing lady, whose loving presence brilliantly shined upon all those with which she came into contact.  She will be sadly missed by her entire family, including her beloved Abigail, a three year old red short-haired miniature dachshund.

Graveside service will be on Thursday June 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM with Father Urban Osuji officiating at the St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St Andrews Catholic Cemetery, envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

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