Billy (Bill) Paul Conner, of Whittington, IL, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at 12:02 a.m. EST in Dayton, OH, on October 18, 2025, with the love of his life, Linda, by his side.

Bill was born on June 21, 1944, to Leo M. and Ruth E. (Mabry) Conner, who preceded him in death. He married Linda Leigh Britton on July 3, 1965.

Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Linda Conner of Whittington; his brother, Richard (Dick) Conner (Nancy) of Pocahontas, IL; daughter, Jaquenette (Jackie) Conner Belka (Mitch) of Beavercreek, OH; and son, Shawn Paul Conner (Shelly) of Springfield, IL. He is also survived by five granddaughters: Hayley Bosley (Jim), Erin Belka (fiancé Greg Shayko), Abbey Conner, Grace Conner, and Mia Conner; along with several nieces and nephews.

Bill attended Whittington Elementary School and graduated from Benton High School. He was a lifelong Benton Rangers fan and enjoyed watching Rochester Rockets football games as well. He was also a dedicated St. Louis Cardinals fan and attended many games with Linda and his family.

Bill served his community and family throughout his life while growing up and living in Whittington, which he proudly called “The Garden Spot of the World.” He was a former Supervisor of Ewing Township, sang bass for the Psalmaneers gospel group, was instrumental in starting and serving on the board of the Ewing Warrior Booster Club, and was either on the board or served as president of the Whittington Gun Creek Days Festival for its entire existence. A hard worker, Bill was employed by Glass Specialties and Metropolitan Insurance, worked as a union glazier for many years, and eventually co-owned Southern Illinois Glass with Jerry Frisby until retirement.

In 1976, Bill began pulling garden tractors with his son Shawn and later moved into the mini-rod class. He was a member of several tractor pulling associations across the midwest and officially retired from the sport in 2023 after winning numerous points championships. Bill enjoyed traveling with his family to tractor pulls and made countless friends along the way. He never met a stranger and had a gift for making new friends wherever he went.

Bill was most proud of his children and grandchildren and loved watching them play sports. He also enjoyed traveling with his family to places such as Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Michigan, Florida, Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and more.
Visitation will be held at Whittington Church from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, with the service immediately following at 2:00 p.m. A dinner for family and friends will be held following the service. Interment will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton (Dayton, OH). The family extends their deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Kettering Health Medical Center and Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton for the compassionate and exceptional care they provided during Bill’s brief illness. Their kindness and dedication brought great comfort during a difficult time.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Carrie Lou Eubanks, 89, of Sesser, passed away on Wednesday October 15, 2025 at St Louis University Hospital in St Louis.

She was born on January 27, 1936 in DuQuoin, IL to Russell and Mable (Davis) Cavins. She married Howard Eubanks on March 24, 1984 and he survives of Sesser.

She is also survived by her children Brandy Marcus of Coello, IL, Robbi Marcus (Alan) Rieckenberg of Pinckneyville and Jill Marcus (Chris) Murry of Tamaroa; step-children Howard (Susan) Eubanks of Atlanta, Kenneth Eubanks of Sesser, Danell Morhet of Christopher and Dana (Greg) Wylie of Sesser; eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

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

Funeral services will be on Monday October 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home.

For a full obituary go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Thad Ryan Ramsay, age 47, of Logan, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Thad was born on December 16, 1977, in West Frankfort, Illinois, the son of William Richard Ramsay and Jane Reynolds Ramsay Toms.

His working career consisted of a Certified Nurses Aid and EMT. He enjoyed being in the nursing and medical field and able to help people.
He loved animals, especially his cat Gracie.

Thad is survived by his daughter Kara Kirk of Energy, Illinois; his mother and stepfather Jane and Jim Toms of Logan, Illinois; grandchildren Rylee and Bennett; a sister Beth Eubanks of West Frankfort, Illinois, a brother Richard Ramsay of Benton, Illinois.

Thad was preceded in death by his father and his grandparents.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, Illinois, with Pastor Brian Mixon officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Franklin County Animal Control and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To give condolences online to the family or to share memories of Thad, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Justin Todd Clevenger, 41, of Christopher, IL passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, from injuries sustained in a tragic car accident.

He was born January 7, 1984 in Herrin IL, to Bryan and Inez (Waldron) Clevenger. On September 10, 2016, he married the love of his life Connie and for over 9 years they enjoyed building a life together. Justin and Connie always knew how to make each other laugh and shared joy in the journey they were on. Justin loved his family and spending time with them. He liked bass fishing with Connie, Kyndal, and Tyler. He enjoyed driving in his truck and listening to music with Kyndal. Justin loved music, it was his outlet that helped give him peace when he needed it. Justin was extremely proud of his daughter Madisyn for joining the Army and was quick to let everyone know how proud of her he was. You could also often find Justin spending time with Sutton, his little granddaughter that stole his heart. He would take her on walks in her wagon to go and see the horsey. They would also walk through the garden picking flowers while Justin would let her know the name of every flower they were looking at. Justin was quick to take any opportunity he had to spend time with Sutton. Justin always had a smile on his face and was quick to lend a helping hand to anyone.

You could often find him mowing the neighbor’s yard, helping them take in their groceries, or giving them food while he was grilling out. Justin loved being outdoors and being in his garden planting and caring for the exact variety of vegetables that his grandpa Perry used to grow in his garden. He also spent many hours tending to and picking the flowers he grew with the green thumb he inherited from his mom. Justin was predeceased by his great grandmother Clora Jones, grandmother Joyce South, grandfather Perry Clevenger, and grandmother Ruth Haynes.

Justin is survived by his wife Connie Clevenger; his children Tyler (Khortnee) Weeks of Benton, granddaughter Sutton and soon to be grandson; daughter Madisyn Weeks of Hawaii; daughter Kyndal Clevenger of Christopher; parents Bryan and Inez Clevenger of Valier; grandmother Patty (Nana) of Sesser; father-in-law Mark Foster of Freeman Spur; mother-in-law Donna Brown of Marion; brother Jason (Stephanie) Clevenger of Springville, AL, nieces Lillian, Naomi, and Rosie; brother-in-law Bobby Brown and Melissa Neil of Lake of Egypt, nephews and nieces Kristi (Austin) Summers, Tristen Brown, Tori Tucker, Lana Tucker, and Samantha Tucker, great-niece Paisley Arbuckle, and great-niece Addison Tucker; sister-in-law Crystal (Chris) Martin of Marion, nephew Noah Harpstrite and niece Baylee Martin; sister-in- law Debra (Leonard) Futia of Lake of Egypt, nephew Christopher Futia and niece Katie Futia; Uncles Brent Clevenger of Sesser, Marty (Bambi) Harmon of DuQuoin, Alisa Square of Naples, FL, Dana (Allen) Byrns of Sesser, and Jeff Harmon of Sesser; cousins Tyler Clevenger, Todd Harmon, Nathan (Natasha) Harmon, Cassidy (Caleb) Jones, Baleigh (Kyle) Fetters, Danae (Jarrett) Kelly, Sumer Harmon, and Addison Harmon.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on October 17, 2025, at Gilbert Funeral Home at 209 N. Emma Street, Christopher, IL. The funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on October 18, 2025, at Gilbert Funeral Home.There will be a graveside service following the funeral at Harrison Cemetery. Donations can be made at Gilbert Funeral Home. Donations will be given to a charity that was near and dear to Justin’s heart.

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

Debra Colette Lang, age 72, of Benton, IL, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Per her wishes she will be cremated, with inurnment at a future date in the National Memorial Cemetery of Phoenix, Arizona.

Debra was born on September 27, 1953, in Trenton, New Jersey, the daughter of Theodore Dutro and Lorraine (Harding) Dutro. She was married to Jackie Lang, and he preceded her in death on September 5, 2017.
She was retired from the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Debbie enjoyed reading and shopping. She enjoyed attending and singing at church. Locally she attended the Fires of Revival Church.

Surviving are two sons Jason Laney of Austin, Texas, Jeff Laney and wife Michelle of Kilgore, Texas; a granddaughter Kellie Laney, two step-granddaughter Arial Copeland and Brianna Copeland, a sister Luan Owens and husband David of Benton, Illinois, two nieces Stephanie Lopez and husband Eric of Topeka, Kansas, Dana Rios of Fort Collins, Colorado; and her two fury friends, Chico and Sammy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a nephew Johnny Rios.

The family prefers donations in memory of Debbie be made to the Friends of Franklin County Animal Control, P.O. Box 210, Christopher, Illinois 62822-0210.
The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.
To give condolences online to the family or to share memories of Debbie, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Norma Ruth Johnston, 92, of Ina passed away on Thursday morning October 9, 2025 at her home.

She was born in Mt. Vernon, IL on April 4, 1933 the daughter of Blake Elijah & Ama Ruth (Hale) Burton.

She married Billy Lee Johnston on June 16, 1951 in Whittington, IL and he preceded her in death on February 24, 2011.

She was a member of the Ina Free Will Baptist Church where she played the piano for several years. She grew up in Whittington and helped her parents work in the Burton’s Cafe. Later she worked at S & W Motors in Mt. Vernon, before assisting her husband at Johnston Funeral Home. Norma and Bill enjoyed getting away for a day with friends looking for antiques and going out to eat.

Mrs. Johnston is survived by her:
Son: Bruce Johnston & wife Shirley of Ina
Grandson: Brad Johnston & wife Latisha of Ina
Granddaughter: Kelly Downes & husband Andy of Woodlawn
Great-Grandchildren: Alli Jo Downes & Tucker James Downes
Step-Great-Grandchildren: Philip Riley & wife Chelsey, Sean Riley, Mikey Harper & Paupiann Harper
1 Great-Great-Grandson: Drew Riley
Sister-in-law: Deanna Johnston of Whittington
Nephew: Jeff Johnston & wife Jan of Whittington
Great Nephew: Jared Johnston & wife Makennah and their children Jovi & Jubilee of Benton
Great Niece: Jenna Schimpf & husband John of St. Louis, MO
She is also survived by several cousins, dear friends, and her church family.

Mrs. Johnston was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and Brother-in-law: Bobby Lynn Johnston.
Funeral services will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 17th at the Ina Free Will Baptist Church in Ina with Bro. Brad Ryan officiating. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday at the church.

For those who wish, Memorials may be made to Kirk Cemetery or Shiloh Cemetery.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

It is with deep love and gratitude that we celebrate the life of Shirley, (also known as Shirl, Mom, Grandma, Grams, and GiGi) who passed away peacefully at the age of 93.

Shirley lived a long, happy, and healthy life filled with love, laughter, and purpose. She was known for her sweet and gracious spirit, and for the kindness she extended to everyone she met. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she found her greatest joy in her family — always our biggest cheerleader, offering encouragement, wisdom, and unconditional love.

Even in her later years, Shirley continued to touch lives with her gentle words of encouragement and genuine sincerity. She had a remarkable gift for making others feel seen and valued. Her strength and positivity carried her through life’s challenges, including her final month following a hip fracture, with grace and courage.

Her legacy of love and kindness will live on in all whose lives she touched — especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will forever cherish her example and her beautiful heart.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Roger Teel officiating. Entombment will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Memorial contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Shirley, go to www.lpfuneralhome.com.