Carol Jean (Faulkner) Atchison, 79, of Benton, Illinois, formerly of Sesser, Illinois, passed away on September 26, 2026. She was born on February 20, 1947, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to Eugene C. and Betty J. Faulkner.

Carol was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose family was at the heart of her life. She was the mother of three children, Sue, Gena, and Andy. Carol’s first child, Sue, was placed for adoption at birth, and years later, Carol and Sue were reunited bringing a special and meaningful relationship in to Carol’s later years.

Carol was blessed with seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, who brought her great joy and many cherished memories. She treasured the time she spent with her family and will be remembered for the love she gave to those around her.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Kent Atchison; her parents, Eugene C. and Betty J. Faulkner; and her brother, Thomas Faulkner.

She is survived by her children, Sue Nichols, Gena Atchison and wife Chelsey, and Andy Atchison and wife Kim; seven grandchildren Logan, Carly, Zailee, Camden, Thomas, Kara and Timothy; one great-grandchild Owen; and her brothers, Joe Faulkner and Robert Faulkner, along with extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.

Carol’s life was defined by family, love, and the relationships she built throughout the years. Her reunion with her first child was a special chapter in her life and a reminder that some of life’s most meaningful connections can find their way back to us.

Funeral service will be on Sunday October 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at 3:00 PM at the funeral home.

She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

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

Jane Ann (Dunning) Burzynski, 94, passed away Sunday September 27, 2026 at Fifth Season Assisted Living in Benton, IL.

She was born on December 9, 1931 in Christopher to James and Beatrice (Alexander) Dunning. She married Marion E. Burzynski on June 25, 1971 and they shared 55 years together.

She is survived by her husband Marion Burzynski of Benton, her children Pam Burzynski of Marion and Randy (Carolyn) Burzynski of Mulkeytown; grandchildren Justin (Cortney) Burzynski of Christopher, Sarah (Mike) Thuilliez of Coello, Jarrod (Alyssa) Burzynski of Mulkeytown and Chad Stynchula; great grandchildren Jacob (Regan) Burzynski, Tyler (Kayla) Burzynski, Hanna Burzynski, Gunner Burzynski, Emma Burzynski; great great grandchildren Grayson Thuilliez, Kelsea Thuilliez, Harper Thuilliez and one on the way, due in February.

Ann as most people knew her by was the baby of the family, she had one brother Glen Dunning and five sisters Gertrude Marcus, Dorothy Hogan, Helen Peterson, Mary Lou Burberry and Jean Thelson and many nieces and nephews.

Ann paid for education by giving piano lessons. She earned her teaching degree in music from SIU in Carbondale. She taught music at Valier, Sesser and West Frankfort schools for over 30 years. She also was the conductor for Southern Illinois Concert Band for many years after she retired from teaching.

Marion and Ann met at her front door, he was a Fuller Brush Salesperson knocking on her door, she wanted nothing from this salesman and slammed the door in his face. Later she found herself playing the piano at a church, where that same salesman was the pastor and later became that salesman’s wife. Ann was a devoted member of the Johnston City Pentecostal Church.

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

Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Justin Root officiating. Visitation will be on Friday October 2, 2026 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home and from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM on Saturday. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

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

Deronda Gay Richardson, age 72, of Benton, IL, passed away at 12:40 a.m., on Friday, September 25, 2026, at SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, IL.

She was born on October 16, 1953, to Dales Avery and Myrtle Lorene (Storey) Kern in Christopher, Illinois. Deronda married Gary Richardson on October 20, 1973, and he survives.

She attended North Benton Baptist Church in Benton, IL.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and Great Grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her Grandkids and Great Grandson, and had a special love for animals.

Deronda is survived by her husband of almost 53 years, Gary Richardson; her son, Jeremy Richardson and his wife, Janee; her grandson, Dailus Avery Lane Richardson and his wife, Sydney; her granddaughter, Laindree Neve Lynae Richardson. She has one great-grandson, Finn Avery Lane Richardson and Banx Lane Richardson, who is expected in December.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dales Avery and Myrtle Lorene Kern and her brother, Greg Kern.

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

Visitation for Deronda will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held directly after the visitation on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with the Reverend Dean Severin, officiating. Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, IL.

Memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home or through the Go Fund Me that has been set up to help with the funeral costs.

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

Amy Elizabeth Sanchez-Bennett, passed away peacefully to be with Jesus, on September 23, 2026, at 4:46 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, Illinois, surrounded with lots of love by her daughter Valencia, her mother Lynda, and sister Tina.

Amy was born on October 10, 1975, in Panama City, Republic of Panama to Enrique and Lynda Sanchez. Later they moved to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania where her dad worked for Piper Aircraft. Then they moved to Florida and eventually back to Panama.

In 1984, at the age of 9, Amy began attending school in Benton, Illinois, where she graduated from Benton High School in 1993. In high school, Amy was a spirited Rangler Girl then cheerleader and voted homecoming maid of honor her senior year. She was also a contestant in the Miss Teen Rend Lake Pageant where she won trophies for best dress, most photogenic and first runner up!
After high school she attended John A. logan college and later moved to Dallas, Texas where she was a secretary at Ross Perot Systems and was a contestant and first runner up in the Miss Dallas pageant which took her on to the Miss Texas USA pageant in Brownsville, Texas in 1998 along with Eva Longoria who also competed. While in Dallas, Amy met the man she married and moved to England. While in England, she enrolled in the London Academy of Performing Arts and performed on stage in several productions.

Amy had many talents, some of which were singing, dancing, acting, playing piano by ear and writing songs that she sang on a CD that she created and produced. She also designed and sewed beautiful baby and lady’s clothes for her business, “The Moth and The Butterfly. She also made beautiful greeting cards and was a talented floral arranger and she always had a lovely fresh bouquet of flowers on a table in her tidy home. She also enjoyed traveling to many exotic places across the world.
Amy is survived by her beautiful daughter Valencia Sanchez Esposti and friend Billy, her father Enrique Sanchez and wife Lupe, her mother Lynda Bennett Sanchez, sister Dr. Christina Dothager and husband Shane, her brother Aron Sanchez and wife Deidra, Aunt Marlene Webb, Uncle Jim Bennett, Uncle Rod Bennett and wife Lisa, Aunt Cathy Bennett, Aunt Yariela Anciaux, Uncle Joaquin Sanchez and wife Mariela, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

Though her eyes are closed, Amy’s sight will live on by being a donor to Mid America Transplant Services.
Amy was of the Baptist faith.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Liberty-Ridlin Cemetery of Macedonia, with Rev. Mark Minor Officiating. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the services.

The family prefers donations be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the services.
To give online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Amy, go to www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Juanita Ledford Mattingly, age 87, of Benton, Illinois, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026.

Juanita was born on June 30, 1939, in Polkville, North Carolina. Juanita was known by all as an exceptionally kind and giving person, many who knew her have remarked that they had never met a kinder person in their lives. Her life was defined by her deep faith in God, an industrious work ethic, and an unwavering devotion to her family.

She was very expressive about her love for her family, loving them all very deeply, and always cheering her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren on in their pursuits. She was famous for never missing a birthday card and took a great deal of joy in selecting the most meaningful and special cards for her family and friends. Cards would arrive on every occasion or just to let them know that she was thinking about and praying for them.

In her free time, she loved to cook, work in the yard, tend to the garden, and play cards with her friends. She loved coffee, spending time with her family, and was legendary for baking her famous Italian cream cake. She also created many beautiful, intricate, and profoundly meaningful scrapbooks which she made especially for her family and gifted to them. The scrapbooks had different themes tailored to the recipient and captured special times, chronologically covered lives, and memorialized distant family tree members.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Juanita found great joy in scripture and attending Bible study. Her faith called her to a life of service, which included impactful missionary work in France. For many years, she worked at the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where she met her husband, Jerry. While there, in addition to working in the administration of church business, she faithfully served as a counselor, offering guidance and comfort to those facing difficult times. Juanita’s industrious nature kept her active well into her later years; she loved staying busy and worked into her eighties at The Buzz Cafe in downtown Benton, where she greeted the community with her signature warmth. After settling in Benton, she worked as a computer lab assistant at Benton Grade School for a couple of years.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Jerry Mattingly; her daughters, Donna, Cathy (Darin), Beki (Bruce), and Paula (Jimmy); and her son, Joe (Helen). She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Joe (Morgan), Ginna, Ben, Cole, and Cian; and her great-grandchildren, Kaley, Miller, and Banks, along with a host of extended family and dear friends.

A memorial ceremony in honor of Juanita’s life will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton, Illinois at 11:00. There will be a visitation from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the church.

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

Patrick Joseph Jurich, 87, of Christopher, Illinois, passed away peacefully on September 18, surrounded by his loving family at his home.

Patrick was born on November 30, 1938, to Joseph and Elouise (Ryan)Jurich. He was a proud Marine and honorably served in the United States Marine Corps. Patrick married the love of his life, 7/11/1964, Mary Antoinette Genovese, and together they built a family filled with love, laughter, and memories. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, and their three children, Joseph (Tricia), A’nna (Chris), and Maria (Jason). He leaves behind six grandchildren, Hannah Jines, Madelyn Jines, Sophia Pinardo, Ryan Jurich, Kelsey Jurich, and Patrick Jurich, and two great-grandchildren, Theodore Mansker and Wyatt Pinardo, who brought him great joy.

Patrick was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Christopher. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life—hunting and fishing, watching the Cardinals, and, perhaps most of all, betting against the Cubs. He had a love for family and his friends and a way of making memories that will remain with those who knew and loved him.

Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elouise Jurich. His family will forever cherish the years they shared with him and the love, stories, laughter, and traditions he leaves behind. Though he will be deeply missed, his memory will live on through his family and all those fortunate enough to have known him.

There will be private graveside services at a later date. Semper Fi

Nancy Mae Denton, 91, of Herrin formerly of Christopher, passed away on Tuesday September 15, 2026 at The Voyage Senior Living of Herrin.

She was born on March 24, 1935 in DuQuoin, IL to Lowell and Nina (Bigham) Carter.

She married Lynn Denton on May 16, 1962 and he preceded her in death on February 29, 2004.

She is survived by her daughters Nina (Steve) Heil of Louisville, KY, Christy (Jim) Moose of Mascoutah, IL and Cara (Steve) Calloni of Royalton, IL; grandchildren John

Moose, Katie Moose, Ashley Moose, Blaine Calloni, Addisyn Calloni, Wyatt Denton and Taylor Denton and her very special cat Bobby Boy.

She was preceded in death by her parent, husband and one son Brian Denton, one granddaughter Jessica Lynn Moose and one brother Jim Carter.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Christopher and was the secretary there for many years as well as the head of the benevolence committee.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday September 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the

First Christian Church with Rev. Larry Richardson officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the church.

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

Pamela Darlenne Wiggins, age 74, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at 5:02 a.m. Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital.

Pam was born on December 10, 1951, in Christopher, Illinois, the daughter of Jack George Johnson and Darlenne Charlotte (Kerley) Johnson. On September 28, 1974, she married G.A. Wiggins, and he preceded her in death on October 10, 2006.

She formerly worked in the upholstery department with Bombardier Boats of Benton, Illinois, and previously worked for Crownline Boats of West Frankfort, Illinois.

Pam had made known her Faith in Christ Jesus and she was saved by his grace.

She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, baking, shopping, dining out and fishing. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Surviving are her children Jacqueline Holman and Scott Wiggins, both of Benton, Illinois, grandchildren including Jesse White, Andrew White, Nick White, Lucas Holman, Carly Holman and Mackenzie Wiggins, numerous great-grandchildren, a brother Terry Johnson and wife Brenda of Thompsonville, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son Brett White, and a brother Mike G. Johnson.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2026, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, Illinois. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home, with Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.
To give condolences online to the family or to share memories of Pamela Wiggins, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Alice Martha Kapp Krelo, daughter of James Robert Kapp and Wilmetta “Billie” Derickson Kapp Hensley, passed away in St. George, Utah on September 3, 2026, of natural causes at the age of 73.

She was born in Cut Bank, Montana on November 28, 1952. Alice was the oldest of 3 children, including her younger brother James and younger sister Karen. Alice graduated from Harlem High School in Harlem, Montana in 1971. She was the Salutatorian of her graduating class and was involved in band and theater. Her brother shared that he never would have graduated from high school if it hadn’t been for her; she quit her job and moved near him so he could finish high school in Montana after their parents got transferred out of state.

Alice was married to Lowell Lensing in 1976 and was divorced in 1978. She moved to Salt Lake City in 1984 and started working for the military. In 1985, she met and married Michael Lee Krelo.

Alice then went to work for the Utah National Guard and, after over 20 years, retired in 2003. She and Michael were married for 41 years, living in Riverton for 27 years, and most recently in Mesquite, Nevada for 14 years. Alice helped raise her 3 stepchildren – Michelle, Alex, and Scott. She and Michael also “raised” over 35 dogs and cats throughout their lives. Alice was definitely a “dog mama” and loved to take in and rescue many different animals over the years.

Alice also loved collectibles, trinkets, and holiday decorating. She loved reading, knitting, and sewing, but also enjoyed having a beer with Mike and the guys. She was very intelligent and excelled at whatever she did. She is survived by her husband, Michael Lee Krelo, her brother James Robert Kapp, Jr., and her sister Karen Koren Kapp Hays. She is also survived by her stepchildren: Michelle (Stephen), Alex, and Scott (Jenn), 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, James Kapp, her mother, Billie Hensley, and her nephew, Willie Hays.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 12 noon to 2pm at the Desert Skies RV Park Palms Room, 351 East Hwy 91, Scenic, AZ, 84632.

Maurice Edward “Eddie” Woodring, Thompsonville, IL, was born November 7, 1960, to Robert and Brenda Woodring. He was called to Heaven at 4:13 p.m., September 4, 2026, surrounded by his family at home.

Eddie was born at Madisonville Hospital in Madisonville, Kentucky, while his parents resided in Providence, Kentucky. He was the oldest of six kids born to Robert and Brenda Woodring. They lived in Kentucky and Illinois growing up. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the Army Reserves, serving out of Fort Leonardwood in Missouri for six years. He and his then wife, Terrey, moved around finally settling in Kentucky, where he became a husband, father and coal miner.

He began at Pyro Mines in Wheatcroft, Kentucky in 1981, as security, eventually ending up mining underground until the mines shut down in 1991.

After a turn of events, he relocated to Thompsonville, Illinois, around the year 2000. He continued his long wall coal mining career at American Coal and Wildcat Hills, until he became a man of leisure at the age of 62.

Eddie enjoyed riding his Harley, rockin out with his big speaker on the porch, drinking beer, aggravating, eating breakfast with his father, Bob “Free Lunch” Woodring, at the local diner and spending quality time with his family.

He always had a smile on his face and laughter echoed through a room when he was around. He never met a stranger and would give, even if it was his last. He was a man of integrity, that was very caring and loved hard. He was most proud of his four children, Ike, Bambi, Katie and Nadine. To know him was to love him.

Maurice Edward “Eddie” Woodring was “The Man, The Myth and The Legend!!”

He is survived by his children, Ike, Tiffani, Bambi, Mikey, Katie, Nadine and Marshal; his grandchildren, Skylar, Witlie, Jermayn, Jocelynn, Jayzshia, James-Michael, Isaiah, Karsyn, Drake, Draven, Cash and Colt; his great-grandchildren, Kariiah, Miller Rae and Dejuan; his father, Robert Morris “Bob” Woodring and his wife, Tammy Woodring; his sisters, Regina Gardner and her husband, Ronnie and Susie Williams and her husband, Jason and his brothers, Len Woodring and Josh and Caleb Bundy.

Eddie is preceded in death by his mother, Brenda Joyce (Smith) Woodring; his sisters, Cindy Isaacs and Vickie Woodring and his brother, J.J. Woodring.

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

Visitation for Eddie will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, in Benton, IL.

A Celebration of Life will be held directly after the visitation on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

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