Linda Mae Spain, age 68, of Benton; passed away at 9:51 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at her home with her loving husband by her side.

Linda’s wishes were to be cremated. A small private ceremony of immediate family and friends was held on December 31, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

She was born on October 6, 1953, in Flagstaff, AZ, the daughter of Wartha Eldridge Branch and Lenora (Fisher) Branch. She married Bryan Douglas Spain on November 10, 1989, and together they shared 32 years of marriage.

She was a former housekeeper, having worked with Super 8 Motel and Severin Intermediate Care Nursing Home, which later became Stonebridge Nursing Home. Prior to moving to Benton, she worked as an armed security guard for the city of Jacksonville, FL, where she oversaw protecting the mayor’s wife.

Linda was of the Baptist faith. She enjoyed reading plant gardening and loved animals.

Linda is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Bryan Douglas Spain of Benton; two children: Danny Delk, Jr and Linda Gail Delk, both of Jacksonville, FL area; a brother Robert Branch and wife Cathy of Gainesville, FL; and SPECIAL NIECES Alisha Spain and Kassey Spain, both of Delevan, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother George Branch.

Memorial contributions In Memory of Linda Spain, may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton

Gracie A. Shreve, 24, of Benton, passed away at 6:20 p.m., on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

She was born on July 18, 1997, to Alan and Stacey (Key) Akin in Carbondale, IL. On June 24, 2019, Gracie married Troy W. Shreve.

Gracie was a loving wife, daughter, and friend to many. She enjoyed spending time with her family as much as possible, making crafts, and taking photographs. Gracie adored her pet Chihuahua named Boss.
She is survived by her loving spouse of 2 years, Troy W. Shreve; two sisters, Brittany Akin and Mia Akin; three brothers, Frank Akin, Gary Akin and Aiden Akin; paternal grandfather, Gary L. Akin; five aunts, Viola (Stewart) Edwards, Olga Easley, Patsy Larson, Ida (Matthew) Tiberend and Danielle Oellermann; one uncle, Jason Akin; mother-in-law, Cindy (Josh) Bundy; father-in-law, Barry Shreve; and many cousins and friends.

Gracie was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Barbara Ann Akin; maternal grandmother, Minnie Key; and maternal grandfather, Frank Key.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

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

Thomas Tyler McGuire, 46, of Benton, IL passed away at 5:08 p.m., on Friday, December 24, 2021, in Pinckneyville, IL.

He was born on March 14, 1975, to Michael “Mike” and Vicki (Crisp) McGuire in Benton, IL.
Tyler enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved football, coaching it and watching it. Tyler also enjoyed training hunting and dogs.

He is survived by his son, Parker McGuire and daughter, Taylor McGuire; his parents, Michael “Mike” and Vicki McGuire of Benton; his brother, Michael (Suzanne) McGuire of Benton; three nieces, Madison (Grante) Hungate, Landyn McGuire and Haighdyn McGuire; a great-niece, Paislynn Hungate; former wife and mother to his two children, Nicole McGuire and mother-in-law, Andrea Christian; and many other dear family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street., Benton, IL.

Services for Tyler were privately held. Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Timothy John Shaputis, age 45, of Ewing, passed away at 6:53 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Tim’s wishes were to be cremated.

Celebration of Life Services will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 3, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton.

Burial for family and close friends will take place at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2022, in the Hope Cemetery of Ina.

Timothy John Shaputis was born on August 2, 1976, in Kankakee, IL, the son of Gary Shaputis and Brenda (Daley) Shaputis. He married the love of his life Martha Jane Jefferies on August 16, 2000, and together they were happily married for 21 years.
Tim and Martha owned and operated an excavation and lawn care business.

He enjoyed hunting deer, ducks and geese, coyotes, turkeys, and every year he hunted for antler sheds. Most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his three granddaughters.

Surviving is the love of his life, Martha Jane Shaputis of Ewing; three children: Justin Shaputis of Ewing, Brenden Shaputis (Kaitlin) of Ina, Maddison Shaputis of Ewing; his three granddaughters: Willa Shaputis, Oaklynn Shaputis, and Eleanore Shaputis; his father Gary Shaputis of Ewing; his mother Brenda Shaputis of Ina; a brother Todd Shaputis of Ewing; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kendra and Curt Hall of Ewing; two nieces Bailee Jefferies of Benton, Kailee Meeker of Ewing; a nephew Caden Shaputis of Ewing.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents; and a brother Terry Shaputis.

Memorial contributions in memory of Timothy John Shaputis, may be made to the family, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Tim, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Byron Gale “Barney” Beard, 88, of Benton went home to be with his Savior on Monday, December 27, 2021.

He was born on September 11, 1933, in Whittington, IL the son of Gale G. and Leota (Johnston) Beard.

He married Shirley Ann (Adams) Beard on June 13, 1952, and she survives.

In addition to his wife Shirley, Barney is survived by his daughter, Kathy and husband Rob Hutchens of Ewing, two grandchildren, Wade Martin Hutchens and Cole Robert Hutchens, and his sister, Debby and husband Mark Stirneman of Benton, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter Tammy Beard.

Barney served in the U.S. Army during Korea, stationed in Germany. He worked as a coal miner for Freeman Coal, Orient #3, served as president of the Local Union, was a member of the State of Illinois Miner’s Examining Board, and then ran a successful auction service until his retirement. Barney also enjoyed owning and training thoroughbred horses. Barney accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in the 1950’s, and attended the Ina Free Will Baptist Church in Ina.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, December 31, 2021 at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina with Bro. Brad Ryan officiating. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to the Ina Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

Mary Helen Sims of Christopher, passed away on December 19, 2021, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mary was 50 years old.

She was born on December 16, 1971 to Carl Eugene and Cynthia Jean (Norris) of Mulkeytown, Illinois. She is survived by her wife and partner of 10 years, Michelle (Leeper) Sims of Christopher.

Mary was a bright light in the Sims family, always caring and doing for everyone with a smile on her face and a kind heart. She and Michelle worked tirelessly the past several years caring for her ailing family, as a result both Mom and Dad were able to pass peacefully at home.

She is also survived by her three brothers Glenn (Susan) Sims of St. Louis, Mo; John (Laurel) Sims of Waltonville, IL; Arlie (Robert Kokott) Sims of Chicago, IL; one sister Carla Davis Sims of Christopher, IL; step children Savannah Watts and Cory Striztel as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Thomas N Sims.

Mary’s friends and family who know her will not be surprised that she gave selflessly in death, by being an organ donor. Her wishes were to be cremated. There will be a memorial service celebrating Mary’s life at a later date.

Ione Yvonne Beaty, 91, of Ewing, IL passed away Saturday morning, Dec. 25, 2021 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.

She was born in Benton, IL on May 10, 1930, the daughter of William & Flossie (Rice) Mundell.
She married Howard Beaty on June 19, 1948, and he preceded her in death on May 14, 1996.
Mrs. Beaty was a devoted Mother and Grandmother. She loved to draw and do puzzles. Mrs. Beaty was loved by all.

She is survived by her:

3 Daughters: Linda Howard and husband Larry of Mt. Vernon
Delenise Sneed and husband Dennis of Ewing
Debra Burzynski and husband Russell of Paducah, KY

Daughter-in-law: Cheri Beaty of Benton
Grandchildren:
Benjamin Howard of Murphysboro
Samuel Howard and wife Windy of Mt. Vernon
Christopher Howard and wife Megan of Murphysboro
Tracy Norris and husband Brian of Benton
Wesley Beaty and wife Jessica of Christopher
Nathan Beaty and wife Katrina of Ewing
Jennifer Abbott and Dan Estep of Benton
Jamie Mosley and husband Cary of Fenton, MO
Aaron Burzynski and wife Meagan of Nashville, TN
Joshua Burzynski and wife Lauren of Paducah, KY
David Burzynski and wife Jennifer of Cape Girardeau, MO
20 GreatGrandchildren
1 GreatGreatGrandson
3 Nephews:
Charles Neal and wife Barb
David Martin
Greg Martin
1 Niece: Brenda Neal
Mrs. Beaty was preceded in death by her Parents, by her Husband, by a Son-Larry Beaty, by a Grandson-Adam Beaty and by a Sister-Betty Hatten.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Louis “Tick” Zumberac, 83, of Sesser, passed away on Thursday December 23, 2021 at Fairview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in DuQuoin.

He was born on July 5, 1938 in Sesser to Luka and Germaine (Modava) Zumberac. He married Shirley (Winemiller) Zumberac on October 25, 1938.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Zumberac of Sesser and one brother-in-law Jack Winemiller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two Sisters Ribella Palada and Mone Pratili and two Brothers Lino Cassenalli and Gino Cassenalli.

Graveside service will be held on Wednesday December 29, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook.

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

Dorothy Fay Fitch, age 86, of Thompsonville; passed away at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at her home surrounded by family, to her Heavenly reward with her Savior Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 23, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Ken Petty officiating. Burial will follow in the East Fork Cemetery of West Frankfort. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Dorothy was born on February 7, 1935, in West Frankfort, IL; the daughter of Cecil Arview and Eva (Jordan) Arview. She married Rev. Kenneth Fitch on December 17, 1949, together they shared 63 years of marriage until his passing on April 22, 2012.

Mrs. Fitch was a member of the First Baptist Church of Thompsonville. She was a pastor’s wife and a loving mother to her six children.

Dorothy enjoyed sewing and cake decorating. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving are six children: Marlene Dale and husband Jerry of Logan, IL, Rita Graskewicz and husband John of Thompsonville, IL, Marilyn McClure and husband John of Jeffersonville, IN, Barry Fitch and wife Phyllis of Thompsonville, IL, Dennis “Cord” Fitch and wife Stacey of Thompsonville, IL, Mark Fitch and wife Tonya of Thompsonville, IL; fourteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; six brothers: Ted Arview and wife Shirley, Bud Arview and wife Shirley, Joe Arview and wife Ruby, Rob Arview and wife Yvetta, John Arview and wife Rosemary, Elva “Toot”Arview and wife Mary; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; a brother Cecil Arview; and a granddaughter Jennifer Riley.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dorothy Fitch, to Residential Hospice, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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