Deborah “Debi” Kay Hayes – Benton, IL

Deborah “Debi” Kay Hayes, 70, of Benton, passed away at 12:26 a.m., on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on August 31, 1950, to Stanley and Mary (Woods) Wyskiel at Miners Hospital in Christopher, IL.

She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed gardening, camping, sewing and watching birds.

Debi is survived by her two sons, Daniel Chip Hayes of Johnston City, IL and Larry (Stacy) Hayes of West Frankfort, IL; grandchildren, Zackry & Alisha Morgan and her special companion, Ralph Shelton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley Frank and Mary Imogene Wyskiel and her sister, Lisa Wyskiel.

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

Her wishes were for cremation to take place, so a memorial visitation will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Marsha Lee Laurent – Mulkeytown, IL

Marsha Lee Laurent, 82, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Friday April 16, 2021 at her home.

She was born on June 23, 1938 in Anna, IL to Earl and Ruby Ellen (Kerr) Hunt. She married Phillip Laurent on August 3, 2002 and he survives of Mulkeytown.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.

Private graveside services will be held at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

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

Julie Payne-Hubler – Benton, IL

Julie Payne-Hubler, 65, of Benton, passed away on April 17, 2021 at her residence.

She was born on December 3, 1955 to Earl D. and Mary (Racine) Payne in Ewing , IL. Julie was a retired Registered Nurse. She married Stanley C. Hubler and he survives.

Julie was a member of Illinois Nursing Association.

She is survived by her loving spouse of Stanley C. Hubler, and one sister, Cheryl Morton.

Julie was preceded in death by parents, Earl D. and Mary Payne, and her first husband, Harold “Jerry” Dale Chalacoff.

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

Burial will take place in the Phillips Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

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

Reathel M. Kerley – Benton, IL

Reathel M. Kerley, 70, of Benton, passed away at 2:10 a.m., on Friday, April 16, 2021, at the Mount Vernon Countryside Manor, in Mount Vernon, IL.

She was born on December 11, 1950, to Jewel and Alma (Dotson) Kerley in Christopher, IL. Reathel retired from Wayne Fitzgerald State Park at Rend Lake.

She loved her family, friends and life. She enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Reathel is survived by her special companion, Rod Bennett and her three brothers, David (Kathy) Black, Jim (Sharon) Kerley and Steve (Jane) Kerley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jewel and Alma Kerley.

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

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Pate Funeral Home in Benton.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pate Funeral Home in Benton.

Her wishes were to be cremated. Private burial will take place in the Jones Cemetery at a later date.

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

William Scott Duncan – Thompsonville, IL

William Scott Duncan, 63, of Thompsonville, passed away on April 12, 2021, at his residence.

He was born on September 22, 1957, to James and Margaret (Quillman) Duncan in Herrin, IL. On August 5, 1978, he married Rita Ayers and she survives.

Scott enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, riding his Harley, hunting and racing RC cars.

Mr. Duncan is survived by his loving spouse of 42 years, Rita Lynn Duncan; two sons, Travis Duncan of Thompsonville, IL and Taylor (Ashley Bragg) Duncan of Logan, IL; one granddaughter, Rylah Duncan of Logan, IL; two brothers, James D. (Donna) Duncan, Jr. of Benton, IL and Jon (Dora) Duncan of Benton, IL; and a sister, Crystal Foster of Herrin, IL.

He was preceded in death his parents, James D. and Margaret A. Duncan.

Cremation services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials contributions may be made to the donor’s choice.

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

Randall Wayne Mohr – West City, Illinois

Randall Wayne Mohr, age 64 of West City; passed away at 6:55 a.m. Saturday, April 3, 2021, at his home.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Gary West officiating. Burial will be in the Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Please be considerate of others, masks are required; and social distancing is to be observed. If you are sick, stay at home.

Randall was born on November 1, 1956 in Du Quoin, Illinois; the son of Elmer Theodore Mohr and Joann Ruth (Schafer) Mohr. He married the former Karla Jane Grizzell on October 21, 2001, and she survives.
Randall worked as a service technician with Terminix for the past 36 years.

He enjoyed the outdoors, yardwork, fishing, John Wayne Westerns, and he loved watching NASCAR. His favorite NASCAR drivers were the late Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Randall was of the Catholic faith.

Surviving is his wife Karla Mohr of West City, IL; children: Caron Sullens and husband Andy of Anna, IL, Michael Wilkerson of Benton, IL, Lori Gulley of Benton, IL, Tyler Knowles and Morgan Knowles both of West City, IL; grandchildren: Drake Lebrun of Benton, IL, Aries and Zander Sullens of Anna, IL, Jacob Wilkerson of Benton, IL, Corey Wilkerson of Florida; a brother Karl Mohr of Energy, IL; a sister Lisa Mohr of Du Quoin, IL; a niece Shelly Tullis and husband Patrick of Lexington, KY.

He is also survived by his three four-legged family members, Lucky, Bella, and Sophia.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a great-nephew Elliot Tullis.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.

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

Gary Keller – Benton, IL

Gary Keller, 60, of Benton, passed away on Sunday April 11, 2021 at his home.

He was born on September 20, 1960 in Kankakee, IL to George Keller and Pearl (Shaw) Keller. He married Rhonda (Bullington) Keller on July 20, 2000 and she survives of Benton.

He is also survived by his children Nichole Swan of Marion, Brandy Douthitt of Marion, Ashley Keller of Royalton, Lesley Kearney of Lockwood, MO, and Charity Rush of Benton; 13 grandchildren Donovan, Shauntaya, Ashlyn, Darrean, Levi, Mason, Sammy, Payne, Dylan, Jessica, Gage, Tyler and Renesmee; brothers and sisters Earelen Zeboski of Sesser, Sherry (Mike) Boling of DuQuoin, Randy Keller of Florida, Cynthia Keller of Benton, George Keller of Benton, Georgia Chrostoski of Benton, Steven Keller of South Carolina and Shay Doty of Benton and many step brothers and sisters.

He was preceded in death by his father George Keller, mother Pearl VanHoorebeke, one daughter Jennifer Kearney and one grandson David.

Gary was an avid outdoorsman and had a big heart, he loved to go hogging and also loved to collect coins and knifes.

Funeral services for Gary will be on Friday April 16, 2021 at 3:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Chuck Lawrence officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at 3:00 PM at the funeral home.

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

Sandra Kay Stevens – Du Quoin, Illinois

Sandra Kay Stevens, age 82, of Du Quoin, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, February 25, 2021 at the Du Quoin Nursing and Rehab Center.

Her wishes were to be cremated.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. John Ashby officiating. Family and friends are to meet at the cemetery.
Services are under the direction of the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Sandra Kay Stevens was born on July 3, 1938 in Benton, the daughter of James Blagg and Mabel (McDonald) Blagg. She was married to Charles Thomas “Tucker” Stevens, and he preceded her in death in 1995.
Kay formerly worked for twenty-three years as a teller with Du Quoin State Bank. Later she worked with the Gold Plate Program of Perry County.

Surviving are two nephews: Joseph Sullivan and Bryan Shirrell; two nieces: Rebecca Tyler and Sheila Scrivner; a brother-in-law Franklin Shirrell; several cousins, and her close friend Jo Ann Blevins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a sister Donna Jo Shirrell; and a sister-in-law Chloe Ann Sullivan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gold Plate Program of Perry County; or to the Perry County Humane Society; and will be accepted at the services on Tuesday.

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

Linda Cockrum – Sesser, IL

Linda Cockrum, 72, of Sesser, passed away on March 28, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona.

She was born on February 10, 1949 in Benton, IL to James Taylor and Myrl (Hayse) Taylor-Frye. She married Billy Cockrum on March 22, 1967 and he preceded her in death on April 26, 1996.

She is survived by her daughters Staci (Jimmy) Hood of Valier, Christy (Rodrigo) Sanchez of Vail, AZ and Wendy (John) Kirkpatrick of Madison, AL; eight grandchildren Jacob (Nikki Lepretre) Sanchez, Ashley Sanchez, Derek (Emily Cavinder) Hood, Courtney Hood, Kensi Kirkpatrick, Kade Kirkpatrick and Kylie Kirkpatrick; one great grandson Jayce Sanchez and one brother Darrel Bigham of Sesser.

She was preceded parents, husband and one brother James “Butch” Taylor.

Graveside services will be on May 8, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser 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

Marilyn J. Stacey – Sesser, IL

Marilyn J. Stacey, 86, of Sesser, passed away on Tuesday April 6, 2021 at the Franklin Hospital.

She was born on May 16, 1934 in Sesser, IL to Matt and Edna (Lucas) Harle. She married Bill John Stacey on January 17, 1952 and he preceded her in death on July 11, 2005.

She is survived by her children Karen Redding of Sesser and John (Teresa) Stacey of Sesser; grandchildren Jeff (Melissa) Wingo, Jon (Trisha) Wingo, Michael (Maria) Redding, Matt Redding, Alecia Stacey and Maggie Stacey; great grandchildren Dala, Breana, Kali, Kassi, Kelsi, Allison, Alec, Reese, Abagail, Naomi and Emmy Jean and several great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter Kathy Hopson and one great grandson David Wingo.

She was the City Clerk and Deputy City Clerk for the City of Sesser for many decades.

Funeral services for Marilyn will be on Friday April 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News