Wallace Eugene (Gene) Miller went to meet his heavenly father at 8:35 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2020 at Deaconess Mid-town Hospital in Evansville, IN, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on June 9, 1944 in Christopher, IL as the son of Lyle and Denzil Miller of Sesser. He married the love of his life, Patricia (Svanda) Miller in holy matrimony on June 19, 1976.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Charles Dean Miller. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years and two sons, Troy (Amanda) Miller of Benton and Tim Miller, of Marion, IL. He is also survived by one brother, Mark Miller of Sesser, IL. He leaves behind 3 grandchildren: Matthew and Isabella Miller and Emalee Miller and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gene attended and graduated from Sesser High School in 1962. He attended Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, IL where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1966. He began a long teaching career of 35 years in Benton, where he taught 5th grade starting at Washington Grade School and then the Benton Middle School until his retirement in 2001. He will be fondly remembered by all of his former students and the lasting impact he had on their lives during his teaching career. He was always there for his students, no matter if it was in the lunchroom or classroom or even keeping the scoreboard at junior high basketball games.

During the summer breaks from school, starting in 1982, he worked at the Benton Community Park. You could always see him mowing grass and lining the ball fields. He enjoyed working in the park and in the community until his retirement in 2016.

He was an active, lifelong member of the Rend City Baptist Church, ringing the church bell without fail. He served as a church deacon. He also served as custodian of the church for the last 38 years. He was a member of the Sesser-Goode Masonic Lodge #744 and a member of the Ainad Shriners.

He lived his life as a humble disciple of Christ and was a shining example of genuine self-less love. He treated others with patience, kindness and goodwill in accordance to the example of Jesus. He was always ready at a moment’s notice to help his family or anyone in need, without a second thought. He supported his family and grandchildren, cheering with pride on the sidelines during many basketball, softball/baseball and football games, as well as music concerts and many other activities. He believed in giving back to the community and to always see the good in everyone. He leaves behind a legacy of everlasting love and fierce devotion.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020 at 1 p.m. at Rend City Baptist Church with the Rev. John West officiating and with Masonic rites. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Rend City Baptist Church is located at 11264 Rend Road, Benton, IL. Interment will follow at Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Memorial contributions may be made out to the Rend City Baptist Church. Face masks are suggested and social distancing will be encouraged.

Larry Gene Jones, 77, of Zeigler, passed away on Saturday November 28, 2020 at his home.

He was born on July 18, 1943 in Mulkeytown, IL to Herbert Gene and Elnora (Kunkel) Jones. He married Vicky (Poole) Jones on December 31, 2004 and she survives of Zeigler.

He is also survived by his son Mike (Shirley) Jones of Zeigler; Step-daughter Friar Poole of Elkville, IL; one granddaughter; three grandsons; three step granddaughters; three step grandsons; five great grandsons; one future great granddaughter; favorite sister Rita (Dwight) Hitt, of Mulkeytown, and favorite sister Gayla (John David) Prather, of Mulkeytown, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Marsha Benson, one son-in-law Tim Benson, step-son Justin Sparks, and two brothers-in-law Clifford Kent Batson and Evan Sink.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday December 2, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Denny Bush officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilbert Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

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

Max Ray Crain of Sesser, IL went to be with his Lord and Savior November 24, 2020.

He was born in Waltonville on October 24, 1933. His parents were Orville “Pete” and Alreva (Laur)Crain. He was married to Pauline Long on June 6, 1952. She preceded him in death. Together they had two children, Meindy (Glenn) Hamilton, Terry (Brad)Kirk all of Sesser. He married Donna Simpson on February 14, 1994. She has two children Shannon (Mike)Avery of Opdyke and Gary Vancil of Oklahoma. He had 5 grandchildren and 3 step-gandchildren, Lacy (Bryan) Woosley, Doug (Keri) Hamilton, Afton (Chad Szczeblewski), Dusty (Shea) Hamilton, Jordan(Brittany) Kirk, Amelia Avery, Joshua Avery and Tristen Vancil. He had 6 great-grandchildren Gabe and Carson Woolsey, Ryder Szczeblewski, Brantley, Harper and Kenzi Hamilton. He also leaves behind his two sisters, Maxine Rowley of Sesser and Mary Ann Evilsizer of Baytown, Texas, 3 nieces (Janet, Judy, Melody and 3 nephews (Steven, Bruce, Carl). Preceding him in death were his two brothers-in-law, Howard Rowley, Brad Evilsizer and nephew, Brian Evilsizer.

He was a hard working man. He retired after 35 years from the Illinois Department of Conservation. He was a farmer and a proud breeder of Red Poll cattle. He showed cattle in 13 different states, winning many awards. He was instrumental in the formation of Sesser Community Unit School and later the Sesser-Valier School District and served as one of its original board members. He was honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017. He,also, was at the forefront in establishing the Sesser Fire Protection District and served as one of its original board members. He was a member of the Sesser Masonic Lodge and served as its Worshipful Master. Many people will remember him as the man that drove their school bus.

His church life was important to him. He attended Sunfield United Methodist Church. He served the church in many capacities. His family we miss his prayers before Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

A memorial service will be held on December 1 at 11:00 in the parking lot of Eternal Friends in Christ, route 154 east of Sesser. Because of the threat of Covid, everyone is asked to remain in their cars and turn their car radio to 90.1 FM. His pastor, Bill Wiggs will officiate. Interment will follow at Union Primitive Baptist Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Union Primitive Baptist Cemetery, Sunfield United Methodist Church or SSM Health at Home Hospice of Illinois.

Claude Edward “Junior” Bryan, age 86, of Benton, passed away at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2020 at the Ascension St. Vincent Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

Private Family Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; with Pastor Phillip Kennedy officiating. Burial with Military Honors provided by the Benton American Legion Post #2671 and V.F.W. Post #5764 and the Marion Army National Guard will be near 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.

Due to Illinois COVID-19 Mitigation Phase 3 allows for 10 people to be present at the services, masks are required and please observe social distancing. If you are sick, please stay at home.
Claude was born on February 11, 1934 in St. Clair County, Illinois; the son of Claude Aaron Bryan and Josephine (Figi) Bryan. He married the former Nancy Ellen Handley on June 27, 1964; and she preceded him in death on February 13, 2013.
Claude was the former owner and operator of Claude’s Truck and Trailer Service for over 30 plus years in Southside Chicago.
He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army.

Junior enjoyed hunting, working on equipment and vehicles. He enjoyed raising pigeons, rabbits, peacocks, ducks, turkeys, guineas, pheasants, qual, chickens and chukkar.

He moved the family to the Benton area in 1973 owning a 300 acre farm raising cattle and later switching to a large hog operation. He would later have a clover hay operation and many farmers in the Chicago area would come buy hay from him.
He loved spending time with his family; and each year he would have a hog roast on Memorial Day weekend and a fish fry on Labor Day weekend for all of his family.

Surviving are his three children: Claude E. Bryan, Jr. and wife Dr. Michelle Jenkins of Benton, Lynette Leffler of Benton, and Craig Bryan of Benton; four grandchildren: Tyler Leffler, Craig Bryan, Jr., Lauren Gunter and husband Jordan of O’ Fallon, MO, Brittany Bryan of Benton; siblings: Grace Wolf, Josephine Ballard, Carrol Stahlman, Suzy Magyar and husband Julius, Aaron Bryan and wife Ruby, Victor Bryan and wife Norma; a brother-in-law Eddie Poole; a sister-in-law Linda Hunt and husband Jim; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; sisters Ellen Woodward, Evelyn Steffan and husband Rudy, Erma Bruno and husband Charlie, Florence Poole; a brother: Charles Bryan and wife Margaret; brother-in-laws: Oscar Wolf, Don Ballard, and John Stahlman.

In Lieu of Flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Noble Eugene Risley, 78, of Sesser, passed away on November 21, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on November 8, 1942 in Sesser, IL to Noble Loren and Marjorie (West) Risley. He married Priscilla (Beatty) Risley in 1963 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his three sons Greg (Gina) Risley of Zeigler, Robert (Beth) Risley of Centralia and Brian (Alyson) Risley of Benton; five grandchildren Megan, Mallory, Brianna, Dalton and Austin; two great grandchildren Kenzie and Landon; three sisters Sharon (Rick) Benedict of Sesser, Sheila Dewar of Cave-in-Rock, IL and Susan Zettler of Sesser; one brother Jerry (Jewell) Risley of Sesser and two sister-in-laws Sandy Risley of Valier and Mary Ann Risley of West Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Larry Risley and Terry Risley and one brother-in-law Bill Zettler.

Noble was a coal miner and member of the UMWA.

Private graveside services will be held at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.

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

John “Cotton” Hargis, 84, of Buckner, passed away on Wednesday November 18, 2020 at Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab in Benton.

He was born on December 16, 1935 in Buckner to Stanley and Thelma (Daniels) Hargis.

He is survived by his children John (Amy) Hargis of Sesser, Victor (Emily) Hargis of Christopher, Felicia Hargis of Charleston, SC and Kyle Hargis of Benton; two grandchildren Tensley Hargis and Skyler Hargis and one sister Fayette Trosclair of Buckner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son David Hargis and two sisters Lois Kelly and Geraldine Gayton.

He was the owner of the Cotton Club for many years.

Graveside services will be held on Monday November 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM 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