Brozella “Brodie” Odam, age 90, of Benton, IL passed away and went to be with her Lord and Savior, at 4:23 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Parkway Manor Nursing Home of Marion, Illinois.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Logan Church of God with Rev. Larry Odam and Rev. Rick Fowler officiating. Burial will be in the Plasters Grove Cemetery of Thompsonville. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, and from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour on Wednesday at the church.

Brozella was born on July 10, 1928 in West Frankfort, Illinois, the daughter of Kirby Irvin and Mary Magdelene (Perryman) Irvin. She was married to Fred Odam, and he preceded her in death in 1986.

She was a member of the Logan Church of God where she was an active member especially in the kitchen.

She enjoyed attending church, and visiting with friends and family, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Odam is survived by three children: Donna Baerg and husband Ron of Peoria, AZ, Fred Odam of Stonington, IL, Rev. Larry Odam and wife Glenna of Tulsa, OK; nine grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; two brothers: Troy Irvin of Key West, FL, and Ted Irvin and wife Carolyn of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers Donald Irvin and Sam Irvin; four sisters: Janice Kay Irvin, Betty Myers, Ellafair Gunnells and Almeda Tadlock.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan Church of God, or to Church of God World Missions; and will be accepted at the funeral home on Tuesday evening or at the church on Wednesday.

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

Charlotte Ann Pedigo, 85, formerly of Christopher, IL passed away on May 11, 2019.

She was born on April 20, 1934 in West Frankfort, IL to Ervie and Florence (Freeman) Beers. She married Kenneth Pedigo and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Jerry (Gail) Carpenter of Mulkeytown, Chrystle (Sean) Gowers of Christopher and Leigha Keltner of Benton; grandchildren Twila Ann Chooper, Jamie Dawn Carpenter, Devin Allen Galloway, Misty Lynn Carpenter, Jessica Nicole Melton, Bethany Ann Galloway, Sierra Rashawn Keltner, Natalie Nicole Keltner, Stormy George Keltner, Damion Markious Keltner; great grandchildren Ashlyn Taylor Spears, Drake Hunter Spears, Ezekiel Wiliam Key, Keilee Brooke Marie Key, and Kajin Ray Keltner and Alexea Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter Rox Ann Partin, three grandchildren Angela Christine Melton, Brooke Marie Bolen and Billy Ray Keltner.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday May 15, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort.

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

Janelle Rogers, 87, of Benton, IL passed away Friday evening May 10, 2019 at St. Louis University Hospital.

She was born in Jonesboro, IL on April 6, 1932, the daughter of Benjamin & Anna (Crowell) McRaven.
She married Robert E. Rogers on November 28, 1998 and he preceded her in death on November 12, 2016.

Mrs. Rogers finished her career as an office assistant for Roger Clark DVM. She liked to work in her flower garden andshe enjoyed crossword puzzles. She enjoyed spending time with her children & grandchildren. She enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley & Alan Jackson.
Mrs. Rogers is survived by her children, Deanna Marvel, and husband Mike, of Thompsonville, IL, Glenn Hiller, of Benton, IL and Greg Hunter, of West Frankfort, IL; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; as sister, Lora Williams, of Murphysboro, IL; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mrs. Rogers was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a son-David Hiller, a great-granddaughter, by three sisters and three brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 14th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in Murphysboro. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Alan Wyant, age 74, of Benton, passed away at 6:28 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the Kishwaukee Hospital of Dekalb, Illinois.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 13, 2019 at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, in Block CC, with Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Friends are asked to meet at the cemetery on Monday. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Gail Alan Wyant was born on October 21, 1944 in Benton, Illinois, the son of Uel “Punch” Wyant and Edna Mae (Callahan) Wyant.

He enjoyed gardening, walking, and visiting with friends and family.

Alan is survived by three brothers: Don Wyant of Benton, Gary Wyant and wife Billie of Benton, Lyn Woods and wife Sammi of Orlando, FL; two sisters: Janet Border and companion Joe Boldrey of Benton, Debbie Pinkston and husband Roy of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: David Bruce Wyant and Randy Wyant; and a sister Elsie Spain.

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

Raymond Lipe, 94, of Darien, IL, passed away on May 7, 2019.

Mr. Lipe was born on March 3, 1925 to George and Nolia Lipe.
He was preceded in death by his wife and the the love of his life, Vanetta; two sisters, Beulah (John) and Berniece (Tommy); his mother, Nolia and father, George. He is survived by three sons, Kenneth (Dorothy), Gary (Linda) and Gordon (Johanna), seven grandchildren, Sandra, Kenny, Kelly, Lisa, Angelique, Gordon and Sherry, 16 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

He served in the United States Army during World War II. He retired from Electro-motive, a division of General Motors. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.

Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington, Illinois on Saturday, May 11 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts and the National Guard Honor Squad.

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

Ardus Rosalee Shepard, age 99, of Thompsonville, passed away at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2019 in South Carolina.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 6, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in the Liberty Cemetery, east of Thompsonville. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to the funeral hour on Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Shepard was born on July 6, 1919 in Corinth, Illinois, the daughter of John Isaacs and Ethel (Welborn) Isaacs. She was married to Ernest E. Shepard, and he preceded her in death on July 21, 1984.

She worked as an L.P.N. at the Franklin Hospital in Benton where she retired in 1993 at the age of 74.

Mrs. Shepard was a member of the Liberty Methodist Church of Thompsonville. After it closed, she became a member of the Antioch Methodist Church of West Frankfort. Ardus was also a member of the Eastern Star.

She was a foster parent and she loved and was loved as a mother to all.

Mrs. Shepard is survived by a daughter Lynn Metzler of York, SC; two sons: Michael Burke Shepard and wife Jacklyn of Christopher, William F. Shepard and wife Tammy of Benton; nine grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; a brother George Isaacs of Phoenix, AZ; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter Rhonda Steed; two brothers: James and Johnny Isaacs; and a sister Naomi Craine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Cemetery of Thompsonville and will be accepted at the cemetery.

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