Jessie Merkel, 77, of Tamaroa passed away on November 24, 2018. 

He was born on November 27, 1940 in Perry County, IL to Sam and Lenoir (Murry) Merkel.  He married Joyce Ann (Miller) Merkel on June 18, 1960 and she preceded him in death on February 25, 2010. He married Kay Davis on March 30, 2011 and she survives of DuQuoin, IL.

He is also survived by his children Stacy Merkel of Tamaroa and Kevin Merkel of Tamaroa; grandchildren Calley Cobb, Jonathon Merkel, and Dillion Merkel; great grandchildren Joselyn Merkel and Jordin Cobb; one sister Virginia Gostowski of Benton; and one brother Delmar Merkel of Washington, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and five brothers Alan Merkel, Ogle Merkel, Freddie Merkel, John Merkel, and Henry Merkel.

Funeral services will be on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Rev. Ray Baggott officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at Paradise Prairie Cemetery in Tamaroa.

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

Doris M. Choisser, 91, of Benton passed away Friday morning, November 23, 2018 in Benton.

She was born in Benton, IL on February 3, 1927, the daughter of Frank Edward & Gladys Marie (Williams) Seibert.

She married Harry Myron “Sparky” Choisser on October 13, 1945 in Marion, IL, and he preceded her in death on January 16, 2009.

Mrs. Choisser was a member of the North Benton Baptist Church. She first placed her faith in Jesus Christ in March of 1955 when she asked Him to forgive her of her sins and to come into her life. Because of the Lord’s promises of salvation she has now been reunited with loved ones in eternity and has finally met Jesus face-to-face.

Mrs. Choisser is survived by her  children, Randy Choisser and wife Alice of Ewing, Scott Choisser  and wife Brenda of Ewing and Phillip Choisser and wife Michelle of Logan, Alabama; grandchildren, Barry Choisser and wife Denise, Bryan Choisser and wife Jennifer, Nicci Haney and husband Eric, T.J. Choisser, Seth Choisser, Nathan Choisser and wife Cristan, Kelsey Denny and husband Daniel, and Alyssa Choisser;  great-grandchildren, Kayla Hermann and husband Kurt, Elijah Haney, Abigail and Amelia and Alaina Choisser, Hayley Griffen, Carson Choisser, Tallie Choisser, Andrew, Harrison and Emberlee Choisser, and Trace Choisser; brother, Ralph Seibert of Benton, sister Shirley Tennison and husband William of Benton, and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Jones of Benton.

Mrs. Choisser was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband, by a sister, Winifred Tennison, a brother William Eugene Seibert, brother-in-law Robert Jones, and sister-in-laws Betty Storey and Louise Seibert.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 27th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Josh Crisp officiating. Private graveside services will follow. Visitation will be from 4 p.m.. to 7 p.m. Monday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carmi Children’s Home and will be accepted at the funeral home or memorials may be made at http://www.bchfs.com/ways-to-give/

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Charlette Risley, 86, of Sesser passed away on Tuesday November 20, 2018.

She was born on September 14, 1932 in Sligo, MO to Wilmer and Marie (Broyles) Smith.  She married Norman Risley on December 16, 1950 and he preceded her in death on January 24, 1990.

She is survived by her children Ida Fay (Bill) Harriss of DuQuoin and Norman Dwayne Risley of Sesser; two grandchildren Angela (Adrian) Rigsbee of Durham, NC and Chris Harriss of Belleville; one great granddaughter Ava London Harriss; one sister Lavern Talbert of Rushville, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister Hazel Saladine.

She was a homemaker.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday November 21, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Mark Miller officiating.  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 Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Mr. Jackie “Jack” Dean Smothers, age 85, of Logan, passed away at 9:44 p.m. Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the Mt. Vernon Healthcare Center.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, November 19, 2018 at the Logan Church of God, with Rev. Mike Mayberry officiating, and Rev. Rick Fowler assisting. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Logan Church of God Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Monday at the Logan Church of God.

The Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, is in charge of the arrangements.

Jack was born on May 24, 1933 in Logan, IL, the son of Miles Smothers and Bertha (Moore) Smothers. He married the former Thelma Ruby Eads on October 22, 1953, and she survives.

Mr. Smothers proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.

He was a member of the Logan Church of God, where he formerly served as a Sunday School Teacher, and served on the Pastor’s Council.

His working career consisted being a truck driver with Star Trucking, a coal miner, a former jailer at the Franklin County Jail, and as a bus driver. He was also a member of the Teamsters Union.

He enjoyed gardening, carpentry, camping, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years Thelma Smothers of Logan; his three children: Loretta Rice and husband Steve of Logan, Jack D. Smothers of Logan, and Lisa Morse and husband Zandle and his son Tyler of Buncombe, IL; five grandchildren: Melissa (Coons) Boukezzoula and husband Naoufel, James Eston Pense, Paula (Coons) Arpasi and husband Thomas, Daniel Rice, Chloe Morse; three great-grandchildren: Mia Arpasi, Kaven and Aubrie Pense; a brother Delmas Smothers of Greenfield, IN; a sister Anna Mae Wilson of Logan; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Smothers was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Connie Coons; five sisters: Alma McCormick, Lola McCormick, Mary “Mag” Leneve, Lillian Willett, and Vivian Smothers; four brothers: Larry Smothers, Joe Smothers, Everett Smothers, and Artie Gene Smothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan Church of God.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mr. Jack Dean Smothers, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Donnie Bennett, 75, of Sesser passed away on November 12, 2018.

He was born on December 8, 1942 in Benton, IL to Wathie and Loney (Mocaby) Bennett.  He married Diane (Erwin) Bennett on October 29, 1963 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children Donna (Mark) Mays of Sesser, Sherry Arro of Sesser, Cathy (David) Marlo of Sesser and Steve Bennett of Herrin; nine grandchildren Elijah Mays, Caleb Mays, Silas Mays, Emery Arro, Riley Arro, Joseph Marlo, Rachel Marlo, Nicholas Marlo, and Paolina Marlo; three sisters Sharon Reichert of Herrin, Yvonne Drew of Tamms, and Myrl Conner of Sesser; one brother Dale Bennett of Ringold, GA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Bernice Skurat and Mildred Wisnewski, and two brothers James “Cotton” Bennett and Wathie “Preach” Bennett.

He was a coal miner and a member of the UMWA and also had worked for the City of Sesser.  He was also a member of the Sesser Church of God and had served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.

Funeral services will be on Friday November 16, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Tim Melvin officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Anna.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

For more information got to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com