Ricaldo “Rick” Androvandi, 76, of Sesser passed away on Sunday June 10, 2018 at the VA Community Living Center in Marion, IL.

He was born on August 3, 1941 in Glen Rogers, WV to Albert and Ceda (Attilli) Androvandi.  He married Brinda (Bennett) Androvandi on April 5, 1991 and she survives of Sesser.

Other survivors include his children Joe Androvandi of Las Vegas, NV, Shelby Androvandi of Las Vegas, NV, Tom Hancock of Barnhart, MO, Joe Hancock of Fenton, MO and MaLynda Hancock of Valier; one brother Nick (Barb) Androvandi of Valier; and one sister Marie Agoot of Hawaii; also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was a Marine serving during the Vietnam War.  He had worked for Webster Vending Company for several years. Rick and his wife Brinda have owned and operated Tropical Sno in Sesser since 1996.  He was a member of the Resurrection Baptist Church in Benton.

Funeral services will be on Thursday June 14, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Paul Keller officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser VFW and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Stella A. Starkie, 89, of Benton passed away Friday, June 1, 2018 at the Herrin Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 6 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton.

Burial will be in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, IL.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

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

Virginia Harris, 88, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the Helia HealthCare in Benton.
She was born in Benton, IL on January 5, 1930, the daughter of Ed & Sara (Sadler) Gibbs.
She was married to Darrell Harris, he preceded her in death in 1979.
Mrs. Harris is survived by her grandson, Jamey Tennyson, of Carrollton, TX; great-grandchildren Jonathan Tennyson and Autumn Boyd; daughter-in-law Sandy Tennyson, of Sesser.

Mrs. Harris was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by two sons, Roger and Wilbur Tennyson, and by four brothers and five sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Ron Reynolds officiating. Burial will be in the Franklin Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

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

Elmer Ray Loucks, 57, of Mulkeytown, IL passed away on June 1, 2018 at Barnes Hospital, in St. Louis.

He was born on March 25, 1961 in Benton, IL to James and Mona (Ingersoll) Loucks.  He is survived by his children Natalie (Trevor) Joiner of Valier, Nathan (Roxie) Loucks of Mulkeytown, Bobbie Benedict of Herrin, Danny (Miranda) Nutt of Sesser, and James (Joyce) Nutt of Willow, AR; 11 grandchildren; one great grandchild; one sister Rita Gonzalez of Kaufman, TX; two brothers Randy (Terri) Loucks of Sesser and Jerry Loucks of Sesser; he is also survived by several nieces, nephews and many other children that he cared for through the years. 

He was a Member of the Teamsters Union.  His wishes were to be cremated.  A memorial service will be held at a later date. Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is handling arrangements.

Ethel Anne Woods, 77, of Benton, IL passed away in the family home, Thursday afternoon, May 31, 2018 with her daughters at her bedside.

She was born in St. Louis, MO on May 16, 1941 the daughter of Oliver T. & Helen Anna Casey.

Mrs. Woods was an excellent seamstress and a fantastic cook. Her family was very proud of her talents. She was involved in Girl Scouts, PTA, and Pyramid Players.

Ethel married Gordon A. Woods on June 2, 1958 in Corinth, MS, and he preceded her in death on Dec. 2, 2011. She will be buried on their 60th wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Woods is survived by her four beloved daughters, Crystal Slover, and husband Tracy, of Wayne City, IL, Shelia Jones, and husband Jerry, of Dallas, TX, Carol Fleming, of Benton, IL and Amber Doty, and husband David, of Mt. Vernon, IN; seven grandchildren, Brittnie (Ainslie) Wells and her children Keegan and Hudson, Matthew Woods, and his children Hendrix and Nyomi, Casey Ainslie, Rybka Sargent, Anthony Doty, Megan (Slover) Beaver, and husband Mason and Caleb Doty; sisters Helen Sue Evans, Lucille Bierbaum and Betty Bennett.

Mrs. Woods was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

She will be missed by her faithful companion Duchess Pearle who stayed by her side.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 2nd at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. There will be no visitation. Those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association or to the Franklin County Animal Shelter.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Lynch, 75, of Ewing passed away Friday morning, June 1, 2018 at The Franklin Hospital in Benton.

She was born in Chicago Heights, IL on March 4, 1943, the daughter of Gale & Hazel (Parrish) Sneed.

She married Ronald Lynch on Aughst 16, 1962, and he preceded her in death on February 11, 2018.

Mrs. Lynch was a member of the Whittington Baptist Church.

Mrs. Lynch is survived by two sons, Dan Lynch, and wife Susan, of Benton and Craig Lynch, and wife Shari, of Mulkeytown; grandchildren Brooke Lynch Cecil, Dustin Lynch, and wife Tori and Kassie Lynch; sisters Janet Wilson, and husband Bill, of Benton and Judy Smith, and husband Tom, of Benton; brothers-in-law, Ronald Newcomb, of Ewing, James Lynch, and wife Barbara, of Benton, Alfred Lynch, and wife Annette, of Benton, Michael Lynch, and wife Debbie, of Mulkeytown. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren and step great-great grandchildren.

Mrs. Lynch was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a sister, Evelyn Newcomb and by an infant brother, Milford Lee, and by a brother-in-law, Bob Payne.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at Morton  Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

For more information or to leave online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Loren Ray Toms, age 43, of West City, IL went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, May 28, 2018.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2018 in the Leffler Funeral Home with Rev. Sammy Simmons officiating. Burial will be in the Logan Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday evening, and from 10 a.m. to the funeral hour on Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Loren was born on September 3, 1974 in West Frankfort, Illinois, the son of James Kenneth Toms, Jr. and Connie Sue (Roach) Toms.

He was a former Tow Truck Driver with Abbott’s Towing of West City; and he was a former body man with Marshall’s Body Shop of Benton.

Loren loved his Lord and Savior, and was a member of the Logan Baptist Church.

He enjoyed going to drag races and street machine nationals, watching St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, participating each year in fantasy baseball, fishing with his dad, singing, and most of all he loved his son Cameron and getting to spend time with him.

Loren is survived by his son Cameron Michael Toms of McLeansboro; his mother Connie Sue Ruffino and husband Ed of Benton; his father James Kenneth Toms, Jr. and wife Jane of Logan; his paternal grandmother Lula Mae Toms of Benton; a brother Jim Toms and wife Gina of West Frankfort; a niece Allison Toms of West Frankfort; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather; and maternal grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Responders including Abbott’s Ambulance, Benton Fire Department, West City and Benton Police Departments, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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