Oakley Renee Bowlin (Nay nay) was born March 12, 2015 in Carbondale Memorial Hospital at 5:12 AM to Salena Bowlin of Elkville.

Oakley went to be with the Lord Friday May 5, 2017.

To our angel Oakley, from the moment you came into this world, so bright eyed, you captured the hearts of everyone whose path you crossed. Your laughter brought joy to our hearts, your personality was bigger than life! Oakley loved Mickey Mouse, Moana and her pets Bella, Alaska, Yadi, and Petey.  She loved music and dancing. Anytime she had the chance she would always tell us its ok! She was her mommy’s life, her Mimi Cindy’s and Papa Chris’ princess and her Pawpaw Lyle’s bestest Buddy.  She even had a way to get her uncle Branden to bust a move, her Godmother and Aunt Sadie and Oakley shared a love of make-up, her uncle Seth and Oakley shared the love of music as she was constantly running off with his headphones.  She truly made our family whole, again Fly High Sweet Baby…Fly High!

Oakley is survived by her mother Salena Bowlin, her grandparents Cindy Bowlin and Chris Stover, great Pawpaw Lyle Bowlin, uncle Branden Lewis and Godmother and aunt Sadie Lewis, uncle Seth Bowlin, great uncle and great aunt Richard and Melinda Bowlin, special cousins Wade, Jacob, and Maycee Bowlin all of Elkville, great great grandfather James Lucas of St. Louis, aunt Felicia Trott and family of Georgia, uncle Taylor Stover and family from Kansas, great grandmother Nelda Brooks, aunts and uncles from Alabama and Georgia, and her great grandparents of Murphysboro.

She was preceded in death by her great grandmother Mandy Bowlin and great great grandmother Mary Lucas.

Oakley as you enter through the gates of heaven hold Maw Maw Mandy’s hand and she will hold you close and protect you.

We love and miss you forever and always Oakster!

The family wants to give special thanks to Shawn, Dawn, and Morgan Cashion and everyone else for all your hard work and kindness.

Funeral services for Oakley will be on Wednesday May 10, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Scott Slone officiating.  Visitation will be on Tuesday May 9, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 8:0 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Arthritis Foundation in honor of Cally Flora and the fight against Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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

Patricia Jane Withrow 85, passed away on Friday May 5, 2017 at Shawnee Christian Nursing Home in Herrin.

She was born on October 4, 1931 in Johnston City, IL to Lester and Bell (Cooper) Derrington.  She married William “Bill” Howard Withrow and he preceded her death on November 26, 2000.

She is survived by her children William E. Withrow of Benton and Patricia Ann Conaughty of West Frankfort; grandchildren Robert Ellis Withrow, William Howard Withrow, Jason Martin Conaughty, Nicholas Lane Conaughty, and Martin Joseph Conaughty; great grandchildren Gavin Withrow, Destiny Withrow, Marina Theresa Conaughty, Gavin Martin Conaughty, Lauren Francis Conaughty, Hadley Rose Conaughty, Preston James Baize, Cameron Lane Conaughty, Constance Maryanne Conaughty; and one sister Vera Cavinder of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Betty Lewis and Genevieve “Jenny” Janello, two brothers Loris “Lefty” Derrington and Billy Derrington, and one son-in-law Marty Conaughty.

Patricia loved to go fishing with her husband. She also loved to go shopping with her daughter and her sisters, sewing, crocheting, and cooking. She also loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She will be dearly missed by her family.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday May 9, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Rev. Daniel Ison officiating.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the Cemetery.

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

Donald  Crisp, 88, of Benton, passed away at 4:20 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2017, at his home.
He was born on September 8, 1928, to John and Opal (McCarty) Crisp in Steel City, IL. Donald retired as a coal miner for Old Ben #26. On April 2, 1949, he married the former Pearl Tate.  Donald was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He enjoyed taking care of his family and providing whatever was needed.  Donald was an avid gardener and received great joy by giving it all away.

He was a very active member of North Benton Baptist Church, where he served as a teacher of the Men’s Sunday school class, where he taught and believed his faith and served as a Deacon.  He was also a member of the U.M.W.A.

Donald is survived by his children, Terry (Carla) Crisp of Benton, IL, Pamela (Bill) Martin of Benton, IL, and Mark (Dianne) Crisp of Benton, IL; four grandsons, Brian Crisp of Benton, IL, Jeff (Tobey) Crisp of Thompsonville, IL, Dusty (Chelsea) Crisp of Benton, IL, Josh (Bethany) Crisp of Bargersville, IN; a granddaughter, Mariah (Dale) Hayes of Benton, IL; two sisters, Martha Carlton of Benton, IL, June Gasky of Hammond, IN;  and seven great-grandchildren, Bailey Crisp of Thompsonville, IL, Chase Crisp of Thompsonville, IL, Maddie Hayes of Benton, IL, Cade Hayes of Benton, IL, Rylee, Raygan, and Parker Crisp of Benton, IL, and Tinley and Lexi Crisp of Bargersville, IN.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Pearl Crisp; parents, John and Opal Crisp; five brothers, George Crisp, Clarence Ray Crisp, John Robert Crisp, Roger Crisp, and Keith Crisp; and four sisters, Joan Crisp, Wanda Piazza, Katheryn Williams, and Sandra Neal.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Rev. Robert E. Dial, 95, of Benton IL,  passed away Thursday morning, April 20, 2017 at the Helia HealthCare Center in Benton.

He was born in Franklin County, IL,  on December 15, 1921, the son of Samuel Edward and Beulah (Hunt) Dial.

He married Jeanne (Woods) on May 15, 1959, and she preceded him in death on November 20, 2014.

Rev. Dial served during World War II in the U.S. Navy. He joined the Navy in December of 1941, serving in the Pacific Theatre, serving on the USS Stormes DD780.

He was ordained with Full Gospel Ministers Association in 1977. He was a Grade A Dairy Farmer. He retired as a Foreman in Mine Construction for Roberts & Schafer. He was a member of the West City Church of God and taught Sunday School for several years.

He was preceded in death by his Parents-Edward & Beulah (Hunt) Dial, Wife-Jeanne (Woods) Dial, Daughter-Iva Jane, Sisters-Wanda Zoellner, Hazel Brown, Helen Dittlinger, Pauline Gaither, Imiagean Welch, Vergia Willmore and Brother-Ray Dial.

Rev. Dial is survived by several Nieces & Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Parents-Edward & Beulah (Hunt) Dial, Wife-Jeanne (Woods) Dial, Daughter-Iva Jane, Sisters-Wanda Zoellner, Hazel Brown, Helen Dittlinger, Pauline Gaither, Imiagean Welch, Vergia Willmore and Brother-Ray Dial.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, April 24th at the West City Church of God with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery in Akin. Visitation will be after 1:00 P.M. Monday at the Church.

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

Roxanne M. “Missy” Smith, 51, of Benton IL, passed away at 8:02 a.m., on Friday, April 21, 2017 at her residence.

She was born on June 18, 1965 to Ray and Margaret (Ross) Smith in Moline, IL. Roxanne was a graduate of Rend Lake College. She was an LPN and previously worked for Helia Healthcare of Energy for 15 years. Roxanne finally received her dream job in 2010, working for the VA Medical Center in Marion as an LPN.

On August 6, 2015, she retired from the VA Medical Center.  Roxanne was a loving daughter and mother.  She enjoyed spending time at Rend Lake watching the beautiful sunsets and fishing.  Roxanne was a dear friend to many and offered strong social support for them.

Roxanne is survived by her parents, Ray and Margaret (Ross) Smith of Benton, IL; a daughter, Ashley Smith and companion Mark Crider of Benton, IL; two sisters, Vickey Simpson and husband Greg of Ash Grove, MO., Kimberly Cunningham and Jeff of Willard, MO; five brothers, Ray E. Smith of Springfield, MO., Kevin J. Smith of Abingdon, IL., Steve Smith and wife Kathy of Eldridge, IA., Rodney D. Smith of WI., and Bill Vandewoestyne of Rochester, MN; her four loving pets, Sadie, Missy, Rosie and Hector; her two loving grand pets, Zoey and Bentley; a lifelong friend, Donna King; two dear friends, Roxanne Perkins and Cheryll Mack; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Marie and Aurther Ross, Beatrice (Corn) Atchison, Hollis Smith, and Juanita McSparin; a sister, Peggy Sue (Smith) Aplin; a special uncle, Les Ross; and a niece, Charity Sunday Graves.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Marie and Aurther Ross, Beatrice (Corn) Atchison, Hollis Smith, and Juanita McSparin; a sister, Peggy Sue (Smith) Aplin; a special uncle, Les Ross; and a niece, Charity Sunday Graves.

The Smith family would like to extend a special thank you to Donna from Celtic Hospice for her kind hearted compassion and care.

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

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017, 12:30 p.m., at the Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Kay Sammons, 100 years old, passed away peacefully and entered the gates of heaven on March 8, 2017 at Parkway Manor in Marion, IL. under the care of hospice.  She was born on December 8, 1916 in Duquoin, IL. to the late Oliver and Pearl(Ramsey) Slade.

She attended eight years of school in DuQuoin, one year at Christopher High School and three years at Valier High School, where she graduated in 1936.

On March 13, 1937 she married the love of her life, Howard Sammons and together they had two daughters; Kay(Dave) Simpson of Marion, IL. and Sue(Bob) Vercellino of Valier, IL.  Together they shared 60 wonderful years.  She had five grandchildren: Kim(Richard) Byars of Marion, Mark Simpson of Marion, Rob(Kristy) Vercellino of Mulkeytown, Ryan(Ann) Vercellino of Marion, and Eileen Patchett of Valier, nine great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.

Kay always had time to spend with her family and always willing to help people in any way she could.   Being this loving, caring, and giving person, she donated her body to S.I.U. School of Medicine, hoping that even in death she might be able to help someone.   Kay loved to entertain and always made people feel welcome in her home.

Kay had a passion for music and loved to sing.  She and her two brothers would sing as kids and she accompanied with the ukulele. She sang in a girls’ quartet in high school.  In 1952, she, Mollie Veach, Joy Winn, and Jonell Graham started the Harmonett Quartet.  The quartet became quite a hit.  They had a regular radio program, made many public appearances, sang with other popular quartets, had taken part in benefit shows, and midnight singings all over the southern part of the state.  After the moving away of Joy Winn, it was such a blessing to Kay for her daughter Sue Vercellino, Molly Veach’s daughter, Dixie Miller, and Anita Leak and her daughter Earline Burzynski to join the group.  She also sang with a group from the Christopher women’s club called the Jolly Jills.  At her 100th birthday party, she was overjoyed to sing one last time with some of the girls from church.

She owned and operated Kay’s Beauty Shop in Sessor for many years where friendships were started and great memories made.  Kay was a member of the Christopher Women’s Club, Sorority, Red Hats and Christopher Chamber, which she was awarded member of the year in 1998.  For years, she was an active member of the Valier Women’s Club and Sewing Club.  She loved to watch game shows, sew, write poems, listen to Christian music, and play games, especially Mexican train.  Some called her the Mexican train queen. 

Kay was a born again believer and loved Jesus very much.  She was a member of the Valier First Baptist Church, where she attended regularly and worked in many capacities, which included teaching, singing in the choir and church secretary.   In 1964, she survived a very serious car accident where doctors told her she would never be able to walk again.  With her strong faith in God and determination, she proved them wrong.

Kay spent her last five years in the Helia Nursing Home in Benton. She initiated a Wednesday morning bible study, which was the highlight of her week. She had many friends and special people in her life that meant the world to her.  A special thanks to Danny, an employee at Helia, who always showed Kay love by praying for her and encouraging her each day.  He was an angel sent from God and Kay thought of him like a grandson.

She will be sadly missed, but there is joy in knowing she is now dancing with the stars in heaven.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Sammons; parents Oliver and Pearl Slade, two brothers, Woody(Connie) Slade, Bill(Theresa) Slade, and sister, Wanda (Buster) Brown.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 22nd at 11:00am at Valier First Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Valier First Baptist Church Building Fund.  Envelopes will be available at the church.  Please join us after the service as we continue the celebration of Kay’s life with lunch being served by the ladies of the church.