Phyllis Jane Mann 85, of Christopher passed away on Sunday April 2, 2017 at Cobden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Phyllis was born on November 18, 1931 to Pete and Lela (Wheatley) Mann.  She married Alfred James Henry Mann on June 1, 1950 and he preceded her in death on November 22, 1994.

She is survived by a cousin Gilbert DuHamel of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Keith Henry Mann, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roy and Maxine (Mann) Williams.

Graveside service will be on Wednesday April 5, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner with Rev. Jean Webster officiating.

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

NEPTUNE BEACH, FL. – Clarence Clyde “C.C.” Lowery, 61, of Neptune Beach, FL, formerly of Benton IL, passed away on September 24, 2016 peacefully at his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

C.C. was born on November 8, 1954 in Evansville, Indiana to Clarence “Red” and Kathleen Lowery.

C.C. attended Benton High School, where he quickly developed a reputation for his intelligence and charisma. He then attended Eastern Illinois University, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Education.

C.C.’s career path was in education and counseling. He was a well-known educator at Rend Lake College while living in Illinois. In Florida, he was the co-owner of Beaches Counseling, Inc., a private practice psychotherapy clinic, where he worked as a therapist for many years.

Before retirement, C.C. worked as an administrator and counselor for the U.S. Navy Fleet and Family Service Center.

He will be remembered as the guy who could light up a room with his quick wit and charm and never met a stranger. C.C. loved football, camping, snorkeling, making people laugh, and his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Heidi Lowery; children, Olivia Lowery, Clarence Wade Lowery, Mackenzie Lowery, Brad Gordon and Tammy Gunn; mother, Kathleen Lowery; siblings, Lynn Alligood, Cindy Lowery, Rob Lowery; cousin, Bill Lowery; grandchildren, Lillian, Lacey, Savannah; and many cousins and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

A celebration of life will be held on April 15, 2017 at Twin Oaks Lodge in Benton from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a short program held at 4 p.m. The family will begin receiving guests at 3 p.m., and guests are invited to share memories and food with the family after the program. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is assisting with local arrangements.

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

Mona Lea Powell, age 89, of Benton IL, passed away at 4:00 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017 at her residence at Heritage Woods of Benton.

Mrs. Powell was born on May 16, 1927 in Akin, IL, the daughter of Jerry Neal and Maud (Bolen) Neal.

She worked as an Inn Keeper with Holiday Inn, Inc., and worked in the East St. Louis, St. Louis and Marion locations.

She was an active member of the North Benton Missionary Baptist Church, where she was the former pianist, a member of the Joy Club, and enjoyed working in the church nursery.

Mona was also actively involved in politics. She served as Eastern Township Clerk, and also was an election judge.

She was a former member of the Eastern Star, loved to quilt, but most of all she loved spending time with her family.

Mrs. Powell is survived by her daughter Edith Jones and husband John of Benton; a son Michael R. Fields and partner Dr. John Empkey of Festus, MO; four grandchildren: Mona Booker and husband David of West Frankfort, IL, Michael Jones of Benton, Steven Summers and wife Michelle of Jacksonville, FL, Sherri Michael of Jacksonville, FL; seven great-grandchildren: Emily Booker, Morgan Booker, Hannah Summers, Abigail Summers, Justin Bollingmo, Kenny Michael, Samantha Michael; a sister-in-law Ina Mae Neal.

She loved her pets, especially her dog Winston, and her cat Holly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three spouses: Eugene Summers, Roy Fields, and Virgil Powell; a son Jerry E. Summers, and a brother Bennie J. Neal.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Gary West officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Second Chance Animal Rescue of Franklin County, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Kevin David Fornear, 47, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday March 26, 2017 at 8:58 PM at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. Kevin was born on July 4, 1969 in Carbondale to Adam and Lynda (Ray) Fornear. He is survived by his parents Adam and Lynda Fornear of Sesser.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday March 29, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill cemetery in Sesser with Bob White officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brayfield-Gilbert funeral home in Sesser.  For more information or to share a memory, please visit their website gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Leonard Chwarczinski, 65, of Christopher  passed away on Saturday March 25, 2017 at 11:05 AM at the Herrin Hospital.

Leonard was born on November 2, 1951 in Christopher, to Joseph and Anna (Krolikowski) Chwarczinski.

He is survived by his children George and Julie Chwarczinski of St Louis, Mo, Joseph and Jeanine Chwarczinski of Boonville, IN, and Amanda Fraley of Herrin; grandchildren Mikayla Chwarczinski, Aaron Chwarczinski, Ava Chwarczinski, Jonathon Chwarczinski, Izaiah Fraley, Jolene Fraley, and Harley Hardin; four brothers Robert Chwarczinski, David Chwarczinski, James Chwarczinski, and Paul Chwarczinski.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial Service will be on Thursday March 30, 2017 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home.  Visitation will be on Thursday March 30, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

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

Darline F. McNeil 87, of Sesser IL, went to be with the Lord on March 25, 2017.

She was born May 3, 1929 in Sesser, IL to Eddie and Marie (Clapp) Bunton and they precede her in death.

After attending the one room Bear Point School and graduating Sesser high school, Darline attended Alton Memorial Nursing School, graduating in 1950.  This began a lifelong career as a Registered Nurse.  Darline worked at Miner’s Hospital in Christopher, IL and dedicated nearly 40 years of care giving at Franklin Hospital in Benton, IL.

In 1958, she married Harry J. McNeil of Herrin, devoting 19 years of love and compassion, caring for him until his death in 1977.

Darline was a lifelong member of Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.  She was the pianist / organist for over 30 years at Bear Point and played for an untold number of weddings and funerals throughout the Sesser area.  In years gone by, she was the leader of the Bear Point Youth Group where she was affectionately referred to as “The Warden.”

Darline lead a full and very self-sufficient life caring for her family and those in the community and always tried to answer those “Nurse” questions that people came to her with.

Her brother and sister-in- law survive, W. A. “Sonny” and Marjorie Bunton of Sesser, and a special Aunt, Ms. Marie Clapp of Christopher.  “Her Kids,” nephew Ralph Bunton (Cathy), nieces Virginia McCann and Mona Lappin (Mark) all of Sesser also survive.

Aunt Dar / Ami, is also survived by her great nephews and nieces, Rachel Bunton-West, Ross Bunton (Liz), Matthew Lappin (Brittany), Jared Blaylock, Josh Bunton (Jenny), Marcus Lappin (Reed), JB McCann (Sara), Meagan Bunton and Jake McCann,  as well as many great-great, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be Wednesday March 29, 2017at 1:00 P.M., at Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser, with Rev. Larry Cook officiating.  Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brayfield-Gilbert funeral home in Sesser.  For more information, or to share a memory, please visit their website at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Bear Point Church Youth Group or a worthy charity of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to thank, Hospice of Southern Illinois, the physicians and especially the nursing staff at Herrin Hospital for their care and thoughtfulness.

Glenford Leon “Bud” Berrong, age 79, of Benton, passed away at 6:48 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.

Glenford Leon Berrong was born on November 22, 1937 in Hamilton County, IL, the son of Jake V. Berrong and Cecil Marie (Halliday) Berrong. He married the former Sharon J. Hill on August 30, 1957 in Palacios, TX, and she survives.

Bud worked as a carpenter for over 20 years. He previously worked as a coal miner, where he worked for eleven years at Freeman #4, and he was a member of the UMWA.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Berrong is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Sharon Berrong of Benton; a son Bradley Berrong and wife Nickey of Benton; grandsons: Shawn Blades and wife Penny of Benton, Billy Blades and wife Alisha of Harrisburg; five great-grandchildren; two sisters: Glendeen Chaney, Jeanie Smoot and husband John, all of Benton; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, where Military Rites will be honored by the Benton American Legion Post #280, the V.F.W. Post #2671 and the U.S. Air Force. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Feed the Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0036, and will be accepted at the visitation and graveside services.

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