Geraldine “Gerry” Jean Mercer, 84, of Valier, IL passed away on Thursday February 23, 2017 at 9:05 p.m. at her home.

Gerry was born on April 30, 1932 in Franklin County, IL to Frank and Sophia (Dubonouski) Mick.

She married Dean Mercer on June 29, 1951 and he preceded her in death on November 14, 2001.

She was a medical secretary for Dr. J.P. Durham in Benton until her retirement.  She was also a member of the Valier First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her children Frank (Melody) Mercer of Valier, Kathy (Donnie) Smith of Benton, Amy (John) Prudent of Valier; grandchildren Joshua (Brandi) Smith, Samuel Waters, Jacob Waters, Lucas Prudent, Jillian Prudent, David Smith, Trisha (Justin) Morgan, and Donnie (Brooke) Smith; great grandchildren Victoria, Jordyn, Jaycob, Clayton, Sage, Liam, and Lyndi; one sister Marsha Coady of Valier; and one brother Ron Mick of Valier.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral services for Gerry will be on Monday February 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with George “Zip” Biby officiating.  Visitation will be on Sunday February 26, 2017 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St Jude’s Children’s research hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Danny Shelton, 65, of Christopher, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2017, in his home.

He was born on May 25, 1951, in Christopher to Ralph Shelton and Morna (Park) Shelton Demaret.

He was a Coal Miner at Old Ben 26 and Ziegler 11 and a member of the UMWA. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, horses, motorcycles, cars, hanging out with his friends at the tavern and credited his health to cold Stag beer.  He will be remembered for his fearless personality, always leader and never a follower.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Dayna Riggs of New York and son, Cody Shelton of Carterville, grandchildren Paige, Tysan, Damian, and Kendyl, two sisters Janice and Jim Noel and Joyce and Andy Wilson all of Christopher.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

His wishes were to have private services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gilbert Funeral home and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Gilbert Funeral home in Christopher is handling the arrangements.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Edwin Martin “Mark” Rohr, Jr., age 59, of Benton IL and formerly of Morton Grove, IL, passed away at 6:15 a.m. Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Fairview Healthcare in Du Quoin, IL.

Edwin Martin Rohr, Jr. was born on August 6, 1957 in San Diego, CA, the son of Edwin Martin Rohr, Sr. and Mardell Fern (Parks) Rohr. He married the former Christiane Burkholder on October 27, 1984 and she survives. Mark was a self-employed carpenter.

He enjoyed his dogs, working and watching Westerns on the television.

Mark is survived by his wife Chris Rohr of Phoenix, AZ; his mother Mardell Gingles of Benton; a daughter Jennifer Elyse Soriano and husband Ricardo of Phoenix, AZ; four grandchildren: Jasmyn Capri Ellis, Jacen Delano Ellis, Lyliana Grace Soriano, Gabrieyla Teresa Soriano; his sister Jacqueline Rohr of Elk Grove, IL; his mother-in-law Phyllis Burkholder of Phoenix, AZ; a sister-in-law: Carol Anne Burkholder of Prescott Valley, AZ.

Mr. Rohr was preceded in death by his father Edwin Martin Rohr, Sr.; his step-father Joseph Gingles, Jr.; and a sister Karol Rohr.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Steven Flach officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Graveside burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2017 in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Anti-Drug Fund through the Franklin County Sheriff Department, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Robert “Bobby” Eugene Reiger, 62, of Sesser, IL passed away on Monday February 20, 2017 at 2:58 AM at the Herrin Hospital.

He was born February 6, 1955 to Bonnie Reiger and she preceded him in death.  He married Kelly (LaMour) Reiger on April 10, 1992 and she survives of Sesser.

He worked for the Sesser-Valier school district for 27 years and then retired from Walmart after 17 years.

He was a volunteer firefighter for 25 years with the Sesser Fire Protection District.

He is survived by aunts and uncles Dorothy and Kenny Lipe of Sesser, Irene Newell of Sesser, Lonnie Reiger of West Frankfort, Kitty Santay of Whiting, IN.

Funeral services will be on Friday February 24, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday February 23, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser Fire Protection District or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Beatrice M. Crawford, 73, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday February 19, 2017 at 8:15 AM at the Marshall Browning Hospital in DuQuoin, IL.

She was born to Lloyd William and Jessie (McCraven) Bryant. She was married to Joe Crawford on August 8, 1962 and he preceded her in death on January 12, 2014.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of DuQuoin.

She is survived by her daughters Gail and Brian Forrester of Springfield, IL, Nancy Jo and Joe Ondo of Houston, TX, Rhonda and Pete Anselment of Whittington, and Jennifer Sullivan of Sesser; grandchildren Gary Willis Jr, Kristi and Randy Meadows, Patrick Crawford, Rebecca and Brett Hunt, Samantha Newbury, Britney and Brian Mocaby, Hunter Sullivan; great-grandchildren Jackson Willis, Katie Willis, Emma Willis, Madyson Meadows, Connor Meadows, Joseph Crawford, Dalton Crawford, Sabrina Beatrice Crawford, Ashton J. Crawford, Ava Loucks, Colton Sullivan, Kynsley Newbury; and two brothers Joseph and Desiree Bryant of Zeigler and James and Mary Ann Bryant of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday February 22, 2017 at 1:00 P.M. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Bryant Harris officiating.  Visitation will be on Wednesday February 22, 2017 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the funeral home.  Entombment will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

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

Betty Jean DuHamel, 92, of Christopher, IL,  passed away on Friday February 17, 2017 at 12:40 A.M. at her home.

Betty was born on February 17, 1925 in Cheyenne Valley, OK to Morris Samuel and Elsie Mae (Gould) Major. She married Gilbert Ronald DuHamel and he survives of Christopher.

Survivors include her children Paula Marie (David) Hall of Herrin, IL, and Billy Mark Perrin of Colorado.  Grandchildren Ryan, Matthew, Nicole, Nate, Michelle, and Mike and several great-grandchildren.  Two sisters Louise (Major) Clinesmith Wiggins of Oklahoma City, OK and Peggy Fettke of Fairview, OK.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Richard Lynn Perrin, and one brother Bill Major.

Graveside services will be on Monday February 20, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner with Rev. Jean Webster officiating.  Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher has been entrusted with handling the arrangements.

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

Betty Jo Thomas, age 84, of Benton IL, passed away at 11:05 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2017 at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center of Benton.

Betty Jo Thomas was born on January 4, 1933 in Benton, the daughter of Bert Reed and Ada (Snitchler) Reed. She married Jack L. Thomas, Sr. and he preceded her in death in 1998.

Mrs. Thomas worked as a cook at Kewpee Café, she would later work at Turco in Du Quoin, and most recently, until she retired, worked at Bennett’s Restaurant in Benton.

She is survived by her three children: Terry Thomas of Benton, Jack Thomas and wife Mary of Benton, Sabrina Marcelin of Langdon, ND; seven grandchildren: Sabrina Thomas, Jakcob Thomas, Brandy Souser, Josh Marcelin, Jason Thomas, Jeremy Thomas, Jessica Thomas; eleven great-grandchildren: Dillon Bishop, Alexus Bishop, Anthony Thomas, Rachel Thomas, Madison Thomas, Laney Thomas, Payton Thomas, Ronin Souser, Aven Souser, Lexi Marcelin, Bailey Marcelin; and three nephews David Trusty, Tim Lampley, Tom Lampley, and a cousin Jamie Auten.

Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son Keith Thomas, a brother Carl Reed, and a sister Shirley Trusty.

Mrs. Thomas’ wishes were to be cremated.

Graveside services will be held at a future date.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Betty Jo Thomas, to be used to assist with her.

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