Leonard L Riggs Sr. 90, of Christopher, IL passed away on Saturday May 7, 2016 at 6:50 A.M. at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

Born to Jack Riggs and Jeannie Alice (Naylor) Pearson on August 14, 1925 in Christopher.

Married Anna Mae Qualls on November 23, 1957, and she survives.

Survived by three daughters Loretta (Tom) Mitchell of Sikeston, MO, Kimberly (Chuck) Diuguid of Royalton, IL, Lucinda (Rodney) Hill of Christopher and one son, Leonard Riggs Jr of Christopher. Also survived by grandchildren: Eric Redding, Randy Redding Jr, Natalie Elam, John Mitchell, Jason Mitchell, Daniel Tolley, Donald Basenberg. Jr, Josh Basenberg, Melissa Leedle and Jared Diuguid.

Mr. Riggs is also survived by 22 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Ervon Good, Clyde Riggs, Cecil Riggs, Velma Mae Riggs, Ruby Sisney, Helen Smith and daughter Consuela Redding Ward and one great-grandchild Ashley Dawn Redding. He served in the United States Army during WWII and was a coal miner, railroad worker, mechanical draftsman at Carmet in Christopher and finally worked at Tower’s Mine Tool in Christopher. Excelled in track and was a pitcher for softball leagues in Christopher area. He was also an artist and a musician.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday May 11, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.  Visitation will be on Wednesday May 11, 2016 from 11 a.m.. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

 

Harrisburg — Catherine Leanor Ferrera, age 50 of Harrisburg, passed away at 2:35 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016, at her home.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton, with Father Urban Osuji officiating. There will be no visitation.
Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Catherine was born on April 20, 1966 in Springfield, IL, the daughter of James Lee Stalcup and Janet L. (Drone) Stalcup. She married Robert L. Ferrera on November 7, 1993, and he survives.

Catherine was a Licensed Practical Nurse with Addus Home Health Care.

She enjoyed horseback riding, flower gardening, traveling, and most enjoyed spending time with her family.

Catherine is survived by her loving husband of 23 years, Robert L. Ferrera of Harrisburg; a son Roberto L. Ferrera of Harrisburg; a daughter Stephanie M. Ferrera of Harrisburg; her parents James and Janet Stalcup of Harrisburg; a brother James Michael Stalcup and wife Lisa of West Frankfort; a sister Tiffany L. Baird and husband Brian of Harco; several nieces, nephews, and her best friend Susan Taylor Gesell and husband Brad of Benton.

Catherine was excited about the upcoming birth of her first grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be collected on behalf of the family to be determined to be distributed at their discretion.

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

Carel L. Bauman 82, of Valier IL died at the DuQuoin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday May 4, 2016 at 6:10 a.m.

Mr. Bauman was born on February 1, 1934 in Valier, the son of Roy (Red) and Frankie Bauman.  He was married to Patricia A. (Braun) Bauman on April 27, 1957 in Ann Arbor, MI.

He was extremely proud to have served in the United States Air Force from July 6, 1951 until he retired effective September 1, 1972.  Retiring at the age of 38 with over 21 years of service.  He was selected to serve in Air Force assignments during his career and was assigned to the University of Illinois Air Force ROTC as a staff member from May of 1960 until September of 1964.  In addition he was specially assigned to the Joint Chief’s of Staff in the Pentagon from November of 1967 until September of 1972.  He was the Chief of the Air Force Section, Military Personnel Branch, of the Joint Chief’s of Staff.  He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service during the Vietnam War.  He also served his country during the Korean War.  He received a personal letter of commendation from then Chairman of the Joint Chief’s of Staff-Admiral T.H. Moorer.  The letter from Admiral Moorer expressed his appreciation for outstanding support of the mission of the Joint Chief’s of Staff for 5 years during the Vietnam War.

He entered the Federal Bureau of Prisons at this nations most secure Penitentiary in November of 1972 as a staff member and had many positions within the Personnel Department.  He was selected as the Personnel Officer and held this very important post until his retirement.  He received various awards during his career but received one of the highest awards in 1992 when he was selected as the Human Resource Manager of the year.  Mr. Bauman retired from the U.S. Penitentiary in Marion in November of 1992.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Valier.

In addition to his wife Patricia of Valier, he is survived by one son Craig Bauman of Valier and daughter Wendy D. Humerickhouse and fiancé Jody Ruehling of Royalton.  He also has two grandchildren Kyle Andrew Humerickhouse and Clay Matthew Humerickhouse.

Mr. Bauman was preceded in death by his father, mother, and one brother Gary Bauman.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services.

Gilbert Funeral Home of Christopher is handling the arrangements.

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

 

Benton, Illinois — Kyle David Ewert, age 50 of Benton, passed away at 9:36 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2016, at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room, in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Rev. Bill Hottensen officiating.  Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home.  The Army National Guard will conduct a flag presentation at the conclusion of the funeral services.

Kyle was born on February 9, 1966 in Harvey, IL, the son of Ronald Ewert and Melody (Curttright) Ewert.

His working career consisted of working as a tree trimmer and working for Chem-Dry Carpet Cleaners.

He enjoyed camping and fishing, Pink Floyd music, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandson.

He is survived by his daughter Megan Ewert of Ewing, IL; his mother Melody Blankenship of Lowell, IN; his girlfriend Patricia Snyder of Benton; two grandchildren: Zoey Duncan of Mt. Vernon, IL, and Adryan Gibbs of Ewing, IL; three brothers: Neil Blankenship of Normal, IL,  Scott Ewert of Michigan, Adam Ewert of Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews.

Kyle was preceded in death by his father and a grandchild.

Memorials may be made to the family of Kyle Ewert to assist the family with funeral expenses, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Tom (TJ) Learned, 65, of Marion (formerly of Benton) passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Heartland Regional Medical Center, in Marion, IL.

Tom was born on April 26, 1951 in Christopher, IL, the son of Harold (Lefty) and Rachel Learned.

He married Lynda (Piercy) Learned on October 8, 1982 and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by three daughters, Aleicia Learned, Marion, Erin and husband David Holley, of Valley, Alabama and Kristen and husband Robert Tomshack, of West Frankfort, IL; sisters Barbara and husband Melvin Dixon, Benton, Brenda and husband Larry Eubanks, Benton and Melissa and special friend Michelle Leigh, Benton; grandchildren Jordyn and Shelbie Learned, Marion, Reese, Reagan and Remy Holley, Valley Alabama and Hailey and Madison Tomshack, West Frankfort.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one brother, Harold Learned, Jr.

Tom enjoyed cooking, sports, Alabama football (Roll Tide), Benton Rangers sports and the Southern Illinois Miners baseball. He coached Benton girls’ softball for more than 20 years and also coached Future Rangers basketball. He was very active with the Benton PTO while his daughters were growing up. He also enjoyed running. However, the thing he loved most of all was spending time with his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 1 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers monetary donations will be accepted at the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.

BENTON — Marilyn Dohr, age 69 of Benton, passed away at 12:45 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2016, at the SSM Good Samaritan Regional Health Center of Mt. Vernon.

Mrs. Dohr’s wishes were to be cremated.  Cremation services are under the direction of the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Marilyn was born on June 14, 1946 in Mississippi, the daughter of De Witt Holcomb and Mary (Witten) Holcomb.  She married Raymond E. Dohr on October 15, 1964, and he survives.

Her working career included being a secretary and later in life she would work and retire as a sales clerk with Wal-Mart.

She loved spending time with her family, especially her daughter and most of all with her grandchildren.

Marilyn is survived by her loving husband of fifty-plus years Raymond E. Dohr, of Benton; a daughter Linda Persman and husband Jim, of Mt. Vernon, IL; three grandsons: Eric Persman, Michael Persman & Jacob Persman, all three of Mt. Vernon, IL; two brothers: Jimmy Holcomb and wife Linda of Tennessee, Donald Holcomb of Arkansas; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Charles Holcomb and Tommy Holcomb; and a brother-in-law: Allen Dohr.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123.

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

Norman Dean Kirkpatrick, 62, of Mulkeytown, IL, passed away at 2:45 p.m. on April 26, 2016 at his home.

Norman was born November 3, 1953 in Christopher, IL, the son of Harley Norman Kirkpatrick and Wanda (Wall) Kirkpatrick.

He is survived by one son, Page Kirkpatrick, of Royalton, IL and one daughter, Amanda “Tootie” Yosanovich, of Buckner, IL; his mother, Wanda Kirkpatrick, of Benton, IL; grandchildren Charley Harper Yosanovich, Drake Yosanovich,  Camben Luke Kirkpatrick, Olivia Grace Kirkpatrick, Isla Claire Kirkpatrick; one sister, Patty and Mike McCubbins, of Benton, IL; two very close friends, Rennie Clark and Dennis Gulley.

Norman worked mine construction for Dover Construction Co. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Norman’s wishes were to be cremated with no funeral services.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the CAYA and can be sent to the funeral home.

Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.