Charolett Evilsizer, 81, of Christopher, IL, passed away April 25, 2016 at Reflections Memory Care, in Herrin, IL.

Charolett was born August 20, 1934, in Mulkeytown, IL, the daughter of Francis Greenwood and Velma (Hannis) Greenwood.

She married George Evilsizer on Feb. 5, 1955 and he survives of Christopher. She was a member of Greenwood United Methodist Church.

Charolett is survived by her children, Sherry and Sam Timmons, of Loyce City, TX, Cindy and Joe Friend, of Royalton, IL and Sue and Mike Clements, of Fairview Heights, IL; grandchildren Amy and Chris Cates and Niki, Jacob Tindell, Alexa and J.D. Jones, Eric and Brittney McElroy, Marty Clements and Crystal LaChance; 15 great-grandchildren. several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers and  sisters Henry Greenwood, Sybil Lee, Mildred Darnell, Kenneth Greenwood, Nadine Tennison, Darlene Shubert, and Marian Greenwood.

Charolett loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and also loved working with children when she worked at Little People Day Care Center, in Christopher.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on  Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with the Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery, in Buckner, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Greenwood United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Benton, IL — Arther Thomas Gunnells, 78, of Benton, passed away at 5:11 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2016 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bill Perry officiating.  Burial will be in the Plasters Cemetery North of Thompsonville.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Art was born on September 9, 1937 in Trimble, TN, the son of William Thomas Gunnells and Hattie (Powell) Gunnells.  He married Ellafair (Irvin) Clark on September 8, 1989, and she preceded him in death on April 26, 2014.

Mr. Gunnells worked as a television repairman for 46 years, first working for 17 years at Russell Magnavox, and in 1984 he became owner and operator of Benton TV Service.

He enjoyed vegetable gardening, and especially found enjoyment sharing the harvest with his neighbors.  He loved to fish, hunt, sing karaoke, and singing solos at his church.

Art attended the Logan Church of God.

He is survived by his four children: Diane Gunnells, Marty Thomas Gunnells, all of Dresden, TN, Sarita Grace of McLeansboro, IL, Elizabeth Denise Rich of Benton;  two step-children and their families: Connie Sue Orley and Walter Carl Clark, both of Benton; five grandchildren; three sisters: Jo Anne Kaiser, Francis Isabelle, Janice Dixon, all of Tennessee; two brothers: Cambell Gunnells, and Donald Ray Gunnells, both of Tennessee; several nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and an infant daughter; a son Ricky Dale Gunnells; and a brother Leonard Gunnells.

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

James Wesley Whitecotton, 77, of Sesser, IL passed away April 20, 2016 at his home.

Mr. Whitecotton was born on August 4, 1938 in Stiritz, IL, the son of Paul Whitecotton and Edna (Thome) Whitecotton.

He married Marie (Mork) Whitecotton on May 20, 1964 and she survives of Sesser.

He is survived by his children, Renee Colman, Phoenix, AZ, Tim and Shawna Whitecotton, Jacksonville, FL, Tammy and Joe Bushong, Waltonville, IL, Terry and Kim Whitecotton, Buckner, IL and Todd and Amy Whitecotton, Seabrook, TX: grandchildren David, Sarah, T.J., Kelsey, Tyler, Trace, Wes, Brook, Cheyenne, Ryder, Cutter, Connor, Trinity and Angelis, Seiley; brothers and sisters Carolyn and Clyde Hollars of Chicago, IL, Betty Vecchio of Granger, IN, Linda and Rich Regaldo of Bowlingbrook, IL and Bruce and Rhonda Whitecotton of Chicago, IL; five surviving great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Tom Whitecotton, and two brothers Al Whitecotton and Larry Whitecotton.

Visitation will be at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser on Saturday April 23, 2016 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Per his wishes there will be no funeral service, cremation will follow the visitation.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, is in charge of arrangements.

For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Benton, IL — Lawrence Andrew Gostowski, age 90, of Benton, passed away at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at his home.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton with Rev. Kent Dunford officiating.  Military rites will be conducted by the Benton V.F.W. Post 2671, Benton American Legion Post 280, and the Army National Guard from Marion.  There will be no visitation, friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Lawrence was born on February 9, 1926 in Franklin County, the son of Stephen Gostowski and Mary (Snow) Gostowski.  He married the former Virginia Merkel on July 29, 1950 and she survives.

Mr. Gostowski was a farmer.  But many will remember him from his employment with the Benton Kroger store.

Lawrence proudly served his country during World War II, having served in both the U.S. Army and the Army Air Corps, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. During his service he earned two Bronze Battle Stars from battles and campaigns fought in Luzon.

Lawrence was a member of the Benton V.F.W. Post 2671, where he was a past commander.  Until his health failed him, Lawrence was a fixture with the honor squad, honoring veterans at military rites, Memorial Day services, and Veteran’s Day events across the area.

His favorite pastime was fishing, no matter the temperature, he just loved to fish.  For many years he supplied the crappie fillets for his church’s annual fish fry and picnic.  He loved to garden, and enjoyed sharing the fruits and vegetables that he harvested.

Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his church.

Mary Lou Lewis, of West City, IL, passed away April, 16, 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 21, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, IL with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

For those who wish, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Valier, IL — Ellen June Scaggs, age 88, of Valier, passed away at 4:40 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Whittington Church, with Revs. Mark Minor and Greg Shelton officiating. Visitation will be from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Whittington Church. Local arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Graveside Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the Murphy Cemetery in Piedmont, Missouri, with Ellen’s son, Lester White officiating. Graveside services are under the direction of the Ruegg Funeral Homes, Inc., of Piedmont, Missouri.

Mrs. Scaggs was born on May 10, 1927 in Rend City, IL, the daughter of Lester Van Buren Bailor and Lena (Beavers) Bailor. She would marry Carrol T. “Jim” Scaggs, and he preceded her in death on November 3, 1995.

Mrs. Scaggs working career included being a cook, a manager at Wendy’s restaurant, an assembly line worker at McDonnell – Douglas, having worked on Project Gemini.

She was a proud member of Whittington Church, where she was head of the Whittington Senior Meal program.

Mrs. Scaggs enjoyed mowing her lawn, birds, fishing, working with the Senior Meal Program at Whittington Church, and especially spending time with her family.

Ellen is survived by her four children: Lester “Skip” White and wife Leonda of Benton, Virginia Marler and husband Keith of Bonne Terre, MO, Judy Scaggs of Valier, Barry Scaggs of Piedmont, MO; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers: Lester Bailor & J.C. “Doc” Bailor; two sisters: Ramona Bailor & Patsy Keller; two daughters-in-law: Carolyn White & Becky White; and a nephew: Jimmy Neal Carpenter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Whittington Church, 200 West Main Street, Whittington, Illinois 62897.

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

Arrangements are with Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.