Roy Leon Pierce, age 73, of Benton, passed away at 9:47 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Mr. Pierce’s wishes were to be cremated with public no services.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Roy was born on October 26, 1942 in Franklin County, IL, the son of John Pierce and Gladys (Wingo) Pierce. He married the former Dorothy Ann Mott on April 23, 2015 and she survives.

Roy was retired from Coal Mine Construction. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War. He was a member of the V.F.W. Sesser Cox Post #4753 in Sesser.

He enjoyed rabbit hunting, fishing, talking to his friends on the phone, going to auction sales, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Roy is survived by his wife Dorothy Ann Pierce of Benton; a daughter: Christy Lynn Savell and husband Charlie of Pinola, MS; four step-children: Mary Kaye Stevens and husband Kevin of Hurley, MS, Arlene Oliver and husband W.D. of Hurley, MS, Paul D. Casteel of Steeleville, IL, Darlene Beyer of Hurley, MS; thirteen grandchildren: Michael, Craig, Shawn, Brandon, Rodney, Lacinda, Amanda, Kenny, Kevin, John, Melissa, Stephanie and John; several great-grandchildren; four sisters: Modena Edwards and husband Jack of Johnston City, IL, Neoma Huffman and husband Don of Meridian, MS, Linda Duckworth of Scheller, IL, and Janet McQueen of Marion, IL; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son: Tracy Pierce; and a sister: Betty Loman.

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

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Roy, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

Kenneth L. Clark, 81, of Sesser, IL passed away January 21, 2016 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Anna, IL.

Kenneth was born on September 12, 1934 in Sesser, the son of Frank Clark and Margaret (Basso) Clark.

He was a retired coal miner at Freeman 3 Mine and a member of the UMWA and the Sesser VFW. He served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.

He married Mary Ellen (Cockrum) Clark on July 28, 1954 and she preceded him in death on September 1, 2006.

Kenneth is survived by his children, Teresa and Don Studt, of Evansville, IN, Debi Bradley, of Sesser, Tammy and Nathan Colvin, of Sesser and David Clark, of Sesser; grandchildren Shawn and Rosanna Dover, of West Frankfort, Il, Kevin Dover, of Indianapolis, IN, Carissa and Kurt Stagner, of Sesser, David Clark II and special friend Nikki Ramey, of Sesser and Brittany and Jason Chapman, of Christopher, IL; great-grandchildren Meghan Clark, Evan Lay, Conner Dover, Morgan Stagner, Kensington Stagner, Marley Clark, Landon Chapman and Aleea Chapman; one sister, Carolyn Atchison, of Sesser. He was preceded in death by his paretns, wife and one brother Jerell Clark.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2016 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating.. Visitation will on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at the funeral home from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

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

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Joseph Lawrence Bodeck Jr., 72, of Christopher, IL passed away January 18, 2016 at his home.

He was born Nov. 29, 1943 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Joseph Bodeck and Amelia (Rudnicki) Bodeck.

Mr. Bodeck was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and worked for many years as a photographer for Olan Mills.

He is survived by his children, Daniel Bodeck, Jasper, GA, James and Alicia Bodeck, Lithia, FL; grandson Kyle Bodeck, granddaughter Allie Bodeck. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Joseph Bodeck.

Mr. Bodeck’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Beulah Mae (Lipe) Buntin, 93, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 23 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity.

V.W. “Red” Shockley, 80, of Benton, IL passed away Sunday, January 17, 2016 at his home.

He was born in Benton on May 7, 1935, the son of Alva and Norma L. (Wingo) Shockley.

He was a former coal miner and a retired salesman for Cincinnati Mine Machinery Company.

His greatest joy in life were his kids, grandkids and his mom. He will mostly be remembered for riding his Harley in a cowboy hat. He love the old car shows and was in charge of the Summer Cruise Nights.

Mr. Shockley is survived by one son, Victor W. Shockley and wife Ana, of Benton and two daughters, Kara Hobbs and husband Danny, of Murphysboro, IL and Reva Lynette Warren, of West Frankfort, IL; grandchildren Jonathan Daniel Shockley, Timothy Jerett Shockley, Nickolas G. Shockley, Hunter W. Shockley, Daniel Hobbs, A.J. Hobbs, Jason Warren and Chelsea Trusty; three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Shockley was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Vella Deloris Shockley and by an infant brother, Lowell Glenn Shockley.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with the Rev. Bill Carter officiating. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the last Benton Summer Cruise Night, which will be held on Mr. Shockley’s birthday, May 7, 2016, and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

Charles Robert “Chuck” Schram, age 48, of Benton, passed away at 11:53 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Roger Webb officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Chuck was born on November 25, 1967 in Joliet, IL, the son of Kenneth Lee Schram and Kendra Kay (Piercy) Phillips.

Chuck enjoyed fishing, camping, playing golf, and watching baseball. He was an avid pool player and enjoyed playing pool in area leagues.

He formerly attended the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton.

Most of all Chuck enjoyed spending time with his family.

Chuck is survived by his mother Kendra Phillips of Benton; six children: Charles Burke Schram of Benton, Autumn Brooke (Schram) Small of Bonnie, Brittany Renee Schram of Benton, Camdin Douglas Schram of Thompsonville, Christy Ann Long of Mississippi, Amber Breland of Mississippi; four grandchildren: Aubrie, Gherig, Arabella and Spencer; a sister: Kim (Schram) Davis of Christopher; two step-brothers: Jimmy Phillips and Danny Phillips of Benton; and a nephew Tyler Mersinger of Carbondale.

He was preceded in death by his father; paternal and maternal grandparents; and a half-brother Matthew Ryan Phillips.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Chuck, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

Cletus Earl McBride, 78, of Sesser, IL passed away at 10:09 p.m. on January 13, 2016 at St. Louis University Hospital, in St. Louis.

He was born July 14, 1937 in Franklin County, IL the son of Burtis “Big Boy” McBride and Lena Mae (Walker) McBride.

Cletus worked at Butler’s, Bracy’s and Bowlin’s Foodland, all in Sesser and was a member of the Sesser Fire Protection District for 36 years, and was fire chief for the past 30 years.

He married Constance “Connie” (Allen) McBride on August 24, 1958 and she survives of Sesser.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, in Sesser.

Cletus is also survived by his children, Cletus Eric McBride, of Sesser and Lisa Marie Travelstead, of Herrin, IL; grandchildren Nicole (Jeremy) Shelton, of Herrin and Ashley (Geoff) Hammonds, of Herrin; great-grandchildren Gage Shelton, of Herrin and Sophie Shelton, of Herrin and one great-grandchild on the way; niece and nephew Paula Horn, Sesser and Glenn Gulley, Sesser.

Cletus was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marceline Gulley.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis and Brother Tom DeWitt officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the funeral home. There will be a firefighters walk-through at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

 In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser Firefighter’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

 Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Vivian Leeper, 62, of Coello, passed away at 7:50 p.m. Friday, January 8, 2016 at her sister’s home in Coello, IL.

She was born June 11, 1953 in Christopher, IL, the daughter of George Overturf and Frances (Hager) Overturf.

Vivian married Jack Leeper on September 1, 1972 and he preceded her in death on April 26, 2009.

She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her son, Corey and wife Ashley Leeper, Mulkeytown, IL; grandchildren Bryce and Maggie Joe Leeper; brothers and sisters Ruby Giouanetti, Dupo, IL, Sharon Stritzen, Coello, Debra Chapman, Coello, Roy Overturf, Murphysboro, IL, Deno Overturf, Carmi, IL, Donald Overturf, Marion, IL and George Overturf, Benton, IL. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with Brother Bert Mitchell officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 12, 2016 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 a.m.

Burial will be at Zeigler Cemetery, in Zeigler, IL.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.

BENTON — Denise “Dee” Fryar, 45, was peacefully received into the arms of her loving Savior at 10:35 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, surrounded by her family and friends.

In the words of her husband, Terry about Dee, “After a cancer diagnosis in May, she fought very hard, but could not recover. She is now healed permanently and will be missed by so many people. I was privileged to be with her for 30 years and she was the finest woman I have ever known. She leaves behind a husband, daughter, sister, brother, and mom and stepdad along with countless friends who will miss her so very much. We are so very grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support from all of you. Please continue to pray for the family as we will be struggling for quite some time to come. Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing us to have such a precious gift on this earth for 45 years! Denise, we love you so much and will miss you, but enjoy the family and friends who now surround you, and we will see you soon!”

Denise was born Oct. 22, 1970, in Evergreen Park. Mrs. Fryar sold Avon for 25 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University. She had worked for several businesses in Benton, and was a substitute teacher.

Mrs. Fryar is survived by her husband, Terry Fryar of Benton; daughter, Josie Fryar of Benton; mother and stepfather, Laurie and Albert Smith of Benton; sister, Debbie McMahon and husband, Phil, of Benton; brother, Jeff Clark and Adena Bowlin of Benton; nieces, Caitlin Melton and Brooklyn McMahon; nephews, Jordan McMahon and Ian McMahon; mother-in-law, Rosalie Fryar of Mount Vernon; very special friend, Debbie Crawford of West Frankfort; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mrs. Fryar was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Billy Dave Fryar.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, in Whittington Church, with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Josie Fryar Educational Fund, and will be accepted at the church, or at any State Bank of Whittington location.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

For more information or to sign the online guest register, visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.