Dakota Mikel Bechler, of Buckner, was stillborn on October 22, 2015 at Good Samaritan Regional Hospital, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

He is survived by his parents, Devon Mandrell and Makayla Bechler, both of Buckner, IL.

Other survivors include sisters, Kimberly Kay Williams and Raiylynn Marie Bechler; grandparents Matt and Angela Clark, of Buckner, Jamie Winemiller, of Christopher, IL, Robert and Melissa Winemiller, of Thompsonville, IL, Barbara Mandrell, of West Frankfort, IL, Robert Mandrell, of West Frankfort; great-grandparents Mile and Paula Krieger, of Sibley, Iowa

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with Brother Steve Cornwell, officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. The family requests blue and white carnation flowers, if you choose to send flowers and that camouflage attire is requested for the visitation and fuereral.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family to help with funeral expenses and will be accepted at the funeral home. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

 

Fern O. Lance, 96, of Sesser, IL passed away October 15, 2015.

She was born October 12, 1919 in Franklin County, the daughter of Arthur Loman and Lilly (Stubblefield) Loman.

Fern was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church, in Sesser.

She married Wayne Lance on June 5, 1937 and he preceded her in death on Nov. 20, 2006.

Fern is survived by her grandchildren, Zachary Wayne Lance, Shannon Thacker and Tawny Groesch; one niece, Deloras Herman, Chicago, IL and a special longtime family friend, Tyann Thacker, Thompsonville, IL.

She was preceded in death by her husband, two children, Randy Lance and Barbara Ann Ford and seven brothers and sisters.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015 at Maple Hill Cemetery with Brother Ray Chrisman officiating.

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

 

 

 

 

Irma Norene Mueller, 92, of Christopher, IL died Monday October 12, 2015 in DuQuoin, IL.

She was born in Christopher to Joseph and Mary (Chionio) Falcher on October 23, 1922. She graduated from Christopher High School in 1940. She worked in Chicago during the war years and later in retail stores in Christopher.

After the war she met the love of her life Frank Mueller and they were married on April 12, 1947. They spent 65 years together until his death on December 17, 2012.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother Henry Falcher and one sister Teresa “Gena” Abrassart.

She is survived by two children a son Mark (Rebecca) Mueller of Christopher and a daughter Elaine (Jim) Danielson of Christopher; three Grandchildren Eric Mueller of Christopher, Jeremy (Rachelle) Mueller of Christopher, and Tracey (Cody) Williams of Marshall, IL; four great grandsons Derek Mueller, Tyler Mueller, Logan Mueller, and Gaston Williams.

Her life was devoted to her husband, her children, and all of her family.

In accordance with Irma’s wishes her body will be cremated. There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be on Saturday October 17, 2015 at 11 A.M. at the St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher with Monsignor Kenneth Schaefer officiating. Friends and family are asked to go directly to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Christine “Teeny” Blondi, 91, of Benton, died at 4:05 a.m. Sunday, October 11, 2015 at the Helia Healthcare Center of Benton, IL.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 noon Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church of Benton with Rev. Lee Lovett officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to the funeral hour on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the church.

Arrangements are with the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Blondi was born on May 29, 1924 in Kinmundy, IL, the daughter of Rola Marlow and Blanche (Mulvaney) Marlow. She married Robert D. Blondi on June 3, 1945 and he preceded her in death on October 3, 1997.

Teeny and her husband formerly ran the Chester City Dairy in Benton. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Benton, Methodist Women, and the Franklin County Home Extension.

Teeny was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, she enjoyed flowers and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Blondi is survived by her four children: Pam Finley of Carterville, IL, Tom Blondi and wife Barbara of Scottsdale, AZ, Bobby Blondi and wife Mary of Benton, Betty Taylor of Benton; nine grandchildren: Heath Taylor of Whittington, Chrissy and husband Brian Miller of Sesser, Jason Finley and wife Leslie of Nashville, TN, Jeremy Finley and wife Rebecca of Nashville, TN, Rob Blondi and girlfriend Summer Drysdale of Valier, Brett Blondi and wife Kortni of Benton, Andrea and husband Josh Cleaver of Newton, IL, Jayme and husband Chris Robinson of Redondo Beach, CA, Tyler Blondi and wife Dawn of Azusa, CA; ten great-grandchildren: Ty Taylor, Emma Blondi, Bo Blondi, Ayda Blondi, Nolen Cleaver, Brooklyn Cleaver, Marcus Robinson, Samantha Flores, Eve Finley, Charlotte Finley; a great-granddaughter Dempsey Jane Miller due to arrive in January 2016; a sister Mary Kay and husband Don Humrichouse of Eldora, IA; two brothers: Jerry Marlow and wife Cathy of Collinsville, IL, Danny Marlow and wife Brenda of Marietta, GA; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister Hilda Bisel, three brothers: Tommy Marlow, Miram Marlow, Darrell Marlow; and her twin sister Helen Chapman.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 203 West Church Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Jack Canada, 80, of West City, passed away October 8, 2015 at his home.

Jack was born on September 1, 1935 in Benton, IL, the son of John and Thelma (Linn) Canada.

He married Patsy (Crawford) on June 24, 1954 in Marion, IL and she preceded him in death on July 27, 2013.

Jack was a loving father, grandfather and brother. He was a 50-year member of the UMWA and a retired coal miner. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Jack is survived by his children, Debbie Canada, of West City, Keith Canada, of West City, Sue McClearin and husband Scott, of Benton and David Canada, of West City; two grandchildren, Jamie Canada, of Benton and Russell Gulley, of Valier, IL; one great-grandson Chase; two brothers Bob and Taina Canada and family of Rockford, IL and Dick Canada and Gigi and family, of Equality, IL; sister-in-law Doris Stewart, of Beecher, IL; extended family members Ron and Carol House and family, of Benton, Nola and Dennis Denham, of West Frankfort, IL, Gordie and Paula Denham, of Cambria, IL, Roy and Debbie Pinkston, of West City, Christi Burke and Paul of Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a granddaughter Amanda Gulley, a sister Jennie Canada Ward, a sister-in-law Grace Canada and a brother-in-law Arnold Stewart.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday , October 14 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. John Neace officiating. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.

For those who wish, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Bate, 65, of Valier, IL passed away October 7, 2015 at his home.

Jerry was born January 7, 1950 in Cleveland, OH the son of William Bate and Anna (Bowlin) Bate.

Jerry married Kelly (Girten) Bate on November 26, 1993 and she survives of Valier.

He was retired as chief of police at Rend Lake College and also worked for police departments in Christopher, Sesser and Valier.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Valier and was a trustee of the Valier Village Board.

Jerry was an Army veteran and served in Vietnam.

He is survived by his children, Jerry (Sandra) Bate, of Zeigler, IL, Brandy Bate, Brandon “Buck” Bate and Candice Walker of Zeigler, Kirsten (Johnson) and Ryan Goodisky of Mt Vernon and Kelsey Bate of Valier; grandchildren Cody, Mikayla, Landen, Bella, Rylee and Brody Bate, Lauren Goodisky and Dylon Kelly; sister Marilyn (Jack) Holton, Columbus, OH; special uncles Wendell Bowlin, Sesser and Bud Bowlin, Benton; mother-in-law Jo Ann Girten, Valier; brothers-in-law Donnie and Lyndy Girten, Benton and Cord and Lisa Girten, Valier. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James Bate and Robert Bate.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with the Rev. Zach Waldis officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery, in Buckner, IL.

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

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

Funeral service for Lloyd Friend, of Mulkeytown, IL will be held Friday Oct 9, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Mulkeytown Christian Church.

Visitation will be Thursday from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, IL and from 10 a.m. Friday till service time at 11 a.m. at the Mulkeytown Christian Church. Burial will be in the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial can be made to the Southern Illinois Christian Service Camp in West Frankfort and will be accepted at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL.

Lloyd was World War II veteran. He served U.S. Army as a Sergeant in Bombardment Radar and as a radio mechanic. He earned American Campaign, WW II Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

After his service he became a farmer and married Patricia N. Thompson on Nov.19, 1955 at the Greenwood Methodist Church. Lloyd was lifelong member of the Mulkeytown church where he was a deacon.

Lloyd and Pat raised four children on the family farm.

Survivors include his Wife Patricia,  three children, Joe L. Friend (Cindy), Lyn Rentfro (David), Paul Dean Friend all of the Mulkeytown area.

Other survivors include seven grandchildren Alana Concord(Dan), Amy Joe Cats (Chris), Curtis Rentfro (Heather),Niki Tindall (Jacob), Paul D.Friend (Lexie), Will B. Friend, Audra Friend; four great-grandchildren, Jeffery O. Furlow, Wyatt J.Tindall, Khloe J. Tindall, and Emma L. Rentfro; three sisters, Helen Smith of Anamosa Iowa, Reba Teel of Houston, Texas, Marriane Holdman, of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parent Lewis S.Friend and Esther E. Friend and his eldest son Jeffery L Friend.

Brenda Joyce Bradley, 68, of Christopher, IL, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Herrin Hospital.

Brenda was born July 6, 1947 in Vincennes, IN, the daughter of Clarence “Doc” Wilbur Adams and Elizabeth “Betty” Joyce Schultz, of Manteno, IL.

She married George Edward Bradley on March 8, 1966 and he preceded her in death on February 17, 2011.

Brenda was a member of the Light the Way Christian Church and was a member of the UMWA Women’s Auxiliary.

Brenda is survived by her children, Steven Dale Bradley, Christopher, IL, Tina Joyce (David) Bird, Christopher, IL and Amanda Jo Bradley, Herrin, IL; one grandchild, Zoie Danielle (Austin) Frey; brothers and sisters, Paul “P.J.” Adam, Jacqueline “Jackie” (Roy) Howell, Marianne (Dale) Burkhalder, John (Ruby) Adams, Randall “Lee” (Cheryl) Adams, Karla (Bob Bopes) Adams, Bruce Adams, Tamara “Tammy” (Lee) Ferguson, Karen (Glenn) Clark, Sharon Adams, Timothy “Tim” Adams, Angela “Angie” (Doug) Snyder, Patrick “Pat” Adams.

She was preceded in death by her husband and one son, Keith Edward Bradley.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with Minister Robbey Smith, officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2-15 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery, in Sesser, IL. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Celtic Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com