Mary Ellen Wright-Naylor, 94, of Benton, IL, passed away at 6:55 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Nature Trail Nursing Home in Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was born on April 15, 1923, to Russell and Ruby (Wright) Kilgore. Mary Ellen retired as a LPN for Good Samaritan. She married Leon Wright and he preceded her in death on March 1, 1981. She later married Ted Naylor who also preceded her in death on September 29, 2005.

She was a member of North Benton Baptist Church in Benton, IL.

Mary Ellen is survived by, one daughter, Carolyn (Terry) Wright-McCauley of Mt. Vernon, IL; one son, David Wright of Columbus, OH.; five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Ruby Kilgore, first husband, Leon Wright, second husband, Theodore “Ted” Naylor, one son, Robert Wright, two brothers, Russell Wayne Kilgore and Robert Donald Kilgore in infancy.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St. Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Per Mary Ellen’s wishes cremation will take place and will be buried with her first husband, Leon, in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Worthington, OH.

Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or to Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com

Joseph Wayne Baker, 50, of Christopher, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at the Franklin Hospital ER.

He was born on December 8, 1966, to David and Francis (Cihak) Baker in Oak Lawn, IL. He married the former Judith “Judy” Meier. Joseph was a loving husband, father, and son. He enjoyed fishing.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Judith Baker, his six loving children, Thomas Baker, Emily Baker, Autumn Baker, Cathy Baker, Pearl Baker and Kimberly Baker; his father, David Baker; two brothers, Mark (Cheryl) Baker and Thomas (Michelle) Baker; and three nephews, Michael Baker, Matthew Baker, and Jason Baker.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Francis Baker.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Per his wishes, cremation will  take place.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Vera L. (Hiller) Flowers, 86, of Mulkeytown IL passed away in the Sunshine Gardens Memory Care Unit on Sunday May 28, 2017.

Vera was born on March 24, 1931 to Everett and Bonnie (Sanders) Hiller in Christopher.

She graduated from Christopher High School in 1948, where she was a proud Bearcat cheerleader, and married Larry D. Flowers on November 23, 1950 at the First Christian Church in Christopher.  They shared over 66 years of marriage together.

Vera owned and operated many businesses with her family including Vera’s Flower’s and Gifts, Flowers Fashions, Larry’s Trailer Sales and Flowers Farms.

Throughout her life, Vera was very active, social and involved with the Zeigler Saddle Club, Christopher Saddle Club, Boy Scouts, Zeigler Eastern Star, Homemaker’s Extension as well as holding several positions at area churches.  She was active in horse shows for her sons and attended most events for her grandchildren.  Vera always looked forward to her annual high school class reunions, often hosting the celebrations at her home.

Vera is survived by her husband Larry D. Flowers, son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Gayle Flowers, grandchildren Lacey Holt, Larry A. Flowers, Courtney Flowers, Chad Flowers, and Chase Flowers, great grandson A.J. Holt, daughter-in-law Pricilla Flowers, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Carolyn Flowers as well as several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Vera was preceded in death by her parents, one son Larry Allen Flowers, brother and sister-in-law Archie and Doris Hiller, and a sister and brother-in-law, Loretta and Nelson Harris.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday May 30, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with brother Denny Bush officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday May 30, 2017 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher from 11:00 AM until 12:45 PM.

Vera’s family would like to thank all the caregivers and staff at Sunshine Gardens Memory Care for their love, respect and dignity provided to Vera and the family as well as the caregivers at Reflections Memory Care and Hospice of Southern Illinois.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Sunshine Gardens Memory Care Unit or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.  For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuenralhomes.com

Olga B. Roush, 88 of Chirstopher IL, passed away on Saturday May 27, 2017 at 5:30 AM at Parkway Manor in Marion.

She was born on January 19, 1929 in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Tolstoy Leo and Margarita (Castellanos) Binswanger.

 She is survived by her children Kitty and Mark Cavinder of Mulkeytown, Mark Roush of Midland, TX, Paul Roush of Lubbock, TX, Viki and Joe Jensen of Midland, TX; grandchildren Kimberly and James Nesler of Herrin, Mandy Sneed of Christopher, Casey Cavinder of Mulkeytown, Tracy Cavinder of St. Louis, MO, Lucas Roush of Arlington, OR, Sarah Roush of Lubbock, TX, Marta Jensen of St Paul, MN, Emma Jensen, Midland, TX, Matthew Roush of Lubbock, TX; great grandchildren Hannah Nesler and Jake Nesler both of Herrin; brother Lewis Binswanger of El Paso, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Enedina Ellzey, one sister-in-law Corine Binswanger, one brother-in-law Paul Ellzey, grandson Vincent Paul Sneed, three great grandchildren Eliana Kathryn Nesler, Karissa Hazel Nesler, and Alexa Renee Nesler.

Olga lived the majority of her life in Carlsbad, NM, where she raised her four children.  She retired from the banking business while living in Carlsbad.  She relocated to Christopher in 2005.  She enjoyed being with family, reading, crocheting, needlepoint, and crossword puzzles.  She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher.

She was an amazing lady, whose loving presence brilliantly shined upon all those with which she came into contact.  She will be sadly missed by her entire family, including her beloved Abigail, a three year old red short-haired miniature dachshund.

Graveside service will be on Thursday June 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM with Father Urban Osuji officiating at the St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St Andrews Catholic Cemetery, envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

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

Gordon Lewis Higginson, age 82, of Benton IL, passed away at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Helia Healthcare of Benton.

Mr. Higginson was born on November 4, 1934 in Wabash County, Illinois, the son of Leo Higginson and Caradena (Stadler) Higginson. He married the former Janet Bruce on April 24, 1953, and she survives.

He formerly worked for Ashland Valvoline Oil Company for 36 years until his retirement. He was a 52 year member of Pond River Masonic Lodge #244 in Greenville, KY. And he was a member of First Baptist Church of Thompsonville.

Gordon enjoyed quarter horses and trucks. He was known for his ability to fix anything and help anyone that asked.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Janet Higginson of Benton; three children: Stephanie Hobbs and husband Russell of Christopher, Bruce Higginson and wife Theresa of Benton, Beth Moore and husband John of Benton; four grandchildren: Jason Hobbs and wife Tiffanie, Kyle Hobbs, Shelby Biggs and husband Aaron, Taylor Moore; two great-grandchildren: Carson Hobbs and Tinley Hobbs; three sisters: Letha Michels, Lois Helm both of Mt. Carmel, IL, Dolores Elliot of Olney, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Donald Higginson and Bernard Higginson, and a sister Phyllis Hayes.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 28, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Rod Joplin officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Masonic Rites will be observed at 2:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Christopher Louis Coniglio, age 29, of Mulkeytown IL, passed away at 9:36 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017 at his home.

Christopher was born on May 20, 1987 in Pontiac, IL, the son of Gregg Allen Steimle and Christine Louise Coniglio.

Mr. Coniglio was a 2005 graduate of Murphysboro High School, and was employed in the Service and Tire Department at Carbondale Wal-Mart.

His family said, “He was the best father in the entire world. He was so very attentive and loving when it came to his children, and he always put his family first”. He was gifted with musical talents and enjoyed playing the guitar, drums, and saxophone. He was also skilled at carpentry, and enjoyed camping, fishing, gun safety, and video gameplay during his free time. He was a great person to have as a friend, and very compassionate and understanding to people from all walks of life.

Christopher is survived by his loving mother Christine Coniglio of Mulkeytown; his future-wife-to-be and mother of his two beautiful children, Rebeccah Vogt of Mulkeytown; his two children who were his world, Emily and Atticus Coniglio; two brothers: Matthew Kupcikevicius and wife Miranda of Mulkeytown, Nickolas Kupcikevicius of Joliet, IL; grandparents: Greg and Diana Steimle of Pontiac, IL, Kathy Coniglio of Hickory, NC, Frank “Chico” Coniglio and wife Teresa of Carbondale; step-grandparents: Kazys “Kup” Kupcikevicius and wife Jeanne of Bradley, IL; six aunts: Terry and Connie Coniglio, Dawn Wolfe, Rachel Francis, Krystal Coniglio-Sanders, Florence Caraway; uncle Andy Steimle; and nephew Joshua Kupcikevicius.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Rick Jackson officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Friends and family are welcome to gather after the services at the Greenwood United Methodist Church, outside of Christopher.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Christopher Louis Coniglio, and will be accepted at the funeral home or through the GoFundMe account set up in Christopher’s name: https://www.gofundme.com/hu42pp-funeral-expenses

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