Sandy Neal, 74, of Whittington, IL passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2015.

She was born in Steel City, IL on April 14, 1941, the daughter of John A. Logan and Opal (McCarty) Crisp.

She married Melvin Neal on September 26, 1958 and he survives.

Sandy’s top priority in life was spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandson. Sandy worked for Wal-Mart for 18 years and retired from managing the snack bar there. She was a wonderful wife, mom and homemaker.

Sandy is survived by her husband Melvin Neal, of Whittington, two daughters Beth Roberts and husband Jeff, of Whittington and Sherry Richardson and husband Stephen, of Benton; three grandchildren Jason Richardson and wife Katie, of Thompsonville, IL, Brittany Richardson, of Memphis, TN and Ethan Roberts, of Peoria; one great-grandson, Brody Neal Richardson, of Christopher, IL, one brother, Donald Crisp, of Benton, two sisters, Martha Carlton, of Benton and June Gaskey, of Hammond, IN.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by eight brothers and sisters, Clarence, Ray, John Robert, Wanda, Katherine, Roger, Keith and Joan.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Gary West officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2015 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery, in Whittington.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Lou Arondelli, 83, of Christopher, IL passed away August 17, 2015 at Lavender Ridge, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Mary Lou was born September 25, 1931 in Christopher, the daughter of John Walker Proctor and Jennie (Short) Proctor.

She was a registered nurse and was a member of First Christian Church, in Christopher.

She married Robert “Bob” Arondelli on October 26, 1952 and he preceded her in death on January 8, 2010.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Susan and Tob Raben, Christopher, Sandy Jones, Christopher and Bob and Christie Arondelli, of Mulkeytown, IL; grandchildren Ricky and Kim Rowland, Tara Sales, Erin and Erik Moss, Bobby and Jamie Arondelli, Amanda Arondelli, McKenzie Arondelli, Heather Vercellino, Brooke Vercellino, Tiff and Jake Morhet, Todd Jones and Eric and Lisa Jones. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with the Rev. Dan Ison officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to SSM Good Samaritan Hospice or to the First Christian Church in Christopher and will be accepted at the funeral home

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

THOMPSONVILLE — John S. Minier, 67, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at his home.

Mr. Minier’s wishes were to be cremated. Graveside funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, in Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.

Leffler-Poulson Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Marty McChesney, age 70, of West City, passed away at 1:50 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2015 at her home.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at the Brady Cemetery, Akin, with Bro. Joe Zbinden officiating. There will be no visitation. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Arrangements are through the Leffler-Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. McChesney was born on July 15, 1945 in McLeansboro, Illinois, the daughter of Roy Daniel Smith and Emma (Callahan) Smith. She married Lyndell McChesney and he preceded her in death.

Marty worked as a dispatcher and secretary from 1979 – 2008 with the West City Police Department. She was an avid reader, and best known for reading entire books in one day. She enjoyed and was proud to have completed computer classes, having attended secretary school and receiving a degree in bookkeeping.

Mrs. McChesney was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include her son Mark McIntosh of West City; a daughter Edie McChesney Pennell of Buckner; a granddaughter Tamara McIntosh of West City; a great-granddaughter Hailey McIntosh of West City; caretaker and special friend Beverly Miller of Benton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers: General Callahan and Charles Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance for School Supplies.

The family would like to say ‘Thank You’ to Hospice of Southern Illinois, for all of their care and compassion.

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

Jerry L. Conner, 70, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, IL.

Jerry was born in Whittington, IL on Oct. 9, 1944, the son of Elza and Christina (Mincheff) Conner.

He married Marilyn Baumgarte on May 17, 1969 at the First Baptist Church in Benton, and she survives.

Jerry was a member of Whittington Church and the Gun Creek Association. He sang for several years with the Psalmaneers. Jerry worked for Freeman Coal and Old Ben Coal companies. He had been a tax assessor for Ewing and Northern Townships in Franklin County. He worked for Stroudt Realty which later became Conner Realty.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marilyn Conner, of Benton, daughter Natalee Poindexter and husband David, of Collierville, TN, son Jared Conner and wife Lisa, of St. Peters, MO; two grandchildren Thatcher Poindexter and Hayley Conner; three special nephews Chris Conner, Wade Williams and Brent Williams and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers, Richard Conner and John Conner.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Tuesdasy, August 18, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 12 noon at the funeral home. Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Paula Jean Tate, 64, of Benton, IL passed away at 1:40 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family and close friends.

At Paula’s request private graveside services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the ALS Foundation or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

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

Georgette Minton, age 88, of Valier, IL passed away at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at the Westside Care Center, in West Frankfort, IL.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2015 at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Valier, with the Rev. Wayne Purdie officiating. There will be no visitation. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Arrangements are through the Leffler-Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Minton was born on June 12, 1927 in Christopher, Illinois, the daughter of Juels E. DeVaux and Georgette (Chalet) DeVaux. She married Jasper Newton “Sonny” Minton and he preceded her in death.

Mrs. Minton was a homemaker and a member of the Valier United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her son Alan Minton and wife Louise of Christopher; three grandsons: Kevin Minton of Valier, Brian Minton of Christopher, Rick Wright and wife Denise of West Frankfort; four great-grandchildren: Mitchell Wright, Nicholas Wright, Dustin Minton and Noah Minton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters: Yvonne Webster and Georgette DeVaux.

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