Phyllis Virginia Kirkpatrick, 84, of Christopher, IL passed away August 12, 2015 at Heartland Regional Health Center, in Marion, IL.

She was born July 13, 1931 in Benton, IL the daughter of Van Rowland and Marion (Robertson) Rowland.

Phyllis was married to James Kirkpatrick on Dec. 2, 1951 and he survives.

She was the owner with her husband of Kirk’s Pharmacy in Christopher for 62 years.

Phyllis was active in the Christopher Women’s Club and she loved going to her condo in Florida.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church, in Valier, IL.

She is survived by her husband, children Debbie Kretz, Mark and Mary Jo Kirkpatrick and Lisa Kirkpatrick; grandchildren Wade Kretz, Kyle and Kim Kretz, Meredith and Mark Rogers; great-grandchildren Tyson Kretz, Aiden Kretz, Kaylee Kretz, Jack Kretz, Cole Rogers and Isaac McPhail.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Robbye Reeves and one brother Van Gale Rowland.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2015 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to the Valier First Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

 

Ronald A. Willis, 64, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday, August 8, 2015 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating.

Burial, with military rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion and VFW Honor Squad, will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.

Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

Frederick Ward Barg, age 72, of Benton, IL passed away at 8:26 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015 at his home in Benton.

Mr. Barg’s wishes were to be cremated. A final farewell with military rites to be conducted by the Benton American Legion Post No. 280 and V.F.W. Post No. 2671, will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2015 at the Benton American Legion Post No. 280 located at 311 South Main Street in Benton.

Arrangements are through the Leffler-Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

Fred was born on November 21, 1942 in San Pedro, California, the son of Frederick Beyer Barg and Helen Audrey (Ward) Barg. He married the former Marcia Lena Pierson, and she preceded him in death.

Mr. Barg worked as an oil driller. He worked all over the world, and last worked and retired from Alaska.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War era, and was a member of the Benton American Legion Post No. 280.

He was of the Protestant faith.

Surviving are two daughters: Marni Swisher and husband Brad of Benton, April Jessica Nash of Southern California; a step-son: Michael Englebaugh of Long Beach, California; his mother Helen Barg of San Carlos, California; two brothers: John Barg and wife Kay of San Carlos, California, Bill Barg and wife Ruth of Mission Viejo, California; two sisters: Lorna Wood and husband Cliff of San Carlos, California, Cindy Giller and husband Bill of Atlanta, Georgia; six grandchildren: Lindsey Alaska Dawn Mangas, Logan Dean Mangas, Amanda Lanea Guido, Sam Wright, Lacey Connell, Haelie Wright; two great-grandchildren: Alistar Binion, Kaia Naomi Connell; and several nieces and nephews.

Fred was preceded in death by his father and his wife.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 Eighteenth Street, NW Washington DC, 20006-3517.

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

Frank Lee Loeschner, 77, of Warrenton, MO passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 1, 2015.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton with the Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. There will be no visitation. Those attending are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carl Clifton Overturf , 90, of Buckner, IL passed away August 4, 2015 at his home.

Carl was born October 29, 1924, the son of Willie Overturf and Flora (Smith) Overturf.

He was a retired coal miner and also operated Overturf Service and Sales in Buckner for many years. He was a member of the UMWA.

Carl was an Army veteran and served in World War II.

He married LaVaughn (Talley) Overturf on Nov. 28, 1950 and she preceded him in death on May 22, 2014.

Carl is survived by his children, Jerry and Rita Overturf, of Buckner, Janice Overturf, of Buckner and Dennis and Karen Overturf, of Sherman, IL.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Carla Hammonds, Stephen Overturf, Tammy Enlow, Michelle VanHoorebeke, Angelique Overturf, Jennifer Overturf, Charlotte Overturf, Ashley Overturf;15 great-grandchildren; sisters Wanda Lee Vleminck, Bradford, PA and Ina Mae Heisner, Bisbee, AZ.

He was preceded in death by hisarents, wife, one daughter Karen Sue Overturf, one sister Thelma Smothers, and three brothers Opal Overturf, Loran Overturf and Kenneth Overturf.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL with the Rev. Donnie Colson officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Knight Cemetery in Buckner.

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

 

 

 

Connie S. Roan, of Mulkeytown, IL passed away at 1 a.m. on Sunday August 2, 2015 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.

Connie worked as a waitress in various restaurants in southern Illinois. In her spare time, she thoroughly enjoyed being with her boys, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and all of her animals.

She was born on October 29, 1947 in Hannibal, Mo to Charles and Lily Ruth (Miller) Watts.

Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law Cheryl and Wayne Harbourn of Hannibal, Mo, sister Ann Ladd of Bolivar, Mo, brother Bryan and Jane Watts of Dadeville, Mo, brother James Watts of Wyoming, a son and daughter-in-law Scott and Jennifer Roan of Safety Harbor, FL, Grandchildren Tyler Roan of Marion, Linc Roan of Marion, Tanner Roan of Safety Harbor, FL, Rachel Roan of Safety Harbor, FL, Katie Roan of Safety Harbor, FL, Chelsea Oliver of Scheller, Alexis Oliver of Scheller, Hannah Taskoski of Scheller, and three great grandchildren Riley Roan, Remy Roan, and Bailey Roan. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son Stanley Roan.

A Celebration of life will be on Wednesday August 5, 2015 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

The family of Connie Roan would like to extend a special thanks to Dr.Bleyer, Kerry, Jim and Christy.

Foer more information go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Bertis M. Diefenbach, age 84, of Benton, passed away at 12:25 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2015 at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015 at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Paul Burbank officiating. Burial will be in the Palestine Social Brethren Cemetery in Stonefort. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

Bertis M. Diefenbach was born August 13, 1930 in Stonefort, IL, the son of Louie Diefenbach and Clara (Branden) Diefenbach. He married the former Joyce Arliene Barger on June 18, 1950, and she survives.

Bert worked as a coal miner for 43 years. He worked with Freeman United Coal Company and would later retire with Brushy Creek Mine in Harco. He was a member of the Palestine Social Brethren Church in Stonefort. He attended the Glory Bound Tabernacle in West Frankfort.

Mr. Diefenbach was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Bert enjoyed gardening, woodworking, Cardinal baseball, watching football and basketball, working word search puzzles, and cutting firewood with his son. Bert made and tagged 145 bluebird houses across Franklin, Hamilton and Saline Counties “Bluebird Trail”.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joyce Arliene Diefenbach of Benton; a daughter Susan McCarty of Benton; a son Tony Diefenbach and wife Anita of Macedonia; six grandchildren Wendy Neal and husband Tom of Whittington, Heather McCarty and friend Jamie Martin of Scottsville, KY, Melinda Shaw and fiancee Chad Downs of West Frankfort, Trampas Diefenbach and wife Melissa of Macedonia, Destry Diefenbach and wife Brea of Benton, Orrie Diefenbach and wife A.K. of Orlando, FL; eight great-grandchildren Andrew Neal, Noah and Isiah Shaw and their father Robert, Luke Hal Downs, Aleaha Downs, Baili and Makenna Diefenbach, Triston Wimberly; several nieces and nephews; and a very special nephew Leroy Diefenbach of Harrisburg.

Bert was preceded in death by his parents; fourteen siblings; and a son-in-law Richard McCarty.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Glory Bound Tabernacle in West Frankfort, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Martha Pickett, 100, of Christopher, IL passed away July 29, 2015 at Benton Rehabilitation and Health Care, in Benton, IL.

Martha was born July 29, 1915 in Chicago, the daughter of Frank and Stephanie Krol.

She married Stephen Pickett and he preceded in death on April 12, 1992.

Martha was a homemaker and a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher

She is survived by her children, Ronald Pickett, of Berbank, IL, Edward Picket, of Crestwood, IL and Marty Pickett, of Harvard, IL.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter Elaine Crain, one brother Casimir Krol and three sisters, Regina Senka, Helen Naydol and Stella Krol.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2105 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating.  Visitation will be at the church on Friday, July 31, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery, in Christopher.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra “Sandy” Jean Ramey 54, of Sesser, IL passed away on July 25, 2015 at home.

Sandy was born to Rudy and Jean Uhles on March 2, 1961 in DuQuoin, IL.

Sandy is survived by her husband Barry Ramey. They enjoyed 35 years of marriage. She is also survived by her daughter Nikki Ramey and fiancé David Clark; granddaughter Marley Clark; brother Bill Uhles and his wife Norma; mother-in-law Virginia Ramey and a very special neighbor Delmar Jones. Also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two children Stacy Ramey and Christopher Ramey, grandparents Ralph and Madeline Uhles, Burton and Lois Davison and her father-in-law Dan Ramey.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday July 28, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Hopewell Cemetery in McLeansboro with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is handling the arrangments.

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

CHRISTOPHER — Nina Mae Hampton, 86, died Thursday, July 23, 2015, at her son’s residence.

Nina was born July 10, 1929, in Christopher, to Phillip and Mae (Eads) Clancy.

Nina married John “Pappy” Hampton on June 18, 1951, and he died Nov. 14, 2013.

She was a CNA and a member of Church of Christ in Christopher.

Nina is survived by her children, Dennis Hampton and Debbie Fay of Mulkeytown, Tina and John Hughes of Sesser, John “Little John” and Georgetta Hampton of Mulkeytown, and Harry Hampton and special friend, Zeno Birkner, of Belleville; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and brother, Ray Clancy of St. Louis.

She was prededed in death by her parents; husband; one son, Phillip “PG” Hampton; one grandson, Kevin Hampton; one great-granddaughter, Carlie Staggs; and one brother, Roscoe Clancy.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 27, in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, with Brother George Marshall officiating. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 26 at the funeral home.

For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.