Robert (Bob)Eugene Swisher, 74, Coello, IL passed away May 24, 2015 at Herrin Hospital, in Herrin, IL.

He was born July 20, 1940 in Mulkeytown, IL, the son of Emmett Swisher and Verble (Hill) Swisher.

Bob was an Army veteran.

He worked at Freeman No. 3 and Kerr-McGhee before retiring.

Bob was a member of the UMWA, Christopher American Legion and the Italian Club, in Coello. He was also a member of the First Christian Church, in Mulkeytown.

Bob married Evelyn (Pinkham) Swisher on June 19, 1965 and she survives.

He is survived by his children Carrie and Dennis Estes, Christopher, IL and Jeff Thies, of Illinois; granchildren Adam and Joshua Estes, of Christopher, Preston and Ryan Thies, Illinois, Lynn and Kendra Swisher, Queensbury, New York, Clinton Swisher, St. Louis; step grandchildren Jason Estes, Du Quoin, IL and Brandi Estes, Las Vegas; great-grandchildren Kayah Nicole Swisher, Queensbury, NY; step-great-grandchildren Paige Adams, Brook Adams, Plano, Texas; sisters and brothers Charles (Dobber) and Judy Swisher, Mulkeytown, Janice and Norm Tilley, Du Quoin, IL, Debbie and Jerry Stanley, Mulkeytown; daughter-in-law Karen Swisher, Queensbury, NY, brother-in-law Raymond Flannigan, Mulkeytown; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marion and Karen Pinkham, Galesburg, IL, Allen and Heather Pinkham, Mulkeytown, Wilma and Larry Hammel, Du Quoin, Jane and Lou Pivarski, Christopher; two aunts Geraldine Kozan and Pauline Anheuser, both of Du Quoin and Dean Hill, Steelville, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Leonard Leroy Swisher and one sister Linda Flannigan.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, is in charge of arrangements.  For more information got to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

 

 

Dwight Vernell Bailor, 88, of Valier, IL, passed away May 20, 2015 at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center, in Herrin, IL.

Dwight was born October 25, 1926 in Rend City, IL the son of George Bailor and Lela (Quillman) Bailor.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II.

Dwight was a coal miner, a member of the WMWA and the Valier United Methodist Church.

Dwight was married to Dorothy Mae (Kidd) Bailor and she preceded him in death on Dec. 25, 2009.

He is survived by his children, Trudy and Gary Crocker, of Valier and Jim and Renea Bailor, of Valier; grandchildren Lisa and Shannon Gamble, Louisville, KY, Britaney Bailor and husband Brent Oberlink, Highland, IL, Bridgette and Bobby Finley, Lexington, KY; great-grandchildren Garrett Gamble, Jordan Gamble, McKenzi Finley and Addison Finley. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 22, 2015 at 3 p.mm. at Valier United Methodist Church with minister Zach Waldis officiating. Visitation will be Friday, May 22, 2015 from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 3 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, in Valier.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

Sharon Kay Akin, 65, of Benton, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at Herrin Hospital.

Sharon was born in Decatur, IL on August 2, 1949, the daughter of Earl and Beatrice (Layman) Hosick.

Sharon married Clifford L. Akin on April 10, 1967 and he preceded her in death on May 6, 2004.

She is survived by her children Patrick Akin, Loretta Bearden and husband Jeff, Kimberly Akin, Roger Akin and wife JoAnna, Lacey Akin and Ryan Akin; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; three brothers Ray Earl Hosick, Mike Hosick and Donnie Hosick and one sister Corinne Brookshire. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and by two brothers, Carl Hosick and Roy Hosick.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery, in Akin. Visitation will after 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday and the funeral home.

Deborah Jean Grizzell, 67, died Friday May 8, 2015.

She was born July 24, 1947 in Christopher, IL to Louis and Mildred (Rea) Vaughn. She married Ronald Grizzell, and he preceded her in death on April 30, 1994.

She had worked at Colonial Manor in Zeigler for 35 years.

Survivors include her children Anthony Grizzell of Anna, Ronnie Grizzell of Illinois, and James Grizzell of Illinois, grandchildren Rehanna Grizzell, Jordan Grizzell, Zachary Hunt, and Haliegh Grizzell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister Carol Smith.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday May 14, 2015 at 5:00 P.M. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Thursday May 14, 2015 from 4:00 P.M. until the time of the memorial service at 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

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

Dick DeWayne Walker departed this life on May 9, 2015. He was a baptized believer of Jesus Christ.

He was born on November 1, 1945 to Charles Walker and Mary (Thomas) Walker Eckhardt in Herrin, IL.

Dick was a proud member of the United Mine Workers, he had worked for Old Ben #21 for 33 years.

He enjoyed his retirement year, participating in car shows and being an avid Cubs fan.

Leaving behind to cherish his memories are his wife of 49 years Margie, three sons Rick and Jennifer Walker of Washington, IL, Gabriel and Katy Walker of Marion, IL, Casey and Jaime Walker of Herrin, IL, mother Mary Eckhardt of Tucson, AZ, one sister Faye and Roy Collier of Tucson, AZ, one brother Sonny and Martha Moyers of DuQuoin, IL, Grandchildren Sophie Walker of Johnston City, IL, Derek Walker of Washington, IL, and his faithful companion Morgan Grace.

Funeral Services will be on Wednesday May 13, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday May 12, 2015 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

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

Dennis L. “Denny” Cowan, 68, of Christopher, IL passed away suddenly Saturday, May 2, 2015 at his home.

He was born in Christopher on Oct. 13, 1946 the son of Walter. and Mabel Faye (Kramer) Cowan.

Mr. Cowan was a member of the Benton Eagles. He loved fishing and NASCAR and fish fries with his friends and neighbors.

Mr. Cowan is survived by two daughters, Becky Choat and husband Jerry of Harrisburg, IL and Dawn Heob and husband Matt of St. Mary, MO; grandchildren Mathew Cook and wife Kristi, Chelsea Cook, Skylar Arredondo, Jeremy Choat, Avery Younger and wife Jessica, Dakota Younger Shylan Younger, Jama Dunbar, Lilly Heob; great-grandson Colton Younger; sisters Judy Kellough and husband Don of Waverly, KY, Connie Trigg and husband Jim of Star, MS, Marie Walker, of Elkmont, AL, Barbara Dauer and Chuck Solbrig of Lake of Egypt, IL and Ruthie Walters and Don Fiorenzi, of Marion, IL; two brothers, Douglas Cowan and wife Connie, of Lawrenceville, GA and Jeff Cowan and wife Sandra, of Lawrenceville, GA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Cowan was preceded in death by his parents, by a daughter Dana Cowan and by a brother, Charlie Cowan.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL with the Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Visitation will be on May 6, 2015 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills.

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

 

 

Loretta Emma Lutes, 87, of Christopher, IL passed away surrounded by family and friends on May 3, 2015 at Memorial Hospital, in Carbondale, IL.

Loretta was born September, 3, 1927 in Du Quoin, IL, the daughter of Louis Mangin and Minnie (Wendling) Mangin.

She was retired from garment factories in DuQuoin and Zeigler IL and was a homemaker. She was of the Catholic faith.

She was married to Charles “Peanuts” Lutes for 65 years and he survives.

Loretta was survived by nieces Teddi Lee Maxton, Tamaroa, IL, Niki Sanders, DuQuoin and by a nephew George Bernhardt, DuQuoin; great nieces Bambi Lombardo, Tiffany Bernhardt and Jenifer Bernhardt; great nephew Billy Maxton, who was like a son; two special friends, Mary Gant and Max Dearman; brother-in-law Carl W. Lutes; sister-in-law Emma Smith, both of Carbondale, IL.

Loretta had a great love for her dogs Pepper  and Cole. Though they never had children Loretta and Peanuts help raise many children. They have been a Godsend to all their family and will be sadly missed.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, sister Hilda Allen and brother Frank Mangin.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday May 6, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Deacon Mike Rowland officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Garden Cemetery, Du Quoin, IL.

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

John Thomas Crowe, 88, of Mulkeytown, IL passed away May 1, 2015.

Mr. Crowe was born April 13, 1927 in Hopkinsville, KY, the son of Thomas Crowe and Margaret (Proffitt) Crowe.

He was a farmer and an Army veteran. Mr. Crowe was a member of First Christian Church, in Mulkeytown, IL.

He married Norma Gene (Lacox) Crowe on Nov. 27, 1952 and she preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 2011.

Mr. Crowe is survived by one son, Tom and Sandy Crowe, Lewisburg, TN and one daughter, Trina Sue and Jason Crowe, Allegan, MI; grandchildren Stephanie and Aaron Eubanks, Davie Laurie, Mercie and Chris May and Jesse and Celeste Cousineau; great-granddaughters Alexis Crowe, Maddy Pinkham, Michelle Cousineau, Val Cousineau, Leah May and Paige May; one brother, Arnold Crowe, Wisconsin and one sister, Detta Proffitt, Kentucky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one daughter, Cheryl Laurie and four sisters and three brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL with the Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May, 3, 2015 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery, Mulkeytown, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to the Mulkeytown Historical society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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