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

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