BUCKNER — Donald L. Middleton, 80, of Buckner, IL, passed away April 5, 2015 at Franklin Hospital, in Benton, IL.

Donald was born February 21, 1935, in Steger, IL, the son of Gene Middleton and Anna (Waggner) Middleton.

Date & Place of Birth: February 21, 1935 in Steger, IL.

He married Jacqueline (Rendant) Middleton on November 25, 1989 and she survives of Buckner.

Donald was an Army veteran and worked as a forklift operator for the Ford Stamping plant in Chicago Heights, IL.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in West Frankfort, IL.

Donald is survived by his children, Sandra Killian, Beacher, IL, Diana and William Rogers, Cedar Lake, IN, Ronald and Tonya Middleton, Portage, IN, Mary Rogers, of Buckner, IL and Walter and Helen Smith, of Walterboro, SC; grandchildren Chrysta and Mathew Staley, Mulkeytown, IL, Thomas and Ashley Rogers, West Frankfort, IL, Jamie and Steve Schmidt, St. John, IN, Jason Pelton, Beacher, IL, Donald and Candice Rogers, Cambria, IL and Ashley Middleton, Portage, IN. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Donald was preceded in death by three sisters, Bertha Williams, Dorothy Bricks, Zetta Settler, five brothers Gerald Middleton, Roy Middleton, Dwight Middleton, Louis Middleton, Marvin Middleton and one great grandson Logan Rogers.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, in West Frankfort, IL  with Pastor Alan Janneke officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, in West Frankfort and will be accepted at the church.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Nathan A. Valleroy, 86, of Christopher, IL passed away March 28, 2015 at his home.

He was born October 16, 1928 in Modoc, IL, the son of Henry Valleroy and Catherine (DeFousse) Valleroy.

Nathan was a retired engineer for Missouri Pacific Railroad. He served in the National Guard.

He married Adelaine (Casley) Valleroy on Nov.1, 1947 and she survives.

He was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus in Christopher and a former member of Christopher Lions Club and Masonic Lodge and Shriners.

He is survived by his children, Elmer and Cheryl Valleroy, of Benton, IL; grandchildren Timothy Learned, Casondra Chwarczinski, Jacob Learned, David Valleroy, Christina Bivins, Daniel Valleroy, Wesley Dunn, Sarah Valleroy, Katherine Valleroy and several great grandchildren; one sister Eugeneia Kemp, of Columbia, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Diana Lynn Learned, two brothers, Charles and Graden Valleroy and one infant brother.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2015 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher, IL with Father Joseph Trapp officiating.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL. Burial will be at St. Andrews Cemetery.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

BENTON — Sharon Sue Meehan, 74, of Benton, died on Sunday, March 29th at 4:00 a.m. in Marion, Illinois of complications from a stroke.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton, with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

She was born on March 21, 1941 in Christopher, the daughter of Carl T. and Geraldine “Jerry” Mitchell, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Andy and Esther Mitchell and Ezra and Ida Bowlin and by her husband, Bill Meehan, whom she married in 1999.

She is survived by a daughter, Shay (Denny) Richey and two grandchildren, Amelia and Jordan Richey of Benton, IL, three step-children, Charles (Kitty), Christopher (Mary Ann) and Elizabeth Meehan and three step-grandchildren, Nicholas, Blair and Anna. A brother, Ted (Linda) Mitchell of Edwardsville, IL, two sisters, Clark-Ann (Dave) Haas of Millstadt, IL, and Kelly (James) Talley of Benton, IL, one nephew, Ethan Talley, and three nieces, Emily (Jeremiah) Furr, Hilary (Allen) Duncan and Kaitlyn Talley, and many loving cousins and lifelong friends.

Sharon graduated from Benton High School and attended SIU where she was a theater major. Having a beautiful voice, Sharon helped pay for college by singing in many area weddings and church services. She had an appreciation for the performing arts and loved attending productions throughout her life.

She worked in Benefits at the UMWA and Freeman Coal and later worked part-time at Dillard’s.

An avid reader, she instilled her love of reading in her grandchildren as she spent many hours with them at the library. She also was a natural story teller and amused people with her witty take on events in the family. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed entertaining the entire family for birthdays and holidays.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, or the Brown Bag Lunch Program at the First Baptist Church of Benton.

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

BENTON — Christina Conner Dame, 92, of Benton, IL, passed away Thursday morning March 26, 2015 at Franklin Hospital, in Benton.

Christina was born in Tracy City, TN on September 12, 1922, the daughter of Chris and Thelma (Gibbs) Mincheff.

She was married to Elza Conner and Dwight Dame and both preceded her in death.

Christina was a member of Whittington Church and worked as a secretary for Strout Realty for more than 25 years.

Christina is survived by her son, Jerry Conner and wife Marilyn, of Benton; grandchildren Natalee Poindexter and husband David, of Collierville, TN, Jared Conner and wife Lisa, of St. Peters, MO, Chris Conner, Melissa Paul and Jennifer Wilson; great-grandchildren Thatcher Poindexter, Hayley Conner, Chelsea and Paige Sullivan, Abby and Emily Haskins and Zane Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by two sons, Richard Conner and John Conner and by two brothers and one sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday March 30, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Franklin Cemetery in Whittington, IL.

Morton and Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to sign the guest book go to mortonandjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

 

 

Phyllis B. (Long) Crocket, 91, of Christopher, IL passed away March 27, 2015 at Franklin Hospital, in Benton, IL.

She was born March 3, 1924, in Du Quoin, IL the daughter of Frank Kelley and Maude (Mifflin) Kelley.

Phyllis worked at the Masonic Home, in Sullivan, IL.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Linda Wright, of New Baden, IL, Sondra Barringer, of Salem, IL, Phillip Long, of Benton, IL and Jenetta Trussell, of Christopher, IL.  She is also survived by several grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Jess Edward Crowe and one brother and three sisters.

A private family funeral service will be held on Monday, March 30, 2015. Burial will be at Masonic & IOOF Cemetery, in Benton, IL.

The family requests no flowers.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL is in charge of arrangements.

For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

John James “Jim” Barclay, 78, of Christopher, IL passed away March 24, 2015 at Franklin Hospital Emergency Room, in Benton, IL.

Jim was born January 18, 1937 in Royalton, IL the son of  William Barclay and Geneva “Jenette” (Ebbs) Barclay.

He was an Army veteran of Combat Engineering Group and a member of the First Christian Church, in Christopher.

Jim worked 16 years as a police officer and chief of police in Christopher.

He married Margene (Overturf) Barclay on June 30, 1962 and she survives.

He is also survived by his children, a daughter Carolyn and Danny Loucks, Waltonville, IL; grandchildren Dani-Lyn and Travis Hill, Woodriver, IL, Jonathan Loucks, Chicago, Adrieanne Loucks, Waltonville, Isaiah Loucks, Waltonville; sisters and brothers, Margaret (Marge) Swaringen, Wright City, MO, Anita Walker, Denham Springs, LA, Susan Pantkey, Commerce Township, MI, Sharon (Kitty) Loeh, Villa Grove, IL, Janet Carrillo, Tuscon, AZ, David Barclay, Richland, Montana and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Alex, William, Jr and Dale Barclay.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Osage Cemetery, in Royalton, IL.

Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit our website at gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnny Ray Willett, 51, of Carterville and formerly of Royalton, passed away March 11, 2015 at his home.

He was born in Benton, IL on Nov. 5, 1963.

He was married to Mary “Buffy” Willett and she survives.

As per Mr. Willett’s request there will be no funeral services.

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

 

 

 

Helen F. Bennett, 92, of Benton, passed away Monday, March 16, 2015 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center, in Benton.

She was born in Benton, IL on Dec. 27, 1922, the daughter of Peter and Antonio Zelinicki.

Helen was married to Lloyd Lee Bennett, and he preceded her in death. They were married June 27, 1945 and he preceded her in death on March 14, 2004.

Helen was of the Catholic faith.

Helen is survived by two sons, Rod Bennett, of Benton, and Mark Bennett, of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren Jason Bennett and wife Shannon, of Akin, IL, Amanda Miller and husband Chris of Smithville, MO, Brandon Bennett and wife Kelly of California; great-grandchildren Tanner and Clayton Bennett and Conner, Makenna and Charlotte Miller; a brother John Zelnicki and wife Mary, of Crystal Lake, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four sisters, Mary, Stella, Leona and Josephine and by one brother, Joey.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 19 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery, in Whittington, IL. Visitation will be after 9 a.m. and until the time of the service at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, are in charge of arrangements.