Jessica Roberta Stritzel, 66, of Coello, IL, passed away June 6, 2015 at Shawnee Christian Nursing Center, in Herrin, IL.

She was born May 5, 1949, the daughter of Jesse James Meadows and Roberta (Armstrong) Meadows.

She married Ronnie Joe Stritzel on June, 26, 1965 and he preceded her in death on December 23, 2007.

Jessica was a homemaker.

She is survived by her children, Annie Valliant, of Marion and Sara Filback, of Johnston City, IL; grandchildren Travis, Mathew, Wyatt, David and Daniel; brothers Jesse James Meadows, Jr., of West Frankfort, IL and William Meadows, of Marion, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL. Visitation will be on Friday, June 12, 2015 from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.

Burial will be at Zeigler City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to the family to help with funeral expenses.

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

 

Sue Ann Travelstead, 58, of Sesser, IL, passed away June 9, 2015 at her home.

Sue was the treasurer for the City of Sesser.

She was born July 14, 1956 in Christopher, IL, the daughter of Harold Furlow and Flora Mae (Neralich) Furlow.

Sue married Raymond Travelstead on May 3, 1974 and he survives in Sesser.

Sue is survived by one son Jerry and Lexy Travelstead, of Pinckneyville; three grandchildren, Alaina Travelstead, Landon Travelstead and Jace Travelstead; two sisters Sherry Johnson and husband Steve, of Benton, IL and Bernadine Braddy and husband Larry, of Benton.

She is also survived by special lifelong friends Carmel and Faron Kelley, of Sesser.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, June 12, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

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

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Elizabeth “Betty” Hammond, 82, of Benton, IL passed away unexpectedly Monday June 1, 2015 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, in St. Louis.

Mrs. Hammond was born in Benton on April 16, 1933, the daughter of Arthur Albert and Lula Angeline (Jones) Akins. She married Robert Hammond on March 4, 1952 in Piggott, Arkansas and he survives.

She is survived by her husband, Robert E. Hammond, Benton, one daughter Cyndi Warren and husband Jerry, of McLeansboro, IL, one son, Rob Hammond and wife Gay, of Benton; grandchildren Chris and Cori Warren, Mt. Vernon, IL, Bryan Warren, McLeanboro, Bryson and Lana Hammond, Metropolis, IL, Alecia Hammond, Benton and Brad Hammond, Benton; great-granddaughter Natalie Warren, Mt. Vernon; one sister Shirley Jones, of Benton. Mrs. Hammond was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Arthur A. Akins.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 4 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with the Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton. Visitation will bee from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to sign the online guest register go to mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

Kevin Bush, 51, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday morning, May 23, 2015 at Franklin Hospital, in Benton, IL.

Kevin was born in Benton on August 18, 1963, the son of Floyd and Geraldine “Geri” (Cantrell) Bush.

He married Rhonda Williams on July 5, 2004 and she survives.

Kevin worked for Maytag for 20 years and was currently employed at Franklin Hospital, in Benton.

Kevin was a St. Louis Cardinals’ fan, a NASCAR fan and was an accomplished bowler.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Bush, of Benton, two children Nathan Malec, Benton, and Patricia Malec, Benton; grandchildren Ethan, Peyton and Paisley Malec; one brother, Kim Bush, of Herrin, IL; mother-in-law and father-in-law Joyce and Art Duchene, Mulkeytown, IL; two brothers-in-law, Ron Williams and wife Lisa, of Benton and Steven Chirch and wife Brittany, of Benton; sister-in-law Lisa Rodriguez and husband Tony, of West Frankfort, IL; nephews Blake Bush and wife Lindsey, of Herrin and Dalton Bush, of Herrin; niece Rachel Stacey and husband David, of Herrin. He is also survived by other nieces and nephews.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Fitzpatrick officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

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

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.