Esther L. Taylor, 96. of Benton, passed away Thursday morning, March 5, 2015 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.

She was born in Harco, IL on April 4, 1918, the daughter of Ezra and Marie (McFarland) Galbraith.

She first married Lannie Anderson. She then married Cecil E. Taylor, on July 18, 1955 and he preceded her in death.

Mrs. Taylor was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was a licensed beautician.

Mrs. Taylor was baptized for the remission of her sins on Feb. 13.

She is survived by one daughter, Sandra Gant and husband Russell, of Benton; a daughter-in-law, Sheila Jones and husband Cliff, of Benton; four grandchildren, Duane Anderson and wife Meggin, of Colorado, Shannon Phillips and husband Chad, of Johnston City, Sherry Collier and husband Garrett, of Benton and Joe Gant and fiancee LaShaya Barron, of Benton; four great-grandchildren, Kameron, Kendra, Meghan and Marlee Jo and a great-grandson on the way, Ryan; two step-grandchildren, Samantha and Jocob.

Mrs. Taylor was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a son, Gene Anderson, by her stepfather Stweart Hogan and by her stepmother Gertie Galbraith.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the First Christian Church in Royalton. Visitation will be after 1 p.m. on Sunday at the church.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Janet Viola Leek, 78, of McLeansboro, IL passed away March 4, 2015 at St. Louis University Hospital.

Janet was born September 18, 1936, in Christopher, IL, the daughter of Noble L. Williams and Pearle (Lohmann) Williams.

She was married to Carl Leek and he survives.

Janet worked for  Peoples National Bank in McLeansboro and was the secretary for the Ten Mile Baptist Church in McLeansboro, where she was a member. She was also a member of the Christopher Eastern Star.

Janet is survived by her children, Sherylin Bundy, of West Frankfort, Geri Rene’ Owen, of McLeansboro and Jeffrey and Robin Leek, of Harvel, IL; grandchildren Rhonda and Chris Gore, Stacey Young, Robbie Edwards, Lauren Edwards, Jordan Leek, Austin Leek and Madison Leek; great-grandchildren Allison and Mark Jett, Aleah Gore, Vali Gore and Staley Alvis. She is also survived y a sister-in-law, Betty Williams, of Benton, IL and several nieces and nephews.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Oliver Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at Ten Mile Baptist Church, in McLeansboro with Brother Jacob Gray officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday, March 7, 2015 after 5 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher and on Sunday, March 8, 2015 from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. at Ten Mile Baptist Church in McLeansboro.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

Ruth Lodean Harben Lemons, 81, of Benton, died Wednesday, March 4, 2015.

She was born to the late Boman and Eva Rhine on March 27, 1933. Lodean married Donald Jack Harben in December 1949. He preceded her in death on September 7, 1973.

Lodean is survived by one daughter, Jackie Willis (John), and a daughter-in-law, Becky Harben. Lodean is survived by sisters, Marilyn Neal, Benton, Glenda Drew (Paul), Benton and a brother, Ronald Rhine, of Benton.

Other survivors include five grandchildren, Dr. J. Ryan Willis (Tara) of Mt. Vernon, Mitzie Bowlby (Matt), Desoto, Niki Jones (Jeremy), Benton, Jamie Lampley (Michael), Ashburn, VA, Marci Tarlton (Jeff), Marion. She is also survived by 12 great grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

She is survived by several nephews and nieces.

A son, Mark A. Harben, preceded her in death on June 19, 2010. A brother, D.L. Rhine also preceded her in death in 2013, sister-in-law Betty Rhine in 2-14 and a brother-in-law, Jim Neal, in 2012.

Lodean married Richard Lemons in November of 2000, and he survives. A step-daughter, Vicky Lemons, (Steve) also preceded her in death on March 4, 2015. Lodean is survived by a step-daughter, Mary Jo Kirkpatrick (Mark), of Santa Claus, Indiana.

Lodean was a very industrious person and she worked hard her entire life. She used to love to have many plants in her backyard and worked very hard to make it attractive.

Lodean had a special love for her family. She was a sweet lady and loved by many.

Lodean was saved at an early age and was an active member of the Immanuel Baptist Church. She joined the church and was baptized there in April 1998. She loved the Lord and was thankful to him for much.

Lodean’s earthly life has come to an end now, but her heavenly life is just beginning. Her soul is with God now and she will spend all of eternity as co-heir with Jesus Christ. We, who are his children, can expectantly anticipate the time that we will be with our Lord forever, basking in his glory with our loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Immanuel Baptist Church, in Benton, with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the church.

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

Gary E. Gulley Sr., 66, of Sesser, IL, passed away March 1, 2015 at his home.

Gary was born July 11, 1948, in Benton, IL, the son of Ralph Newton Gulley and Agnes Verneal (Wingate) Gulley.

Gary was a truck driver. He also served in the U.S. Navy and was a Vietnam veteran.

He is survived by his children, Sherry White, of Valier and Gary Eugene Gully, Jr. of Valier; grandchildren Stephanie White, Chelsea White, Leslie White and Ryan Gulley; two brothers, David Gulley, Benton, IL and Douglas Gulley, Sesser, Il and one sister, Gloria Bryant, of Christopher, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gary’s wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Helen Ames, 92, of Christopher, IL passed away March 1, 2015 at Herrin Hospital

Helen was born March 28, 1922 in Christopher, the daughter of Leon Kaminski and Bernice (Sufalko) Kaminski and they both preceded her in death.

She was married to Polie Ames and he preceded her in death on September 15, 2002.

Helen worked as an LPN at Miner’s Hospital and also as a homemaker.

She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher.

Helen is survived by her children, Mary and Jim Moyers, Mulkeytown, IL, Loretta and Fred Basolo, Coello, IL, Theresa and Bob Greenwood, Mulkeytown, and Priscilla Flowers, Mulkeytown; grandchildren Misty and Jason Lee, Windy Moyers, Brittany Knoup, Felecia Basolo, Bobbi and Jesse Gordon, Courtney and Lyn Severs, Rachael and Garrett Janello, Khorey and Holley Anderton and Alechia and Gabe Sveda, Lacey Holt, Larry Ames Flowers and also 18 great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is one sister-in-law, Mary Kaminski and three special nieces, Jane Gregory, David Lawton and Mary Bernice Nemenski. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a daughter Julie Anderton, two sisters and two brothers.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, Christopher, IL with Father Blazine officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery, Christopher, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to the St. Andrews Cemetery Fund and will be available at the church or funeral home.  Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher IL, is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Rose Mary Hewlett, 74, of West Frankfort passed away at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

She was born in Sesser, IL on Oct. 21, 1940 the daughter of Olyn and Mable (Flach) Robbins.

Rose is survived by her three children, Randy Hewlett, of Herrin, Rex Hewlett and wife Mia of Carterville and Rena Reilly and husband Mike of Tewantin, Australia; six grandchildren Chasity Shupe, Gavin Hewlett, Jade Hewlett, Brooke Hewlett, Katie Rose Tejedor and Michael Reilly; one sister, Ramona Wade and husband Bruce, of Benton and one brother, John Robbins, of Benton, and also three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. Bryant Harris officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Frank R. Dunbar, 55, of Benton, passed away at 10:32 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 at Parkway Manor, in Marion.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.

Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.