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.

Ed Morris, 75, of Ewing, passed away Friday, April 24, 2015 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 27 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL with Pastor Tim Reynolds officiating.

Burial will be at Phillips Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL.

Larry Joe Bandy, age 67, of Benton; died at 4:05 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Herrin Hospital.

He was born on February 13, 1948 in Logan, IL, the son of Raymond J. Bandy and Helen (Meacham) Bandy. He married the former Linda Susan Calonne on September 13, 1971.

Larry was a coal miner, having last worked at Old Ben Coal #24, and he was a member of the U.M.W.A. Local #1342. After a career in coal mining, he and his wife owned and operated several different restaurants in the area.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Viet Nam War.

Larry enjoyed watching football, playing cards, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Linda Susan Bandy of Benton; his father Raymond J. Bandy of Logan; two daughters, Kim Eubanks and husband Tim of Sesser, and Jody Smith of Benton; three grandchildren, Bayley Eubanks of Sesser, T.J. Eubanks of Sesser, and Dawson Smith of Ewing; a brother Lonnie Bandy and wife Loretta of Logan, Carolyn Irvin of Logan, Patti Absher and husband Bobby of Logan; a brother-in-law Jerome Calonne and wife Virginia of West Frankfort; a sister-in-law Marsha Murphy of Carbondale; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Helen Bandy, and a brother-in-law Rick Murphy.

Per Larry’s wishes, cremation services will be accorded. The Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions in memory of Larry Joe “Teddy Bear” Bandy, may be made to the American Diabetes Association, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

James “Jim” Trogolo, 63, of Christopher, IL passed away April 24, 2015 at Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Jim was the former chief of police in Christopher, a position he held for 21 years. He also worked six years as a patrolman before becoming chief. Jim was also a member of the Christopher Fire Department for 40 years.

He was born in Christopher, the son of Rudolph “Rudy” Trogolo and Lena (VanZandt) Trogolo. His mother survives of Christopher.

Jim is survived by his children, Andrew “Andy” Trogolo, Christopher, Keasha Trogolo, Christopher, James R. Trogolo, Benton, IL and Stefanie Trogolo, Herrin, IL; grandchildren Makayla Trogolo, Presley Sollers, Ady Sollers, Xander Trogolo and Emersyn Trogolo.

He was preceded in death by his father, one sister Patty Mills, one brother, Chuck Trogolo.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, with Brother Jason McKinnies officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 10 a.m. to the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to an educational fund for his grandchildren and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Edna Mae Spann, 89, of Clinton, IL and formerly of Sesser, IL, passed away April 19, 2015 at Advocate Bromenn Medical Center, in Normal, IL.

Edna was born December 14, 1925 in Leominster, MA, the daughter of Barton Burnell Sylvester and Annie Ethel (Crouse) Sylvester.

She was of the Christian faith and worked in management at the phone company. She loved working with her hands, and was a very talented artist and some of her work was displayed at the Albany Museum of Art in Albany New York.

Edna married Ernest Spann on September 28, 1947, and he preceded her in death on May 5, 1975.

She is survived on a daughter Debbie and William Newell, Lexington, IL; grandchildren Dawn Shoppell, Ben (Nicole) Short, Jason (Megan) Newell, Molly Roake, Carron (Mike) Hospelhorn, Tara (Dave) McNutt, Angie (Sean) Williams, Michael Spann, Morgan Spann and Megan Spann; great grandchildren Melissa Short, Brittney Newell, Gaje Roake, Lucas Newell, Nicolas Shoppell, Claire Short and Piper Hamilton

Edna was preceded in death by parents, husband. two sons Terry Spann and Dennis Spann, one grandson Mark Spann, and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 24 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will on Friday, April 24, 2015 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society 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.

 

 

Gary Blaine Grief, 62, of Christopher, IL passed away April 18, 2015 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, IL.

Gary was born September 26, 1952, the son of James “GG” Grief and Donna (Baker) Grief, of Paducah, KY.

He married Lee Ann (Ballard) Grief on February 14, 1997 and she survives of Christopher.

Gary is also survived by his children, Rocky Grief, Buckner, IL, Megan and Chris Funkhouser, Collinsville, IL and Blaina Grief, of Christopher; grandchildren Joselyn Funkhouser, Anison Funkhouser and Blaine Funkhouser; two sisters, Sami Grief, of Florida and Gina Garnett, Kevil, KY.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Paducah, KY.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.