Ruby Lee Whitlow, lover of people and God, connoisseur of steak and fried chicken, and free distributor of wisdom and wit, died on March 7, 2015 at the age of 89.

She is preceded by her siblings Franklin and Marie, her husband Marion, and her son Patrick, with whom she is singing (but probably not dancing) about now – or perhaps will be when Marion gets done fishing.

We who remain, her daughter Tina and her children and grandchildren, and Patrick’s branch, and many other extended cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends intend to spend time celebrating and reminiscing about the many things she taught us and surprises she supplied on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 11 a.m.. at the First Baptist Church in Valier, IL.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. at the church, and graveside service immediately thereafter. We request donations rather than flowers. Memorials and donations may be submitted to First Baptist Church at 212 W Main, Valier, IL 62891.

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

 

Hazel Lee Darnell, 80, of Sesser, IL passed away Monday March 9, 2015 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

Hazel was born on April 19, 1934 in Sesser to Luther and Gladys (Tucker) Wingo. She married Raymond Darnell and he preceded her in death in September 1971.

She is survived by her three children Mike Darnell of Sparta, Wendell and Linda Darnell, of Pekin, and Sheryl and Stephen Wilson, of West Frankfort. She is also survived by her sisters Ella and Cecil Webb, Sue and Gene Utlaut, Bess and Jack MyGatt and Etta Eubanks all of Sesser. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 18 great- grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins who she loved dearly.

Hazel graduated from LPN school in 1978, she took great pride in being an LPN and loved taking care of the elderly. She worked at the Benton Nursing Home, Severin’s Nursing Home, and Redwood Manor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one daughter Teresa Darnell.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday March 11, 2015 at 12 noon at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 12 noon. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Julie Ann Hoppers, 44, of Christopher, passed away March 9, 2015 at Good Samaritan Regional Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Julie was born May 7, 1970 in Du Quoin, IL, the daughter of  Gary McBride and Cindy (Cottengim) McBride, of Coello and they survive.

Julie was manager of Secretary of State Driver’s License Facility, in Benton, IL. She was a member of Abundant Life Church, in Benton.

Julie married Thomas Hoppers on April 30, 2001 and he survives.

Julie is also survived by three children, Sophi Johnson, Maci Hoppers and Wyatt Hoppers, all at home; brothers Todd and Dana McBride, Royalton, IL and Tim and Stacey McBride, Carbondale, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, IL. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, in Valier, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to the Susan B. Komen For the Cure and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Tracy Eugene Hargraves, 59, of Christopher, passed away March 8, 2015 at Herrin Hospital.

He was born November 14, 1955 the son of Harvey Hargraves and Flora Belle (Furlow) Hargraves.

Tracy was a farmer and a member of the Benton Eagles

He is survived by a special friend, Diane Holloway, of Benton and her two sons, Christopher Chaney and Dennis and Kim Chaney and their daughter Ella Chaney, who was very close to Tracy. He is also survived by a brother, Ralph and Kathy Hargraves, of Desoto, IL; nieces and nephews Kyle and Emily Hargraves of Murphysboro, IL, Cassandra Hargraves, of Columbia, MO and Nicole and Willard Heins, of Murphysboro.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL.  Visitation will be Wednesday, March 11, 2015 from 5 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family 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.

 

Neoma Jean Mandrell, 80, passed away Saturday morning, March 7, 2015.

She was born Nov. 28, 1934, the daughter of Leo and Marie Stubblefield, who both preceded her in death.

She also was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Mandrell; daughter, Lorelei Mandrell; and son-in-law, Dwyght Roberson.

Survivors include three daughters and son-in-law, Teresa Mandrell-Romero and Sue Roberson, both of West City, and Denise and Tim Cairns of Valier; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Marla Mandrell of Sesser; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Marlene Stubblefield of Sesser; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church, west of Sesser, with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

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

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.