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.

Norma J. Gilbert, 84, of Christopher, a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Feb. 21, 2015 at Countryside Manor, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Norma was born Nov. 11, 1930 in Scheller, the daughter of Archie Hicks and Beulah (Ford) Hicks.

She was a homemaker and a member of Christopher Church of Christ. Norma was a great cook and liked to feed people.

Norma married Kenneth Gilbert and he preceded her in death on Feb. 20, 1980.

She is survived by her children, Kathie and Randy Furlow, Christopher, IL, Sharon and Ron Gilbert, of Danville, IN, Roger and Cathy Gilbert, of Dandridge, TN, Kendrea and Mickey Johnson, Mt. Vernon, IL; daughter-in-law Pat Gilbert, of Salem, IL; grandchildren Jason Gilbert, Chad Gilbert, Adam Gilbert, Zack Gilbert, Amelia Clark, Alicia Furlow, Bryan Furlow, Kristin Atchison, Gilbert Johnson, Yvette Johnson, Doug Rhea, Joe Rhea, Jonathan Rhea; great-grandchildren Ashley Gilbert, Natasha Gilbert, Ava Gilbert, Tyler Gilbert, Josh Gilbert, Julia Gilbert, Jaqueline Gilbert, Aubrey Clark, Gregory Clark, Kenny Clark, Sydney Atchison, Sawyer Atchison, Macie Furlow, Cheyanne Rhea, Savanna Rhea, Will Rhea, Madison Rhea and Lily Rhea.

Norma is also survived by two sisters, Janet and Bill Kesler, Christopher, IL and Karen Winget, of Scheller and one brother, Ronnie Hicks, of Scheller, IL; two sisters-in-law Marilyn Hicks, Tamaroa, IL and Betty Hicks, of Steelville, IL. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Rodney Gilbert, three brothers Delmar Hicks, Jesse Frank Hicks and William Hicks.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015 at Knob Prairie Cemetery, located north of Waltonville. Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

 

Nada Darlene (Gray) Thompson, 62 passed away on February 16, 2015 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma.

Nada was born on August 10, 1952 to Malcolm and Eunice (Winget) Gray. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers Charles Gray and Del Gray.

She is survived by two daughters Angela Perry and her husband David Perry of Nashville, TN, and Rachel Sisney and her husband Joshua Sisney of Mulkeytown. Nada also had four grandchildren Anthony, Makayla, Mallory and Simon.

Angie and Rachel would like to say thank you to their extended family, Pam Thompson and Melissa Nettles for being there and taking care of their mother during her time of need.

Funeral services will be on Sunday February 22, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Sunday February 22, 2015 from noon until the time of the service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Ronald Joiner, 74, passed away Monday, February 16, 2015 at his home in Benton, IL.  Shortly before his death, he took one last trip with his son around Rend Lake. Laughter filled his home as he reminisced with family and friends about the “good old days.” Most importantly, he said his last “I love yous” to those he cherished most.

Born January 20, 1941, to Brown and Memmeth Joiner, Ron was one of five children.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Wayne (Brenda) Joiner, and sister, Cleona (Donald) Lance.  Inevitably, a fishing tournament and card game began upon his arrival to Heaven.  He will be greatly missed by sister, Carolyn (Dave) Pedigo, and brother, Donald (Paula) Joiner.

On July 11, 1959, he married Linda (Stritzel) Joiner. Together, they raised three children: June (Jim) Zinck, Richard Joiner, and Kevin (Regina) Joiner.  His children were fortunate to have a Dad who could fix most any car, who was never too old to ride a dirt bike, and an avid follower at each football game.  He went on to welcome four grandchildren:  Jamie and Joshua Zinck, and Ashley (Phillip) Lyell and Lindi (Andrew) Webber.  His grandchildren remember a Grandpa who made “looking for deer” an adventure, peanut butter a food group, and in his late 50’s, proved to be not too old to skateboard or roller skate.  Most recently, he was thrilled to have met and held his new great-grandson, Grayson Webber.

On January 19, 2003, he married Jo Ann (Hall) Joiner.  In this union, Ron was blessed in adding Jo Ann’s three sons to his family: Steve (Linda) Brown , Kevin (Laura) Brown, and Jeffrey (Lisa) Brown.  He was honored to be naturally welcomed as family, and became Grandpa to, Natalie, Kris, Dusten, Jessica, Kelsea, Jonathan, Brandtlee, Elissa and great grandchildren Katlyn, Jailyn and Lily Grace.

Ron was a proud member of the First Baptist Church of West City and a proud member of United Mine Workers of America, retiring as a coal miner from Old Ben Mine 21 in Sesser.

Due to health complications in recent years, Ron was undoubtedly thankful to have been in the care of incredible doctors and nurses. The family would like to recognize Dr. William Hayes, Dr. Chen, and Dr. Chong.  Ron loved his “girls at Davita”, and valued his visits with Bi-County Health nurses.  He could always count on Ike Crnokrak for a ride to any doctor or hospital in the Midwest and Brother Bert Mitchell for spiritual peace. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of West City.

Friends may celebrate a life well-lived on Saturday, February 21 , from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brayfield- Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL.  Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Hammond Cemetery with Brother Burt Mitchell officiating.

Gale Lee Lyell, 67, of Benton, IL passed away Feb. 16, 2015 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Care, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was born on Feb. 25, 1947 at Christopher, IL, the daughter of Ralph C. DuFour, Sr. and Alice (Kirkpatrick) DuFour, who both preceded her in death.

Gale was a homemaker.

She is survived by children, Starla Grizzell, Elkville and Ann Flowers, Christopher; grandchildren Michael Flowers, Dylan Grimes, Jordan Grizzell, Zachary Lyell and Tyler Lyell; sister Diane Webb, Sesser and brother Ralph DuFour, Zeigler.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by one brother, Timothy DuFour.

A memorial service will be held on Friday February 20, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, IL with burial in Zeigler Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 6 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to the family to help with expenses. Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com