Andy W. “Paw” Tasky, 65, of Benton, passed away August 8, 2014 after a long and courageous battle.

He was born on March 25, 1949 in Benton, the son of Edmond and Betty (Mitchell) Tasky.

Andy is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Jeannette and by his children Shane (Tara) Tasky, Kathy (Bill) Simmons and Tammy Marino.  He is also survived by a sister, Brenda Schwartz; stepmother, Ramona Tasky; grandchildren Jeremy (Liz) Bandy, Anthony (Sarah) Marino, Danielle Bandy, Lacey Smothers, Hunter Tasky, Sayler Tasky and Bayley Tasky; great-grandchildren Hailey, Sierra, Preston, Taylor, Myah, Mason, Brendon and Dreyson; nieces Nicole Schwartz, Lindsay Schwartz and Tina Lampley.

Andy was a coal miner, retiring from Old Ben Mine No. 26.  He was an Army veteran.

He was preceded in death by his parents, by a brother, Edmund Gene Tasky and by many dear aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Daniel Ison and Donnie Smith officiating.  Burial with military rites conducted by the Benton American Legion Honor Guard will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 1 p.m. on Saturday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Patrick “Pat” Todd Styve, 51, of Sesser, IL, passed away July 29, 2014 in Sesser, IL.

He was born July 8, 1963 in Melrose Park, IL.

Pat was a 1981 graduate of Sesser-Valier High School, Sesser, IL and a 1985 graduate of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education.

Pat started his teaching career in Belleville, IL, where he taught elementary and middle school mathematics. After 15-years of teaching he changed careers, joining an insurance agency which took him to Palm Springs, CA, then back to Sesser, IL.

Pat was a loving father whose life centered on his son Jake and daughter Grace. He loved spending time with his brothers and was a loyal friend to many. He enjoyed spending time on the lake, traveling, music and golf.

Pat is survived by his children, Jake and Grace Styve of Sesser, IL; mother, Kay Styve (nee Witcher) of Sesser, IL; brothers, Robert Styve II, Sesser, IL; Michael Styve (Beth, Michael Jr, Kyle & Kaitlyn) of Overland Park, KS; Scott Styve (Kimberly & Dalton) of Cathedral City, CA; Brad Styve (Julie & Ava) of Thornton, CO; and numerous cousins, friends and acquaintances.

He was proceeded in death by his father, Robert Styve of Sesser, IL; brother, Donald Styve of Austin, TX; maternal grandparents, Woodroe and Ida Witcher (nee Warner) of Sesser, IL; paternal grandmother Bernice Styve (nee Butler) of Forest Park, IL;  uncles, Charles “Spike” Witcher of Sesser, IL; Dugan Styve of Franksville, WI;

Visitation will be on Friday, August 1, 2014, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, 102 W Callie, Sesser, IL, 62884. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert with the Rev. Kirk Packer officiating..  Burial immediately following funeral services at Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jake and Grace Styve Education Fund online (http://www.gofundme.com/cbzinw) or at the funeral home.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Patrick T. Styve, 51, of Sesser, died July 29, 2014 from injuries sustained in a car accident on State Highway 148 South.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 2 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Kirk Packer officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday, August 1, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to an education fund for Patrick’s children, Jake and Grace Styve, and will be accepted at the funeral home or by going to www.gofundme.com/cbzinw.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A complete obituary will be posted later.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

Verlean (McDonnough) Henson, 84, of Christopher, passed away July 19, 2014 at Pinckneyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, in Pinckneyville, IL.

Verlean was born April 18. 1930 in Pinckneyville to Bob McDonnough and Effie (Davis) McDonnough.

She was a retired garment worker and a member of First Baptist Church in Christopher.

Verlean married Donald Henson on Jan. 13, 1968 and he preceded her in death on February 1, 2006.

She is survived by one brother Pete (Wilma) McDonnough, Pinckneyville, IL; one sister Deloris (Jim) Getzie, Pinckneyville; two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Koenigstein, Florida and Phillis McDonnough, Tennessee.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, five brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL, with the Rev. Richard Lance officiating.  Visitation will be Monday, July 21, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Mueller Hill Cemetery, in Pinckneyville.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimers Association 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alma “Betty” Elizabeth Riley, 76, of Mascoutah and formerly of Christopher, passed away July 8, 2014 at Terrace on the Park in Mascoutah.

Betty was born August 31, 1937 in Royalton, IL, the daughter of George Alexander Hargraves and Della Elizabeth (Thomason) Hargraves.

Betty was married to William Ronny Riley, who was killed in a mining accident on May 1, 1979.

She worked as a seamstress and had worked at Bridal Originals and also sewed boat seats at Crownline.  She also did in home care for the elderly.Church.  Betty was a member of First Christian Church in Christopher.  Betty was an avid reader, enjoying biographies and true crime stories, and “The Scandal” sheets. She was a seamstress and enjoyed making her children’s clothing and also making wedding dresses. She was a talented doll maker, she enjoyed making crafts and created many pieces of art and costumes throughout the years. She also loved taking care of her cats.

Betty is survived by two daughters, Tayna Riley and Chuck Berry, of Freeburg, IL and Toni and Randy Rataczyk, of Coulterville, IL.  Also surviving are grandchildren Derek and Trin Davison, of St. Charles, MO, Thad Riley and Cyndi Hankler, of Pinckneyville, Ryan and Grace Fico, Mehlville, MO; great-grandchildren, Blaine, Jade and Lua Riley, Olivia Davison, Grayson Fico and yet to be born, Riley Fico.

Betty is also survived by one brother, James Hargraves and wife Marla, of Fairfield, IL and Judy Hargraves, of Royalton.

Surviving Sisters & Brothers; James Hargraves and wife Marla of Fairfield

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son William Ronnie who was stillborn in 1963, three sisters Linda Sue Hargraves, Ella Francis “Sodie” Jones, and Georgia Ann Moore and one brother Charles Hargraves.

Memorial Service will be on Saturday July 12, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with Brother Dennis Jones, officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday July 12, 2014 from 12 noon until the time of the service at 2 p.m.

Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser at a later date

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Perry County Humane Society

Gilbert Funeral Home Christopher IL is in charge of arrangements.

For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

Nancy Ellen Bushong, 63, of Sesser, passed away on July 14, 2014 at Helia Healthcare in Carbondale, IL.

Nancy was born September 8, 1950, in Du Quoin, to Pete Mikulonis and Ella Mae (Robinson) Mikulonis.

Nancy was a registered nurse at Franklin Hospital.  She was a member of Hazel Dell Freewill Baptist Church, in Sesser.

Nancy married Jerry Bushong on May 12, 1974 and he preceded her in death on April 23, 1999.

She is survived by her children, Charles Gale and Wendi Bushong, of Buckner, IL and one granddaughter, Emily Crews.  Also surviving is one brother Joe Robinson, of Sesser and sisters Denise Lewis, of Thompsonville, IL and Jamie Mikulonis, of Sesser.  Nancy was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, with Pastor Eric Drake officiating.  Visitation will be at the funeral home 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 tot he American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Betty K. Moschino, 74, of Benton, passed away June, 17, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Betty was born February 4, 1940 in Mulkeytown, IL, the daughter of Oliver Evan Rogers and Mary (Campbell) Rogers.

She was married to Frank Moschino and he survives in Benton.

Betty was a retired coal miner, last working at CONSOL Rend Lake Mine. Betty was a member of the First Christian Church in Christopher, IL and the UMWA.

She is survived by her children, Kathy Esposito, Mulkeytown, IL, Richard Johnston, Christopher, IL and Angela and Brent Gossett, Coello, IL.

Betty is also survived by her grandchildren, Chasity Shaffer, Nicole Washington, Rachael Johnston, Keenan Johnston, Lorrie Horton, Emily Gossett, Maddie Gossett and Grace Gossett; great-grandchildren, Wardell Williams, Jayla Williams, Brittany Washington, Zuri Swarthout-Yoop, Savannah Smith, Amber Smith, Grant Smith, Ashley Smith, Jude Crawford and Gabriel Horton.

Also surviving are her brothers and sisters, Maxine and Earl Giacomo, Mulkeytown, IL, Connie and Fred Samples, Benton, IL, Wanda and Dick McCreaken, Zeigler, IL, Val Gene Rogers, Crainville, IL and Richard and Sue Rogers, Texas.

She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter Lauri Johnston, granddaughter Ashley Biggs and sister-in-law Anita Rogers.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 11 a.m. At First Christian Church in Christopher. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. on Friday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher and 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service at the church.

Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery Mulkeytown IL

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

 

Donald “Fonz” Baird Acosta, 55, of Sesser, passed away on Monday, June 16 at 11:23 p.m. at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

He was born August, 29, 1958, in Chicago Heights, IL, the son of Al Acosta and Linda (McBride) Acosta. Both parents are surviving and live in Sesser.

Donald worked for the township for many years.

He is survived by his children, Dalton Acosta, Sesser, IL, and Sarah Acosta, of Valier, IL; one grandchild, Gavin Johnson.

He is also survived by three brothers, Alfonso Acosta, Kevin Acosta, Dale and Lorissa Acosta, all of Sesser, IL and one sister, Susan and Harlan Payne, of Ina, IL.

Also surviving are nephews Dillon Payne, Justin Payne, Anthony Acosta, Jared Acosta, and Cash Acosta and several aunts, uncles and cousin. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Mathew Acosta.

Donald had lots of friends, and the Acosta family would like to give a special thank you to Brother Larry Cook

Funeral services will be held Sunday June 22, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL, with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 11 a.m until the time of service at 2 p.m.

Donald’s wishes were to be cremated after the funeral service and his ashes will be buried at the Mitchell cemetery in Sesser at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bear Point Freewill Baptist Church, Sesser VFW, or donations can be made to the family.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com