Elaine Spotanski, 84, of Sesser, IL passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 1:08 p.m. at Good Samaritan Health Care in Mt. Vernon.

She was born July 18, 1930 in Chicago, the daughter of Alvin Leslie Harmon and Thelma (Elliston) Harmon.

Elaine was married to Leroy Spotanski and he survives of Sesser.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Sesser.

Elaine was the Franklin County Circuit Clerk for 13 years, and she also enjoyed sewing and doing alterations for many people.

She is survived by one daughter, Vicki and Joe Kloepper, Mulkeytown, IL, and one son, David and Anita Spotanski, of Waltonville.  Also surviving are grandchildren Todd Spotanski, Amy and Kirk Tipton, Dennis Harris and fiance Sonya Gunter, Matt and Dawn Spotanski, Trician and Barry Higgins, Doug and Tricia Harris, Mandy and Brian Carson, Kristi and Jason Carter and Jessie and Max Dycus; 13 grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; brothers Ron Peacock, Defuniak Springs, FL and Simon Peacock, of Chicago, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Dennis “Tiny” Spotanski and one sister, Marlene Zubchonok.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Sesser with Father Steven Poole officiating. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser. Visitation will be on Friday December 26, 2014 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sesser and will be accepted at the funeral home. Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

Judy Bean, 73, of Benton, passed away Sunday afternoon, December 21, 2014 at her home.

Judy was born in Chicago, IL on Feb. 12, 1941, the daughter of Grady and Lillian (Parish) Anderson.

She married Clyde Bean on October 17, 1964, and he survives.

Judy was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and a friend to many.

Judy was a consistent giver to several veteran’s organizations, Boys’ Town and St. Judes Children’s Hospital.

She is survived by her husband, Clyde D. Bean, of Benton, and a son, Duane Bean and wife Sherri, of Benton.  Also surviving are two grandsons, Kyle Bean and fiance Taylor Davis and Connor Dean; several nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Bill, Chuck and Richie Anderson and by her stepfather, Thomas Russell.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Judy Bean’s memory can be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Teresa Rae Darnell, 61, of Sesser, IL, passed away December 14, 2014 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Teresa was born on Dec. 23, 1952 in Sesser, IL,  the daughter of Raymond Darnell and Hazel (Wingo) Darnell.

Teresa enjoyed knitting and watching St. Louis Cardinals’ baseball.

She is survived by her mother Hazel Darnell and three siblings, Michael Darnell, of Sparta, IL, Sheryl Wilson and husband Steve, of West Frankfort and Wendell Darnell and wife Linda, of Pekin, IL.  Also surviving are aunts and uncles, Bess and Jack Mygatt, of Sesser, Sue and Gene Utlaut, of Sesser, Ella and Cecil Webb, of Sesser and Etta Eubanks, of Sesser; special cousin Paula Peila, of Sycamore, IL. Teresa was preceded in death by her father Raymond Darnell and grandmother, Gladys Wingo. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 12 noon with Brother Larry Cook officiating.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 12 noon.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

 

Cleona Rea George, 92, died peacefully at home on December 13, 2014. She was the daughter of John Palmer Rea and Norma Ethel Kreis Rea.

She was born on April 9, 1922 in Benton, in Franklin County, Illinois. After graduating from Valier High School, she received her BA from Southern Illinois University in 1942. She later received her MS from University of South Florida.

Mrs. George taught Kindergarten in Springfield, Illinois and Ozona, Florida before she retired from teaching in 1983. She was an active member of The Alachua Arabian Horse Association and Westside Baptist Church. Mrs. George is survived by 4 children: Cherry (James) Steinmeier, Derek (Donna) George, Cynthia (Dale) Young, and Alicia Patterson, 9 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to especially thank her caregivers, Lisa and Lucy, for their gentle and loving care of Mom during the last several months.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 20, at 2:00 pm at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, Illinois with Reverend Richard Rea officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, c/o Connie Sample, 11326 Lincoln Rd., Benton, IL 62812.

Dennis E. Odle, 61, of Benton, passed away on Dec. 11, 2014 at St. Louis University Hospital.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

 

Oscar Glen Adelsberger, age 75 of West Frankfort, passed away at 11:36 p.m. Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Benton Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

A Memorial Celebration of the Life of Oscar Glen Adelsberger will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the Thompsonville Seventh Day Adventist Church, with Pastor John Lomacang officiating.  Burial will be at a future date at the Boner Cemetery in West Frankfort.  Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the church.  Funeral arrangements are through the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

Oscar Glen Adelsberger was born on March 11, 1939 in Long Beach, CA, the son of Walter Joe Adelsberger and Nannie Lucille (Jones) Adelsberger.
Mr. Adelsberger was self-employed as a carpet cleaner for thirty five plus years.  When he was younger he worked with his parents on their fruit farm.  He also formerly worked for Spiller Construction and Darnell Heating and Air Conditioning.

He was a faithful deacon of the Thompsonville Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Mr. Adelsberger is survived by his children: Buddy Joe Adelsberger and wife Gail of West Frankfort, Dianna Piercy and husband Gary of Benton, Elizabeth Tatjenhorst and husband Steve of Irvington, IL, James Adelsberger and wife Iva Dell Clay of West Frankfort, Vickie Cullen and husband Randy of Princeton, KY, Terry Johns and wife Brenda of Benton; twelve grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; a brother Allan Adelsberger and wife Susan of Granite City, IL;  a sister Helen Ehrenspberger and husband Don of Crystal Lake, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three wives: Dora Mae Muir, Harriet Marie Johns, Della Ledbetter; and two sons: Samuel Scott Adelsberger and Kevin Todd Adelsberger.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benevolent Fund at the Thompsonville Seventh Day Adventist Church.
To leave online condolences to the family, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Mary L. Link, 99, a former Franklin County resident passed away at 7:45 a.m. Tueday, Dec. 9, 2014 at the Auburn Nursing and Rehab Center.

She was born in Macedonia, IL on October 20, 1915, the daughter of Robert and Eva (Braden) Flannigan.

She married Marion Jefferson “Jeff” Link, the love of her life for 61 years, and he preceded her in death on April 28, 1997.

She was a member of the Order of Easter Star. Her purpose in life was to care for her family, friends, church and community. She ended her career as a consultant at the University of Kentucky, helping families make a better life for themselves.  She loved to cook, sew and dance with Jeff and socialize with her family.

Mrs. Link is survived by two children, Virgil H. “Bud” Link and wife Gail, of Arlington Heights, IL and Karen Link Springer, of Springfield, IL; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Link was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a daughter-in-law Delores Link Hawthorne, of Paducah, Ky, by three brothers, Eual, Oscar and Sam Flannigan, three sisters, Colleen Darnell, Lorene Marquis and Hallie Flannigan, of the Benton, IL area.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.  Burial will follow at Thurmond Cemetery in Ewing, IL.  Visitation will be after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Illinois-Endowment Fund at Sullivan, IL or LaGrange, IL and may be mailed to PO Box 4147 Springfield, IL 62708.

Carl Eugene Lampley, age 84 of Benton, passed away at 6:28 p.m. Saturday at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Carl Eugene Lampley was born on September 4, 1930 in Franklin County, the son of John Lampley and Juanita (McCann) Lampley.  He married the former Shelva Hutchcraft on September 2, 1978 and she survives.

Mr. Lampley was a retired union brick mason and a member of Laborers Local 529. He also formerly was employed with Old Ben Coal Company Mine 24, where he worked for eight years.

Gene was a member of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Macedonia until it closed, and currently he and his wife attended the West City Baptist Church.

Gene loved to garden, go camping, fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his wife Shelva Lampley of Benton; step-children: Pam Edmondson of Goodyear, AZ, Mark O. Hall and wife Lori of West Frankfort; three grandchildren: Jennie Dotson, David Dotson and girlfriend Ashley, and Clint Lampley; a brother: Bill Lampley of Benton; a sister: Mildred Eubanks and husband Harry of Benton; two sons: Dennis and Larry Lampley of Benton; three close friends that have been very supportive and offered their time and care: Leann Sizemore, Lucille Elko and Stella Gulley; several nieces and nephews, and numerous other friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Helen Gulley and husband Glendale; and a brother John Lampley.
Memorial contributions may be made to the West City Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Meritta Madge Simpkins, 92, of Christopher and formerly of Huntington, West Virginia, passed away December 5, 2014 at Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin, IL.

She was born November 8, 1922, in Mulkeytown, IL, the daughter of William Avery Cook and Mary E. (Jones) Cook.

She was a homemaker and a member of Greenwood Methodist Church, in Mulkeytown.

She was married to Edward C. Simpkins and he preceded her in death on February 17, 2007, after 67 years of marriage.

She is survived by one daughter, Joy Simpkins, New York City, NY.

Surviving Children: Joy Simpkins of New York City, NY

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Charles E. Simpkins, one daughter Janet S. Cave, and one brother Kenneth Cook.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Rev. Richard Sullins, officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, in Mulkeytown.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Greenwood Methodist Church, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL is in charge of arrangements.  For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.