Michael S. Romani, 46, of Waltonville (formerly of Sesser), died March 20, 2014 at Herrin Hospital.

Michael was born in Benton, the son of Danny Romani and Karen (Allen) Romani, and they survive in Sesser.  He worked in mine construction and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Sesser.  He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and was also an avid outdoorsman and a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.

He is survived by a special friend and partner, Amber Sims, of Waltonville and four children, Wade Romani, Elaina Romani, Caroline Romani, all of Du Quoin and by Zane Hardesty, of Waltonville. Also surviving are two sisters, Valerie and Chad Miller, of Sesser and Kendra Romani, of Sesser.  Michael is also survived by several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his wife Shelly (Browning) Romani and two uncles.

Visitation will be after 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  A memorial service, with Father Dan Jurek officiating, will be held Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations should be given to Mike’s children educational fund 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

Roger Alan Overton, 32, of Sesser, passed away March 16, 2014 at Franklin County Hospital Emergency Room in Benton.

Roger was born February 25, 1982 in Benton, the son of Thomas “Tom” Overton and Lanna (Bradley) Williams.

He was employed at Sesser Monument Company and was also a former member of the Sesser Fire Protection District.

Roger is survived by his life companion, Jill Hensley, of Sesser and four children, Kylie Overton, Kailyn Overton, Mara Hensley and Dakota Hensley.

He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Wayne Overton, of Centralia, Robin and Geo Ramsey, of Christopher, Tiffany Emery, of Sesser, Rhonda Overton, Carbondale, Tara Taylor, of Yorkville, IL and Patrick Overton, of Sesser.  Roger is also survived by his father, Tom Overton, of Sesser and by his mother and stepfather, Lanna (Bradley) Williams and Robert Williams, of Sesser.

Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser.  There will be no funeral service.

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

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

For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Sean Eugene Baker, 45, of Benton, passed away Sunday afternoon March 9, 2014 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating.  Visitation will be after 5 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Hospice of the Good Samaritan.

Donald Eugene Baker, 78, of Benton, passed away at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Hospice of the Good Samaritan.

Donald” Kenny” Earnheart, 58, of Mulkeytown, passed away March 4, 2014 at St. Anthony Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born Jan. 17, 1956 in Christopher, the son of William Koonce and Ruby (Furlow) Koonce.

He married the love of his life, Laura (Mezo) Furlow on Nov. 18, 1976 and she survives.  Kenny was a very loving and caring husband and father.

Kenny was a truck driver for Southern Illinois Motor Express for the past 14 years.

He is survived by a daughter, Chasity Earnheart and friend Martin Meir, of Mulkeytown.  He is also survived by grandchildren Kenneth Charles Menard and Andrew Menard, of Mulkeytown.

Also surviving are brothers and sisters Debbie and Frank Green, of Du Quoin, Kevin Earnheart, of Du Quoin, Sherry and Bill Stroud, of Du Quoin, Billy Koonce, of Du Quoin, Nancy and Virgil Mathis, of Du Quoin, Brent Koonce, Indiana, Lisa and John Hill, of Willisville, Tara and Keith Pyron, of Du Quoin, Gary Earnheart, of Michigan. and Tracy Koonce of Du Quoin.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, granddaughter Kahlie Menard, grandparents and several in-laws.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on March 7, 2014 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery, Mulkeytown, IL.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Cara Mae Shepard, 87, of Sesser, IL passed away Tuesday March 4, 2014 at Fair Acres Nursing Home in Du Quoin, IL.

She was born May 30, 1926 to Elmer and LaVern (Page) Witcher.  She married Jake R. Shepard on June 13, 1959 and he preceded her in death on November 16, 1993.

Cara was a member of First Christian Church in Sesser, where she was the church treasurer for ten years.

Services will be on Sunday March 9, 2014 at 2:30 P.M. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Shannon Bopp officiating.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 12:30 P.M. until the time of the service at 2:30 P.M..

She is survived by five nephews Farrell D. Page and his wife Linda, Lecil E. Witcher Jr, Terry Witcher and his wife Mary Jane, Richard Witcher and his wife Brenda, David Witcher and his wife Dahlia.  Four nieces Jan Kelly and her husband Jim, Kay Styve, Carol Folden and her husband Charles Ray, Debi Spotanski and her husband Donald.  Also survived by several Great Nephews, Great Nieces, Great Great nephews, great great nieces, and great great great nieces.

She was preceded in death by five brothers Farrel Page, Woodrow Witcher, Charles Witcher, Lecil Witcher, Bob Witcher, and one sister Bertha Mann, one nephew Charles “Spike” Witcher, and one Nephew-in-law Bob Styve.

Having no children of her own she loved and enjoyed her nieces and nephews.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com .

Yvonne Webster, 94, a former Christopher resident, passed away Monday, March 3, 2014 in Arlington, TX.

She was born in Christopher, IL on November 8, 1919, the daughter of Jules and Georgette (Challet) DeVaux.

She married Sydney W. Webster on Dec. 27, 1941 and he preceded her in death on September 26, 1983.

Mrs. Webster was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for more than 50 years and was a founding member of the Christopher Senior Citizens Club.

Mrs. Webster is survived by her son Scott E. Webster, of Round Rock, TX.  She is also survived by two grandchildren, Justin Webster and Aaron Webster and two grandchildren, Jasper and Lux.

Mrs. Webster was preceded in death by her parents, husband and by a son, David D. Webster.

Funeral services wil be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 10 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery.  Visitation will be after 9 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, with the Rev. Mark Pierce officiating.  Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m.  Burial will be in Swanwick-Bethel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser Church of God.

Baylen Lampley, 21, of Thompsonville, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2014.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, March 7 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Rick McLintock officiating.  Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Curt was born on December 14, 1936 in Mulkeytown, IL, the son of Opal and Juanita (Harrison) Spann.

He married Nancy (Winkleman) Spann on January 5, 2012 in Paducah, KY and she survives in Sesser.