Cora B. Fisher, 96, of Benton, passed away at 6:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center, in Benton.

She was born in Makanda, IL on December 1, 1916, the daughter of Dorsey and Louie Braden.

Cora married Ben R. Fisher on July 16, 1930, and he preceded her in death on May 9, 1999.

She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton.

She is survived by four children, Richard Fisher and wife Nellie of Sterling, IL, Roland Fisher, of Christopher, Phyllis Harris, of Pikeville, KY and Alice Shanks, of West City.

Also surviving is 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, Curtis Fisher, and four brothers and one sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating.  Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery in Akin.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

CHRISTOPHER – Mary Ann Riley, 93, died Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born Dec. 20, 1919, in Christopher to Arthur Luther Hall and Monnie Gladys (Harris) Moore. She married Donald R. Riley in May of 1967, and he preceded her in death.

Mrs. Riley was an LPN and a member of Southside Baptist Church in Christopher.

Survivors include her children, Jeris Hackl and fiancé, Jack Chaplain, of Mesa, Ariz., Kay Vukadinovich of Christopher and Lisa and Bill Robertson of Marion.  She is also survived by five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a son, Errol “Bud” Hackl, and also brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be at 12 noon Thursday, Nov. 21, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Rev. Pat Giles officiating. Interment will be in Harrison Cemetery in Buckner. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Thursday at the funeral home.

For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com. –

Betty L. Andrews, 80, of Benton, passed away at her home on Thursday, November 14, 2013.

She was born in Benton on May 23, 1933, the daughter of the late Ocie and Sophia Baker.

She is survived by her husband, Carl Andrews; son and daughter Dennis Andrews and Jennifer Andrews, both of Eldorado; two grandsons and their wives, Aaron and Natalie Andrews, of Haubstadt, IN and Jonny and Katie Andrews, of Newberg, IN.  Also surviving is one great-grandson, Kayden Cole (Aaron & Natalie) and one great-granddaughter, Kylee Jo (Aaron & Natalie) and a brother-in-law, Herbert Burnell, of St. Louis.

Betty spent 35-plus years in retail sales, first at the Hub Clothing Store and then at three different pharmacies: McCann Drug, McCollum Drug and Benton Drug.

Betty was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, John Baker and two sisters, Nancy Burnell and Judith Baker.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.  A memorial service conducted by Robert Jilek will immediately follow.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

CHRISTOPHER — John H. “Pappy” Hampton Sr.,  82, of Christopher, IL, passed away Nov. 14, 2013 at Herrin Hospital.

Mr. Hampton was born February 16, 1931 in Mulkeytown to Carrol Hampton and Delcena (Short) Hampton.  He married Nina Mae (Clancy) Hampton on June 18, 1951 and she survives.

Mr. Hampton worked for Illinois Central Railroad.  He was an avid fisherman and has held the state record for the largest crappie since 1974.  He was a member of the Izaak Walton Club a kifetime member of the Coal Belt Association and the Coello Fire Department.

He also loved to go to the Maid-Rite and Larry’s Pit BBQ for coffee every morning

Mr. Hampton was a member Church of Christ in Christopher, IL

Mr. Hampton is survived by his children, Dennis (Debbie) Hampton, of Mulkeytown, IL, Tina (John) Hughes, of Sesser, IL, John “Little John” (Georgetta) Hampton, of Mulkeytown, IL and Harry Hampton, of Belleville, IL>

He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and special friend Phillip Laurent.
Also surviving are two sisters, Rose (Lester) Ramsey, of Coello, IL and Margaret (David) Little, of Kenosha, WS.  Mr. Hampton was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Phillip “PG” Hampton, on brother, Clarence Hampton and one infant brother and two infant sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2013 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother George Marshall officiating.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 at the funeral home.

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

VALIER– Nolan D. Gulley, 81, of Valier, passed away Nov. 14, 2013 at his home.

Nolan was born January 11, 1932 in Valier to Clarence D. Gulley and Henrietta (Galloway) Gulley.

He married Barbara Ann (Wall) Gulley.  He is survived by one son, Dennis Gulley, of Valier.

It was Nolan’s wish to be cremated with no funeral service.  Gilbert Funeral Home, of Christopher IL, is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Virgil Kash Jr., 82, of Benton, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 at his home.

He was born in Jefferson County, IL on May 24, 1931, the son of Virgil Kash, Sr. and Sula (Page) Kash.

Mr. Kash was a farmer for more than 60 years.

Mr. Kash is a member of the West City Church of God.

Mr. Kash is survived by his wife Naomi (Tucker) Kash, of Benton.

Also surviving are his children, Mony Kash, of Benton, Carla (Lance) Barnes, of Benton, Terena Kash, of Benton and Ashley (Chad) Sledge, of Mt. Vernon.  He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Janee Kash, of West City and grandchildren Caden Cambron, Caitlyn Sledge, Hallie Sledge, Tyler Koski, Danielle (Josh) Hatfield, Becky Kash, Tracy Kirk, Elizabeth (Leroy) Hasenjaegeer), Brent (Mindy) VanFossan and Adrea Barnes.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren , one great-grandchild and brothers and sisters, Floyd (Nomalee) Kash, Wayne (Brenda) Kash, Kenneth (Helen) Kash, Bobby Kash, Jack (Audrey) Kash and Glenda (Jimmy) Downen.  Also surviving are brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Phyllis Kash, Bill Pierce, Wilford Allen, George Tucker, Clyde Tucker, Mary Bloom and Rita Tucker.  Mr. Kash was preceded in death by his parents, by his first wife, Beatrice (Sheridan) Kash and by two sons, Daniel Kash and Paul Kash, by two sisters JoAnn Pierce and Norma Kash and by a brother Billy Kash and by sisters-in-law Darlene Kash and Edith Allen.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Johnston Funeral Home in Ina with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating.  Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home in Ina.  For those who wish memorials can be made to the American Kidney Foundation.

Mark Carl Hargis, 45, of Christopher, passed away Nov. 9, 2013 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Mark had previously worked at Maytag in Herrin and was a member of the Boilermaker’s Union.

Mark was born December 14, 1967 to Carl “Chick” Hargis and Florine “Flo” (Overturf) Hargis, of Coello, IL.

Mark was baptized into the Church of Christ when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Rend Lake College.

He is survived by two sisters, Kelly (Marion) Lappin, of Sesser, IL, and Gina (Kelly) Kaufman, Wylie, TX. and by nieces and nephews Carly Lappin, Rae Lappin, Keith Kaufman, Leah Kaufman and Vaughn Kaufman.  Mark is also survived by special friend Lunell Will and his dog Lobo.

He was preceded in death by his father.

A memorial service will be held at Gilbert Funeral Home on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013 at 8 p.m. with Brother Morris Hafley officiating.  Private burial will be at a later date.   Visitation will be on Monday November 11, 2013 from 6 p.m. until the time of the service at 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the donor’s choice.  Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, IL, is in charge of arrangements.  For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.