Roscoe Ernest “Ernie” Payne, 90, of Thompsonville, passed away Friday, August 2, 2013 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Galen Dalton, minister, officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Payne’s name may be made to the Franklin County 4-H.

Belva Madelyn (Stoffel) Vercellino passed away at her home in O’Fallon, Illinois on Wednesday July 24, 2013.  Madelyn was born on August 4, 1927 to Rothel and Belva (Uhls) Stoffel, the youngest of six children.  The Stoffel home was located in the Rend City Area.

She attended Mt. Pleasant Grade School and Graduated from Valier High School with the class of 1945.  After graduation, she enrolled in Missouri Baptist School of nursing where she became a Registered Nurse.

She married Joseph Vercellino in Shreveport, LA, on November 25, 1948.  A son was born to this union, but died at birth.

Surviving are two brothers, Rothel Eugene Stoffel of O’Fallon, IL and James Calvin Stoffel of Benton, IL, and several nieces and nephews.  Preceding her in death in addition to her husband, son, and parents, were a brother William Howard Stoffel of Nashville, IL and two sisters Evadine Stoffel of Colorado Springs, Co and E. Lorene Stoffel of O’Fallon, IL.

Funeral Services will be on Saturday July 27, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday July 26, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois 305 South Illinois Street Belleville, IL 62220-2159.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com . 

CHRISTOPHER – George Brazitis, 58, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at Franklin Hospital in Benton.

George was retired from the city of Christopher Street Department.

He was born Jan. 9, 1955, in Chicago, to George Brazitis Sr. and Sophie (Zalesky) Christenson of Christopher.

George is survived by his children, Christopher Brazitis of Marana, Ariz., and Carrie Jakusz-Amhenst of Junction Wis.; grandchildren, Elicia Benowski and McKenna Benowski; and brothers, Carey Brazitis of Lake Charles, La.

He was preceded in death by his father.

George wishes were to be cremated with no public services.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Tina Louise Cockrum, 48, of Christopher, passed away July 11, 2013 at her home.

She worked as a CNA and sold Avon and was a member of the Sesser Church of God.

Tina was born March 31, 1965 to Noble Lee Cockrum and Ellen (Graves) Cockrum.  She was preceded in death by her father and her mother survives.

Also surviving is a sister, Connie and John Halliday, Carterville, IL, and two nieces Kelli and Makenzie Halliday and several aunts, uncles and cousins.  Tina is also survived by her dog Mickey.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  Visitation will be on Sunday, July 14, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com