Obituary – Michael Lynch – Zeigler

ZEIGLER — Michael Lynch, 25, formerly of Mulkeytown, died Friday, June 21, 2013, in Zeigler.

mike picMichael was an assistant manager at 20’s Hideout restaurant in Marion. He was a very loving father, husband, son and grandson.

Michael was born May 16, 1988, in Melrose Park to Phillip and Jeanne Lynch of Mulkeytown. He married the former Brittany Bartlett, and she survives in Zeigler.

Michael is survived by his children, Katelyn Lynch, Lillian Lynch, Brycen Lynch and Alexzander Lynch, all of Zeigler; grandparents, Dimple and Patrick Lynch of Christopher; brothers, Phillip Lynch of Oak Park and Daniel Lynch of Mulkeytown; and cousins, Nicole, Christopher, Dusta, Ian, Andrew and P.J.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 27, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Marvin Boswell officiating.  Visitation will be after 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery.

For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Obituary – Bob D. Huffman – Christopher

Bob D. Huffman, 81, went to his heavenly hunting blind in the sky Saturday, June 22,2013, from home with his wife and daughter at his side.

He was born March 20, 1932, in Christopher to the late Joe and Clarice ( Eldridge) Huffman.

Bob married Sandra S. Marocco on Sept. 15, 1955, in Christopher.

Bob began his career as a musician at the age of 14, performing with his father, Joe; brother, Vince; Uncle Vance and Gene Flowers in Huffman’s Dixieland Jazz Band through his high school years. Along with performing, he and his family had Huff’s recording studio.

After graduating high school, Bob attended and graduated from SIU Carbondale with a bachelor’s in education. He then went on to George Peabody College, completing his master’s. He taught at Mulkeytown Grade School, Christopher Grade School, was a principal at Christopher High School, then an English teacher at Christopher High School. At the high school, he entertained his students with stories of his hunting and field trials with Nanook, his famous yellow lab. Students could get him off the subject of English for hours with his weekend field trials and hunting. Most students never called him “Mr. Huffman,” but “Dr. H.” Oh how he loved his stories and loved to tell them. Besides hunting, Bob enjoyed playing pinochle with his buddies up at the Legion.

After the Korean War, Bob served in the U.S. Army as a telecommunication officer.

He was a member of First Christian Church, American Legion, a 50-year member with Masonic Lodge, all in Christopher, and Campbell Pond Hunt Club, where he spent many hours duck, goose, rabbit and deer hunting. He touched many lives in his career and life in general and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra; daughter, Dawn Ellen Livesay; son-in-law, David Livesay; two grandsons whom he adored, Joshua D. Livesay and Nicholas J. Livesay; two sisters-in-law, Harlene Huffman and Jerilynn Williams; nieces and nephews, Ruth Ellen Gorsek, Melody Gulley, Apryl (Mark) Malkovich, David (Kelly) Easley and Angela (Ric) Thoele: great-nieces and nephews, Jonelle Birtch, Ambre (Martin) Bier, Mike Gorsek, Donnelly (Jeremy) Huie, Gretchen (John) Martin, Chase (Karen) Malkovich and Lana ( Bryson) Hammond; great-great-nieces and nephews, Sarah Ann and Nicole, Leah and Ethen, Veda, Brydon, Zackary, Spencer, Noah, Anna Lin and Autumn; and a host of friends too numerous to name.

He was preceded in death by his son, Bobby Huffman Jr.; brother, Vince; and parents, Joe and Clarice.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, in First Christian Church in Christopher with the Rev. Daniel Ison officiating. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery. Celebration of his life visitation will be after 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oblong Children’s Home, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the charity of the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home or church.

Obituary – Princess Marie Minor – Christopher

Princess Marie Minor, 87, died at 12:24 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2013, in Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born Nov. 22, 1925, in Christopher, to Charles Jackson and Cynthia (Morris) Reynolds.

She married Don Richard “Dick” Minor Nov. 22, 1945, and he preceded her in death July 6. 2005.

She was a homemaker. She also worked as a check out clerk at Bracy Food Store in Christopher, for the Paul Gayer garment factory in Zeigler, and for many years as the assistant supervisor for Tyrone Township.

She attended Church of God in Christopher.

Survivors include one son, Dr. Jeff Minor of Christopher and grandchildren, Patrick Perry,Kristin and Matt Yosanovich, Jeff Minor, Nicholas Minor and Leah Minor.  Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Kyle Perry, Kaleigh Perry, Cameron Yosanovich and Sidney Yosanovich.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Minor; daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Paul Perry; son, Dennis Minor; and two brothers, Pat Reynolds and James Robert Reynolds.

She was a member of Democrat Ladies Auxiliary Sorority, Pinochle Jolly Jills, Christopher Junior Women’s Club and Christopher Women’s Club.

Her family always came first and she attended almost all school functions, including PTA meetings, school open houses, school plays, concerts and sporting events. She was a very good cook, homemaker and mother.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at 1 p.m. in Gilbert Funeral Home. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 25.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Obituary – Evan Sink – Mulkeytown

Evan Sink, 57, of Mulkeytown, Illinois died June 20, 2013 at Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin, Illinois.

evan sinkEvan was born January 16, 1956 in Du Quoin, the son of Albert “Cabe” Sink and Nettie (Spann) Sink.  He was a graduate of Sesser-Valier High School and after retiring from the coal industry he was currently employed in traffic safety with the Illinois Department of Transportation.  He was a member of the Greenwood United Methodist Church and the Sesser Masonic Lodge.

Evan enjoyed his family, gardening, hunting and fishing very much.

On January 2, 1977 Evan married Gayla (Jones) Sink and she survives.  He is also survived by his children, Amy and Mike Johnson, West Frankfort, Vanessa Sink, Mulkeytown, David and Audra Bates,Sesser and Scott and Kim Bates, Benton.  Also surviving are grandchildren Jade Bates, Travis Air Force Base, California, Peyton Bates, Sesser, Asher Bates, Sesser, Deryck Bates, Benton, Ryleigh Bates, Benton, Hunter Johnson, West Frankfort, C.J. Johnson, West Frankfort and Micah Johnson, West Frankfort.

In addition he is survived by one brother, Gilbert and Carol Sink, Sesser and three sisters, Joyce and Jim Thompson, Sesser, Betty Arflack, Eldorado, Illinois and Susan and Jim Mondino, Cleburne, Illinois; brothers-and-sisters-in-law Rita and Dwight Hitt, Mulkeytown, Illinois, Larry and Vicky Jones, West Frankfort and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in law, Gene and Elnora Jones, infant brother Dennis Sink and brothers-in-law Donald Arflack and Kent Batson.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 24 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, Illinois with the Rev. Jean Webster officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday after 4 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, Illinois.  Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the :funeral home

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Obituary – Marjorie A. Johnston – Benton

Marjorie A. Johnston, 88, of Benton passed away at 5:05 a.m. Wednesday, June 19 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.

She was born in Ashley, IL on October 17, 1024, the daughter of Burrel and Iva Jane (Martel) Ferguson.

She married Ewing Johnston on January 12, 1946 and he survives.

Mrs. Johnston was a member of the former Harmony Free Will Baptist Church in West City and attended the First Church of God in Benton.

Mrs. Johnston, first and foremost, loved the Lord.  He was a great source of comfort to her throughout her life. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She led an inspiring life of faith and kindness toward others and has that legacy for all her family.

Mrs. Johnston is survived by her husband, Ewing Johnston of Benton and one daughter, Karen Wayman and husband John, of Mt. Vernon.  Also surviving are four grandchildren, Kelly Oreskovic and husband Bob, of Washington, Missouri, Michelle Autry and husband Dan, of O’Fallon, Missouri, Michael Franklin and wife Heather, of O’Falon, Illinois and Millie Deadmond and husband Adam, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  She is also survived by great-grandchildren Emma Kotowski, Chloe Clark, Kaylee Franklin, Katie Oreskovic, Drake Autry, Nathan Oreskovic, Jake Franklin, Dakota Autry and Kalissa Deadmond.

Mrs. Johnston was preceded in death by her parents, by a son, Benjamin Allen Johnston, by a daughter, Patricia Lynn Franklin, two brothers, Raymond and Albert Ferguson and by three sisters, Thelma Ferguson, Edith Clark and Della Boykin.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor John Neace officiating.  Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Obituary – Marvin Lee West – Sesser

SESSER – Marvin Lee West, 66, of Carbondale, formerly of Sesser, died Friday, June 14, 2013, at Herrin Hospital.

Marvin was a member of Sesser and Carbondale First United Methodist Church.

He was born Oct. 23, 1946, in DuQuoin, to Leon and Lenora (Pavletich) West.

Marvin is survived by three sisters, Kathy Joann West and husband, Royce Jackson, of Du Quoin, Cindy Lou Dame–VanHorn and husband, Ron, of Whittington and Melinda Sue and husband, Joseph, Kelly of Sesser.  Also surviving is nieces, Chrissy and Uel Vickers and Aileen Kelly; stepniece, Rachael Jackson; stepnephew, Paul and wife, Paige Jackson; and great-nieces, Haystin and Henley Vickers.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Brandon Lee Dame.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 17, at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home Sesser. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 16, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Sesser or Carbondale First United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Obituary – Rosa Mae Lindner – Du Quoin

DU QUOIN – Rose Mae Lindner 82, of Du Quoin, went home to be with our Lord on June 12, 2013, in Fair Acres Nursing Home in Du Quoin.

Funeral services will be Tuesday June 18, at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery Sesser.

Rosa was born in Aug. 30, 1930, in West Frankfort, the daughter of Winsor and Norma Fay (Hackney) Brayfield.

She married Ferrell Harrison in 1948, then later married Virgil Lindner in 1957. He passed away in 2003.

Rosa is survived by two sons, Steve and Marat (Moore) Lindner of Greenbelt Md., and Eric and Cathy Lindner of Du Quoin; two daughters, Sharon and George Foster of Du Quoin and Jana and Mark Cornell of Champaign; 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; two sisters, Linda Brayfield of Carbondale and Joyce Donaker of Mulkeytown.  Also surviving are two brothers, John Brayfield of Christopher and Richard Brayfield of Michigan, cousin Merreta Graham of Sesser, sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one sister, Betty Crisp.

Rosa is a graduate of SIU Carbondle and taught elementary education in the Sesser and Du Quoin School districts for many years.

She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, listening to gospel music, and keeping busy with her Avon customers and flea markets.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mitchell Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Obituary – Marvin Lee West – Sesser

SESSER – Marvin Lee West, 66, of Carbondale, formally of Sesser, died Friday, June 14, 2013, in Herrin Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Sesser First United Methodist Church or Carbondale First United Methodist Church.

Obituary – Ella Stewart Chullen – Benton

Ella Stewart Chullen, 92, of Benton, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at the home of her daughter, Cinda Chullen Riccio, in Houston, Texas.

Ella was born on January 27, 1921, in Weeksbury, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Robert Lee and Lucinda (Hall) Stewart.  IN addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John Chullen and eleven siblings: Robert L. Stewart, James H. “Bud” Stewart, Mike Stewart, Josie McCown Tackett, Ada Rowe, Ellie Moore, Babe Hamilton, Myrtle Evens, Dee Stewart, Essie Gerhart and Ralph D. Stewart.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois.  Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, immediately following the service.  Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 14 at the funeral home.

Ella is survived by three children: John Lee Chullen and wife Susan of Benton, Illinois, Claris Ann “CC” Chullen, of Thompsonville, Illinois and Cinda Chullen Riccio and husband Joseph, of Houston, Texas.  Also surviving are eleven grandchildren; Dr. Kelly Dawn Chullen-Hoppers, Dr. Cody Logan Chullen, Armstrong, Ansel, Austin and Amelia Chullen Riccio, Clarice Michele Moroni, Bryson Wayne, Braxton James, Barretta Calisa and Jolene Janea Maria Chullen; two great-grandchildren: Cooper David Hoppers and James Paul Moroni; several nieces and nephews and her companion Rat Terrier dog, “Lucy.”

Ella was a vivacious woman with a huge and loving heart.  She was a great cook and loved to dance.  She was bountifully blessed with many skills.  She starter her work life as a “Rosie the Riveter” building aircraft during World War II.  She served as a midwife delivering 33 babies in Eastern Kentucky and spent many years as a postmaster and social worker.  She adamantly supported education and later in her life graduated alongside her daughter Cinda with an Associate of Arts from Rend Lake College.  Afterwards she completed a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University leading to a career as an institutional food service manager.  After retirement she managed a child care business from her home until her husband’s declining health required her full attention.  She was a member of the Eastern Star and was baptized late in life at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Ella’s honor may do so to Gloria Dei Early Childhood Ministries, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Houston, Texas 77058.

Obituary – Maxine Taylor

Maxine Taylor went peacefully to be with God on June 11, 2013.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 12 at Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating.  There will be no visitation and those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News