Nancy Lee (Stone) Creek 78, of Royalton, IL passed away on Tuesday April 9, 2013 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Nancy was retired from DOW Chemical Company of Kankakee, IL.

She was born on July 21, 1934 in Colp, IL. She married William“Bill”Creek on March 29, 1951 in Benton and was married for 47 years.

Survivors include her children Robert Creek and wife Elizabeth of Royalton, IL, Janice Maskill and husband Kerry of Lake Dallas, TX, and Sandy Rose and Husband Mike Pearl of Royalton, IL, one sister Ruby Ottolini of Herrin, IL, Sister-in-Law Jo Ann Drysdale of Coello, IL, 11 Grandchildren, and 15 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband William“Bill”Creek, a daughter Carol Sue Kibbons, a SonJamesAllenCreek, Father Ray Stone, Mother Opal (Swimtford) Stone McKinney, and two sisters Ruth Smith and Helen Stone.

Services will be on Thursday April 11, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. in the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL. Visitation will be on Thursday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at 2:00 P.M.. Burial will be in the MulkeytownCemetery.

For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Joan Hankins, 91, of Benton, passed away at 6:30 p.m. April 8, 2013 at Helia Health Care, in Benton.

She was born in Benton on January 11, 1922, the daughter of Joe and Ethel (Easley) Neal.

She married Charles E. Hankins on Sept. 25, 1944 in Rochester, Michigan, and he preceded her in death on August 28, 2006.

Mrs. Hankins worked for many years at the Franklin Hospital Skilled Care Nursing Unit. She was a member of the West City Church of God.

Mrs. Hankins is survived by two daughters, Pamela Jo Webb and husband Lane, of Benton and Brenda Lee Johns and husband Terry, of Benton.

Also surviving are grandchildren Kacie Jo Allen, of St. Louis, MO, Audrey Filkins and Shawn Loftus, of Thompsonville, Aaron Webb and wife Kristen of Maryville, IL, Nicole Jones and husband Justin, of Kentucky and Jason Johns and wife Liz, serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan; great-grandchildren Blake Filkins, Pepper K. Loftus (arriving soon), Aaden Webb, Evie Kay Webb, Sean, Lexie and Wyatt.  She is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Mary Kirk, of Benton, Louise Hammonds, of Michigan and Dorothy Bertetti, of Michigan.

Mrs. Hankins was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father Ed Kirk, her husband and by one brother Leon Kirk and five sisters, Dorothy West, Margaret Kearney, Evelyn Arro, Norma Montoya and Jessie Wilkie.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 14 at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating.  Friends attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Mrs. Hankins memory can be made to the West City Church of God or to the Benton-West City Food Pantry.

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

Mike Wisnoski, 93, of Sesser died at 3:00 P.M. April 6, 2013, at Fairview Nursing Home in DuQuoin IL.

Visitation is from 9:00 till 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday April 9, 2013 at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. A brief Family Remembrance service will be at 10:30 Tuesday at the funeral home followed by a funeral mass at 11 A.M. at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sesser. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

Mike Wisnoski was born in Coello, IL on June 13, 1919, to parents Joseph and Tekla Wisnoski, both of whom emigrated from Russia in the early 1900s. He was the youngest of seven children.

After graduation from Christopher High School, he attended Chillicothe Business School in Chillicothe, Mo. He worked at Swift & Co. in St Louis before returning to Coello.

He held many different jobs throughout the course of his life. While delivering milk to Rozenski Grocery in Sesser, he met and fell in love with Irene Rozenski. On November 2, 1946, he and Irene were married. They moved to Sesser upon their marriage where he resided until his death.

In the 1950’s he and his brother-in-law, Paul Rozenski, opened and operated their own cocktail lounge in Sesser. In 1958, they built the Sesser Feed Mill which they ran for many years. In 1974 he became an employee of Roberts and Schaffer, a mine construction company, working as a millwright. He was a member of the UMWA. He retired from construction in 1984.

Mike enjoyed growing tomatoes in his garden. He was known for his good humor and pleasant demeanor. He could be found enjoying a fish dinner most Fridays at the Sesser VFW.

Mike was a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sesser. He cherished his wife, loved his family, and thoroughly enjoyed his neighbors and friends. He loved living in Sesser. He built his home in Sesser in 1953 and lived there throughout his life. He often said that the only move he would ever make would be a move to MapleHillCemetery.

He is survived by his wife Irene, daughters Paula Polak (Michael), Patricia Fiorino (close friend, Stephen Shapiro) and Charlotte Conner (David); and his six grandchildren: Lisa and Jason Polak, Katie and Connie Fiorino, and Brooke and Julie Conner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers, Pete, William, Andrew and John, and two sisters, Nancy Laridon and Helen Granier, mother-in-law, Anna Rozenski (William), and brother-in-law Paul Rozenski (Edna and Lorraine).

Memorial donations can be made to St.Marys Church or St. Judes Children’s Hospital or charity of your choice.

Services will conducted by Father Lou Koehr and Father Peter Balili.

Mulkeytown – Helen June Hagler Robbins, 80, passed away the morning of Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
June was born December 17, 1932 in Franklin County to Bernie A. Hagler and Maud May (Nelson) Hagler.  She married Robert Dean Robbins of Sesser on April 28, 1951.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Robert Dean Robbins; along with her parents; 2 sisters, Ruth Hagler Logan and Mary Hagler Cavaretta; and 2 brothers, Jack Hagler and Nelson Hagler.

Surviving are their five children:  Dennis and Cheryl Robbins, Jackie and the late Buster Zimbro, Lisa andGeorge Moore, Todd and Tammy Robbins, and Robert and Janet Robbins; 11 grandchildren:  Shad Zimbro, Colby Robbins, Douglas Robbins, Zach Zimbro, Paige (Robbins) Ruffino, Cara Robbins, Chelsea Robbins, Maggie Robbins, Jori Moore, Mallory Robbins, and Emma Robbins; and 11 great-grandchildren, Gavin Zimbro, Tay-Lyn Taylor, Zoe Zimbro, Dayle Ruffino, Reagan Robbins, Jonah Ruffino, Braden Robbins, Keiara Taylor, Brodie Robbins, Grace Ruffino, and Zevon Zimbro.  Also surviving is a sister, Betty Borella of Santa Barbara, CA and a brother, Gary Hagler of Zeigler, IL.

She retired from Sesser-Valier School District after 21 years of teaching.  She spent her retirement traveling with her husband and enjoying time with her family.  She and Robert Dean together lived life to the fullest.

It was her wish to donate her body to medical research and her remains will be buried next to her husband at a later date.   A memorial service will be held at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser on Sunday, April 7th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Cardinal Glennon Hospital of St Louis, MO, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Charles “Chuck” Skurat, 63, of Scheller, passed away April 2, 2013 at his home.

He was born January 22, 1950 in Chicago, to Charles Skurat and Bernice (Bennett) Skurat.

Chuck was retired from Burlington Northern Railroad and also did taxidermy work. He was a member of the Faith Assembly of God Church in Du Quoin.

He married Glenna (Zettler) Skurat on April 13, 1968 and she survives.

Chuck is also survived by his children, Jennifer (Randy) Neff, of West Frankfort and Chad (Diana) Skurat, of Scheller. Also surviving are grandchildren Mathew Skurat and Zachary Skurat, of Scheller; step-granchildren Christina Neff, Du Quoin, Elizabeth Neff, Du Quoin, Michael Hurt, Du Quoin, and four step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Kevin Skurat, Herrin, IL and special friends Tom and Mary Mansfield and Don and Carol Drysdale.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Never before has there been a man more loved and appreciated than this man, Chuck Skurat. A tremendous blessing to all of his family and many friends, he leaves a lasting mark on the hearts of all who knew him.

Chuck was a devoted family man who was always there for his wife, children, and grandchildren; and faithfully cared for his parents in their elderly years.

He loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting, fishing, and practicing the art of Taxidermy. He had artistic talent in drawing and writing. He was a ‘jack of all trades,’ able to remodel your home, repair your car, or cook your breakfast. Anyone who knew Chuck, knows he had a great sense of humor which kept everyone around him happy and laughing.

Friends and family alike have often called upon his wise counsel for Godly advice during life’s trials or to simply have a friend to listen to the cares of the heart. Chuck’s greatest desire in life was to love God, love his family, and love people, which he did with great success. He had a servant’s heart evident by the efforts he made to help others.

Upon return from a visit to skid row in Vancouver Canada, his heart was moved with compassion and he began to distribute backpacks filled with blankets, food, water, and a Bible to anyone he found homeless here in southern Illinois.

Chuck was a founding member of Keet Waters Ministry, serving for seven years with his daughter, wife, and son-in-law. He had a vital role in sharing God’s Word with God’s Love among Pacific Northwest Coast First Nations of British Columbia, Canada, and a small portion of southeast Alaska. This ministry would not be where it is today without his willingness to travel thousands of miles, his ability to break the ice with strangers, and his many, many prayers. His prayers live on … the seeds he has sown will continue to be watered; they will continue to grow and they will bring forth a harvest!

Chuck was retired from Burlington Northern Railroad. He was a member of Faith Asssembly of God in DuQuoin, IL where he was a deacon for numerous years. He has run his race and finished the fight of faith, for now his eyes are beholding what he has lived for … his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Chuck will be greatly missed, warmly remembered, and always held dear in our hearts. We will not say ‘goodbye’ but instead, ‘See you later.’

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Ryan Harris and the Rev. Keith Filer officiating. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. Friday, April 5 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL. Burial will be in Paradise Prairie Cemetery, west of Sesser.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

 

Letha J. Overturf, 46, of Valier, passed away March 28, 2013 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

She was born May 25, 1966, to William Everett Graham, Jr. and Agnes JoNell (Malle) Graham.

Letha worked at Franklin Hospital in Benton as a certified nursing assistant.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church, in Valier.

She is survived by one son, William Burnett, Eldorado, IL; one brother, Danny (Rhonda) Miller, Benton, IL; and two half-sisters, Peggy (Dennis) Caldwell, Mulkeytown, IL and Jeanie Sobeck, Springfield, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Brian Dean Overturf.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Valier with Brother Frank Senter officiating.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.  Visitation will be after 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service time at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the family to help with funeral expenses

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher,IL is in charge of arrangements.

For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

Patricia “Pat” Barnhart, 75, of Benton, passed away at 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Helia Health Care in Benton.

She was born in Cadiz, OH on July 1, 1937, the daughter of Samuel and Lucille (Carrothers) Bryan.

She married William Lewis “Louie” Barnhart on April 21, 1962, and he preceded her in death on March 25, 2005.

Mrs. Barnhart was a graduate of Rend Lake College Nursing School and was a registered nurse.  She loved little children and specialized in pediatric nursing.  Mr.s Barnhart was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking for her family.

Mrs. Barnhart is survived by her children, Michael Barnhart and wife Donna, of Carmichaels, PA, James William Barnhart and wife Kathy, of Coshocton, OH, Cheryl Franklin, of Benton, Jack E. Bryan and wife Karen, of Cadiz, OH, Mark Reed and wife Fay, of Benton and Lewis Barnhart and wife Debbie, of Benton.

Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Carla Barnhart, of Benton; a son-in-law Richard Wood, of Hopedale, OH; grandchildren Sandy, Shawna, Ricky, Janelle, Corey, Lindsay, Melissa, Michael, Stacey, Emily, Morgan, Ryan, Adam, Trevor, Tyler and Nicole; one brother, Butch Bryan and wife Toots, of Dresden, OH; one sister, Jan Kidder, of Columbus, OH.  She is also survived by her two loving pets, “Baby” and “Jacque.”

Mrs. Barnhart was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a son Randy Barnhart, a daughter Diane Wood and by a brother, Babe Bryan.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with the Rev. Bill Carter officiating.  Visitation will be after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 3013 at the Morton & Johnson Funeral Home in Benton.

For those who wish, memorials in Mrs. Barnhart’s name can be made to the First Baptist Church of Benton.

CHRISTOPHER — Stephanie Kunas, 84, of Chicago formerly of Christopher, died Friday, March 22, 2013, in Chicago.

She was born April 22, 1928, in Coello, to George and Valeria (Piasecka) Kunas.

She was the loving sister of Julia Rose and Louie Kunas and sister-in-law of Virginia Kunas, who all survive. She was the dearest aunt of Charlene, Gregory, Dennis, Debbie, Paul, Valerie, Mark, Lyle, Diana, Donna, Amie and Myra with their spouses and children and they also survive.

Preceding her in death are brother-in-law, William Rose; brothers, Stanley Kunas and Carl (Helen) Kunas and Henry Kunas; and sisters, Wanda (Ted) Glowinski and Eleanor (Hillard) Telinski.

Stephanie was a proud supporter of Polish Women’s Civic Club, Polish Arts Club, Polish Museum of America, Polish Women’s Alliance and Lira Ensemble and the Copernicus Foundation.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, in St. Andrew Catholic Church in Christopher, with Father Peter Balili officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Polish Women’s Civic Club, Polish Arts Club, Polish Museum of America, Polish Women’s Alliance and Lira Ensemble or Copernicus Foundation.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.