Eva Mae (Williams) Schloss, 84, of West Frankfort ‘went home to be with her Lord’ surrounded by her family and friends at Herrin Hospital on Sunday, March 14, 2013.

She was born in Benton, IL on April 8, 1928, the daughter of Ray and Lisa (Thompson) Williams.

She married William L. “Bill” Schloss on June 30, 1946 and he preceded her in death on May 31, 1976.

Mrs. Schloss was dedicated to her family, her church and her Lord.

She is survived by her children, Tarrey Neal, Paulette Schloss and Carl Ramey, Donna and Gary Harlan, Linda and Danny Hogan, Michael and Lisa Schloss, Brenda Schloss and Kim and Mike Holder.

Also surviving are her grandchildren, Angie (Dennis) Rich, Shannon (Tara) Schloss, Amy (Aaron) Cantrell, Dana (Brent) Wall, Crystal Hogan, Jayma (Daniel) Buckingham, Denice (Michael) Whitley, Chad (Kayla) Schloss, Tyler Schloss, Zackary Holder, Amanda Hefner, Rachel (Jason) McCoy, Deanna (Ed) Tilton; great-grandchildren Jeff (Emily) Roach, Mandy Roach, Alyssa Schloss, Brendan Schloss, Kanon Cantrell, Kash Cantrell, Jace Wall, Addison Wall, Cole Buckingham, Drake Long, Kynsee Schloss, Addyson Schloss, Zeppelin Schloss, Jack Schloss, Dane Schloss, Kayleb Schloss, Lyrix Schloss.; great-great grandchildren Gavin, Camden and Marlee Jo.

She is also survived by two sisters Evelyn (Bill) Sherman and Lorane (Troy) Holman and one brother Denby Russell; and special friends Gaye Young, Juanita Neunlist and Patsy Schwin.

Mrs. Schloss was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a daughter-in-law Diana Schloss, by two brothers Paul Williams and Dallas Williams and two sisters Opal Dillion and Fern Simpkins, by a grandson Michael Jacob Schloss and by a great-grandson Cade Schloss.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Chris Hammond officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11 a.m on Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Abundant Life Church of Benton or to the West Frankfort Fire Department and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Brother and Sister Hammond and the Abundant Life Church of Benton.

Betty Jean Porter, 87, of Waukee, IA and formerly of Christopher, IL, passed away March 21, 2013 at Legacy Pointe Nursing Center in Waukee, IA.

She was born January 21, 1926 in Christopher to Carl “Sam” Rowland and Joyce (Mosely) Rowland.

She married Paul Porter on November 8, 1946 and he survives in Waukee, IA.

Mrs. Porter was a homemaker and a member of the Heartland Christian Church in Marion, IL.

Throughout the years, Betty and Paul lived in Christopher, IL, Springfield, IL, Detroit, MI, Salem, NH, St. Louis, MO, Austin, TX, and Marion, IL. For the last year, they have been residents of Waukee, IA

Mrs. Porter is survived by her children, Joyce Clingan, of Urbandale, IA and Paula (Bruce) Leggett, of Coeurv’ Alene, Idaho.

Also surviving is grandchildren Melinda Davis, Angie (Rusty) Lawler and Ryan (Brie) Leggett; great-grandchildren Riley Lawlar, Breckon Lawlar, Maddox Lawlar, Macy Davis, Bradly Leggett and Caleb Leggett; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dean (Dolores) Rowland of Springfield, IL.

Mrs. Porter was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Delores Rogers and two brothers Kenneth Rowland and Ed Rowland.

Mrs. Porter’s wishes were to be cremated with graveside services that will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton, IL with the Rev. Randy Allison officiating.

Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

Dorothy Linn, 99, passed away Wednesday morning, March 20, 2013 at her home.

She was born Nov. 2, 1913, in West Frankfort, the daughter of Louis and Ethel (Davis) Hughes.

She married Ernest Carl Linn and he preceded her in death on June 30, 1965.

Mrs. Linn was a member of North Benton Baptist Church.

She was a cook at Hill City Grade School for several years. She loved to cook and was an excellent dumpling maker. She also loved to crochet and read. Mrs. Linn worked for many years for Williams Hardware then retired from Vanhorn Hardware.

She is survived by one son, David Linn and wife, Donna, of Benton; grandson, Steven Linn and wife, Amanda, of Wisconsin; two great-grandchildren, Delaney and Gavin.

Mrs. Linn was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Rueben Hughes; two sisters, Margaret Hughes and Esther Park; and a sister-in-law, Ermal Hughes.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23, in Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. Burton Wills officiating. Burial will be in Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after noon Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mrs. Linn’s name may be made to North Benton Baptist Church.

Gene Mandrell, 84, of Benton, passed away at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at the VA Medical Center in Marion.

He was born in Benton, IL on Sept. 14, 1928, the son of Leslie Rufus and Bonnie Mae (Eldridge) Mandrell.

He married Eddyth Bullington on July 2, 1949 in Benton and she survives.

Mr. Mandrell was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.  He was a member of the Church of Christ in West City.

He worked most of his life as a carpenter.

Mr. Mandrell is survived by his wife, Eddyth Mandrell, of Benton; on son, Brad Mandrell and wife Becky, of Benton; one daughter, Pam Robinson and husband Dave, of Benton; seven grandchildren, Angela Jones and husband Ira Donald, of Mandeville, LA; Jeff Mandrell, of Lexington, KY; Lee Mandrell and wife Kristy, of Florrisant, MO; Lana Mandrell, of Energy, IL; Pat McClerren, of Washington, IL; Bridgett Thacker, of McLeansboro and Kelly Roberson and husband Jeremy, of Benton.

Mr. Mandrell is also survived by a twin brother, Jack Mandrell and wife Marie Louise, of Pekin, brother Curt Mandrell and wife Beverly, of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

Also surviving is 13 grandchildren, Brittney, Haley, Abi, Noah, Patrick, Cassie, Morgan, Gabriella, Rachel, Cameron, Destiny, Nick and Damion.

Mr. Mandrell was preceded in death by his parents and by an infant brother.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Minister Steve Reeves officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with military rites conducted by the Benton American Legion and Benton VFW Post and the National Guard.  Visitation will be after 2 p.m. on Sunday until the time of the funeral service at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

SESSER – Marian Marceline Gulley, 83, died Monday, March 18, 2013, in Washington County Hospital in Nashville.

Marian was born March 29, 1929, in Sesser, to Burtis “Big Boy” and Lena (Walker) McBride. Marian was a homemaker.

She married Howard Paul Gulley and he preceded in death.

She is survived by two  children, Glenn and Resa Gulley and Paula Horn, all of Sesser.  Also surviving are grandchildren, Charles and Gretchen Pool of Sesser, Darrel and Jennifer Pool of Sesser, Jody and Beth Shaw of Sesser, Amber Gulley of Carbondale, Shonda and Weston White of Carterville; great-grandchildren, James Paul Pool, Danielle Winget, Suzy Aiello, Jesse White, Andrew White and Nick White.  She is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Cletus and Connie McBride of Sesser.

Mrs. Gulley was preceded in death by her husband Howard Paul Gulley, one son-in-law, Bob Horn and her parents.

Private graveside services will be held March 20, in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, with the Rev. Chad Wilkin officiating. Interment will follow.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements. For more information, visit http://www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com/.

Carletta A. Winemiller, 77, of Macedonia, passed away Wednesday morning, March 13, 2013 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

She was born Feb. 28, 1936 to Corwin and Beatraice (Harland) Billingsley in Johnson County, IL.

She married Larry M. Winemiller on Nov. 11, 1956 in Whittington, IL.

To this union four children were born, Larry D. Winemiller and wife Sharon, of Manhattan, IL; Terry L. Winemiller, of Macedonia, IL; David R. Winemiller, Macedonia, IL and Tracy L. Whittington and husband Richard Whittington, of Winder, GA.

Also surviving are three grandchildren, Adam Whittington and wife Crystal, of Winder, GA; Scott Whittington, of Winder, GA and Heather Millman (daughter of Terry Winemiller) of Charlestown, IN and three great-grandsons, Wesley and Brandon Whittington (sons of Adam and Crystal Whittington) and Noah Bennett (son of Heather Millman).

Mr.s Winemiller was preceded in death by her husband Larry M. Winemiller, by her father and mother Corwin and Beatrice Billingsley and by a brother Roger Billingsley.  She also leaves behind several special brothers and sisters-in-law and very dear nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, March 16 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Don Bullard officiating.  Burial will be in Knob Prairie Cemetery in Akin.  Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Billie M. Lovelady, 90, of Sesser, went to be with her Savior Lord on Friday, March 8, 2013, from Aspen Ridge Nursing Home in Decatur, with her daughters by her side.

She was a cook for 21 years at Severins Nursing Home in Benton and was a member of West City Church of God.

She was born Jan. 28, 1923, on a farm near Benton to William Lee and Myrtle Ethel (Sweetin) LeVault.

She married George Lovelady on Dec.27, 1941, and he preceded in death Jan. 1, 1968.

Billie is survived by children, Loretta and Bill Tankersley of Argenta, Linda Overton of Springfield, Mo., Karen Lovelady of Christopher and Pam and Jerry Dare of Sesser; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a brother–in-law, James and Agnes Lovelady of Sesser.

She was preceded in death by parents; husband; daughter, Marilyn; three grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Gleghorn and Geraldine Lewis; two brothers, Hallice and Gilbert LeVault; and a son-in-law.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home Sesser with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral Home.

For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

David (POE) Witkowski, 80, of Christopher, died March 9, 2013 at Herrin Hospital, Herrin, IL.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of Christopher.

As per David’s request, he will be cremated and a memorial serive will be held at a later date in Kouts, IN.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

For more information visit Gilbert Funeral Home website at gilbertfuneralhomes.com