Ronald E. Issler, 60, passed away at his home in the rural area known as Cleburne, on January 15, 2013.

Ron was born on March 24, 1952 in Rochelle, Illinois to Charles E. and Freda (Meadows) Issler.  He was the second of four children.

A 1970 graduate of West Franklin High School, later known as Zeigler-Royalton High School, Ron served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.  Following his service he worked at various jobs in Missouri and Illinois.  He spent the last several years helping to care for his parents.

Ron was preceded in death by his grandparents.

He is survived by his parents, siblings and their spouses: Charles L. Issler and wife Anna of Rainbow City, AL, Gary L. Issler and wife Liz of Herrin, IL and Paula Biby and husband David, of Mulkeytown, IL.  He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 18, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Brother Bill Carter officiating.  Burial will be in the Mulkeytown Cemetery.  Visitation will be after 9 a.m. Friday until the time of the service at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

 

Lenora West, 90, of Sesser, died at 10:34 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at her home.

She was born on January 2, 1923 in Sesser to  Joseph Pavletich and Pierina (Chervaten) Pavletich.

Lenora helped with the family business, Eastview Grocery Store.  She then moved to St. Louis after graduating from Goode-Barren Township High school and worked for Western Union delivering telegrams and then she worked for Small Arms Ammunition Plant in St. Louis.  She also worked for Sesser Five-and-Dime, and she and her husband operated the Custard Stand in Sesser, IL for many years

Lenora was also president of the American Legion Auxiliary, past president of the Eastern Star United Methodist Church of Sesser, IL.  She was also a lifelong member of the Sesser United Methodist Church.

When Lenora and her sister would come home from school they were instructed to only speak English not Croatian, so the family could learn how to speak English.  She was a perpetual teacher she enjoyed helping her children study for tests and passing on her love for reading to her children. Her last lesson of life was how she handled her death.  Lenora was a wonderful wife, sister and mother.

She married Leon West on June 27, 1944 and she moved to Moreinci, AZ when Leon was stationed in the military to work at the copper mines. When her husband was called to the European Theater, she moved back to Sesser.  After Leon was wounded in the Argon Forrest he was sent to a hospital in London, then he was transferred to Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, CO.  Lenora joined him in Denver where she lived a block away from the hospital while he recuperated.

Lenora is survived by one son, Marvin Lee West, Sesser/Carbondale, IL; three daughters, Kathy Joann West and husband Royce Jackson, of Du Quoin, Cindy Lou Dame-Vanhorn and husband Ron, of Whittington and Melinda Sue Kelly and husband Joseph, of Sesser.

Also surviving are grandchildren Christine Leigh and husband Eul Vickers, of Scheller, IL, Aileen Grace Kelly, of Sesser/Carbondale, Il, step grandchildren Rachel Jackson, of Carbondale, Paul Russell and wife Paige Pestka Jackson, of Tallahassee, FL, and one great-grandson, Haystin Andon Vickers.

Lenora is also survived by one brother, Lawrence Joseph and wife Glenda Pavletich, of Sesser, IL and a sister, Normal Lee Martin, of Du Quoin, IL.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and two very special caregivers Glenda Fornear and Daisy Sims.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one infant sister Matilda Pavletich and one grandson, Brandon Lee Dame.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Joseph Kelly of the Eternal Friends of Christ, of Sesser, officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday, January 17, 2013 after 5 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Marshall Browning Tree of Life, Eternal Friends of Christ, or to the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home

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

 

Margie Marie Chamness, 82, of Benton, passed away Friday, January 11, 2013 at her home in Benton.

She was born in Benton, IL on April 4, 1930, the daughter of Charley and Sybil (Williams) Kays.

She married Virgil Chamness in 1963, and he preceded her in death on February 1, 1990.

Mrs. Chamness was a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in South Chicago Heights.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary.

Mr.s Chamness is survived by a daughter, Pam Ray, of Benton and two sons, Danny (Cindy) Eldridge, of Benton and Monty (Jean) Eldridge, of Manteno.

Also surviving are several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and by 10 brothers and sisters.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 19 at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Brother Gene Blades officiating.  There will be no visitation.  Those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

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

Rabrum Vaughn, Jr., 65, of Mulkeytown, died Sunday, January 14, at Marshall Browning Hospital Emergency Room, in Du Quoin.

Mr. Vaughn was born August 7, 1947 in Christopher to Rabrum Vaughn and Ruby (Carpenter) Vaughn.  He was a truck driver for Star Trucking and attended Full Gospel Church in Buckner.

He married Susan (Price) Vaughn on June 9, 1961 and she survives in Mulkeytown, Illinois.

Mr. Vaughn is survived on a daughter, Mary (Wesley) Morse, of Mulkeytown.  Also surviving is a very special granddaughter, Hannah Mae Morse, who was much loved by her “Papa.”

Additional survivors include a sister, Carolyn Joyce (Tom) Flowers, of Zeigler; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Dorothy Price of Mulkeytown; brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law, Victor and Brenda Maze, of Herrin; David and Candy Price, of Christopher; Paul and Paula Price, of Mulkeytown, Patty and Bernard Mack, of West Frankfort and Allen and Becky Price, of Mulkeytown.

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Vaughn was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with the Rev. Cecil Sullivan and Sister Bernadine Caldwell Webb officiating.  Visitation will also be Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to the time of service at 11 a.m.  Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown.

Dear will always live in the hearts of his family and will be sadly missed by Spanky.

For more information visit our website at gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deloris (Gulley) Humerickhouse, 77, of Valier, passed away at 9:30 a.m. Friday, January 11,  2013 at the Westside Care Center, in West Frankfort.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Mary Bymaster, 79, of Valier, died January 6, 2013 at Herrin Hospital.

Mary was born October 25, 1933 in Sesser to Pete Gobtop and Laura Opal (Vanlandingham) Gobtop. She married George William Bymaster and he preceded her in death on Jan. 25, 2006.

Mary worked as a homemaker.

She is survived by her children, Cheryl and Tom Hodge, of Austin, Texas, Pamela and Stephen Miller, of Valier, Illinois, Jeffrey and Tina Bymaster, of West Frankfort, Illinois and by a daughter-in-law Kathy Bymaster of Altamont, Illinois.

Also surviving are grandchildren Chris, Christy, Kelly, Kayla, Kevin, Jennifer, Mary, Brian, Jimmy, Chris, Amanda, Ashley, Amy, Alison and Jeffrey. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren.

Mary is also survived by three brothers, William Gobtop, of Missouri, Randall Gobtop and Cliff Gobtop, both of Macedonia, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one son, George Bymaster; one grandson Kenneth; brother and sister-in-law Ron and Brenda Gobtop and one sister Dolores Razor.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, Illinois.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, Illinois.
For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

ROYALTON – James “Luke” Robinson, 88, of Royalton died on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at his grandson’s home in Mulkeytown, Illinois.

Mr. Robinson was born on November 13, 1924 in Royalton to Luther Whitley Robinson and Willie Claire (Carr) Robinson. He served in the Navy during World War II and was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Robinson worked at Menard Correctional Center for 15 years and also worked as a police officer in Royalton, Hurst and Bush and as worked as a coal miner.

He married Peggy (Sterns) Robinson and she proceeded him in death.

Mr. Robinson is survived by his daughter, Peggy Walker of Mulkeytown, and grandchildren Taffi Robinson Simone, Jason and wife Krystie Walker and Keith Walker. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Addison Claire Walker, Evan Lucas Walker, Autumn Rose and Savannah Rose. He is also survived by a sister, Sara Loeh, of Zeigler.

Mr. Robinson was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three children, Cheryl Robinson, Frank Robinson and Raymond “Buster” Robinson and one brother, Raymond Robinson.

A memorial service will be held at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 at 6 p.m. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the time of the service. Sister Linda Godfrey will officiate with interment at a later date at Hallidayboro Cemetery.

There will be a dinner at the home of Jason & Khrystie Walker on Highway 148 after the memorial service.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of the services.

For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com

SESSER – Anthony “Tony” Gerdgen Jr., 95, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Mount Vernon Health Care.

Tony was born in Yukon, Penn., to Anthony Gerdgen and Barbara (Ivanovick) Gergden. He was a factory worker and member of Sesser VFW and St. Mary Catholic Church in Sesser. He was also an Army veteran of World War II and of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

He is survived by two nephews, Ron and Donna Perjenski of Mount Vernon, and Tom and Shirley Perjenski of Waltonville.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mary Perjenski and Barbara Comazzi. Also preceding him in death was two brothers, George Gerdgen and an infant brother.

Funeral services will be at 12 noon Wednesday, Jan. 9, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sesser, with Father Peter Balili officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the church.

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

For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.