Mickey Maxine Webb, 93, of Ewing; died at 3:35 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2012 at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton.
Funeral services are pending at this time with the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.
OBITUARY – JOHN FRANKLIN – SESSER
December 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
SESSER – John Robert Franklin, 56, died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, in Franklin Hospital in Benton.
John was born Sept. 5, 1956, in Warner Robbins, Ga., to Frank and Shirley (Prater) Beskidniak. He worked for Sprint as a computer engineer.
John is survived by special friend, Vicky Wilcox and one sister, Cindy Wilson of Sesser. Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Shawn Parker, Aaron Parker and Kristen (Clint) Mason; great nephew, Connor Mason; and grandmother, Mollie Atchison of Sesser.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and grand-parents, Julia and Max Beskidniak and Roy Prater
John’s wishes were to be cremated and there will be a memorial service at a later date.
The family also added, “So long, ‘Uncle Dude.’ You were loved and will be sadly missed.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cindy Wilson and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.
For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
OBITUARY – DONALD JUNIOR LANCE – VALIER
December 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Donald Junior Lance, 78, of Valier Patch area, died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, in Carbondale Rehab and Nursing Home in Carbondale.
Donald was born Sept. 27, 1934, in Franklin County, to Charles and mother, Cleo (Stewart) Lance. He married Cleona Mae (Joiner) Lance and she preceded him in death.
Donald worked for Browning Township.
Donald is survived by his children, Diane and Ronald Hampton of Thompsonville, Lana and Russell Carrel of Des Plains; grandchildren, Tera Hale of Thompsonville, Ronald “Digger” Hampton of Sesser, Michelle Mann of Mount Prospect; great-grandchildren, Brianna Renee Worley; surviving sisters, Brenda, Dolores and Frankie Jean; brother-in-law, Ronald and Jo Joiner; sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Dave Pedigo and Brenda Joiner; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
Funeral ervices will be at 12 noon Monday, Dec. 31, at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, with the Rev. Richard Lance officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at the funeral home with burial will be in Hammond Cemetery in Sesser.
For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
OBITUARY – RUBY (SILKWOOD) KING – CHRISTOPHER
December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Ruby (Silkwood) King, 89, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in Helia Healthcare of Energy.
Ruby was born May 5, 1923, in Christopher, to Walter and Effie (Furlow) Copeland. She married Herbert Silkwood and he preceded in death. She then married John King and he also preceded her in death.
Ruby worked as a seamstress in Du Quoin, Herrin and Sesser until her retirement.
She is survived by her children, Darla and Jim Rogers of Mulkeytown; stepchildren, Darrell and Carolyn King of Armington, and Jerry King of Ocala, Fla.; grandchildren, Lisa DeMunbrun of Chesterfield, Mo., Gina and Joe Balding of Springfield, and Ross Silkwood of Tennessee; two stepgrandchildren; great-grandchildren, Giana Hostettler, Brandon Hostettler, Eve Silkwood, Sofia Silkwood and Jessica DeMunbrun; five great- stepgrandchildren; very special friend, Janice Noel of Christopher; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, 13 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Gilbert Funeral at 12:30 p.m. with Brother George Marshall officiating. Interment will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at the funeral home.
For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
OBITUARY – GUENTHER H. NOWAK – WEST FRANKFORT
December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Guenther H. Nowak, 85, died Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at home.
Guenther worked as a carpenter in Chicago and was a member of the American Model Association for 40 years.
He was born April 28, 1927, in Breslau, Germany. His father was Paul Berger.
Guenther married Helga (Pehlke) Nowak.
Survivors include children, Veronika Hernandez of Libertyville, Joe Nowak of Christopher, Andy Nowak of Christopher; and grandchildren, Michelle Nowak, Joey Nowak, Geza Duna, Rafael Hernandez and Andrea Hernandez.
Guenther was preceded in death by his father.
There will be a family service at a later date.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.
For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
OBITUARY – KEVIN WAYNE BOWLIN
December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Kevin Wayne Bowlin, 40, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville.
Kevin was born March 17, 1972, in West Frankfort, to Hobart and Debbie (Rice) Bowlin.
He was a certified habilitation technician.
Kevin married Andrea (Marshbank) Bowlin on July 17, 1993, and she survives of Belleville.
Also surviving are his children Zachary Bowlin, Riley Bowlin, Cody Bowlin and Miranda Bowlin, all of Belleville; and sister, Mellisa Bowlin of Chester. Kevin was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with interment in Mulkeytown Cemetery. Brother David Utley is officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
OBITUARY – BUDDY EARL ALEXANDER – BENTON
December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Buddy Earl Alexander, 79, of Benton, passed away at 1:47 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 at his home.
He was born in Bloomington, Illinois on July 26, 1933, the son of Arlie Earl and Ada Hazel (Carlton) Alexander.
Mr. Alexander served during the Korean War with the 135th Engineering Battalion Headquarters Company in the 44th Infantry Division.
He was a graduate of Benton High School, the Class of 1952. Mr. Alexander attended Lockyear’s Business College from 1953 to 1955, he then helped his parents operate the grocery store for the next 25 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of West City.
Mr. Alexander is survived by his brother, Bill Alexander and wife Dolores of Plano, Texas; four nieces, Vicki Loven, Evansville, Indiana, Sydney Renee Hoesch, of Zeeland, Michigan, Melissa Joy Doyle, Naperville, Illinois and Marlene Joy Ridley, of Frisco, Texas.
Also surviving is two nephews, Earl Newman Alexander, Fort Worth, Texas and Ronald Dean Alexander, Centralia, Illinois.
Mr. Alexander was preceded in death by his parents and one sister-in-law, Betty Gunter.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 at the First Baptist Church of West City with the Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church of West City.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
OBITUARY – RUTHANN GARASCIA – BENTON
December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Ruthann Garascia, 74, of Benton, passed away Monday, Dec. 17 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
She was born on Aug. 28, 1938 in Benton, Illinois, the daughter of Humbert and Elsie (Whitlow) Bennett.
She married Carl Garascia on Aug. 31, 1992 and he survives.
Mrs. Garascia was a member of Grace Bible Church in Benton. She was a longtime employee of Old Ben Coal Company. She enjoyed golf.
Throughout her life Ruthann’s faith was her rock.
She is survived by her husband Carl Garascia, of Benton, daughter Sarah Bigham, Tennessee and son Stephen Bigham and wife Deborah, of Oklahoma. She is also survived by two step-sons, David (Sheri) Garascia, of Sesser and David (Laurie) Garascia, of Virginia.
Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Michelle, Crystal, Katelyn, Brooke, Caleb, Hannah, Jarrod and Jordan and five great-grandchildren.
Ruthann was preceded in death by her parents, by a brother Charles Bennett and by a stepson, Marc Garascia.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Burton Wills officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.
OBITUARY – FRANK YATES MUELLER – CHRISTOPHER
December 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Frank Yates Mueller, 90, of Christopher, passed away Monday, Dec. 17 at Greentree Assisted Living, in Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Mueller was born August 15, 1922 in Christopher to Frank W. Mueller and Naomi (Yates) Mueller.
On April 12, 1947 he married Irma (Falcher) Mueller and she survives of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. He is also survived by one son, Mark (Rebecca) Mueller, of Christopher, and one daughter, Elaine (James) Danielson also of Christopher.
Mr. Mueller is also survived by grandchildren Eric Yates Mueller and friend Alexandra Ingersoll, of Christopher; Jeremy Frank (Rachelle) Mueller, of Mulkeytown; Tracy Elaine Skinner and fiance Cody Williams, Marshall, Illinois. He is also survived by great-grandchilden Derek Mueller and Tyler Mueller, both of Mulkeytown. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Before entering the military he worked at Matt & Daltons and then later earned his Master’s Degree from SIU at Carbondale. Mr. Mueller taught industrial arts at Johnston City High School and then later became postmaster at Christopher from 1956 until his retirement in 1982.
Mr. Mueller served in the Army during World War II and is a life member of the Christopher American Legion.
His family was most important to him along with fishing and hunting
Graveside services will be held at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 at 12 noon. Interment will be at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday December 19, 2012 after 6:00 P.M. at the Gilbert Funeral Home, and on Thursday from 8:00 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at the funeral home. Father Peter Balili is officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Christopher American Legion and will be accepted at the funeral home
Gilbert Funeral Home Christopher, is in charge of arrangements.
For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com
OBITUARY – PHYLLIS EASTER SWINGLE – BENTON
December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Phyllis Easter Swingle, 77, of Benton, passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 at Franklin Hospital in Benton.
She was born in Benton, Illinois on Oct. 14, 1935, the daughter of Morgan and Jeanette (Kerley) Easter.
Mrs. Swingle was a member of the First Baptist Church of West City.
She married James Swingle on April 2, 1960 and he survives. Also surviving is her daughter, Monica Combs and husband Robert, of Benton, and three granddaughters, Ashley Amber Hosick and husband Joshua, of Logan; Brittany Todich and husband Matthew of Benton and Rachel Combs, of Benton.
Mrs. Swingle is also survived by six great-grandchildren; Hailey, Makayla and Noah Hosick and Zachary, Bailee and Sammy Jo Todich.
Also surviving is her sister Carol Sue Newberry, of Texas and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Swingle was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanette Adams, grandparents Frank and Emma Kerley, sister Melba Rose Easter, brother James Lee Easter and her father Morgan Easter.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.
