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

Lewie “Red” Thompson, 93, affectionately known as “The Lawn Mower Man of Christopher,” died at his home on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012.

Mr. Thompson was born Oct. 28, 1919 in West Frankfort, the son of Lewie A. Thompson and Lillian Charlotte (Horell) Thompson.

He worked for many years at National Cash Register until his retirement. Mr. Thompson was an Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. He was a member of the American Legion he Christopher and was a 60-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in West Frankfort.

He married Dorothy Elizabeth (Burnam) Thompson and she preceded in death.

Mr. Thompson is survived by three sons, Charles Thompson of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Gerald Thompson of St. Joseph, Michigan and John Thompson of West Mansfield, Ohio.

He is also survived by five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by one sister, Margaret Norris, of Lebanon, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Lillian Madge McReynolds, Francis Marion Thompson, Helen J. Thompson and one brother, Samuel L. Thompson.

Visitation will be at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 12 noon until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Interment will be at Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home

For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Etta Mae Lance, 81, of Benton, passed away Sunday morning, Oct. 7, 2012, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

She was born Aug. 5, 1931, in Michigan City, Ind., the daughter of Charles and Delia (Davis) Fitzpatrick.

She was married to Charles Leo Lance, and he preceded her in death March 6, 1996.

Mrs. Lance was a member of Greater Outreach Sanctuary in Benton.

Surviving family members include one son, Charles Lance and wife, Elaine, of Benton; one daughter, Kathy Braden and husband, Gary, of Benton, grandchildren, Cindy Maxey of Benton, Kathy Manera of St. Louis, Karla and Ronnie Lumpkin of West Frankfort, Shannon and Shelly Braden of Larose, La., and Stephanie Braden of Benton; great-grandchildren, Logan Maxey, Brooklyn Frey, Joshua and Charlie Lumpkin, Marie Braden, Alyssa Braden, and Jeremy, Jordan, Faith and Lance Johnson, great-great-grandchild, Julius Lance Lee Moore; brothers and sisters, Bill, Jack, Rick and David Fitzpatrick, Martha Sweet, Rose Bushue, and Donny, Larry, Chuck, Bob and John Fitzpatrick; a cousin who was raised as a brother, Randy Smith; sisters-in-law, Brenda Hayden and Frankie Oldani; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Lance was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Denny and George; and sister, Romona Powell.

Services will be at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Mark Fitzpatrick officiating. Burial will be in Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.