BENTON – Merle Francine Frye, 85, of Benton, died at 8:05 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 in the Franklin Hospital in Benton.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013 at Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser with the Rev. Eric Drake officiating. Her ashes will be buried at a later date.

Mrs. Frye was born on April 28, 1928 in Carbondale, the daughter of Glen and Lillian Hayse. She married Dewey Frye who preceded her in death.

She is survived by three children, James “Butch” Taylor, of Benton, and Linda Taylor Cockrum, of Sesser (children of the late James Taylor); and Darrel Bigham, of Sesser, (son of the late Jack Bigham); and daughter-in-law Jane Taylor. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three sisters, Carmen Lampley, Marybelle Taylor and Katie Taylor and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Frye was preceded in death by her parents, by three sisters, Evelyn Hayse, Symantha Risley, Elizabeth McGhee, a brother, Buck Hayse, and a son-in-law Billy Cockrum. She was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law Bill Risley, Jim McGhee, Jack Taylor, Bobby Jo Taylor, Kenneth Lampley, Kenneth Sample, Frank Taylor, Donald Taylor, Curtis Frye, Jack Frye and by sister-in-law Mary Rowlett.

She was loved dearly and will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Research Down Syndrome, 180 West Adams, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60603.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, is in charge of arrangements.

Paula Fay (Furlow) Hopkins, 72, of Benton, Ill., died on Dec. 6, 2013 at Benton Rehab and Healthcare, in Benton.

She was born March 22, 1941, in Royalton, Ill., to William Paul Furlow and Beatrice (Shadowens) Furlow.

Paula worked as a physical therapist assistant.  She was a member of the Valier First Baptist Church.

She was formerly married to Don Hopkins, of Arizona.

Paula is survived by her children, Don and Twyla Hopkins, of Whittington, Ill., Paul and Patty Hopkins, of Benton, Ill., and Terry Hopkins, of Benton, Ill.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Matthew Hopkins, John Hopkins, Kassie Hopkins, Kayla Hopkins, Tabitha Hopkins, Micah Hopkins and Krystin Gant, Jonathon Varis and Mariah Varis.  Also surviving are great-grandchildren Riley Spencer, Aurora Spencer, Aiden Hopkins, Taven Hopkins, Makenna Hosick, Makenzie Hopkins and Caleb Hosick.  Paula is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Michael Hopkins and a brother, Billy Ray Furlow.

Paula enjoyed her all her family along with quilting, playing bingo, and arts and crafts. She will be in her family’s hearts forever.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, Ill.  Visitation will be December 10, 2013 from 12 noon until the time of the service at 2 p.m.   Burial will be in Denning Cemetery, in West Frankfort, Ill.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Funeral Home directing: Gilbert Funeral Home Christopher Il

For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Glenda Mae Fornear, 77, of Sesser, died December 4, 2013 at Franklin Hospital Emergency Room, in Benton.

She was born August 5, 1936 in Sesser to Leonard Atkins and Cora (Risley) Atkins.

Glenda worked as a caretaker.

Glenda is survived by her children Jeffery Fornear and special friend Kim Simpson of Sesser, Ill. and Steven and Becky Fornear of Olive Branch, Ill.

Also surviving is two sisters, Imogene Jones, of Sesser and Theresa and Harry Poole, of Mascoutah, Ill. and two brothers, Hollis “Chuck” Atkins, of Sesser, and Tom and Pat Atkins, of Mulkeytown, Ill.

She is also survived by one grandchild, Sierra Fornear, of Sesser, Ill and step-grandchildren Amy VanHoorebeke, of Zeigler, Ill., Vanessa VanHoorebeke, of West Frankfort, Ill., Vicky VanHoorebeke, of Valier, Ill, Dylan Simpson, of Sesser, Ill., Skylyn Simpson, of Sesser, Ill. and Michael and Jessie Rogers, of Cobden, Ill.

Glenda was preceded in death by her parents, one son, John Richard Fornear and one brother, Donald Atkins.

Funeral services will by Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 12 noon at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, Ill. with Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 10 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at noon.

Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, Ill.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, Ill., is in charge of the services.  For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Jack Adams, 65, of Christopher, died Nov. 29, 2013 at Herrin Hospital.

Jack was born on October 14, 1948 in Buckner, the son of  Jack Adams and Margaret (Manzek) Adams.

He was retired from the city of Christopher Street Department.  He was an avid scale model train enthusiast.

Jack is survived by two sisters, Ruth and Tom Stephens, of Christopher and Jane Adams, also of Christopher.

Also surviving are nephews Scotty Adams, Eugene Price, Schuyler and Andi Stephens, Simon and Sarah Stephens, Sidney and Ashton Stephens and great nephews Kane Stephens and LoreLai Stephens.

He was preceded in death by his father.

A private family funeral service was held at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, with the Rev. Richard Lance officiating.   Burial was in Masonic and IOOF Cemetery, in Benton, IL.

Memorials in memory of Jack can be made to Maxine Towers Binando Scholarship Fund for Nursing and Christopher High School and can be sent to the Gilbert Funeral Home, 209 N. Emma St. in Christopher, IL 62822.

For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Hazel Mae Shoemaker, 92, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Palos Community Hospital, in Palos Heights, Illinois.

Mrs. Shoemaker was born in Sesser, IL on June 2, 1921, the daughter of Gola and Zella (Roberts) Whitlow.  She married Vallie Shoemaker on February, 26, 1940 and he preceded her in death.

Hazel retired from Hotpoint Co. in Cicero, IL.  She was a Baptist.  Hazel loved being around family and friends and she will be truly missed by all.

Mrs. Shoemaker is survived by her daughter, Barbara Pigatto and husband Jack, of Lemont, IL.  She is also survived by seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one sister, Ellie Sulcer, of Sandoval, IL.

Mrs. Shoemaker was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, a son, a daughter, two sisters and a brother.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1 at Johnston Funeral Home in Ina, IL with Brother Dale Burzynski officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.  Visitation will be after 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Johnston Funeral Home, in Ina.

Cora B. Fisher, 96, of Benton, passed away at 6:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center, in Benton.

She was born in Makanda, IL on December 1, 1916, the daughter of Dorsey and Louie Braden.

Cora married Ben R. Fisher on July 16, 1930, and he preceded her in death on May 9, 1999.

She was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton.

She is survived by four children, Richard Fisher and wife Nellie of Sterling, IL, Roland Fisher, of Christopher, Phyllis Harris, of Pikeville, KY and Alice Shanks, of West City.

Also surviving is 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, Curtis Fisher, and four brothers and one sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating.  Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery in Akin.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.