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.

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