Virgil Lee Schirmer, 72, of Christopher, IL, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2013, at Heartland Regional Medical Center of Progressive Supranuclear Palsey.

Virgil was born June 23, 1940, at Herrin Hospital to George Schirmer and Irene (Lewis) Schirmer of Mulkeytown, IL.

He married the late Patsy Baker of Christopher, IL in July 24, 1959. Virgil was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and retired after 36 years of service. In his younger years, Virgil was an active member of the Jaycees and Masonic Lodge in Christopher. Virgil was a member of the First Christian Church in Christopher and served in many capacities, most notably as a deacon and elder.

Mr. Schirmer was preceded in death by his wife Pat, who passed in 2008, and his parents. He is survived by his daughters Tina Fletcher (Martin), Cindy Kreider (Matt), and Trish Sherk (Jeff), six grandchildren:

Cassandra Hargraves, Kyle Hargraves, Jake Fletcher, Anna Mae Kreider, Emily Ruth Kreider and Luke Schirmer Kreider. He is also survived by his brother, Russell Schirmer (Joanne). Two nieces Kelli Blaiser(Dale) and Kimbra Pistono(Jeff)

Funeral services will be held at the First Christian Church in Christopher, IL, on Sunday, April 28. Visitation will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 5:00 p.m with Rev. Jerry Akin officiating.

Private graveside services will be held at the Mulkeytown Cemetery

Gilbert’s Funeral Home in Christopher is handling funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CurePSP (httPs://give.psp.org/) or Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the church.

(https:/ /www.hospice.org/hospice-home/secure-donation/).

The Heavens Broke Open and Flooded the Land with Tearful Joy as God called one of his angels home on April 19, 2013 at 12:12 a.m.

Geneva was born July 6 to the late Albert McNeal and Mary Watts McNeal Kamber, in Zeigler, IL.  She married Noble Ron Starnes and they lived together in Christopher, IL, then in Weatherford, TX before relocating to Canton, IL. He survives.

Geneva was a stay at home mom and Nani as all of her grandkids and many others called her.  She was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her family and friends.  She always saw the Silver Lining in every cloud no matter how big or dark the cloud would be.  She always saw the good in people and taught her family to do the same.  She gave great motivation to anyone around her.
Her interests included family, gardening, sewing, reading, Dr. Mario, and her many outdoor nature walks.

Geneva was a member of Zeigler First Baptist Church.

Geneva was preceded in death by her two brothers Gary and Kenny McNeal and her sister, Janice McNeal.  She is survived by two children: Sherri (Randy) Starnes Delost of Farmington and Jay (Debbie) Starnes of Canton.  Mark (Lisa) Ault of Cuba, Amy (Bill) Beoletto and family of Canton and Mike Cattron of Texas were her adopted family.  She also is survived by her grandchildren David, Darron, and Danel Delost; Brandi, Chelsie, and Jonathan Starnes, and Zander Ault; two sisters, Linda Clark and Ernestine Bird; and one brother, John McNeal.

Services will be Wednesday, April 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, IL where visitation will be on Tuesday, April 23 from 6 to 8 pm.

Burial will be in Zeigler Cemetery, Zeigler, IL.

In lieu of memorial donation, the family requests you do something special for family or friends in memory of Geneva.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com .

 

Raymond E. Short, 57, of Christopher, IL, died April 19, 2013 at his home.

He was born August, 3, 1955 in Herrin, the son of Hosea Short and Flora (Bearden) Short.

Ray enjoyed the outdoors and gardening.  He loved his children and grand children very much and will be missed by all.  Ray and his family were close friends Dr Sean Bozorgzadeh on his farm.

He married Betty J. (Newberry) Short on Nov. 21, 1974.

Raymond is survived by his children, Marsha Roberts, Sesser, IL, Donny Short, Benton, IL, Darren Short, Christopher, IL and Jonathan Short, Christopher, IL.

Also surviving are grandchildren John Mathew Baxter, Tyler Baxter, Lacey Mae Roberts, Braydon James Short and Kevan Michael Short.  He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Florine Bush, Chicago, Mary Brown, Christopher, IL, David Short, Du Quoin, IL and Buddy Short, Royalton, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 22, 2013 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funeral Home directing: Gilbert Funeral Home Christopher Il

 

For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Imogene Gaither, 85, of Thompsonville, passed away at 11:27 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at Frankfort Care Center.

She was born in Akin, IL on Nov. 19, 1927, the daughter of Eliga and Anna (Johnson) Moore.

She married John Lester Gaither on Feb. 8, 1944 and he preceded her in death on August 22, 2008.

Mrs. Gaither is survived by four daughters, Brenda Sue McCollom and husband Rich, of Benton, Dixie Lee Heifner and husband Carlton, of Benton, Debra Jean Overturf, of Christopher and Donna Darlene Garmane and husband Michael, of Thompsonville.

She is also survived by one sister, Mary Lou Johnson, of Benton and one brother, Paul Moore of Johnston City; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Gaither was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Len Moore and by six sisters, Irene McLain, Madge Moore, Pearline Moore, Velma Daily, Evelene Peterson and Margie Holland.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 12 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Gilbert Evans officiating.  Burial will be in the Plasters Grove Cemetery in Thompsonville.  Visitation will be after 9 a.m. on Friday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Nancy Lee (Stone) Creek 78, of Royalton, IL passed away on Tuesday April 9, 2013 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Nancy was retired from DOW Chemical Company of Kankakee, IL.

She was born on July 21, 1934 in Colp, IL. She married William“Bill”Creek on March 29, 1951 in Benton and was married for 47 years.

Survivors include her children Robert Creek and wife Elizabeth of Royalton, IL, Janice Maskill and husband Kerry of Lake Dallas, TX, and Sandy Rose and Husband Mike Pearl of Royalton, IL, one sister Ruby Ottolini of Herrin, IL, Sister-in-Law Jo Ann Drysdale of Coello, IL, 11 Grandchildren, and 15 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband William“Bill”Creek, a daughter Carol Sue Kibbons, a SonJamesAllenCreek, Father Ray Stone, Mother Opal (Swimtford) Stone McKinney, and two sisters Ruth Smith and Helen Stone.

Services will be on Thursday April 11, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. in the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL. Visitation will be on Thursday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at 2:00 P.M.. Burial will be in the MulkeytownCemetery.

For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Joan Hankins, 91, of Benton, passed away at 6:30 p.m. April 8, 2013 at Helia Health Care, in Benton.

She was born in Benton on January 11, 1922, the daughter of Joe and Ethel (Easley) Neal.

She married Charles E. Hankins on Sept. 25, 1944 in Rochester, Michigan, and he preceded her in death on August 28, 2006.

Mrs. Hankins worked for many years at the Franklin Hospital Skilled Care Nursing Unit. She was a member of the West City Church of God.

Mrs. Hankins is survived by two daughters, Pamela Jo Webb and husband Lane, of Benton and Brenda Lee Johns and husband Terry, of Benton.

Also surviving are grandchildren Kacie Jo Allen, of St. Louis, MO, Audrey Filkins and Shawn Loftus, of Thompsonville, Aaron Webb and wife Kristen of Maryville, IL, Nicole Jones and husband Justin, of Kentucky and Jason Johns and wife Liz, serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan; great-grandchildren Blake Filkins, Pepper K. Loftus (arriving soon), Aaden Webb, Evie Kay Webb, Sean, Lexie and Wyatt.  She is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Mary Kirk, of Benton, Louise Hammonds, of Michigan and Dorothy Bertetti, of Michigan.

Mrs. Hankins was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father Ed Kirk, her husband and by one brother Leon Kirk and five sisters, Dorothy West, Margaret Kearney, Evelyn Arro, Norma Montoya and Jessie Wilkie.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 14 at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating.  Friends attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials in Mrs. Hankins memory can be made to the West City Church of God or to the Benton-West City Food Pantry.

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