Obituary – Helen (Burzynski) Thompson

BETHALTO – Helen (Burzynski) Thompson, 98, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother passed away peacefully on February 2, 2013 in Edwardsville, IL.

Helen was born February 25, 1914 in Rend City, IL to Lawrence and Martha Burzynski. She married Glen O. Thompson on December 30, 1934. Helen was the third oldest of 12 children. She enjoyed quilting, bead-work and cooking. She loved her family very much.

Helen is survived by son Glen and Karen Thompson of Sparks, NV, and daughter Nita Darlene and husband Larry Duncan of Bethalto, IL; seven grandchildren, Greg (Eva) Duncan of Edwardsville, IL, Brad (Rondy) Duncan of Ottawa, IL, Brian Duncan of East Alton, IL, Scott (Rebecca) Thompson of Sandy, UT, Amy (David) Bona of Pleasanton, CA, Pam Thompson and Tom Thompson of Jerseyville, IL; six great-grandchildren, Kevin, Joey, Danny, Nathaniel, Madison and Cameron; three sisters, Stella Stewart, Ruth Grammer and Jane Cummings; three brothers, Lawrence (Kay) Burzynski, Marion (Ann) Burzynski, Butch (Jan’et) Burzynski and sister-in-law Billie Burzynski.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glen O. Thompson, her son William H. Thompson, her grandson Kevin D. Duncan, her parents Lawrence and Martha Burzynski, her sister Mary Isaacs and brothers Raymond, Stanley, John and Walter Burzynski.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 7 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, IL. Visitation will be after 11 a.m on Thursday, February 7 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Memorial contributions in memory of Helen Thompson can be made to First Baptist Church of Bethalto Building Fund. Online condolences and guest book can be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.

Obituary – Robert Monroe Rentfro – Mulkeytown

Robert “Bob” Monroe Rentfro, 85, of Mulkeytown, passed away on January 30, 2013 at Avonlea Cottage, in Milan, IL.

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Bob was born on January 13, 1928, in Mulkeytown, the son of Barney Alva Rentfro and Sylvia (Kirkpatrick) Rentfro.

He married Anna L. (Nieukirk) in 1950 and she preceded in death in 1975. He later married Fern (Moberly) Ione (Geick) and she preceded in death in December 2001, he then married Billie (Chambers) Rentfro and she preceded in death in May 2011

He moved to the Peoria area to work for Caterpillar Inc. and retired in 1982 after 32 years of service

Bob enjoyed his retirement years at the Rentfro Lake property in Mulkeytown, IL.

He resided at Heritage Woods Assisted Living in Aledo, IL from the fall of 2011 until November of 2012. He then moved to Avonlea Cottage in Milan, IL.

He was past worshipful master and member of Taylor Lodge #98 in Washington, IL for 50 years. He was also a member of the Mohammed Shrine Hillbilly Clan, Fun Maker unit in Peoria, IL and was a lifetime member of the Izaak Walton League in Metamora, IL

He was a Charter member of the Germantown Hills Christian Church and a member of the Christopher Christian Church in Christopher, IL.

Bpb served in the United States Army where he received an honorable Discharge in 1948. He was a WWII veteran.

Surviving children include Roberta (Frank) Wiese of Washington, IL, Roger Rentfro of Washington, IL, Daniel (Susan) Rentfro of East Peoria, IL, Donna Fargher of Washington, IL, Patrick (Tracy) Rentfro of Aledo, IL, Patricia Rentfro of Washington, IL and David (Lyn) Rentfro of Mulkeytown, IL.

He is also survived by grandchildren Heather Corrior, David (Sarah) Wiese, Rachel Rentfro, Melissa (Jade) Miller, Jillanna Rentfro, Chad (Shea) Fargher, Bill Fargher, Josh McWilliams, Alana (Dan) Colcord, Curtis (Heather) Rentfro, Amanda Rentfro, Jessica Rentfro and by 16 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Eileen Baer.

A memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday February 7, 2013 at the Highview Christian Church 403 James Parkway in Washington, IL 61571, Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m. at the church

A second memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 1o a.m.. at the Mulkeytown Christian Church in Mulkeytown, IL. Visitation will be from 9 a.m.. until the time of the service at 10 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown.

Gilbert Funeral Home Christopher IL is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial Donations may be made to Mulkeytown Cemetery Association or to Avonlea Cottage where he recently lived and was lovingly cared for by the staff for the past two months.

For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

Obituary – Edna Fay Perkins – Benton

Edna Fay Perkins, 86, of Benton passed away Tuesday morning January 29, 2013 at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, in Mt. Vernon.

She was born in Benton, IL on January 10, 1927, the daughter of Ed and Sarah (Mabry) Beattie.

She married Jack L. Perkins on December 6, 1947, and he survives.

Mrs. Perkins was a lifelong Benton resident, a mother and homemaker who was faithful to send cards and notes to people.

Mrs. Perkins was a 50-year member of the First Baptist Church of Benton, where she sang in the choir for 28 years and helped as Sunday School secretary for eight years.

Mrs. Perkins is survived her husband, Jack L. Perkins; two sons David Perkins, of Benton, and Eric Perkins and wife Melissa of Carterville.  She is also survived by one grandson, Vincent, of Carterville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by a brother, Bill Beattie and by two sisters, Ida Harrelson and Norma Wymer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 1 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton with Brother Bill Carter officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic &  Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

For those who wish, memorials in Mrs. Perkins memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Benton.

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

Obituary – John Keith “Skip” Miller – Formerly of Valier

John Keith “Skip” Miller, 69, died January 22, 2013 at Rapid City Regional Hospital, in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Mr. Miller is a former resident of Valier, IL.

Skip was married to Vicki (Winchester) Miller.

He was was born July 2, 1943 in West Frankfort, IL to John L. and Mae (Cavinder) Miller.  John was given the nickname of “Skipper” by his paternal grandmother and was known to family and friends as Skip.

Skip was the loving husband of Vicki (Winchester) Miler, father of Drake, Clay and Brandi, brother of JoAnne Girten, grandson of John and Mary Lena Miller and Edgar and Carrie Cavinder.

Skip spent most of his early years in Valier, IL graduating from Valier High School in 1961. Skip attended Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO before returning home to Valier to join his father in the Electrical business. Skip’s electrical career spanned 44 years and he was a proud member of the

IBEW Local 702 in West Frankfort, IL.
Since the 1990’s Skip honed his skills as a master knife maker and was known for his detailed, quality knives. He was a member of the Professional

Knifemakers Association and won national awards for his craft. In 2006, Skip moved to South Dakota.
Retirement allowed Skip to build and enjoy his retirement home, work on his knife making, spend time with friends and neighbors and to be a grandfather. Skip received the diagnosis of Mesothelioma April 1, 2011. He accepted the diagnosis with courage and grace and always appreciated the care he received throughout his illness.

Surviving him are his wife Vicki, mother Mae Miller, sister JoAnn Girten, sons and family and daughter and son-in-law Brandi and Dan Tackett and grandson Nash.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Rev. Julie Smith officiating. Visitation will be after  6 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Gilbert Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Grange Hall Cemetery in Marion.
Memorials in memory of Skip Miller should be made to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation,1317 King St. Alexandria VA 22314 and will be accepted at the funeral home

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.
For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

OBITUARY – JOHN KEITH “SKIP” MILLER – FORMERLY OF VALIER

John Keith “Skip” Miller, 69, died January 22, 2013 at Rapid City Regional Hospital, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Mr. Miller is a former resident of Valier, IL.

Mr. Miller was married to Vicki (Winchester) Miller.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Rev. Julie Smith officiating. Visitation will be after 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Gilbert Funeral Home. Burial will be at Grange Hall Cemetery in Marion.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

OBITUARY – MARGARET ELIZABETH MALLORY – FORMERLY OF SESSER

 

 Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Mallory, age 92, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013. Margaret was born in Laketon Township, MI on August 21, 1920 to George T. and Helen (O’Neil) Slankard.
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Her family later relocated to Sesser, IL where she graduated from Goode-Barren Township High School. She then attended and graduated from Southern Illinois University with a major in Education and Sociology. On June 28, 1943, she married Ralph Mallory who preceded her in death in 2001. Margaret started a long and respected career as an elementary teacher in the Sesser Public Schools in 1939. Following a move to Michigan in 1949, she taught in the Ravenna, Mouth and Whitehall Public Schools. Her most often taught and preferred grade to teach was Kindergarten. She was instrumental in the development of many language arts programs as this was her specialty.
Most of her career she taught only half days in the morning and then would work in her husband’s insurance office as his life-long partner. She retired in 1982. Although a long time member of the Sesser United Methodist Church, she also was involved in the Whitehall Congregational Church for many years. Her civic interests included a local chapter of the American Association of University Women, Eastern Star and Whitehall Unity Club.
She is survived by her children, Marsha (John) Mahan of Plainwell, MI, and Tom (Chris) Mallory of Whitehall; grandchildren, Bryan (Jill) Mahan, Karen (Chad) Earle, Kristen (Nate) Deridder, Meghan (Andy) Fleckenstein-Vogel; she was also the proudest great grandmother of Kyle, Julia, Collin, Alexandria, Mary Adeline and Cecilia; brother, George O. (Mary) Slankard of Sesser IL.
SERVICE
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 26, 2013, at 1:30 PM and visitation beginning at noon at Sesser United Methodist Church in Sesser IL. Interment at Maple Hill Cemetery,Sesser IL with the Rev. Jack Wolf and the Rev. Julie Smith officiating. Local arrangement are be handled by the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home Sesser Il.
Visitation will also be held Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home – Muskegon, MI. Memorials may be made to the Margaret S. & Marcia H. Mallory Memorial Scholarship Fund, 541 E Slocum, Whitehall MI 49461. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com

OBITUARY – JUDITH “JUDY” EUBANKS

Judith “Judy” Eubanks, 74, of Sesser passed away January 16, 2013 at her home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Visitation will be Friday, January 18 after 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

Judy was born October 11, 1938 in Springfield, IL to R.J. Daigh and Irene (Reevely) Daigh.

She worked as a registered nurse since 1950 and played the piano and organ at First Baptist Church in Sesser for more than 50 years, where she was a member.

Judy married Charlie Eubanks on July 15, 1950 in Sesser and he survives.

Also surviving are her children, Charles and Deborah Eubanks, Liberia, LA, David “Scooter” Eubanks and fiance Donna Schuler, of Mulkeytown and Janet and Robert Robbins, of Mulkeytown.

Judy is also survived by her grandchildren, Anthony and Jenn Eubanks, Nicole and J.D. Downey, Abby Eubanks, David Eubanks, Maggie Robbins, Emma Robbins and her great-grandchildren Jaylon Downey, Jarrick Downey and Aydan Joiner.

She is also survived by two sisters, Marlyn Roderick, Springfield, IL and Janice Newton, Overland Park, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

Memorials contributions can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

OBITUARY – ROLAND SIDNEY ‘SID’ BURBERRY – BENTON

Roland Sidney “Sid” Burberry, 97, of Benton, passed away on Jan. 14, 2013 at Memorial Hospital, of Carbondale.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 17 at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Military rites will be conducted.

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

There will be no visitation and those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

OBITUARY – RONALD EUGENE (RON) ISSLER

Ronald E. Issler, 60, passed away at his home in the rural area known as Cleburne, on January 15, 2013.

Ron was born on March 24, 1952 in Rochelle, Illinois to Charles E. and Freda (Meadows) Issler.  He was the second of four children.

A 1970 graduate of West Franklin High School, later known as Zeigler-Royalton High School, Ron served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.  Following his service he worked at various jobs in Missouri and Illinois.  He spent the last several years helping to care for his parents.

Ron was preceded in death by his grandparents.

He is survived by his parents, siblings and their spouses: Charles L. Issler and wife Anna of Rainbow City, AL, Gary L. Issler and wife Liz of Herrin, IL and Paula Biby and husband David, of Mulkeytown, IL.  He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 18, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Brother Bill Carter officiating.  Burial will be in the Mulkeytown Cemetery.  Visitation will be after 9 a.m. Friday until the time of the service at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

OBITUARY – LENORA WEST – SESSER

 

Lenora West, 90, of Sesser, died at 10:34 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at her home.

She was born on January 2, 1923 in Sesser to  Joseph Pavletich and Pierina (Chervaten) Pavletich.

Lenora helped with the family business, Eastview Grocery Store.  She then moved to St. Louis after graduating from Goode-Barren Township High school and worked for Western Union delivering telegrams and then she worked for Small Arms Ammunition Plant in St. Louis.  She also worked for Sesser Five-and-Dime, and she and her husband operated the Custard Stand in Sesser, IL for many years

Lenora was also president of the American Legion Auxiliary, past president of the Eastern Star United Methodist Church of Sesser, IL.  She was also a lifelong member of the Sesser United Methodist Church.

When Lenora and her sister would come home from school they were instructed to only speak English not Croatian, so the family could learn how to speak English.  She was a perpetual teacher she enjoyed helping her children study for tests and passing on her love for reading to her children. Her last lesson of life was how she handled her death.  Lenora was a wonderful wife, sister and mother.

She married Leon West on June 27, 1944 and she moved to Moreinci, AZ when Leon was stationed in the military to work at the copper mines. When her husband was called to the European Theater, she moved back to Sesser.  After Leon was wounded in the Argon Forrest he was sent to a hospital in London, then he was transferred to Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, CO.  Lenora joined him in Denver where she lived a block away from the hospital while he recuperated.

Lenora is survived by one son, Marvin Lee West, Sesser/Carbondale, IL; three daughters, Kathy Joann West and husband Royce Jackson, of Du Quoin, Cindy Lou Dame-Vanhorn and husband Ron, of Whittington and Melinda Sue Kelly and husband Joseph, of Sesser.

Also surviving are grandchildren Christine Leigh and husband Eul Vickers, of Scheller, IL, Aileen Grace Kelly, of Sesser/Carbondale, Il, step grandchildren Rachel Jackson, of Carbondale, Paul Russell and wife Paige Pestka Jackson, of Tallahassee, FL, and one great-grandson, Haystin Andon Vickers.

Lenora is also survived by one brother, Lawrence Joseph and wife Glenda Pavletich, of Sesser, IL and a sister, Normal Lee Martin, of Du Quoin, IL.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and two very special caregivers Glenda Fornear and Daisy Sims.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one infant sister Matilda Pavletich and one grandson, Brandon Lee Dame.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Joseph Kelly of the Eternal Friends of Christ, of Sesser, officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday, January 17, 2013 after 5 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Marshall Browning Tree of Life, Eternal Friends of Christ, or to the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.

 

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News