On January 15, 2023 Joseph Newton McCarty left this world to be with the Lord and begin his final chapter.

Joe, as most knew him, was loved by so many people. He made a lasting impression wherever he went. From his Cajun accent and hilarious personality, all would remember him. Joe was born September 19, 1944 to Flora and Joseph E McCarty (who preceded him in death) in Pineville, Louisiana. After joining the US Army at age 17 he made a lasting impression with joining the 101st Airborne Division and excelling at Ranger school to becoming a Ranger. Shortly after, he withstood two tours in Vietnam. Where he received several recognitions for his performance and duties as a soldier. Joe was commander at the American Legion in Ridgway, IL for many years and remained an active member in Sesser, IL chapter, when he moved there several years ago. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and making so many memories. Throughout Joe’s life he always worked hard to be a good provider and instill work ethics. He was able to retire from Big Muddy Prison. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with family and friends. Always stories to be told.

Joe was always there to help anyone in need. He never asked for anything in return.

He is survived by his children Joseph Newton McCarty Jr. of Junction, IL, Tina Lynn McCarty of Terre Haute, IN, Terry (Christy) Lee McCarty of Ridgeway, IL and Nicholas Keith McCarty of Sesser; step-children Stephanie Smith, Steven Shurtz, Rachel Shurtz, Sarah Urban, Miriam Newman, Christy Cox and Jeffrey Cox; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; two sisters Dollie McCarty Stephens of Louisiana and Margaret McCarty Slayton of Louisiana; two brothers Edwin McCarty of Germany and Joseph Luther “L.J.” McCarty of Florida and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters Carolyn, Josephine, Marjorie and Marion.

Visitation will be on Friday January 26, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Graveside services will be in Louisiana.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Gordon Mandrell, 81, of Buckner, passed away on Sunday January 14, 2024 at his home.

He was born on June 28, 1942 to Ralph and Mary Ann (Conner) Mandrell. He married Nancy (Dawson) Mandrell and she preceded him in death, he later married Linda Sue (Goessman) Mandrell and she preceded in death.

He is survived by his best friend and caregiver Kathy Fromherz, his adopted children Carlos, Alex, Jeremy, JoAnna and Franky; one nephew Gary Fry and one brother-in-law Warren Dawson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, two sons, sister Sharon Fry and his adopted daughter and dancing partner Laura Schuller.

He was a Coalminer and a Corrections Officer and was a United States Army veteran. He loved to watch sports and to go to dances, he loved food and Elvis Presley.

Funeral services for Gordon will be on Wednesday January 24, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Kathleen was born March 19, 1929 to Commodore and Mabel (Slack) Grove in Bible Grove, Illinois. She passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024, at her home in Columbia, MO.

She was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Fornear on September 6, 1952. To that union were born a son, Michael Fornear and a daughter Kathi Fornear. Ken and Kathy resided in Carmi, Illinois a number of years before they became owners and operators of Sesser Lumber Company in Sesser, Illinois. Her husband Kenneth Fornear preceded her in death in October 1986. She later married Marvin E. Sapp (who survives) of Columbia, Missouri, on January 6, 1997, and has resided there since. In Columbia, Kathleen was employed in Saffees Ladies Apparel in downtown Columbia, while Marvin farmed.

Kathleen enjoyed reading, tending her flowers, and watching or listening to the St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball games. She was a remarkable artist and took great pride in serving as a docent at the Boone County Historical Society.

Kathleen is survived by her daughter Kathi Jones, grandson Finius (Amy) Fornear, great-grandsons Zayne and Lelan Fornear, great-granddaughters Kristina, Jovie and Aneira Jones, and daughter-in-law Meredith Fornear. She is also survived by one brother Larry (Vicki) Grove, nieces Michele (Scott) Malone, Pam (Joe) Seed, nephews Jim (Selina) Grove, Harold (Trell) Cockrum, great nieces Kayla Malone, and Sherry (Heath) Harpole. She is also survived by sister-in-law Carolyn (Richard) Stubblefield, and niece Jennifer (Ed) Lobenhofer.

In addition, Kathleen is survived by her stepdaughters: Patricia (Glenn) Wehmeyer, Pamela (Mac) Cook, Paula Netemeyer, Priscilla (Robert Aitkens) Stone, Portia (Jerry) O’Laughlan, Jane Harrison, John (Connie) Morris, Larry Morris, and daughter-in-law Kathy Morris, 28 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her first husband Kenneth Fornear, son Michael Fornear, grandson Dylan Jones, son-in-law Brad Jones, brother Jim Grove, sister Maxine Cockrum, sister-in-law Grace Grove, brother-in-law Harold Cockrum, nephew Greg Cockrum, and niece Sara Stubblefield.

The visitation for Kathleen will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church in Sesser. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend James Sloan officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser following the service.

The family is being assisted by Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Shirley Anne (Kiesling) Dial, age 93, of Benton, passed away at 11:31 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2024, at the Herrin Hospital.
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Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Shirley was born on September 1, 1930, in Kankakee, Illinois, the daughter of Gilbert Kiesling and Nellie (Sims) Kiesling. She would marry Neal Gordon Dial on August 5, 1947, and together they shared 66 years of marriage. Neal preceded her in death on April 11, 2013.

Mrs. Dial was the owner and operator of Shirley’s women’s clothing stores of Benton, West Frankfort, and Mt. Vernon. She and her husband formerly owned and operated a General store/Grocery store and Post Office in Akin.

Shirley was of the Baptist faith. She attended the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton and formerly attended the First Baptist Church of Thompsonville.

She enjoyed traveling, spending time on her balcony at her condominium in Biloxi, Mississippi watching the ocean and the birds. She also enjoyed flower gardening, watching horse racing, and car racing. She was a fan of Hendrick Motorsports. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her sons and her grandchildren.

Surviving are her two sons: Dennis W. Dial and wife Donna of Benton, IL, Rodney A. Dial and wife Jayma of West Frankfort, IL; four grandchildren: Eric W. (Jami) Dial, Amanda L. (Mandi) Dial, Jory A. (Amy) Dial, Jalyn B. Dial; great grandchild: Riley J. Dial; step-great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Wilburn, Olivia Harkins, Sophie Harkins, Ava Harkins; and great-great grandchildren: Beckham Wilburn and Ellie Kate Wilburn; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister Dorothy Payne, a brother Bob Kiesling, and a grandson Jarod J. Dial.

The family prefers memorial contributions be made to either the Jarod Dial Scholarship Fund at West Frankfort High School or to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Children’s Summer Lunch Program; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Shirley, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Carmen Joyce (Tyner) Shoemake, 97, of Christopher, passed away on January 14, 2024 at the Herrin Hospital.

She was born on August 13, 1926 in Cambria to Campbell and Margaret (Howell) Tyner. She married Bill Shoemake on June 17, 1972 and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Christie (Mark) Collins of Carterville, Kathy Shay of Carbondale, Nancy (Tom) Bates of O’Fallon and Scott Shapkoff of Herrin; Son-in-law Kenneth Hughes of Carbondale; grandchildren Ryan Lowe, Natalie Melzer, David Hughes, Jonathon Hughes, Megan Hughes, Eryn Kemp, Cerise Shapkoff, Shane Shapkoff, Austin Starkweather, Alex Schimpf and Blake Starkweather and 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Marsha Hughes, and her brother Kenneth Tyner.

She was a member of the Faith Missionary Baptist Church.

Private Graveside Services will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in DuQuoin, IL and will be officiated by Rev. Alan Newman.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com