Mr. William Dewey Auten, age 95, of Benton, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2022, at his home on South Main.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Jesse Hinds officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

William was born on March 17, 1927, in DuQuoin, Illinois; the son of Dewey Auten and Edith (Weston) Auten. He married the former Easter Risner on April 15, 1950, and she preceded him in death on November 10, 1998.
Mr. Auten was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II.

He was the former Principal at Valier and Harrisburg High Schools. He would retire after 27 years as Superintendent of Benton Grade School District #47.

William enjoyed hunting, fishing, all types of technology, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.
Surviving are four children: Debby Cantrell and husband Gary of Benton, IL, Karen Furlow and husband Rodney of Christopher, IL, Brad Auten and wife Leslie of Monticello, IL, Brett Auten and wife Emily of St. Peters, MO; eight grandchildren: Aaron Cantrell (Amy), Kristen Lampley (Chad), Katie Matthews (Cullen), Lily Furlow (John), Adam Auten, Anna Auten, Reid Auten, William Auten; eightttt great-grandchildren: Lacey Jerkins, Lance Jerkins, Lane Lampley, Luke Lampley, Kanon Cantrell, Kash Cantrell, Harrison Matthews, Amelia Matthews; a brother Kenneth Auten of Downers Grove, IL; a sister Mary Ann Downs and husband Si of Mount Jackson, VA; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a son William Brian Auten; two brothers: Hiram and Robert Auten.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Public Library and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mr. Auten, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Gerald “G.W.” Wayne Flatt Jr., 82, of rural Benton passes away on April 28, 2022 at the Carbondale Memorial Hospital.

G.W. was born December 22, 1939 in Edwight, West Virginia to Gerald W. Flatt Sr. and Phyllis M. (Lamb) Flatt. He married Ada Jean Thery on April 10, 2001.

He proudly served 22 years in the US Air Force. Returning to Franklin County, he worked for Boyd Brothers Trucking and retired as the Village of Valier Water and Sewer Superintendent.

G.W. is survived by his wife Ada Jean Flatt. His children: Gina Lane and Gerald W. Flatt III; grandchildren Lacy (Steven) Troyer, Amanda (Ira) Smith, Jerod (Maranda) Flatt, Sarah (Sam) Nava; great grandchildren Stormy Smith, Derek and Zane Troyer and two arriving soon, all of Texas. Ada’s children, Louie (Carol) Thery, David (Jenny) Thery and “Dubby” to Matthew and Luke Thery; his sisters Nancy Bailey, Donna (Mike) Sevenski and Kathy (Brad) Miller; sister-in-law Wanda Flatt, special cousin Don Lee Lamb and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Oliver “O.D.” Flatt, son-in-law Rocky Lane, daughter-in-law Sherry Flatt, and Dubby’s Luke Thery.

Special thanks to his “girls” of the DaVita Dialysis Team in Benton, Dr. Kevin Chen and Angelito Tracderas, N.P. and the drivers of the Navarre VA transport.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sesser-Valier Luke Thery Memorial Scholarship fund.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday May 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, Illinois. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Union Primitive Baptist in Sesser.

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

Nancy Lee Loucks, 77, of Benton, passed away on April 27, 2022 at her home.

She was born on December 23, 1944 in Des Plains, IL to Richard and Katherine (Nelson) Hass. She married Clifford Loucks on January 5, 1963 and he preceded her in death on March 20, 2020.

She is survived by her children Marie (Todd) Martin of Wayne City, IL, Michael (Julie) Loucks of Scheller, IL, Marc Loucks of Sesser and Martin (Hassi) Loucks of Pittsburg, IL; nine grandchildren Ashley White, Dylan Loucks, Joey Hattendorf, Ellie Hattendorf, Austin Loucks, Aszure Loucks, Brent Ullman, Leo Loucks and Marci Loucks; thirteen great grandchildren and one sister Patricia (Roger) Sevison of Pine Top, AZ.

She was preceded in death by his parents, husband and one sister Kay Schilling.

Funeral Mass will be on Saturday April 30, 2022 at 10:00 AM at the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sesser with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Friday April 29, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Michael Wayne Tinsley, 31, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday April 23, 2022.

He was born on May 16, 1990 in Mt Vernon, IL to Regina (Wright) Tinsley and Robert Tinsley.

He is survived by his daughter Skylar Grace; mother Regina Tinsley of Sesser; father Robert Tinsley; brother Myles (Taylor) Tinsley of Woodlawn; Nephew Rucker Tinsley; Nana Judy Tinsley of Woodlawn; Granddad Mickey Wright of Woodlawn; two aunts Vicki (Brett) Tinsley of Woodlawn and Angie (Brent) Williams of Woodlawn; uncle Roger (Carrie) Wright of Woodlawn and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his Grandma Diane Wright and Grandpa George Tinsley.

Graveside services will be held on Monday May 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Spring Hill Cemetery in Rural Beecher City, IL with Ethan Shurtz officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday May 1, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be given to the Sesser-Valier School District to be divided between the Luke Thery Memorial Scholarship and the Kaitlyn Laskowski Stanfield Memorial Scholarship. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Murrel “Red” Wingo, 79, of Benton, passed away at 9:12 p.m., on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, IN.

He was born on October 16, 1942, to Dallas and Ruby (Neunlist) Wingo in Franklin County, IL.

Red enjoyed riding his bike around Benton and liked horses and dancing.

Murrel is survived by his sister, Agnes Hamilton; brother, Dallas Truman Wingo; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Wingo and nine nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dallas William and Ruby Wingo, two brothers, Gerald Wingo and Hillis Wingo and six sisters, Dora Lou Richardson, Nancy Wingo, Neva June Wingo, Marla Jean Wingo, Carolyn Sue Wingo and Marilyn Joe Wingo and an infant brother.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Mary Denise Gobtop, 70, of McLeansboro, passed away on Saturday April 16, 2022.

She was born on April 12, 1952 in Pearl River, NY to James and Francis (Oisher) Alexander. She married Randall Joe Gobtop on May 17, 1975.

She is survived by her husband Randall Gobtop of McLeansboro; children Douglas (Stephanie) Suhr of Roscoe, IL, Jawn (Dwaine) Warren of Chaffee, MO and Laura (Carlos) Suarez of McLeansboro; grandchildren Hannah Suhr, Keegan Suhr, Catelyn Suhr, Aiden Suhr, Charles Wehnes, James Gobtop, Garrett Warren, Ronnie Suarez and Carlos Suarez; two great grandchildren and one sister Geneva Cramer of Ewing, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Starr Alexander, six brothers William Alexander, Robert Alexander, James Alexander, John Alexander, Gerald “Harry” Alexander and Thomas Alexander and two sisters Rita Reed and Karol Rand.

Funeral services will be on Saturday April 23, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Friday April 22, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

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

Timothy “Tim” Lee Curwick Sr., 57, of Benton, passed away at 5:29 p.m., on Wednesday, April 14, 2022, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 4, 1964, to Donald and Ilene (Howell) Curwick in Kankakee, IL. Tim worked in the construction industry as a roofer. He married Jacqueline Cutter and she survives.

Tim is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, three sons, Richard (Stephaine) Hammonds, Timothy Lee Curwick, Jr. and Donald (Brielle) Curwick; one daughter, Samantha (Scott) Montoya; a brother, Steven Vogler; four sisters, Leane Sizemore, Jill Braden, Beth Donavan and Christina Cook; many grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Sr. and Ilene Curwick, his first wife who was the love of his life, Tina Curwick, a brother, Donald Curwick and a sister, Mariane Key.

Tim enjoyed game night with his siblings. FaceTiming his Princess (Mckenzie). Family gatherings and bon fires. Spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home in Benton.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton with the Pastor Jesse Hinds, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials to be made to Pate Funeral Home to assist with funeral costs.