Sue Battaglia, 81, of Royalton, passed away on Friday April 1, 2022 at her home.

She was born on April 28, 1940 in Plumfield, IL to Arley and Lucile (Rowland) Davis. She married Sam Battaglia JR on May 11, 1963 and he survives of Royalton.

She is also survived by her children Stacy (Toni) Battaglia of Royalton and Deanna (Tim Wells) Battaglia of Marion; grandchildren Brittney (Eric) McElroy of Zeigler and Marrisa (Brandon) Gamble of Royalton; great grandchildren Cadence and Bryar; one brother Rodney (Annie) Davis of Dyer, IN; two nephews Nathan (Olivia) Davis of Denver, Co, Aaron (Leah) Davis of Denver, Co and one niece Amy McCarty of Dyer, IN.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday April 7, 2022 at 12:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at Noon.

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

John Douglas Shukites, 75, of Christopher, passed away on March 31, 2022 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on December 20, 1946 in Herrin, IL to John Charles and Juanita Rose (Higginson) Shukites. He married Judith (Yadloski) Shukites on December 16, 1978 and she preceded him in death on November 14, 2016.

He is survived by his two sons Phillip Shukites of Christopher and John Michael Shukites of Carbondale; two grandsons Zane Shukites and Xander Shukites; one sister Marilyn Clements of Arnold, MO; one special niece Holley Smith and several other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and two sisters Helen Carter and Charlene Moore.

He was very proud of his service in the United States Navy, he served during the Vietnam era and was on a spy ship of the coast of Cuba. He attended the rank of MM3. He was a truck driver and was a very talented welder.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday April 7, 2022 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Denny Bush officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital and will be acted at the funeral home.

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

Linda S. Williams, 70, of Benton passed away on Tuesday morning, March 29, 2022 at the St. Louis University Hospital.

She was born in Welch, West Virginia on January 2, 1952 the daughter of William McKinley & Edna Margaret (Trump) Harmon.

She married Sidney E. Williams on October 4, 1980 in Thompsonville, IL.

Mrs. Williams worked for Addus HealthCare for Seniors working in the Health Care field for 26 years. She was a member of Freeman Chapel.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her:
2 Daughters:
Angie Dunning of Benton
Melinda Upchurch & husband Tim of Mascoutah
6 Grandchildren
2 Great-Grandchildren
4 Step-Children:
Vevia Ann Tindall & husband Greg of Benton
Keith Williams & wife Jennifer of Benton
Randy Williams of Benton
Robin Musgrave & husband Marvin of Benton
16 Step-Grandchildren
9 Step-Great-Grandchildren and 2 on the way
1 Brother: Sam Rose of Orient
3 Sisters:
Marie Vincelette of West Frankfort
Donna Hooker & husband Mike of Dallas, TX
Rita Jeter & husband Mike of West Frankfort

Linda was preceded in death by her Father-William McKinley Harmon, Mother-Edna Rose, 1 Sister-Tammy Rose and Brother-Terry Rose.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 3rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Rick McClintock officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Norma Jane Page, of Ewing, Illinois, passed this life and entered her eternal home on March 26, 2022, at 2:00 a.m. at Franklin Hospital with her family by her side.

Norma was born December 21, 1930, to Ralph Marcus Smith and Serena “Pearl” Carlton Smith in Gary, Indiana. She married William “Thurmond” Page on June 29, 1951.

Together Thurmond and Norma enjoyed 57 years together building their family farm until he died in 2009. She was owner/manager of the H & R Block franchise in Benton for 42 years. Norma was named Franklin County Farmwife of the Year in 1978. Norma was active in the 4-H as a member and a 4-H Club Leader. She was a member of Benton First Free Will Baptist Church, charter member of the Macedonia Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #1028; and assisted with the summer lunch program at the Benton Ministerial Alliance.

Norma was the third oldest of nine children. Those surviving include Robert C. Smith (Lorene) of Royalton, Joyce Thomas (Bob) Thomas of West Frankfort, Linda Akerman (Dr. Lou) of Silverdale, WA, Jack Smith (Frances) of Benton, and sister-in-law Virginia Smith.

Norma is survived by her five children: Robert Ray Page (Janice) of Benton, Jean Ann Chamness of West Frankfort, Jane Ellen Page of Mt. Vernon, Patricia Lynn Wilson (David) of Benton, and John Kendall Page (Tanya) of Benton.

Sixteen grandchildren survive: Robert “Brandon” Page of Chesterfield, MO, Bradley Thomas (Monica) of Benton, Ashley Kern (Travis) of Thompsonville, Dr. Allison Schumacher (Dr. Charles) of Effingham, Garrett Thomas (Meghan) of Highland, Curtis Wilson (Kristen) of DuQuoin, Sarah Hutchcraft (Gideon) of Pinckneyville, Brice Wilson of Benton, Jacob Page (Stephanie) of Benton, Quinton Wilson of Benton, Austin Thomas (Michelle) of Carbondale, Emalee Watkins (Jeremy) of Benton, Emily McKinney of Christopher, Erin Page of Bluford, Kelsey Page of Benton, Logan Page of Benton.
Twenty-four great grandchildren: Holden Hutchcraft, Isaiah Sphere, Makaya Thomas, Madelynn Hutchcraft, Nathaniel Kern, Aaron Thomas, Liberty Thomas, Dayton Wilson, Sylvie Schumacher, Addi Sphere, Jakson Page, Brody Thomas, Jace Thomas, Reed Schumacher, Gentry Wilson, Phoebe Page, Katherine Kern, Enslee Watkins, Vivian Page, Elise McKinney, Brayliee Thomas, Jeremiah Watkins, Grady Thomas, and Eliana McKinney.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William Keith Page (infant son), Timothy Chamness (grandson), Ronnie Thomas (great grandson), Mary Schwind, Fay Krapf, and Martha VanDyke (sisters), and Ralph E. Smith (brother).

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 29, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the First Free Will Baptist Church, 1208 E. Bond St., Benton, IL. OES rites will begin at 1:45. Funeral services begin at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Harlen Johnson and Rev. Phillip Kennedy officiating. Interment will follow at Liberty-Ridlin Cemetery, Macedonia, IL.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, 302 S. Main St., Benton, IL 62812 or First Free Will Baptist Church, 1208 E. Bond St., Benton, IL 62812.
A special thank you goes out to Jane for her dedicated care given to Norma over the past year and a half.
Online condolences can be made to the family, or to share memories of Norma; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Linda Lou Girtman “Toms”, 61, of Sesser Illinois, formerly a lifelong resident of Benton Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday March 21, 2022 after a courageous two year battle of breast cancer in the presence of love surrounded by her family.

She was born January 7, 1961 to James and Lula Toms in Benton Illinois. She married the love of her life and best friend, Marshall Girtman on August 20, 1983.

Linda was a devoted and loving wife, Mother and Mema. She was happiest when she was surrounded by her family. In her free time, she enjoyed Harley rides and spending time with her friends. She was so easy to love and be loved by.

She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Marshall Girtman, her daughter Melinda (Derek) Flatt, her son Steven (Katlyn) Girtman, her son Marshall Girtman Jr., her mother Lula Toms, her seven grandchildren Emily Cardwell, Hannah Cardwell, Kaisley Girtman, Mia Girtman, Kristen Girtman, Sarah Girtman, and Ben Girtman; her three brothers John (Brenda) Toms, Jim (Jane) Toms, Larry (Terry) Toms and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father James Toms Sr., her sister Terry Schultz, her nephew Loren Toms, and her granddaughter Gretchen Cardwell.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Logan Cemetery in Logan, Illinois. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Gordon Lee Carpenter, Jr., 80, of Ewing passed away Friday Evening, March 18, 2022 at his home in Ewing.

Gordon was born in Maysville, Kentucky in October 1941. He grew up on a family farm where he found his passion for rocks and geology. He was in band, 4H, loved shooting marbles and found a love for reading that continued his entire life. He was given the nickname “Jeep” as he would walk, crawl and climb over everything on that farm; similarly to how the Willis Jeep performed in WWII.

He attended University of Kentucky “Wildcats” for geology and later finished at Western Kentucky University. He has had a lifelong love of watching UK basketball. He loved telling the story of when he marched in JFK’s inauguration parade for UK playing the tuba.
He met and married Carolyn Hall at UK and had a son; Gordon L. Carpenter III “Lee”

Gordon came to southern Illinois in the late 1960’s following his passion of working as a Petroluem Geologist in the oil patch. He had two kids with Derry Burns Carpenter; William “Bill” Carpenter and Elizabeth Carpenter.

Later in life Gordon met Sherry Hill and had one son; Christopher Carpenter; where he later moved to Ewing in the late 1980’s.
He has lead generations of kids in this world with his involvement in various roles at Ewing Grade School over the last 30 years. First as a maintenance man / janitor. Later as a bus driver; this was his true passion later in life and loved taking kids on the Springfield trip every year. More recently he has enjoyed being the crossing guard and greeting everyone with a smile and twinkle in his eye.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Marietta Rosser Carpenter and Gordon Lee Carpenter Sr both of Maysville, Kentucky.

He is survived by his significant other Sherry Webb of Ewing. Four children: “Lee” Carpenter (Alice) of Lexington, KY; William “Bill” Carpenter (Jennifer) of St Louis, Missouri; Elizabeth Carpenter (Dan Feigert) of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Chris Carpenter of Ewing, Illinois. Five grandchildren: Stephanie, Marietta, Posey, Victoria and Scout.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 26th at the Whittington Church. Graveside services will follow at Thurmond

Cemetery North East of Ewing. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00P.M. on Saturday at the church. There will be a Celebration of Life Potluck immediately following the conclusion of graveside services at Ewing First Baptist Church.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com