Elizabeth (Libby) Elaine Overbey passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 2:22 A.M. at the age of 89.

She was a longtime resident of Benton, IL and a member of the First Baptist Church in Benton.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Chapin Overbey, daughter Linda Sue Overbey-Chandler and 3 grandsons.

Mrs. Overbey is survived by four daughters, Joyce Ann Overbey-Cooper, Carol Arlene Overbey, Paula Gail Overbey and Diann Elaine Overbey-Brady, all of Benton. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Jim Jenkel, the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Benton officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

She is loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

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

Gene Merritt “Bird Dog” Philp, 82, of Sesser, Illinois, passed away at 6:05 am February 12, 2023 at Salem Township Hospital in Salem, Illinois. He was born April 10, 1940 in Mount Vernon, Illinois to the late Merritt and Ileeta (Walker) Philp.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Susan Philp Baier and husband, Eric of Fort Wayne, Indiana; siblings, Elizabeth Moore and husband, James of Mount Vernon, James Philp of Waltonville, Illinois, and Mary Susan Philp and husband, Orin Heend of Arlington, Virginia; longtime friend of 11 years, Joann Walker of Waltonville; and several nieces and nephews.

Gene served in the United States National Guard. He was a retired coal miner and active in the operation of the Philp Family Farm. He worked for Consolidated Coal at Burning Star #4 in Cutler, Illinois. Gene was a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 1825, Mount Vernon Elks 819, Moose Lodge of Mount Vernon, Waltonville AmVets #148, and American Legion Post 280 in Benton. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Gene was a loving father, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed.

A Greeting of Family and Friends will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville. A Memorial Service will begin at 12:00 pm with Mr. Marty Mills officiating. Inurnment will take place at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville at a later date. Memorials may be made in Gene’s honor to Knob Prairie Cemetery or the Waltonville Alumni Association.

Frances Lenore Summers (Avery), 86, of Benton passed away Monday morning, February 6, 2023 at her home.

She was born in Meeteetse, Wyoming on October 21, 1936, the daughter of Freeman & Ruth (Sadler) Summers.

Frances was a Beautician, and a retired Illinois Corrections Officer.

Frances is survived by her:
4 Children:
Rowdy Young & wife Amy of Goreville
Laurie Sheppard of Valier
Lisa Bell
Michael Young & wife Christal of Brownsboro, AL
Grandchildren:
Harrison Young
Amelia Young
Brittany Bell
Jacob Young & wife Johanna
Zachary Young
Sydney Young

1 Brother: Ron Summers & wife Kay of Thompsonville
Sister-in-law: Cindy Summers of Missouri
Frances was preceded in death by her Parents and by 1 Brother-Roger.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 9th at the Morton & Johnston Funerla Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Jacob Wesley Sanchez, 28, of Peoria, IL, passed away on January 30, 2023, in Nashville, TN. He was born October 11, 1994, in Carbondale, IL, to Rodrigo and Christy (Cockrum) Sanchez. He graduated from Dunlap High School in 2013 and worked in IT at Genesco, Inc. in Nashville.

Jacob is survived by his girlfriend, Nikki Lepretre and their son, Jayce Hunter Sanchez, both of Metamora, IL; his parents, Rodrigo and Christy Sanchez of Peoria, IL; his sister Ashley, brother Tristen, and paternal grandmother DeEtta Sanchez.

He is survived by his aunts and uncles – Staci (Jim) Hood, Valier, IL; Wendy (John) Kirkpatrick, Madison, AL; Annette (Alexander) Loya, Cancun, Mexico; Rafael (Rocio) Sanchez, Mexico City, Mexico; as well as cousins, Derek and Courtney Hood, Kensi, Kade, and Kylie Kirkpatrick, Alejandra and Rodrigo Loya, DeEtta, Christian, and Andrea Sanchez, and Nichole and Ian Langevin.

Jacob was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Billy and Linda Cockrum, and his paternal grandfather, Rafael Sanchez.

Being loved by Jacob was an amazing gift. His infectious laugh, uncanny sense of humor, tender heart, and presence will be missed greatly by all who loved and knew him. He treasured the time spent with his two-year-old son. He referred to Jayce as, “the best thing he ever did,” and often bragged that his son was, “the epitome of perfection.”

Visitation will be held at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL, on Saturday, February 11th from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 PM with Brother Larry Cook officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association (HOIDSA). Please designate in the notes section that your donation is “In Memory of Jacob Sanchez.” HOIDSA Donation Link
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Melody Lynn Hays, 64, of Christopher, passed away on Friday February 3, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

She was born on February 25, 1958 in Melrose Park, IL to Arthur and Dimple (Overturf) Kerley. She married Rick Hays on June 15, 1974 and he survives of Christopher.

She is also survived by her children Rick (Sara) Hays of Opdyke, Nik Hays of St Louis and Amanda (Ryan) Petrea of Salem; Grandchildren Brylin Hays, Ahnalynn Hays, Kirstie (Michael) Allison, Mataya Petrea, Zyan Petrea, Kollyn Petrea and Mak Petrea; one sister Debi (Joe) Shovan of Valier and one brother Lindell Kerley of Christopher.

Melody was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws and grandson, Jaxon. Melody was a loving Christian wife, mother, and grandma. She had a talent for singing and she loved to use that talent to worship her Lord and Savior. She opened her arms and home to many people throughout the years and was always willing to give love, hugs, and an open ear to anyone in need. Melody‘s pride and joy were her three children and her grandchildren. She loved supporting them in all they did. She was an example for all in what living a Christian life meant. She and Rick were meant to be and were each other‘s best friends and soulmates, having been married for 48 years. Melody will be greatly missed here on earth, but we know she is rejoicing in heaven with her loved ones, and we will see her again.

Funeral services will be on Thursday February 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with her son Pastor Rick Hays officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday February 8, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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