Barbara Hammonds Blackston was born October 29, 1941 to Loyd and Norine Hammonds in Mulkeytown, Illinois.

Barbara graduated from Christopher Community High School. She married and moved to Granite City, Illinois. She is the mother of three children. Kevin (Ronda) Smith, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Beth Ann (Bill) Kovach and Lisa (Eddie) Perigan of Granite City, Illinois.

Barbara spent her professional life as an office manager in the areas of construction, HVAC and financial services. Barbara loved bowling, dancing, reading, listening to music and spending time in Bible study. She was a devout Christian.

Barbara is survived by her three children, her three grandchildren, Austin Perigan, Ryan Kovach and Dehlia Smith and one great grandchild, Shia Perigan. She is also survived by her brother, Paul {Nancy} Hammonds, of Alpharetta, Georgia and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James Blackston, her sisters, Ethel Zicker and Doris Livesay and her brother, Frank Hammonds.

Funeral Services will be on Thursday March 9, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at Hammonds Cemetery in Buckner.

Memorials can be made to Hammonds Family Cemetery, through Gilbert Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank Laura Robinson, her in home caregiver and ProMedica her in-home hospice for their love and care as well as the Rev Jerry Justice. Soddy Church of God, Soddy-Daisy, TN, who officiated the funeral services.

Mr. Lamont Toms, age 90, of Benton, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the Shawnee Rose Care Center of Harrisburg, Illinois.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #5671, and the U.S. Navy Honors team. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery for the services.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the services.

Mr. Toms was born on March 27, 1932, in Benton; the son of Joseph Toms and Alice (Miller) Toms. He married the former Velma Imogene Thorpe on September 14, 1956; and she preceded him in death on September 19, 1999. He would later marry Shirley Elieff on June 2, 2001; and she survives.

Lamont would serve his country in the U.S. Navy from 1949 through 1953. He was a coal miner having worked for Old Ben Coal Company; and retired on February 1, 1990, after working for 22 years with Old Ben Coal Company.

He enjoyed attending church with his West City Church of God family. He also enjoyed going to McDonalds to drink coffee and visit with friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, including Sally Revis, Rodney Sailliez, Jason Revis, Tracy Saffelder; but most of all enjoyed being with his great-granddaughter Alyssa Sailliez.

Surviving is his loving wife of 22 years, Shirley Toms of Harrisburg, IL; great-granddaughter Alyssa Sailliez of Benton; nephew James Toms, Jr. and wife Jane of Logan; friends Charles and Catherine Wiggs of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph and Alice Toms; his first wife Velma Imogene Toms; brothers: Clifton Toms, Edward Toms, Jim Toms, Charles Toms, Joseph Toms, Jr.; and sisters: Aline Rice, Delores Yvonne Pitchford and Virginia Wingate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West City Church of God, and will be accepted at the graveside service on Saturday; or can be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

James “Jim” Louis Flannigan, 88, of Macedonia, passed away on February 27, 2023, at the Hamilton Memorial Hospital, McLeansboro, IL.

He was born on June 23, 1934, to Wallace and Dorthy (Williams) Flannigan in Franklin County, IL. Jim serviced in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. James was a farmer and he worked for the Highway Department until his retirement.

James is survived by his sister, Betty McKay of St. Louis, MO; 2 nieces; 2 nephews; 3 great-nieces; 4 great-nephews; 3 great-great nieces and 2 great-great nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, Wallace and Dorthy Flannigan; one brother, Virgil Flannigan; and one sister, Nellie Harper.

Funeral Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 1:00 pm at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Following services burial will take place in the Brady Cemetery with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the National Guard Honors Team.

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

Gayla Rella Smothers, 81, of Sesser, passed away on Tuesday February 28, 2023.

She was born on March 30, 1941 in Sesser to Stanton Roberts and Jett (Murry) Eperson. She married Cyril Leon Smother on January 17, 1959 and he preceded her in death on July 22, 2019.

She is survived by her daughter Pamela (Kevin) Cummings of Mt Vernon; daughter-in-law Tricia Smothers of Marion; grandchildren Heath (Kristin) Tepovich, Mallory (Anthony) Upegui, Kolton Cummings, Peyton Wall; great grandchildren Keegan Upegui, Kamryn Upegui, Hutson Tepovich and Danica Tepovich.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one son David Smothers.

Funeral services will be on Monday March 6, 2023 at 12:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Sesser with Pastor Jim Slone officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 Am until the time of the service at 12:00 Pm at the church. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Donald Ray Caraker, 95, of West Frankfort, passed away on February 26, 2023, at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Marion, IL.

He was born on September 10, 1927, to Charles and Vivian (Ray) Caraker in Cobden, IL. Donald served in the United States Navy during WWII. He worked as a Brakeman for the IL Central Railroad for 43 years. Donald married the former Dorothy “Jean” Moore.

Donald was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather and brother. He enjoyed trout fishing, camping, gardening, bowling and traveling.

Donald is survived by his daughter, Cathy Ann Eldridge of West Frankfort, IL; son, John Charles Caraker of Fenton, MO; six granddaughters, Robin Lynn Reid of West Frankfort, IL, Amy Jo Grob of Benton, IL, Elizabeth Ann Lane of Sikeston, MO, Jennifer Lynne Eldridge of Benton, IL, Catherine Caraker of Fenton, MO, Coleen Queen of Fenton, MO; one grandson, Timothy Steven Eldridge of Troy, IL; six great-grandsons, Trevor Loren Owens of Herrin, IL, Cameron Wilson, Brandon Boner of Benton, IL, Dustin Boner of Benton, IL, Bret Hawkins of Sikeston, MO, Dillon Nave of Sokeston, MO; four great-granddaughters, Courtney Piercy, Lacey King of Sikeston, MO, Page Roger of Sikeston, MO, Morghan Taylor Eldridge, NC; two great-great-Grandsons, Bentley Patton of Sesser, IL, Austin Wright of Sesser, IL; one great-great-granddaughter, Courtney Patton of Sesser, IL; one sister, Joann Pontious of Vandalia, IL; and one niece, Jan Meyers; .

He was preceded in death by wife, Dorothy “Jean” Caraker; one daughter, Sharon Kay Piercy; one granddaughter, Wendy Kay Piercy; parents, Charles and Vivian Caraker, one brother, Kenneth Caraker, one great-grandson, Jacob Boner and one great-granddaughter, Cassandra Eldridge.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main St., Benton, IL.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL, with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the United States Navy Honors Team.

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

Viola Louise Story (Kearney) Werlinger was born in Sesser, IL on November 5, 1928 to parents Lewis Jackson Story and Bessie Elizabeth (Mitchell) Story.

Viola passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, on February 27, 2023, in Benton, IL

Viola spent her early years in the Sesser area with her parents and siblings. She married Joel Bryant (J.B.) Kearney in 1948 and moved to West City, where they raised six daughters.

Viola was a passionate supporter of the Democratic Party and served as a Browning Township Election Judge in the 1970s and 1980s. She was “First Lady” of West City during her husband J.B.’s term as Mayor in the 1970s. When her children were young, Viola was active in the Washington Grade School PTA, and was a Brownie Scout Troop Leader. She was dedicated to veteran affairs and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Benton, Illinois and Glendale, Arizona. Viola was recently inducted into the Daughters of The American Revolution through her paternal three-times great-grandfather, Patriot Robert Page.

Viola enjoyed spending time with her family, and was the happiest when around her children and grandchildren. She was a lover of warm weather and the outdoors. She enjoyed travel, her cats and was a master of jigsaw and word puzzles.

Viola lived in Glendale, Arizona for several years in the 1990s. There she met her second husband Adam Werlinger. Viola and Adam returned to West City, Illinois in 1994 where she lived out the remainder of her life.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Bessie Story and husbands J.B. Kearney and Adam Werlinger. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Goldie Hazel Story Reiger, Robert Houston Story, Lucille Marie Story, Effie Evelyn Story Watkins, James Leroy Story, Charles William Irvin Story, Pat Lonzo Story and her great-granddaughter Makanda Jaide Williams.

Viola is survived by her six daughters and their families: Ramona Kearney, Christine Kearney and husband David, Kay Kearney, Rebecca Kearney Benedict and husband Kenny, Donna Kearney Smith and husband Troy, Jane Kearney and fiance Mark Simpson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Joel Perry, Emily Kearney, Sarah Williams Carlton, Ashley Kearney, Lonnie Mann III, Dylan Kearney, Miles Williams, Chelsea Benedict Zettler, Chloe Benedict Knolhoff, Macy Kearney and Delaney Kearney. Additionally, Viola Leaves 12 great-grandchildren and one brother, Lewis Jackson (John) Story, of Centralia, IL.

A graveside service will be held at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton, IL, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2023 for the family and friends of Viola.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. through their website at https://hospice.org/donate/ or by check to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 South Illinois Street, Belleville, IL 62220.

Phyllis Jean Pearson, 83, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday February 25, 2023 at her home.

She was born on January 3, 1940 in Coello, IL to Edgar and Wanda (Norris) Kunkel.

She is survived by her two sons Phillip Pearson of Sesser and Donald (Holly) Pearson of Sesser; grandchildren Rachel Shearlock, Alex Pearson, Max Pearson and Mackenzie Pearson and one great granddaughter Raelyn and one sister Karen Kunkel of Maryland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Ronald Pearson and one brother Maurice Kunkel.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday March 2, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Kirk Packer officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11:00 AM until the time of the Memorial Service at 1:00 PM.

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