On Wednesday July 27, Lynda Ruth Mason joined her family and friends in heaven.

She passed at the age of 79 and was a resident of Sesser Illinois. She was raised by William and Marry Renshaw. She is survived by her two sisters Susan Crawford and Pat Clout. She has one daughter Cathy Petro and two son’s Dave and Tony Mason. She also has 1 grandson, four granddaughters, and two great grandchildren who cared for her very Dearly.

Lynda Mason was a devoted Christian women who had the biggest heart of any one you’d ever meet. She was selfless and cared for her family with all her heart. She made sure all of us knew how much we were loved. A Celebration of Life will be held for her on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Sesser. The service will be held at ten am till noon by Chris Hottenson. The family is in hope you can come if possible, there will be a dinner preceding the service.

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

David William Van Hoorebeke, 56, of West Frankfort, passed away on July 23, 2022 at 5:15 A.M. at the Baptist Health Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky.

He was born September 28, 1965 in Benton, Illinois to Donald Van Hoorebeke and Marlene (Lemons) Van Hoorebeke.

He is survived by 3 daughters, Vanessa Barron of Orlando, Florida, Victoria
Panfill-Mayer of Valier and Amanda Van Hoorebeke of Christopher, by one son, David Matthew Van Hoorebeke of Christopher. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and by sisters, Donna Preboy of Christopher and Sandra Kirkpatrick of West Frankfort and by brothers, Larry Van Hoorebeke of Clintwood, VA, and Lyle Jones of Wisconsin as well as several nieces and nephews and 2 aunts and 1 uncle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Randall Van Hoorebeke.

David worked as a refractory brick layer and was a member of the Brick Layer’s Union # 8 of Illinois.

He was of the Baptist faith. He was an outdoorsman and loved bow hunting and fishing. He also loved to go camping.

David was a very kind hearted man and full of laughter. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.

It was David’s wish’s to be cremated. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

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

David R. Rea, 86, of West City passed away Sunday evening, July 24, 2022 at his home.

He was born in Benton, IL on March 10, 1936, the son of Verbal and Annabelle (Brookshire) Rea.

He married Carole Jean (Taylor) on September 4, 1954.

Mr. Rea was an active member of North Benton Church. Mr. Rea had served as Acting Mayor of West City, and served for numerous years on the West City Village Board, the Franklin County Board, the 911 Board, Crosswalk, and for 2 terms on the Benton High School Board and the Benton Grade School Board. Mr. Rea was active in and cared deeply for his community.

Mr. Rea is survived by his:
Wife: Carole Jean Rea of West City
Daughter: Diana Ing and husband Keith of Benton
Daughter-in-law: Marsha Rea of Whittington
Grandchildren: Marci Hood and husband Greg of Coello
Whitney Winstead of Benton
Eric Zinzilieta and wife Angie of Aviston
Hayle Smith and husband Cory of Benton
Great-Grandchildren: Bentley, Blakley, Bristol, Sawyer and Harper
Sister: Marilyn Dirden of Forysth, MO
Several Nieces and Nephews

Mr. Rea was preceded in death by his Parents, by a Son-David L. “Monty” Rea, and by a Brother-James L. Rea.

Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. Thursday, July 28th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastors Eric Ruhe and Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the North Benton Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Marcella Ann Zinzilieta, died at her home in Prescott Valley, Arizona on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the age of 84.

She was born on January 30, 1938, in Benton, Illinois to Alex and Domicella Zinzilieta as the seventh of eight children.

Marcella was a 1956 graduate of Benton High School and received her degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Marcella was then employed by Abbott Laboratories in Chicago for 32 years, retiring in 1993.

Marcella was a lifelong avid gardener and enjoyed fishing and golfing through most of her life. She was also a longtime member of the Prescott Valley, Arizona Lodge #330 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks after her retirement.

Marcella is survived by her sister, Marie Monteggia of Coello, Illinois; 15 nieces and nephews, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Francis, Alex, George, John, Joseph and William.

Graveside funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Masonic and Odd Fellow Cemetery in Benton, Illinois.

Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements have been made through Sunrise Funeral Home of Prescott Valley, Arizona and Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, Illinois.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Marcella; go to www.lpfuneralhome.com

Doris N. Moore-Burkett-Ricks, 90, of Odin, IL, formerly of Benton, passed away at 5:20 a.m., on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Odin Health Care & Rehabilitation in Odin.

She was born on March 1, 1932, to John Roy and Vergie (Parker) Moore in Benton, IL. Doris was a graduate of Benton Community High School, the Class of 1950.

Doris was a member of Heritage Church in Van Buren, Arkansas. She enjoyed spending time her kids and grandchildren. Doris was a people person and loving, always super happy. She enjoyed cooking, reading and gardening. She loved writing about her family growing up and how Rend Lake was built. She also worked in the church food pantry and clothes closet.

Doris is survived by her loving children, Kim K. (Thomas) Pruett, Nancy (Al) Jimmez, Kelvin (Betty) Burkett and John (Tammy) Burkett and Holly Berry; 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Roy and Vergie Helen Moore, her brother, Jack Moore and her sister, Norma Jean Sharp.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
A Memorial service will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Pastor Kurt Sanders, officiating.

Per Doris’ wishes cremation will take place. Burial will be held at a later date at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Benton Ministerial Alliance and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Betty Lou Tucker, 77, of Zeigler passed away on Wednesday evening July 20, 2022 at her home.

Betty was born in Whittington, IL on July 3, 1945, the daughter of William & Lillian (Whittington) Winemiller.

She Married George Edward Tucker, Sr.

Mrs. Tucker attended the Apostolic Church in Zeigler.

Mrs. Tucker is survived by her:
Husband: George Edward Tucker, Sr.
Children:
Mark Tucker
Tammy Prosise & husband Scott
Lora Tucker & Dolph VanHorebeke
Wayne Tucker & girlfriend Becky
Kyle Tucker & girlfriend Kristy
Several Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren
3 Sisters:
Shirley Glowacki & husband Richard
Susan Brooks & husband Chuck
Diane Denton
Sister-in-law: Christine Winemiller
Sister-in-law: Sheryl Winemiller
Brother-in-law: Ron Glenn

Mrs. Tucker was preceded in death by her Parents, Daughter-Kathy Jo Tucker, Son-George Tucker, Jr., 6 Brothers-William, Bob, Larry, Paul, Glen & Delbert and by 3 Sisters-Lola, Mary & Tilda Mae.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, July 25th at the Morton & Johnston Fuenral Home in Benton with Pastor Jason Todd officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Monday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

David Lee Rogers, Sr., 92, of Benton, passed away at 2:35 a.m., on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab in Benton.

He was born on February 21, 1930, to Herschel and Gertrude (Bone) Rogers at Jasonville, IN. David retired from Conrail Railroad where he worked as a Railroad Conductor. On November 11, 1972, he married Yvonne Shires, and she survives.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a member of the West City First Baptist Church and the United Transportation Unit Union.

David is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Yvonne, three daughters, Janice (Bob) Simpkins, Carol (Bob) Largent and Christina (Harvey) Kendall; three sons, David Rogers, Jr., Adam Daniel Rogers and Jeffery (Diane) Rogers; one brother, Roy Rogers and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel and Gertrude Rogers, his son, Robert Rogers, two sisters, Mary Arndt, Sister and Lorraine Quebedeau and five brother, Bill Rogers, Charles Rogers, Orvil Rogers, Chuck Rogers and Wayne Rogers; and one daughter-in-law, Judy Rogers.

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

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton.

Memorials services will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 7:00 pm at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton.

Per David’s wishes, cremation will take place.

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

Paul Jason Jabczynski, 36, of Zeigler, passed away on Monday July 18, 2022 at his home.

He was born on March 22, 1986 to Casey Jabczynski and Susan Irene (Putzeiko) Jabczynski.

He is survived by his son Casey Jabczynski of Texas; his father Casey Jabczynski of Zeigler; one sister Jennifer (Ronnie) Diuguid of Zeigler.

He was preceded in death by his mother Susan Irene Jabczynski.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

Gerald (Jerry) Keith Upchurch, 80, passed away Sunday morning, July 17, 2022.

He was born on October 31, 1941 at Moore’s Hospital in Benton, IL, the son of Eugene & Wilma (Kern) Upchurch.

Jerry grew up in the Palestine community in rural Benton, IL area (now part of Rend Lake) and attended Palestine one room grade school where his dad was the teacher. After High School he received his BS in Accounting at SIU and later relocated to Metropolis, IL as Administrator of the Massac County Dept. of Public Aid. Beginning in 1988 Jerry volunteered for five years as E-911 Director, along with the help of his late wife Rosie, and implemented the 911 system for Massac County in memory of their son, Carey Upchurch, who was killed in an accident on Oct. 25, 1988. He retired from Public Aid in 1991 and continued working as 911 Director, Jail Administrator and Deputy Sheriff until 2001. He married Kaye Cagle in 1999 and they enjoyed many retirement winters in south Texas and Alabama.

He is survived by his Spouse, Marilyn Kaye Upchurch; Daughters-Connie Busby; Becky Ransdell (Johnny); Sons-Bret Cagle (Jenean); Bart Cagle (Marsha); Grandsons-Logan Busby and John Ross Ransdell and four Granddaughters Ashley Tirey; Bretaney Noe (Aaron); Karissa Clark; Stephanie Cagle Johnston and a very special Sister Diana House (Ron). Also five Greatgrandchildren and many special friends made during our travels.
Mr. Upchurch was preceded in death by his Parents, 1st Wife-Rosie Upchurch, Son-Carey Ross Upchurch and Siblings-Dr. Donald Upchurch and David Upchurch.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, July 23rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Minister Larry House officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

For those who wish, Memorials may be made to College of Ozarks P. O. Box 17 Point Lookout, MO 65726.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

James Alan Biby, 71, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Friday June 15, 2022 at the Marshall Browning Hospital I DuQuoin, IL.

He was born on March 9, 1951 in Christopher to James L. and Norma Jean (Hertel) Biby. He married Audrey (Handkins) Biby on August 14, 1976 at the Center Baptist Church in Crab Orchard, IL.

He is survived by his Audrey Biby of Mulkeytown, IL; brothers David and Paula (Issler) Biby of Mulkeytown and Brian and Kathy (De Stefano) Biby of Portage, IN; one niece Michelle Red of Portage, IN; two nephews Will Biby of Chicago, IL and Daniel and Summer Biby of Portage, IN; two cousins Pat Bartels of Poplar Grove, IL and Sue Bartels of Poplar Grove, IL.

Alan had worked at the DuQuoin Packing Company in DuQuoin until it closed, he then went to work at the Franklin County Housing Authority in West Frankfort in the Maintenance Department and retiring as the Maintenance Supervisor in 2016 after 34 years of service.

He enjoyed traveling and hiking in the Shawnee Forest. He hiked the River to River Trail in 2018 with his friend Dan. He was a member of the Gateway to the West Coca-Cola Chapter and the St. Louis Gateway section of the Mercedes-Benz Club. He also enjoyed watching Saluki Basketball games.

Funeral services for Alan will be on Tuesday July 19, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Guy Webster officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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