Doris Gilbreath – Benton

Doris Gilbreath, 95, of Benton, passed away on January 18, 2022 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

She was born on May 22, 1926 in Benton, IL to Raymond and Nina (Jones) Miller. She married William Gilbreath on March 28, 1942 and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children William “Bill” Gilbreath of Benton and Janet (Joel) Flatt of Rochester, IL; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; four sisters Karen (Jim) Morrison of Benton, Ruthann Patin of Louisiana, Ailene Liebman of St Louis and Billie (Ben) Hessleberg of St Louis and James Miller of Macedonia, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister Lida Rusher and one grandson Will Gilbreath.

She was a member of the Rend City Baptist Church.

Funeral services for Doris will be on Saturday January 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Rend City Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Joan Evelyn Gardner – Imperial, MO

Joan Evelyn Gardner, 87, of Imperial, MO passed away on Wednesday evening January 12, 2022 at her home.

Mrs. Gardner was born in Benton, IL on February 9, 1934, the daughter of William Edward & Mila Lee (Hall) Vantrease.
She married Donald Allen Gardner on August 27, 1960 and he preceded her in death on August 7, 2005.

Mrs. Gardner was a retired government worker who enjoyed reading and spending time with her family. She was a devoted and loving mother and proud grandma.

Mrs. Gardner is survived by her:

Son: Alan E. Gardner

Son: James M. Gardner wife Kellie L. (Mueller) and their daughter Ariel R. Gardner
Daughter: Vicki K. (Gardner) Theiss husband Jason W. Theiss and their children Katelyn C. Theiss, Kristen N. Theiss and Justin A. Theiss

Mrs. Gardner was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Brother & Sister-in-law-James Curtis Vantrease & Barbara Jeanne (Huffstutler) Vantrease and Sister & Brother-in-law-Mildred Esteleda (Vantrease) Fletcher & Harvie David Fletcher.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 22nd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

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

David Rogers – Benton, IL

David Lee Rogers, age 68, of Benton, passed away at 8:56 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2022, at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

Private family-only Graveside Services will be held.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

David was born on October 9, 1953, in Christopher, Illinois; the son of Virgil Rogers and Verdeen (Crabtree) Rogers.
He worked as a laborer with the Browning Township Highway Department. He also formerly worked as a coal miner; and later worked at the Benton Elks, Hey Carl’s, and the Benton Boccie Ball Club as a bartender.
He was of the Baptist faith.

David enjoyed Chicago Cubs baseball, playing golf, competition cooking events; and especially loved his nephew David Hunt and spending time with him.

He is survived by his brother Carl Hunt of Benton; two nephews David Hunt and fiancée Desiree Casey of Benton; Brad Giles and wife Charlotte of Denton, TX; special close friends Fred and Carolyn West of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his father Virgil Rogers; his mother Verdeen Hunt; his step-father Carlton Hunt; a half-sister Phyllis Giles; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Memorial contributions in memory of David, may be made to the Elks Crippled Children’s Fund, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of David, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Lonnie Gaylor – Sesser, IL

Lonnie Gaylor, 56, of Sesser, passed away on Thursday January 13, 2022 at his home.

He was born on December 27, 1965 in Tiptonville, TN to Glenn Mathis and Joyce (Lawrence) Connell.

He is survived by his sister Katherine Clawson of Herrin; best friend Luke McGill; one niece April and three nephews Phillip, Shawn and Hiram and several cousins, great nieces and great nephews.

Lonnie was a very kindhearted and simple person and loved to collect comic books, action figures and movies. He was also a freelance artist.

His wishes were to be cremated with a private service at a later date.

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

Deloris L. Beyreis – Thompsonville, IL

Deloris L. Beyreis, 63, of Thompsonville, passed away at 11:15 p.m., on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at her residence, with her loving family by her side.

She was born on July 23, 1958, to Clifford and Hildred (Sanders) Obrecht in West City, IL. Deloris worked as a social worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Deloris was a loving mother, grandmother and a devoted housekeeper. She enjoyed canning and sewing. After having her four children, she went back to school and earned her Master’s Degree in social working, specializing in children and family violence and started helping Veterans suffering from PTSD.

She was a member of Whittington Baptist Church.

Deloris is survived by her children, Michelle Clark, Melissa Wilkerson, Mitchell Clark and Marshal (Nadine) Clark; seven grandchildren, Shae Ogroski, Macy Clark, Madison Cox, Nathan Wilkerson, Noah Wilkerson, Cash Clark and Colt Clark; three great-grandchildren, Liam, Margaux and Rutledge; one brother, Robert “Bob” Obrecht; and one sister, Blanche Jolly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Hildred Obrecht; adopted parents, Wilma and Halcy Buntin; her husband, Larry Townley, two brothers, Frank “Scottie” Obrecht and James “Jim” Isaacs and a sister, Nancy Kay Rhine.

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

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, with the Reverend Mark Minor, officiating. Following the service, burial will take place in the Mt. Etna Cemetery in Thompsonville.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Glenn Russell Pinkham – Valier, IL

Glenn Russell Pinkham, 57, of Valier, passed away on Tuesday January 11, 2022 at his home.

He was born on February 17, 1964 in Christopher, IL to Carl Gene and Dolores (Williamson) Pinkham. He married Susan (Furlow) Pinkham and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by step-son and friend Corey Cavinder of Mulkeytown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one brother Michael Pinkham.

Glenn’s wishes were to be cremated with a private celebration of life service at a later date.

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

Laura Nicole Schuler – Benton, IL

Laura Nicole Schuler, 28, of Benton, passed away on Saturday January 8, 2022 at Lourdes-Mercy Hospital.

She was born on April 13, 1993 to Mario Larios and Kathy (Serratt) Fromherz. She married Derrik Schuler and he survives of Benton.

She is survived by her husband Derrik Schuler of Benton; her mother Kathy (Serratt) Fromherz of Arizona; her father Mario Larios of Sesser; her children Gio, Aria, Nick and Emma; sisters and brothers Joanna Dexl, Jeremy (Vanessa) Munoz, Franky Munos, Alex Larios and Carlos Larios.

Funeral services for Laura will be on Thursday January 13, 2022 at 7:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM.

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

Missy Ann Watson – Christopher, IL

Missy Ann Watson, 49, of Christopher, passed away on January 8, 2022 at her home.

She was born January 18, 1972 in Staunton, IL to Richard Earl and Clara Ann (Brown) Watson.

She is survived by her significant other Phillip Shukites of Christopher and she loved her Shukites boys Zane and Xander they were the light of her life along with her dog Ellie, she is also survived by her son Brian Neil Young Jr. and four brothers Richard Watson, Andrew Brim, Dale Hammonds and Billy Hammonds.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step mother Ruth Watson and one sister Tina Curwick.

Her wishes were to be cremated with no services.

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the Gilbert Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

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

Albert James Babb – West Frankfort, Illinois

Mr. Albert James Babb, age 81, of West Frankfort and formerly of Benton; went home to be with his Lord and Savior in Heaven at 5:50 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 10, 2022, at the West City Church of God, with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, at the West City Church of God. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Al was born on June 30, 1940, in Centralia, IL, the son of Albert James Babb and Myra (Rainey) Babb. He married the former Martha Ann Wimberly on November 20, 1959, and she survives.

He was a retired painter, former owner/operator of Reabans Drive-in which he later changed the name to Al’s Drive-in, of Benton. He also was a former coal miner.

Mr. Babb was a member of the West City Church of God.

Al enjoyed home improvement projects for his family, working in general; but most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

Surviving is his loving wife of 62 years, Martha Ann Babb of West Frankfort, IL; three children: Jeff Babb and wife Denise of Harrisburg, PA, Dara Barnes and husband Shane of Fort Worth, TX, Amy Dollins and husband Mike of Benton, IL; eight grandchildren: Destiny Babb, Bethany Jackson and husband Spencer, Caleb Babb, Lydia Mellenger and husband Ethan, Shae Pendleton and husband Drew, Zach Barnes and wife Brittany, Michaela Montgomery and husband Ethan, MacKenzi Dollins; four great-grandchildren: Graeson Barnes, Everhett Barnes, Allistair Barnes, Caden Pendleton; a brother David Babb and wife Norma of Indianapolis, IN.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions In Memory of Al Babb, may be made to the American Cancer Society; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Al; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Gary Edward Browning – Mulkeytown, IL

Gary Edward Browning, 71, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Thursday January 6, 2022 at Herrin Hospital.

He was born on July 30, 1950 in Auburn, WA to Rev. Ernest and Thelma (Ball) Browning. He married Cheryl “Cherie” (Swisher) Browning on July 12, 1975 and she preceded him in death on April 3, 2014.

He is survived by his two children Joseph Browning of St Louis, MO and Angie Worley of Mulkeytown; two grandchildren Braden Worley and Emma Grace Lynn Browning; two sisters Darlene (Dale) McDaniel of Villa Ridge, IL and Cindy (Donald) Jackman of Sikeston, MO and three brothers Ernie (Jan) Browning of Florida, Robert (Sherry) Browning of Florida and Gilbert (Donna) Browning of Olive Branch, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Graveside services will be on Friday January 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Ward Cemetery in Mulkeytown with Pastor Robbey Smith officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News