Frederick Ivan Berner, 77, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Friday October 1, 2021 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on November 4, 1943 in DuQuoin, IL to Ralph and Bertha (Cook) Berner. He married the love of his life Gloria Fiorenzi.

He is survived by his wife Gloria Berner of Mulkeytown; grandson Dakota (Haley) Berner of Coronado, CA; special great granddaughters Amelia Rose and Piper Jane; two brothers-in-law Clyde (Kathy) Furlow of Mulkeytown and Mike (Judy) Fiorenzi of Herrin; nieces and nephews Christy (Paul) Douglas, Bradley (Christian) Furlow, Nellie (Christian) Baril, Ben (Courtney) Fiorenzi and Joe (Janice) Fiorenzi; great nieces Andrea, Chelsea, Heather(Curtis) Rentfro, Jorja; great nephews Bryson, Stirling, and Sheldon; great great nieces Lily and Emma and many close friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Brian Berner, twin infant brother, one sister Evelyn Furlow, father-in-law and mother-in-law Darell and Angel Fiorenzi.

He was a machinist by trade and had worked at Carmet Mine Tool in Christopher and then worked for Old Ben Coal. He served for two years in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a lifetime member of the Franklin County Farm Bureau and served on the board for 32 years. He was a devoted Christian and was raised and baptized in the Mulkeytown Christian Church and was currently serving as an Elder and President of the church board. He has also worked on the farm since he was a child, starting out working with his grandfather and his father.

Graveside services will be on Wednesday October 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the West Franklin Historical District or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

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

Lonnie Paul Hart, 61, of Benton passed away on Friday October 1, 2021.

He was born on October 15, 1959 in Sedalia, MO to Lamon Deon and Francesca (Shovan) Hart. He married Mary (Haney) Hart on August 7, 1982.

He is survived by his wife Mary Hart of Benton; two sons Andrew Paul Hart of Chicago and Taylor Sidney (Abbie) Hart of Benton; grandchildren Cooper Lee Hart, Vincent “Vinny” Rowland and twins Max Taylor Hart and Sage Paul Hart; one sister Lori Dawn (Chris) Dillman of Marion; one nephew Ryan (Tina) Beighley of Marion and their daughter Aura.

Lonnie and Mary met in 1976 when Mary called 106.3 WQRX to request The Ocean by Led Zeppelin, where Lonnie worked as a Radio DJ. Lonnie worked for Old Ben Coal before starting Hart Insurance Agency in 1995; the agency is still serving Southern Illinois today. Lonnie loved sailing with his family on Kentucky Lake, taking vacations to Florida, camping at Rend Lake and sitting on the deck with the family dog, Lucky. He enjoyed teaching photography to his sons, guiding his eldest son, Andrew, through his radio career and teaching his youngest son, Sidney, how to work on classic cars and inspiring him to continue the family tradition of working in the mining industry. Sidney continues to carry on many of the family traditions with his four sons that Lonnie brought to the family.

Lonnie’s wishes were to be cremated with a private graveside service at a later date

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

Jerry Len Overturf, 73, of Buckner, passed away on Tuesday September 28, 2021 at the MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, TX.

He was born on April 25, 1948 in Benton, IL to Carl and Lavaughn (Talley) Overturf. He married Rita (Bateman) Overturf and she survives of Buckner.

He is also survived by his children Carla Hammonds and fiancé Phil Steinmetz of Coello, Tammy (Ron) Enlow of Elberfield, IN and Steven Overturf of Buckner; grandchildren Brittany Hammonds, Derick Hammonds, Cole Enlow and Madison Enlow; one sister Janice (Terry) Layne of West Frankfort, IL and one brother Dennis (Karen) Overturf of Springfield, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Karen Overturf.

Jerry served as a mechanic in the Army. He was also a coalminer and a farmer. He lived for his family and enjoyed every minute with them.

Funeral services for Jerry will be on Monday October 4, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

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

LaDonna Jean Calloni, 72, of Christopher, passed away on Wednesday September 29, 2021 at Herrin Hospital.

She was born on June 1, 1949 in Christopher, IL to Walter and Ellen (Humphrey) Overturf. She married Charles “Mush” Calloni on April 15, 1967 and he preceded her in death on March 14, 2018.

She is survived by her children Charles (Tricia) Calloni of Coello, Michael (Donna) Calloni of Mulkeytown and Melinda (Ron) Walker of Christopher; grandchildren Caleb (Erika) Calloni of Mulkeytown, Joshua (Breanna Lawrence) Calloni of Coello, Michael Taylor (Kirstin) Calloni of Christopher, Sierra (Dakota) Gregge of Buckner, Nicholas Walker of Christopher, Kaitlyn Walker of Christopher and Giovanna Walker of Christopher; and one great grandchild on the way; one sister Shirley (Tom) Calloni of Buckner and two brothers Harold (Debbie) Overturf of Marion and Kevin Overturf of Buckner.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral services for LaDonna will be on Tuesday October 5, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother George Marshall officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Smith Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Warren Jeffery Johnson, Jr., age 60, of Akin, passed away at 10:06 a.m. Friday, September 24, 2021, at his home with his loving wife and family by his side.

Visitation services will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Per Jeffery’s request, after visitation services, he will be cremated, with burial to take place at a future date in the Brady Cemetery East of Akin.

Mr. Johnson was born on March 25, 1961, in Chicago, IL; the son of Warren Jeffery Johnson, Sr. and Carol Yvonne (Blanton) Johnson. He married the former Darla Yvonne Briley on July 10, 1990, and she survives.
He worked for Ricky Nix Tire and was a painter.

Jeffery enjoyed fishing, camping, swimming, spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed being with his grandkids.
Surviving is his loving wife of 31 years, Darla Johnson of Akin; four children: Michelle Johnson of Carpentersville, IL, Christina Johnson of Zeigler, IL, Linnea White and husband Joey of West Frankfort, IL, Jeffery Watkins of Thompsonville, IL; thirteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters: Karen Johnson of North Carolina, Patricia McDaniel and husband Joey of Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Warren Jeffery Johnson, Sr.; his mother Carol Yvonne (Blanton) Brewer; step-father: George Brewer; a brother Donnie Johnson.

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

Due to the mandate issued on August 26, 2021, by Gov. J.B Pritzker masks must be worn at all times while inside the funeral home.

Robert “Bob” Norris, 69, of Sesser, passed away on Tuesday September 28, 2021 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis, MO.

He was born on July 25, 1952 in DuQuoin, IL to Jossie and Dorothy (Harris) Norris. He married Pamela (VanZandt) Norris and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his daughter Carrie (Jason) Threewitt; mother-in-law Billie VanZandt of Christopher; one aunt Imogene Harris of Herrin and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Dena Pardue and one brother Wayman Norris.

Bob loved to shoot trap, collecting guns, collecting coins, throwing dart and most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

A memorial service will be on Sunday October 3, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Sunday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at a later date at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Darts for Kids. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Mrs. Frances Jean Collins, age 92, of Carmel, IN, passed away at 10:17 p.m. Monday, September 13, 2021, at St. Vincent’s Hospital of Indianapolis, Indiana.

A Graveside Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 23, 2021, at the Brady Cemetery, East of Akin, with Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery.
Mrs. Collins wishes were to be cremated. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Frances was born on September 3, 1929, in Akin, Illinois, the daughter of Chalon Hungate and Mary Ellen (Cardwell) Hungate. She was married to Elmer Eugene “Rip” Collins, and he preceded her in death on January 31, 1989.

She was a retired retail salesclerk.

Mrs. Collins formerly attended the Akin Missionary Baptist Church.
She enjoyed the Hungate Historical Society, playing BINGO, arts and crafts, playing slot machines.

Through her husband’s military service in World War II, and her sons time served in the Vietnam War; she was an active supporter of the V.F.W. and their Ladies Auxiliary.

Most of all she enjoyed her time spent and visiting with family.

Surviving is her son Kevin Collins and wife Gerda of Zionsville, IN; grandchildren: Jonathan David Collins of Indianapolis, Deborah Ruth Collins of Indianapolis, Scott Fenech, Theresa Ellenwood; great-grandchildren: Emmarie, Audra, Amanda, Megan and Alex; a brother: Randell Hungate and wife Carol Sue of Benton, IL; best friend Shirley Dial of West Frankfort, IL; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons: Michael David Collins, Phillip Lee Collins; two sisters: Sandra Fay Hungate Skinner, Leatrice June Benedetto; and a great-granddaughter Lily Johanna Collins.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Frances Jean Collins, may be made to V.F.W. Auxiliary and will be accepted at the services, or can be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Barbara Sue Summers, age 78, of Christopher, passed away at 5:36 p.m. Saturday, August 21, 2021, at the Herrin Hospital.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Pastor Larry Adams officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of arrangements.

Barbara was born on September 9, 1942, in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Robert Adams and Helen (Prince) Adams. She married Robert Summers on December 15, 1962, and he survives.
Barbara was a retired legal secretary.

She was a member of the West City Baptist Church, where she played the piano and organ.
Mrs. Summers enjoyed cooking, fishing, and being around her children and grandchildren.

Surviving is her loving husband of 58 years, Robert “Bob” Summers of Christopher, IL; two sons: Jeff Summers and wife Lori of Dallas, TX, Robbie Summers and wife Lisa of Louisville, KY; five grandchildren: Jennifer Summers of Eldorado, IL, Jordan Summers of Louisville, KY, Mitchell Summers of Farmington, MO, Liam Kirk and Laney Kirk, both of Benton; a brother Robert Adams of Enfield, MO; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Merrell Adams and Dean Adams; a sister-in-law: Jean Adams; and a nephew Ronnie Adams.

Memorial contributions in memory of Barbara Sue Summers, may be made to the West City Baptist Church, and will be accepted at the services, or may be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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