Margaret R. “Maggie” Fitzgerrell, 86, of Benton, and a former Ina resident, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born in Marissa, IL on September 13, 1937, the daughter of Peter & Mary (Malick) Witt.

She married David Blair Fitzgerrell on June 30, 1956 and he preceded her in death on February 15, 1986.

Mrs. Fitzgerrell was a member of the Ina Missionary Baptist Church since October 14, 1984. She was also the Secretary, Bookkeeper and Treasurer at the Ina Grade School for 30 plus years and she retired in 2000.

She is survived by her:

Son: Brad Fitzgerrell & wife JoAnn of Ina
Daughter: Pamela Kerley & husband Marvin of Benton
Grandchildren:
Whitney Dabney & husband Marcus of St. Charles, MO
Tyler Kerley & wife Jane of Woodstock, GA
Michelle Sears & husband Jason of Benton
Great-Grandchildren:
Trenton & Aubree Dabney
Zachary Sears & wife Sam & their son Jaeger
Austin Sears
Hailey Sears
1 Sister: Barbara Rusiewski of Nashville
1 Brother: James Witt & wife Kathy of Mt. Vernon

Mrs. Fitzgerrell was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Daughter-Vicki Kay Fitzgerrell, Son-Jon Scott Fitzgerrell, 1 Brother-Jerry Witt and 1 SIster-Patricia Long.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 24th at the Ina Missionary Baptist Church in Ina with Tyler Kerley & Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the Church.
In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Shriners Hospital for Children.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

Rodney L. Reynolds, 67, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday August 18, 2024 at his home.

He was born on August 5, 1957 in Springfield, IL to Donald and Shirley (Courtwright) Reynolds. He married Janice (Carlo) Reynolds on February 19, 2000 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children Nicole Barton of Springfield, Jeffrey Reynolds of Springfield, Baylee Reynolds of Creal Springs, Christina (Jason) Rushing of Carbondale and Kelli (Scott) Baker of Carbondale; 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother David Reynolds.

Rodney was a painter and had worked for Bombardier Recreational Products, National Railway Equipment and Crownline Boat Factory.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday August 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Ronnie Wilford Shaw, 58, passed away on August 7, 2024 at his home.

Ronnie was born in Herrin, IL on April 10, 1966 the son of Roy Wilford & Mary Ruth (Couch) Shaw.

He adored his children and grandchildren. He loved camping, fishing and boating. He always said what he thought at all times and people loved him for that.

Ronnie is survived by his:
4 Children:
Michele Shaw
Stephanie Salatas & husband Philip
David Hollon & fiancée Traci Staley
Patsy Hollon
Grandchildren: Alexis, Waylyn, Landen, Nick, Brantley, Hailie, Hailey, Quentin, Preston, Camaron, Constance & Collin.
2 Brothers:
Ricky Shaw
Robert Shaw

Mr. Shaw was preceded in death by his Parents and 1 Brother-Randy Shaw.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 15th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.

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

Norma Jeane Copeland, a long-time Sesser resident, passed away on Monday August 12, 2024 at Helia Healthcare of Benton. She was born on January 6, 1928 in Dieterich, IL to Albert F. and Rosa (Strong) White. She married Leo Copeland on June 30, 1948 and he preceded her in death on December 19, 1989.

Norma taught elementary school for over 35 years, retiring from Christopher Elementary School, in retirement she did individual tutoring.

Norma is survived by one son Rev. Paul (Diane) Copeland of Kewanee, IL, 16 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 4 nieces and 2 nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son Robert Copeland, one grandson Joshua Copeland, two brothers Albert R. White and Harold E. White and one sister Lenora Poehler.

A Celebration of Life will be on Friday August 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Sesser Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the church. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

Memorial donations can be given to Sesser Methodist Church, Sesser Library or to Spero Family Services in Mt Vernon.

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

Ella Ruth Sentel Matyi, 72, of Benton, IL, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2024, at 8:56: a.m., with family at Helia Healthcare of Benton, IL.

Ella Ruth was born in Sullivan, IL on April 26, 1952, to Kenneth Dean and Virginia Faye Sentel. Preceding her in death were both her parents, her oldest sister, Virginia Lynn and her husband, Donnie Johnson. Their surviving children are Kerri and Corrie Hendren and Mark and Macy Johnson. Both live in Missouri and have three children each. Also preceding Ruth in death is Joshua Boyd Sentel, first son of Kenneth and Roberta Sentel.

Ruth was the matriarch of the Sentel family. A loving aunt and great-aunt to all her nieces and nephews. Each and every one were made to feel special. She worked and cared for many as an RN at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon and Helia Healthcare in Benton. She was a true Giver, both in her professional and personal life and was well loved by all who knew her.

In her spare time she liked to sew, quilt and hunt for Vintage and Antique treasures, but her true joy was spending time with her family.

Ruth is survived by Robert Clark Sentel and Nancy and Darrel Launius. Their children, John and Tammy Launius, Christy and Susan Launius-Rensing, Amy and Jim Reith; William Walter and Julie Sentel and children, Marcy Faye and Adam Clark, Sarah Ann and Donnie Millenbine and Alison Page and Jason Woodrow; Kenneth Dale and Roberta Sentel and children, Jessica Elaine and Andrew Salmo and Elijah D. Braden Sentel and a total of 24 great-nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Ella Ruth, being a very private person, chose to be cremated with a family celebration of life to be determined later.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Cecil (Sonny) Sullivan, of Herrin, IL, went to be with Jesus, the one he has preached about, witnessed about and taught about for 55 years, on Wednesday evening, August 7, 2024. Cecil had several loving family and friends at his bedside at the evening of his passing! He had been battleing Parkinson’s disease and liver cancer for several years. For the past month he had been under the amazing care of the Community Living Center, a facility of the V.A. in Marion, IL.

He was quite a character, jovial, a country boy, a “people” person for sure, never meeting a stranger. In 1964 he married Carolyn Hall of Benton. Together they have 4 awesome children: Wade Sullivan, Angela (Curt) Willis, Shane (Denise) Sullivan, & Amber (Jason) Todd.

Cecil was preceded in death by his father, Howard Sullivan & step-mom, Bertha and also his mother, Betty & step-father, Fred Crisp. Also, a brother preceded him in death, Marvin W. Sullivan.

He graduated from Benton Con. High School before joining the U.S Navy and was aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal and also the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk supercarriers with two combat tours in Viet Nam from 1964 – 1968. He was definitely a patriot and loved serving his country! He was adamant about having a American flag in his front yard!

Later, after becoming a Christian in 1968 he was voted in (as a very young pastor) at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler, Il. That church grew and was the apple of his eye! Life began to get even more adventurous. After pastoring at Zeigler for 17 years and overseeing the construction of a beautiful new building he felt his missionary calling to the Philippine Islands. He had been stationed there while in the Navy and then the day to return to tell them of his experience with the Lord. He loved the Philippine people and still has many Filipino friends. To make a long story short for your reading, he and Carolyn, plus two of their younger children, Shane & Amber ministered overseas for another 17 years! After this he returned to the States and became the pastor of the Lick Creek, Il. Pentecostal Church and was there with that congregation for 12 wonderful years! Cecil preached many crusades in many places! He has traveled to 36 countries! As said earlier, he loves people.

Cecil (Sonny) leaves behind his wife of 59 years and his 4 children, as well as 8 siblings being, Melvin Sullivan, Bert Sullivan, Brenda Houseworth, Debbie King, Sandy Bright, Lora Loucks, Leslie Ann Murphy and Fred Crisp. He also leaves these grandchildren of whom he is SO proud of!!! Autumn (Doug) Filkins, Jaden Ford, Cory Ford, Afftyn Sullivan, Austyn Valentine, Austin Sullivan, Kameron Sullivan, and his little (punk’in heads) Jaselyn Shea Todd, Jaylin Willis, Chamnis Filkins & Caroline Brooke Filkins.

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

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler, 309 Church Street, Ziegler, IL. and from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the church.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler.
Burial will follow services at Brady Cemetery in Akin, Il.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Apostolic Church of Zeigler in loving memory of Cecil (Sonny) Sullivan.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Carson Charles Thuilliez passed away on August 6, 2024.

He was born on June 20, 2024 in Carbondale to Tyler Ray and Kayla Michelle (Sadler) Thuilliez.

His survived by his parents Tyler and Kayle Thuilliez of Christopher; one brother Grayson Dean Thuilliez and one sister Kelsea Rose Thuilliez; grandparents Mike and Sarah Thuilliez of Christopher, Alice Sadler of Zeigler and Jeff and Julie Sadler of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his brother Hudson Tyler Thuilliez.

His favorite things were cuddling with mommy, watching the kids run around and playing, walking around with daddy, playing with jungle gym, he always had hiccups and he was so strong with keeping his head up for like 8 minutes just looking at mommy. He would always just like to look at you with his big blue eyes. He LOVED the bath, it was his favorite, he was the most relaxed there and he hated getting out of it. He loved to hold your hand when he was drinking a bottle or sleeping. He would always grab onto me anywhere he could. He was the best cuddler. He would coo here and there and it was the sweetest sound. He was just very loved by many, many people, he was special and was a perfect baby, with so much hair. We will miss him every single day of our lives.

Graveside services will be held on Monday August 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Smith Cemetery in Buckner, IL with Brother Mark Minor officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Bruce Alan Rogers went home to be with the Lord on the evening of August 6, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Bruce was born in Christopher, IL on September 13, 1949 the son of Hosea & Vella (Allen) Rogers.

He married Sharon (Burzynski) on October 29, 1982.

Bruce began his career working at Mark Twain, then was co-owner of Franklin Auto. He also founded and operated Bruce’s Bit Service. He spent the majority of his career at Continental Tire, retiring after 23 years.

Bruce had a life-long love of animals. He owned several race horses with a special one named Geraldine Honey. He also loved dogs and could be frequently seen in McDonalds drive thru with them in tow.

Bruce gave his life to Christ in 2016 and was a proud member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

Bruce is survived by his:
Wife: Sharon Rogers
Children:
Ashlee Tirevold & husband Scott
Michael Harper & wife Brandi
Bridgette Dunagan (Jimmy)
Grandchildren: Tasha, Hayden, Landon, MIkey, Paupiann, Thomas, Giselle, Luke, Jude & Aliyah
1 Great-Granddaughter: Paisleigh
1 Brother: Joe Rogers & wife Judy
Niece: Jodi (Bob)
Nephew: Stephen (Sue)
Beloved dog: Cody
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 11th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Bro. Larry Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Jackson Grove Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.
For those who wish Memorials may be made to the Franklin County Animal Control.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com