Donald Allen Loucks, 64, of Sesser, passed away on Wednesday December 18, 2024 at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, IL.

He was born on August 22, 1960 in Benton, IL to Carson Leroy and Nellie Dean (Stotz) Loucks.

He is survived by his children Ashley (Joshua) Qualls of Sesser and Derek (Melissa Mitroka) Loucks of Royalton; grandchildren Carson Loucks, Lily Qualls and Ryder Loucks; and the mother of Ryder and Carson Jessica Loucks of Christopher; two sisters Elizabeth (Paul) Roberts of Sesser and Resa (Glenn) Gulley of Sesser and two brothers David (Debbie) Loucks of Herrin and Paul (Becky) Loucks of Pinckneyville and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter Leslie Loucks.

Donald was a family man and loved his grandkids dearly. He also enjoyed going to church, hunting and fishing and especially loved to go on walks with his dog.

Funeral services will be on Monday December 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Sesser First Apostolic Church with Pastor Carlo Dial officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the church. Burial will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family, envelopes will be available at the Church.

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

Wanda Louise (Rogers) McReaken, 86, of Coello, IL passed away peacefully at Marshall Browning Hospital, in DuQuoin, IL on Monday, December 16, 2024.

She was born at her home in Mulkeytown, IL on March 26, 1938 to Oliver Evan Rogers and Mary Louise (Campbell) Rogers. She married Richard (Dick) McReaken on January 28, 1977. He preceded her in death on March 20, 2018.

She is survived by her brother Richard Rogers of Kaufman,Texas, her sister, Connie (Fred) Sample of Benton and sister-in-law Anita Rogers of San Antonio,Texas; her stepsons Tim McReaken of Mulkeytown, IL and Rhett (Brenda) McReaken of West Frankfort, IL and grandchildren Jessica (Jordan) Morhet and their son, and Brett (Caleigh) McReaken and their two children.

She leaves behind many special nieces and nephews, and their extended families, (many to whom she was more like a second mother or grandmother than an aunt); Ella (Charles) Culver of Christopher, IL, Bob (Mary) Giacomo of Pinckneyville, IL, Kathy Esposito of Largo, FL, Richard Johnston of Benton, IL, Angela (Brent) Gossett of Coello, IL, Jason (Heather) Sample of Sesser, IL, Dana (Maria) Bonifacio-Sample of Oregon, Theresa (Jeff) Thompson of San Antonio, TX, Elena (Andy) Bilger of Texas, and Rosa Rogers of San Antonio, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother ValGene Rogers, her sisters Maxine (Rogers) Giacomo and Betty (Rogers) Moschino, infant sister Alpha Rogers, her niece Lorrie Johnston, her great-nieces Megan Culver, Ashely Biggs, and Nicole (Sahlin) Washington, and infant great-great-niece Anna Giacomo.

Wanda loved dancing and fishing with Dick, as well as gardening, and bingo nights. Wanda was a member of the First Christian Church of Christopher and was a long time member of the Ziegler Eagles Ladies Auxiliary prior to moving to Coello. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Christian Church of Christopher. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday December 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the First Christian Church in Christopher with Pastor Daniel Ison officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Zeigler Cemetery in Zeigler.

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

Robert “Bob” Lee Courtoise, 84, of West Frankfort, passed away at 4:15 p.m., on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Herrin Hospital, Herrin IL, surrounded by his family.

He was born on January 30, 1940, to Willis and Mary (Rulo) Courtoise in Richwoods, MO. On November 4, 1976, he married Darlene Goetz. Bob was a self-employed contractor and owner of All States Sealing Inc.

Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved auto racing, antique cars and motorcycles. He also liked fishing, squirrel and rabbit hunting. He was a huge country music fan. After receiving his pilots license he purchased his first plane and enjoyed many years flying. Bob never met a stranger and had a great sense of humor pulling pranks.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 48 years, Darlene, his daughter, Nichole Annette Courtoise-Cole and husband, Daniel; three sons, Derrick Lee Courtoise and wife Amy, Robert Darren Courtoise and wife Rebecca, DeWayne Allen Courtoise; two brothers, Warren Courtoise and Stephen Courtoise; two sisters, Myrtle Broeker and Jenal Tucker and husband, Charles; eight grandchildren, Tyler, Kimeco, Alexis, Joshua, Samantha Jo, Bethany, Tessa and Zack; twelve great-grandchildren, Kaelen, Soljah, Marlee, Noah, Lincoln, Delilah, Josephine, Silas, Aleigha, Paige and Aubrie.

He was preceded in death by his parents Willis Felix and Mary Louise Courtoise; three brothers, Leroy James Courtoise, Willis Felix Courtoise, Jr. and Larry Courtoise; infant sister, Sharlene Marie Courtoise and great-grandson, Nikolai.
Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2:00 p.m., at the Funeral Home, with Pastor Chris Hammonds, officiating.
Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, IL.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Dina Lynn Losier, aged 59 years, passed away on December 12, 2024, at her home in Thompsonville, IL.

Dina was born on November 16, 1965, in Chowchilla, CA, the daughter of David and Clara Bell Pack. She married Virgil Losier and he survives.

She spent over 20 years at Thompsonville Community Schools, doing what she loved, surrounded by people she cared for. She enjoyed reading, traveling and spending time outdoors.

Dina was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Her cherished memory will be carried by her husband, Virgil, her two sons, Michael Losier, and Steven Losier and her daughter, Christina BIermann; two daughter-in-laws, Melody Losier and Danielle Losier; nine grandchildren, Alana Biermann, Colton Biermann, Lorelei Losier, Grayson Biermann, Jude Losier, Abel Losier, Aubrey Biermann, Theo Losier and Clara Losier and one sister.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David Herman and Clara Bell Pack, one brother and one sister.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street in Benton, IL.

Per Dina’s wishes, cremation will take place with no services held.
The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks and deep gratitude for all expressions of sympathy and kindness shown during this time of bereavement.

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

Loren Wayne LeVault, age 93, of West Frankfort, passed away at 9:56 a.m. Monday, December 9, 2024, at his home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. LeVault was born on September 7, 1931, in Sesser, Illinois; the son of Lloyd LeVault and Geraldine (Brown) LeVault. On June 30, 1950, he married the former Deloris Tittle, and together they shared 62 years of marriage until her death on October 29, 2012.

Wayne worked as a farmer, a coal miner with Freeman #3, a truck driver with Lawrence Finazzo Trucking of West Frankfort, and was also a self-employed backhoe operator.

He was a member of the Horse Prairie Missionary Baptist Church of Sesser.

Wayne enjoyed fishing, hunting deer and rabbits. Most of all he loved his family and enjoyed the time spent with each of them.

Surviving are two daughters: Jane Kash of West City, IL, and Darla Sloan and husband Jim of West Frankfort, IL. Ten grandchildren: Charles “Chuck” McCormick of St. Louis, MO, Robert McCormick and wife Leah of Rapid City, SD, Cameron McCormick of Attleboro, MA, Kerri White and husband Greg of West City, IL, Bryan Eubanks and wife Amber of Neoga, IL, Jenna Harris and husband Brock of West Frankfort, IL, Brittany Westerman and husband Adam of Metropolis, IL, Jessica LeVault of Tennessee, Colin LeVault of West Frankfort, IL; Fifteen great-grandchildren: Charlee and husband Dr. Taylor Underwood, Hannah and husband Eric West, Elizabeth McCormick, Faith and husband Josh Strommen, Evan McCormick, Danni White, Addelyn Eubanks, Allison Eubanks, Zachary Eubanks, Grayson Hopkins, Emmalyn Hopkins, Jackson Woolard, Cord Westerman, Stella McCormick, Abigail McCormick; a great-great-granddaughter Randi West; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. LeVault was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a son Lloyd LeVault, a daughter Annitta McCormick, four sisters: Betty, Lillian, LaVonna and LaDonna.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sesser Outdoorsman Club and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Fawn Annette Lorenz, age 52, of West Frankfort, IL, passed away at 7:00 a.m. Thursday, December 5, 2024, at her friend’s home in Thompsonville, after a five-month battle with lung cancer.

Fawn was born on September 19, 1972, in Kankakee, IL; the daughter of Jo Anne (Herzog) Marcotte.
She was a bartender having worked for several area bars. She was also a member of the Benton Eagles Aerie 2898.
Fawn enjoyed crafting, her annual trip to the Covered Bridge Festival, traveling, back road cruising. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially with her granddaughter Olivia.

Survivors include two sons: Dylan Lorenz of West Frankfort, IL, Dalton Thompson of Benton, IL; a granddaughter Olivia Jean Annette Lorenz; a brother Thomas Engleman of Markleville, IN; her boyfriend Monty Reiger of Benton, IL; three nieces Jill Alfrey and husband Greg, Susie Engleman, Heather Albright all of Indiana; her close friends: Jean Harbour of Thompsonville, IL, Becky Conley of Benton, IL, Janice Poteete of Benton, IL, Michelle Ing of Akin, IL, Deserae Mohr of Benton, IL, and Melissa Reiger of Benton, IL.

She was preceded in death by her loving mother.

Fawn’s wishes are to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date in 2025.
Cremation arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in memory of Fawn, may be made to the State Bank of Whittington Go Fund Me Account, to assist with the cremation expenses.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Fawn, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Ruth Constance Dixon, 89, of Sesser, passed away on Wedneday December 4, 2024 at her home.

She was born on February 7, 1935 in Detroit, MI to Fred and Mary (Davis) (Johansson) Johnson. She married Ralph Dixon JR. on May 22, 1954 and he preceded her in death on February 10, 2019.

Funeral services will be held on Monday December 9, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Mrs. Virginia M. Gostowski, age 94, of Benton, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

Virginia was born on September 24, 1930, in Du Quoin, IL; the daughter of Sam Merkel and Lenoir (Murray) Merkel. She married Lawrence Andrew Gostowski on July 29, 1950, and he preceded her in death on April 19, 2016.

She formerly worked for the Lynn-Gay Garment Factory of Sesser, IL; and formerly worked for her daughter at Rose’s Flower Shop of Benton, IL.

Virginia was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton, IL.

Virginia enjoyed quilting, crocheting, making blankets, singing, and enjoyed attending church until her health prevented her from attending in person. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving is a son Daryl Gostowski and wife Tina of Thompsonville, IL; six grandchildren: Shane Gostowski and companion Tonya Mifflin of Benton, IL, Myia Garner of Scott City, MO, Tammy Thrasher of West Frankfort, IL, Shannon Trusty of West Frankfort, IL, Russell Fry of West Frankfort, IL, Dylan Johnson of West Frankfort, IL; ten great-grandchildren; a brother Delmer Merkel of Peoria, IL; a son-in-law Dennis Miller of Benton, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three daughters: Marline Gostowski, Rose (Gostowski) Miller, Ila (Gostowski) Mahan; four brothers: Ogle Merkel, Alan Merkel, Jess Merkel, Henry Merkel; and a daughter-in-law Shawnda Gostowski.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Don Bullard officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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