Kathy Jean (Poole) Olson, 74, of Benton passed away peacefully in her home on March 26, 2025 with the love of her life Gordon by her side.
She was born on December 31, 1950 in Christopher, Illinois. She was Owner of ABC Payroll (EZ Accounting) and GMaw’s Bakery & Deli before retiring in 2017.

In her spare time she enjoyed baking, planting flowers and feeding and watching the birds and squirrels.

She was an adventurer who also loved dirt track racing in Mt. Vernon and was well known as Mom 1.

Kathy is survived by her husband Gordon, sons Byron Olson (Maryann), Jimmy Bebout (Michelle) and daughter Karla Olson, as well as her sisters, Sue Poole (Carm), Terri Poole (Diane), Kathy Sledge (Dan), 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, an uncle and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her paternal & maternal grandparents, father Gene Poole and wife Delphia, mother Totsy Harrop and husband John, sisters Ralee Poole & Tammy Poole and grandson Andrue Olson.

Services will be on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with services starting at 1:00 P.M. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Chelsea Ann Johnson, age 34, of Morris, Illinois; passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025, at her home.

Chelsea was born on October 31, 1990, in Herrin, Illinois, the daughter of Blake Sullivan and Melissa Conner. She married Matthew Jacob Johnson on October 7, 2023, and he survives.

She worked as a Customer Development Manager with Ryder Systems, Incorporated.

Chelsea enjoyed traveling and especially looked forward to trying new restaurants and traveling to the ocean and her time on the beach.

More than anything, she enjoyed her cats. Ozzie, Billy, Stormie (stinky), and Diesel. They were her children.

Surviving is her loving husband Matt Johnson of Morris, Illinois; her mother Melissa “Missy” Conner of Sesser, Illinois; two step-children: Liliana Johnson and Avery Johnson both of Montgomery, Illinois; two sisters: Paige Sullivan of Royalton, Illinois, Peighton Sullivan of Benton, Illinois; her paternal grandparents: Pam Tippitt and husband John of Bonnie, Illinois, Melvin Sullivan and wife Linda of West City, Illinois; maternal grandmother Sheila Cross of Christopher, Illinois; brother-in-law Mark Johnson and wife Janice of Cheyenne, Wyoming, sister-in-law Jackie Gonzalez and husband Robert of Cheyenne, Wyoming, mother-in-law Tina Manley of Cheyenne, Wyoming; special niece Hadley Blake Sullivan; and several other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Blake Sullivan.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Brady Cemetery of Macedonia, Illinois. Public visitation services will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chelsea Johnson, please visit our floral store.

Linda Ann Holland, age 54, of Elkville, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the St. Louis University Hospital.

Linda was born on January 10, 1971, in Franklin County, Illinois.

She married John Edward Holland on June 10, 2010, and together they shared 14 years and 9 months in marriage.

She formerly worked as worked as a laborer in a factory; and formerly worked as a home health assistant with Addus Healthcare.

Linda enjoyed the outdoors. She loved fishing and cookouts, watching movies, and loved animals. She especially loved horses and dolphins. She loved taking car rides with her husband, spending time with her family, and looking forward to her weekly coffee time with Sheila. Her family said she also enjoyed talking with family and friends daily on her phone.

Surviving is her loving husband John Holland of Elkville, IL; her children: David Ray Endicott (Michelle Mollett) of Fenton, MO, Herman Alvin Schanda of Olney, IL, Paula Marie Schanda of Clay City, IL, Christine McVay of Royalton, IL; her five month old grandson Alex Ray Endicott; and two sisters: Stephanie Faith Smith of Herrin, IL, and Sheila Wininger (Travis Bush) of West Frankfort, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and adopted parents, and a brother Bill Martin.

Her wishes are to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

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

Steven Louis Meno, age 60, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at home surround with love on Thursday, March 19, 2025 after facing pancreatic cancer with remarkable grace and optimism.

Born on April 22, 1964, in Midland, Michigan, to Gerald Meno and Janice Vanmeter, Steve lived a life defined by love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to his family.
Steve married the love of his life, Lisa, on October 18, 2014. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa who touched the lives of everyone around him with his vigor for life, unending optimism, and boundless patience and kindness. To know him was to love him.

Among his many joys in life, being a grandpa topped the list—and by all accounts, he was the absolute best one out there. He took great pride in maintaining his yard in tip-top shape, planting flowers, and watching them grow. Last year, he was particularly proud of growing his first successful tomato plant. He was a huge Benton Ranger football fan, probably the loudest cowbell in the stadium. Steve also loved to travel, cook and enjoyed an eclectic taste in music. His faith in Jehovah guided his life and was reflected in his natural caregiving spirit. His wonderful sense of humor brought light and laughter to everyone fortunate enough to know him.

In 2007, Steve graduated from West Kentucky Community & Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, receiving his degree with High Distinction and the Outstanding Electrical Award. He continued his education at Madisonville Community College, earning another Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in 2011, along with certifications in industrial refrigeration and air conditioning.

Steve is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Meno, and his brother, Jeffrey Meno.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Meno of Benton, IL; his mother, Janice Meno of Midland, MI; and his children and their families:
Caitlin Wallace and husband Clint Wallace of Benton, IL, and grandson Everett Wallace; Dawn Petrak and her husband Martin Petrak of Columbia, TN, and grandson Jake Petrak; Deanna Meno of Columbia, TN; Heather Clark and her husband Grant Clark of Petoskey, MI; Johnathan Meno and his partner, Casey Guerin of Owosso, MI; Megan Skaggs and husband Nick Skaggs of Mt. Vernon, IL, and grandsons Nicholas Skaggs and Harrison Baughman; Scott Meno and his partner, Miranda Madden of Columbia, TN, and grandson, Hoyt Meno; Sylvia Fuller and husband Jonathan Fuller of Gilbertsville, KY, and granddaughter Logan Fuller.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL. 62812.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the funeral home.

In lieu of Memorial gifts or flowers donations can be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation: https://www.npcf.us/ways-to-donate/ or Hospice of Southern Illinois: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E11847&id=2.
Steve’s legacy of love, kindness, and optimism will continue to live on through his family and all who were blessed to know him.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Mary Rosalle (Laird) Newbury, 97, of Sesser, went home to be with her savior and Lord on Friday March 21, 2025 surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 21, 1927 in Benton, IL to Joe Fred and Mary Ann (Clark) Laird. She married Thomas Logan Newbury on August 21, 1948 and he preceded her in death on October 11, 2010.

She is survived by one son Tom D. (Kay) Newbury of Sesser and two daughters Janice (Robert) Page of Benton and Janine (Larry) Kelley of Akin. Mary was blessed with nine grandchildren Andy Joe (Marrianne) Gee, Knox (Natasha) Gee, Tommy A. Newbury, Matthew (Malori) Newbury, Benjamin (Terri) Newbury, Sarah (Justin) Tepovich, Brandon Page, Ashley (Travis) Kern and Erin Page; 15 great grandchildren and two great great grandsons; three sisters Fannie May Carter of Paducah, KY, Mitzie Jo Harris of Florissant and Wanda Newbury of Sesser.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 62 years, one daughter Mary Jane Gee, one son-in-law Terry Gee and one brother James Fred Laird.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday March 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Mary F. Davis, 71, of Zeigler, passed away at 2:15 a.m., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at her home in Zeigler, surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 29, 195,3 to Kenneth and Opal (Gurley) Higgibotham in Carbondale, IL. Mary worked as a Hairdresser for many years. In 1996 she married Charles M. Davis and he survives.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in West Frankfort, IL.

Mary was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was always willing to help others in need. She enjoyed playing Bingo, playing pool and especially loved cutting and styling her customers hair.

Mary is survived by her loving spouse, Charles, her daughters, Melissa (Tim) Flatt and Monica Charmness; her son, Sean (Erin) Rice; her brother, Charlie; two sisters, Levita and Mersea; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Opal Higgibotham and two sisters, Paula and Faye.

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

Per Mary’s wishes, cremation will take place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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

Howard “Pete” M. Overton, 71, of Coello, IL passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

He was born on July 7, 1953 in Sesser, IL to Thomas and Betty (Cameron) Overton. Howard was an over the road truck driver with Thomason Express for many years.

Howard was married to and survived by his best friend Patricia (Chapman) Overton since March 25, 1988. Howard is also survived by his loyal companion, Sassy, and his six children, Stephanie, Vicki, William, Alex, Samantha, Brandy, his pride and joys, Anthony, Kaden, Alexis, Avery, Richard, Tristen, Christopher, Daelyn, Brendalyn, brothers and sisters, Elizabeth Bassett, Della Montgomery, Lydia Burst, Jean Keith, Ernest Overton, Curtis Overton, Mary Conley, Jim Overton, Douglas Overton and several nieces and nephews that he loved and thought the world of.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Michael, William “Giz”, Carl “Mule” and Tom “Puffy” Overton. Per Howard’s wishes he will be cremated with no service. Howard did state if you want to celebrate his life he said to go have a beer and if you do not drink to have a glass of iced tea for him. Howard is loved and missed by all who knew him.

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

Donald Ray Vancil, 78, of Marion formerly of Mulkeytown, passed away on Friday March 14, 2025.

He was born on June 21, 1946 in Herrin, IL to Carl Raymond and Geraldine (Morgan) Vancil. He married Frances (Murphy) Vancil on July 14, 1979 and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by his children David (Chrissy) Vancil of Marion and Deanna (Kurt) Cornell of Perryville, MO; grandchildren Trenton (Kaylee) Vancil, Kayla (Cori) Vancil, Joshua Vancil, Lindsey (Brian) Adams, Deanna (Chris) Shreder and Brian (Jule) Mosley; great grandchildren Kamden, Madi, Madi, Blayne, Gauge, Hunter, Ava, Jacob, Masen and Stella; special friend Jackie Middleton of Buckner and two sisters Linda McVey of Herrin and Connie Cox of Marion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one brother George David Vancil.

Donald was a United States Army Veteran and attended the St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Frankfort.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday March 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Cundiff Cemetery with Rev. Alan Wendel Janneke officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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