Paul “Fearless” Fowler, 85, of Christopher, passed away on January 9, 2021 at the Herrin Hospital.

He was born on December 29, 1935 in Johnston City, IL to Gordon and Arline (Moore) Fowler. He married Marianne (Bugaieski) Fowler on July 2, 1977 and she survives of Christopher.

He is also survived by his children Paul (Artie) Fowler Jr. of Kirksville, MO, Brenda (David) Thomas of Michigan City, IN, Teresa (Terri) Morton of Bailey, CO, Tracy (Robert) Hegwood of Ft Charlotte, FL, Linda Stewart of Marion, IL, R. Joseph Ingoldsby of Christopher and Scott Ingoldsby of Christopher; one special niece Amber Reed Malone; one special granddaughter Kimberly Ingoldsby; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; two sisters Brenda (John) Marlin of Mickelton, NJ and Carol (Poke) Reed of Johnston City, IL and his little dog Rosie.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, step-father Elmer Timmons, one daughter Paula Hart.

Paul was a coal miner and was the owner of Fearless’ in Christopher for many years. He enjoyed playing his guitar, singing, camping, fishing and entertaining his family and friends. He also had many sayings that everything had to be done “Immediately” and “forget about them skinny mules just load the wagon”.

He attended Valier Second Baptist Church.

His wishes were to be cremated. The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Fearless later this summer.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Max Harmon, 75, of Thompsonville passed away Monday morning January 11, 2021 at SSM Health Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.

He was born in Whittington, IL on October 20, 1945 the son of Coy & Freida (Conner) Harmon.
He married Loretta Ann (Slepavic) and she preceded him in death on March 11, 1994. He then married Becky (Clinton) on June 26, 2004 and she survives.

Max was an animal lover. His grandchildren fondly called him HEE HAW & Grandpa Ducks. Max had an assortment of animals on his farm. He loved his grandchildren & great-grandchildren dearly.

Max is survived by his wife, Becky Harmon, of Thompsonville; four children, Marie Clancy, and husband Phil, of Thompsonville, Dan Harmon, and wife Kelly, of Carrier Mills, Christine Harmon, of Marion and Sonja Ligon, of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren Daniel “DJ”, Cameron, Cassandra, Amber, Brooke, Andy, Justin, Scott, Jacob, Lorrae, Coy, Haley, Elijah, Karlee and Gavin; great-grandchildren Daniel, Jeremiah, Sammi, Warren, Luxanna, J.J. and Paxton; two sisters, Violet Mandrell, of Valier and Bonnie Maller, of Marion; two brothers, Ted Harmon, and wife Donna, of Whittington and Tom Harmon, and wife Jane, of Ewing.

Mr. Harmon was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, and by two sisters, Delena Kniffen and Mary Lou Kniffen.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Thurdsay in the Brady Cemetery in Akin with Bro. Michael Kniffen officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Thursday January 14th at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina.
We are limited to 10 people in our building at a time. We ask everyone attending to be considerate of others and practice social distancing and masks are recommended.

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

Charles Perino, 95, of Sesser, IL, passed away on Wednesday December 30, 2020 at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, IN.

He was born on July 28, 1925 in Sesser, IL to Tony and Agnes (Ochman) Perino. He married Mary (Nordino) Perino and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by two sisters Mary Agnes Lovelady of Sesser and Hilda Witges of Scheller and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers Joe and Robert Perino.

Charles was a Veteran of the United Sates Navy and served during World War II. He joined the carpenters union in 1954 and was later granted life membership in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. After retirement he enjoyed working in his wood shop at home.

His wishes were to be cremated. There will be a graveside service at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser at a later date.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is handling arrangements.
For more information go tour website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Anthony E. Malkovich, 63, of Benton, passed away on January 11, 2021 at his home.

Tony was a lifelong resident of Benton. He was born on March 2, 1957 in Benton, the son of Joseph and Phyllis Malkovich.

He graduated from Benton Consolidated High School in 1976. He later worked for the Benton Township Highway Department for over 37 years prior to retirement in 2014.

He married Diana (Pierson) Malkovich on November 29, 1989.

Tony was proceeded in death by his parents, wife, sister Jan Williams and brother Michael Malkovich.

He is survived by three brothers John Victor (Tracey) Malkovich, Mark (Apryl) Malkovich and Tom (Eileen) Malkovich, brothers-in-law Guy Williams and Rick Pierson; sister-in-law Gayla Bradshaw, along with several nieces and nephews.

Private family services will be held by Leffler Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Lyle “Gene” Eubanks, 88, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday January 10, 2021 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born on July 9, 1932 in Sesser to Clarence and Della Marie (Williams) Eubanks. He married Clelia (Bell) Eubanks and she preceded him death, he then married Dimple (Overturf) Eubanks and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by his daughters Rebecca (George) Cherry of Sesser and Lea Anne Hotton of Willowbrook, IL; grandchildren Jennifer (David) Thery, Jeffrey (Renda) Cherry, Michael Sean (Maggie Jolliff) Eubanks, Joni Dawn (Jason) Utlaut, Samuel Hotton and Timothy Hotton; great grandchildren Matthew Thery, Samie Costa, Danya Costa, Hannah Grace Utlaut, Wyatt Utlaut, Bryce Eubanks and Keegan Eubanks.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two wifes, one son Michael Eubanks, great grandson Luke Thery, one sister Lois Marie Briley and one brother Jerry Wayne Eubanks.

He was a veteran of the United States Army and had served during the Korean War. He worked as a coalminer at Inland Steel Mine in Sesser, but he was a farmer at heart. He also attended the Jesus Center in Sesser.

Graveside services for Gene will be on Thursday January 14, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Pastor Kirk Packer officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

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

Verner Eugene Thomas, of Alta Loma, California, passed away on January 04, 2021 at the age of 74.

Verner was born in DuQuoin, Illinois on May 23, 1946.

He graduated from Sesser-Vallier high school in 1964 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla. After college he worked for Guy F. Atkinson and Brutoco Engineering before becoming the president of Vance Corporation.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pat Thomas (Quillman); son, Brent Thomas; daughter and son-in-law, Janis and David Miller; grandchildren, Samantha Miller and Matthew Miller; aunts, Leila Bennett and Phyllis Galloway; sister-in-law, Jill Dare; and niece, Niki Wisniewski. He is preceded in death by his parents, Verner Lloyd and Betty Louise Thomas; brother, Mark Thomas; and nephews, Jason Thomas and Ross Thomas.

A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Covina Hills on January 28, 2021 at 3 p.m. The service is open to all who would like to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Arthritis Foundation.

Roger Lee Mays, 66, of Opdyke, IL, passed away at 4:45 p.m., on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at Memorial Hospital East, Shiloh, IL.

He was born on February 9, 1954, to George and Dorothy (Morgan) Mays in Mt. Vernon. Roger worked as a Truck Driver. He also was part owner of the Golf Cart Guys. Roger married Linda Gonzalez and she preceded him in death.

He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton. Roger loved fishing for crappie, walking, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Roger is survived by his loving son, Joshua (Amber) Paul Mays of Opdyke; brother, Ronnie (Vicky) Mays of Boyd, IL; sister, Paula (Steve) Stern of Mt. Vernon; special companion, Linda Lou Knapp of Benton; and two step-grandchildren, Masan Ragsdale and Emmeri Eldridge of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Paul and Dorothy Mays, wife, Linda Marie Mays, two brothers, John Mays and Jeffery Mays.

The Lord is my Light and my Salvation – whom shall I fear?

Remember, there are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.

Love cannot measure itself until the hour of parting.

Dream as if you’ll live forever….Live as if you’ll die today.

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

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 516 N. Main St., Benton.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 12:00 p.m. at the Immanuel Baptist Church, with the Rev. Sammy Simmons, officiating.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Immanuel Baptist Church.

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

Ella Jean Jackson, age 50, of Benton; passed away at 2:41 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at the Logan Church of God Cemetery. Friends are asked to meet at the cemetery, masks are required, observe social distancing, and if you are sick, please stay at home.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Ella Jean Jackson was born on February 2, 1970 in West Frankfort, IL, the daughter of Coleman Jackson and Sharon (Absher) Jackson.

She enjoyed reading, socializing, watching drama TV, especially Housewives series. Most of all, she loved spending time with her children. Her daughter said that she was always a strong supportive person; even while she was sick.

She was a member of the Logan Church of God.

Surviving are her two children: Katlin Jackson of Benton, Michael Kennedy of Benton; three brothers: Robert Coleman Jackson and wife Aletha of Benton, Howard Wayne Jackson of Belleville, IL, Jerry Michael Jackson and wife Gena of Belleville, IL; two nephews: Matthew Wayne Jackson of Portland, Oregon, Bryce Cameron Jackson of Orlando, FL.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, and grandparents.

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