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

Gary Stephen Ramsey, 64, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Tuesday January 5, 2021 at his home.

He was born on September 26, 1956 in Christopher to Lester and Rose (Hampton) Ramsey. He married Sue (Crow) Ramsey on May 20, 2006.

He is survived by his wife Sue Ramsey of Mulkeytown; mother Rose Ramsey of Coello; children Heath (Jillian) Ramsey of Mt Vernon, Stephani (Jason Rund) Schwettman of Grand Junction, CO, Kim (Eddie) Gossett of Mulkeytown and Leslie (Johnny) Hacker of Valier; step children Tracy (Chris) Mueller of Murphysboro and Ginger (Jeff) Brennecke of Ballwin, MO; 18 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; two brothers Greg (Carol) Ramsey of Lee’s Summit, MO, Glen (Barbara) Ramsey of Kansas City, MO; and two sisters Tina (Tim) Dennis of Gainesville, FL and Lisa Ramsey-Gilbert of Zeigler, IL and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Gary was a coal miner in the area for over 40 years and was a belt coordinator for Prairie State Energy Mine.

Graveside services will be on Saturday January 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown, IL with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Friday January 8, 2021 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher and on Saturday from 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Siteman Cancer Center and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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