Rodney Lynn “Rat” Stewart, age 71, of Benton, went to be with his Lord in Heaven at 3:16 a.m. Monday, March 22, 2021 at the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2021 at Leffler Funeral Home, with Bro. Andy Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing, masks are required. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Rodney Lynn Stewart was born on January 26, 1950 in Mt. Vernon, IL; the son of Albert Darold Stewart and Mildred (Morgan) Stewart. He married the former Jo Ann Hines on August 18, 1973; and she survives.

He was a retired coal miner having worked for Old Ben #21 and Peabody Coal. He was a member of the U.M.W.A, Benton Masonic Lodge #64 A.F. & A.M.; and he was an active member of the Benton Eagles Aeries #2898.

Rat enjoyed the outdoors, riding motorcycles, and loved helping others.

In January of 2021, Rod’s life was changed as he was Baptized at Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Surviving is his loving wife of 47 years, Jo Ann Stewart of Benton; two children: Brett Stewart and companion Susan Roberson of Benton, IL; Amy Wilson and husband Brandt of Christopher, IL; five grandchildren: Lynnsay Saeger and husband Luke, Daulton Stewart, Blake Stewart, Bryce Wilson, Peyton Stewart; a sister Barbara Clarke and husband Larry of Mt. Vernon, IL; a special uncle Steve Morgan of Mt. Vernon, IL; numerous aunts; a special brother-in-law Robert Hines of Benton, IL; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved four legged friend “Bit Bit”.

He was preceded in death by his father Albert Darold Stewart; his mother Mildred (Morgan) Stewart Hurley; step-father David Hurley; and a brother Michael Stewart.

Memorial contributions in memory of Rodney Lynn Stewart, may be made to the American Cancer Society, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.

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

Louisiana “Jeanie” Key, 72, of Zeigler, passed away on Thursday March 18, 2021 at her daughter’s home.

She was born on February 26, 1949 in Mulkeytown to Carl and Lula (Hannah) Parkinson. She was married to Gary Key and he preceded her in death.

Jeanie is survived by her children Gary (Angela) Key of Zeigler, Jeremy Key of Zeigler and Celena (James) Key of Zeigler; grandchildren Gary, Seth, Adin, Mila, Toni, Tori and Tara; one sister Carolyn Richrath of Chicago, Clifton “Mo” Parkinson of Christopher and Kenny Parkinson.

Funeral services for Jeanie will be on Tuesday March 23, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Betty Toms, 81, of Benton, passed away at 9:58 p.m., on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at her home.

She was born on November 13, 1939, to Glen and Berdena (Brewer) Walden in Coles County, IL. She married Edward Toms and he preceded her in death on March 6, 1986.

She was a member of the West City Church of God. Betty enjoyed visiting with family and friends and shopping. She loved her pet dog, Cookie.

Betty is survived by her two sisters, Janet (Walter) Trapper and Linda (James) Beall, all of Benton and eight special nieces and nephews, Michele Doris, Steve (Diana) Trapper, Larry (Melissa) Walden, Jr., Dianna Washburn, Ralph Washburn, Gary (Kaye) Washburn, Bruce (Becky) Washburn and Terry (Amy) Foster.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Berdena Walden, husband, Edward Toms, three brothers, Wayne Walden, Larry Walden Sr.and Ronnie Walden; one sister, Mary Washburn and one nephew, Scott Walden.

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

Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 22, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL, with Steve Flach, officiating.

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.

Mary S. Daugherty, 61, of Mulkeytown, passed away on March 18, 2021 at her home.

She was born on June 26, 1959 in DuQuoin, IL to Jesse Eugene and Betty Joe (Peterlin) Cook. She married Lawrence “Jeff” Daugherty and he preceded her in death. She then married David Miller and he survives of Mulkeytown.

She is also survived by her children John (Melissa) Daugherty of Benton, Ryan (Valerie) Daugherty of Benton, Jason (Amanda) Daugherty of Mulkeytown, Morgan Joe Cook of Sunfield and Sariah Marie Nicole Daugherty of Mulkeytown; grandchildren Samuel, Caleb Michael, Shyla, Caleb James, Silas, Trystan, Christian and Lee; one sister Jessica (Henry) Dare of Coello; three sisters-in-laws Barbara Yerain, Jama (Todd) Burks and Traci Kane; three nieces Stephanie, Keeley and Morgan and two nephews Daniel and Brad.

She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband, and two brothers Thomas Albert Yerain and Jesse Eugene Cook Jr.

Memorial service will be on Thursday April 1, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Derrick Loucks officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

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

Robert “Bob” Flood Sr., 60, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Monday March 15, 2021 at his home.

He was born on June 11, 1960 in Chicago, IL to William and Diane (Jabczynski) Flood. He married Tammy (Eubanks) Flood on October 22, 1978.

He is survived by his wife Tammy Flood of Mulkeytown; children Tammy (Michael) Alvis of Coello, Robert (Emily) Flood of Christopher, Christopher (Lenda) Flood of Mulkeytown and Cristal (Mike) Parks of Buckner; grandchildren Katie, Mandy, Phillip, Zoey, Robert III, Damian, Jake, Wyatt, Payton, Willow and Trenton; great grandchildren Penelope and Amberly; brothers and sisters William (Dorothy) Flood of Thebes, Kimberly (Kenneth) Walls of Zeigler, Virginia Eubanks of Valier, Lori (William) Yelm of Percy, IL, Vickie Brown of Zeigler and James (Amy) Flood of Zeigler.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Terry Flood.

Funeral services will be on Friday March 19, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Kent Eaton officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 5:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Alan Edward Park, 70, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away on Friday March 12, 2021 in Jacksonville, FL.

He was born on June 7, 1950 in Christopher to Leodis and Margaret (Peake) Park.

He is survived by his significant other Sheila Kirby of Jacksonville; one sister LeeAnn Confer of St Augustine, FL; two nieces Tiffany Villarreal of St. Augustine, FL and Melissa (Geronimo) Vela of St. Augustine, FL; great nieces Alexis, Alaina, Gianna and Midget; great nephews Achilles and Cassius; one great great niece Laylani; and one great great nephew Davinci.

Alan served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.

Funeral services for Alan will be on Saturday March 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

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

Doris D. Newbury, age 89, of Crete, IL, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 in Crete.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our funeral home at a time, masks are required. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Doris was born on August 10, 1931 in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Emil Vandom and Edith (Lampley) Vandom. She married Lowell Newbury and he preceded her in death in 2014.

Mrs. Newbury was a member of the First Apostolic Church of Steger, Illinois.
She enjoyed gardening, being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her church, church family and everything about her church.

Surviving is her two sons: Raymond Newbury and Robert Newbury both of Crete, Illinois; two granddaughters: Megan Therese Newbury of Jacksonville, Florida, Nicole Lee Newbury of Cedar Lake, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a sister Mary Lee Rusher; and a brother Emil “Bud” Vandom.
To leave online condolences to the family, or share memories of Doris Newbury, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Samantha Kristin Stotlar, 43, of Benton, IL passed away at 6:58 p.m., on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, IL.

She was born on April 10, 1977, to Wayne Joseph Story and Patricia (Broha) Sweazy in Pinckneyville, IL. She married Thomas Edward Stotlar and he survives.

She attended St. Joseph Catholic Church. Samantha was a loving daughter, mother, sister and aunt. She enjoyed walking, physical fitness and cooking.

Samantha is survived by her parents, father, Wayne Story, mother, Patricia Sweazy and step-father, John Douglas Sweazy; husband, Thomas Stotlar; son, Spencer Thomas Stotlar of Benton; two sisters, Sara (Kenneth) Hanshaw of Murphysboro and Lara Vickers of Mt. Prospect, IL; one brother, Caleb (Melissa) Sweazy of Memphis, TN; five nephews, Clinton Hanshaw, Beau Hanshaw, Max Vickers, Thomas Vickers, Declan Sweazy and one niece, Ollie Sweazy.

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

Services will be privately held.

Memorials may be made to the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Kenneth Eugene Williams, 83, of Sesser, passed away on Tuesday March 9, 2021 at his home.

He was born on June 3, 1937 in Carterville, IL to Kenneth and Mima (Hicks) Williams. He married Marietta “Rita” (Parkinson) Williams on June 3, 1957 and she preceded him in death on March 17, 2016.

He is survived by his son Terry Williams of Benton; granddaughters Leah Wright, Rachel (Tom) Hanks, Kristen Meskil and Sarah (Josh) Anderson; one grandson Drew (Shonda) Williams; great grandchildren Ava, Gracie, Mara and Matthew and one brother Dean Williams of Herrin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son Kenneth Williams, one sister Wanda Bearden and one brother Wyvan Williams.

Funeral services for Kenneth will be on Friday March 12, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen and Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the Church. Entombment will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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