Susan Lee Pinkham, 59, of Valier, passed away on November 3, 2020 at her home.

She was born on July 23, 1962 in Herrin, IL to Lindell and Jean (Gilbreath) Furlow. She married Glenn Pinkham and he survives of Valier.

She is also survived by her son Corey Cavinder of Mulkeytown.

She was preceded in death by her sister Daina Jean Dawson.

She loved to do arts and crafts. She also enjoyed her pool, her dogs, and hanging out in her backyard.

Susan’s wishes were to be cremated with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is assisting the family with arrangements.

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

Michael Halliday, 64, of Benton, passed away at 6:45 p.m., on Friday, October 30, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 8, 1955, to Elmer and Zelda (Bell) Halliday in Pontiac, MI. On July 30, 1994, he married Trish Ray and she survives.

Michael was a member of the Jackson Grove Baptist Church in Benton. Michael was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was an avid Detroit Lions fan. He loved watching game shows, fishing, golf and listening to music.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 26 years, Trish, two sons, Shannon Dunmyer and Michael “Micky” Halliday, Jr.; one daughter, Heather (Hasan) Alhosh; four grandchildren, Rhiannon Dunmyer, Nathaniel Dunmyer, Alex Alhosh and Zack Alhosh; one sister, Sharon (Richard) Hodge and one brother, Dan (Loretta) Halliday.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents , Elmer and Zelda Halliday.

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

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2020, from 2:00 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. at Jackson Grove Baptist Church, 9002 Bessie Rd., Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. at the Jackson Grove Baptist Church Benton, with the Rev. Don Bullard, officiating.

Memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Beatrice B. Wilson, 78, of West Frankfort, passed away at 9:15 a.m., Monday, October 26, 2020, at Integrity Healthcare in Marion.

She was born on October 8, 1942, to Walter and Julia Mitchell in Jefferson City, MO. On May 14, 1972, Beatrice married Charles Wilson and he survives.

Beatrice was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed going shopping and traveling.

Beatrice is survived by her loving spouse of 42 years, Charles, one daughter, Jerri (Eric) Shepard; two sons, Charles Wilson and Wesley Wilson; three grandchildren, Danielle Shepard, Madison Shepard and Landon Shepard; one brother, Jessie Mitchell and one sister, Alice Lumonion.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Julia Mitchell and two brothers, Raymond Mitchell and Lindell Mitchell.

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

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 30, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home in Benton.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Betty Jean Short, 63, of Christopher, passed away on October 26, 2020 at her home.

She was born on March 29, 1957 in Christopher to James Coy and Mary (Grabarick) Newberry. She married Raymond Short on November 21, 1974 and he preceded her in death on April 19, 2013.

She is survived by her children Marsha (Bruce) Roberts of Sesser, Donny (Amber) Short of Sesser, Darren Short of Christopher and Jonathon Short of Christopher; grandchildren John Matthew Baxter, Tyler Baxter, Lacey Mae Roberts, Braydon James Short, Kyan Michael Short and Ethan Ray Short; one great grandson Matthew Alexander Baxter and one sister Linda Robinson of Colp, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Barbara Pickerill and Shirley Newberry-Robinson and three brothers John Newberry, James Newberry Jr. and Bobby Newberry.

Betty’s wishes were to be cremated. The family will have a Celebration of Life at a later date due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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

Curtis L. Mandrell, 88, of Benton passed peacefully on Oct. 18, 2020 after a short illness.

He was born in Benton, IL on June 5, 1932, the son of Leslie Rufus & Bonnie Mae (Eldridge) Mandrell. He was a member of the Church of Christ. Curt was a loving husband, dad, grandpa & great-grandpa.

A native and lifelong resident of Benton, he would never imagine living anywhere else. It was here that he learned carpentry skills from his father and grandfather. Curt honed these skills to not only make a living, but also generously help many others with his talent. More importantly, his strong faith in God and service to others helped him construct a living legacy as a father, loving husband, church member, and community servant. Curt embodied the apostle Paul’s admonition of Philippians 2:3-4: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Beverly Mandrell, children, Debby (Gary) Kraft, of Benton, Carla Davidson, of Mt. Sterling, KY, Darrell (Jenny) Mandrell, of Mt. Sterling, KY and Bonnie Garza, of San Antonio, TX. He is also surived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Curt was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
Curt was a carpenter for 40 years, 25 of which were spent at SIU.

Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Oct. 31st at the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington, with Steve Reeves officiating.

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

Dorothy J. Wilinkin of Zeigler, Illinois passed into the next life on October 21, 2020, after a short illness.

She was inducted into the National Honor Society in 1948 and enjoyed academic success at the University of Maryland University College, earning a Bachelors Degree magna cum laude. She retired from the federal civil service more than twenty-five years ago. She was an avid piano player and enjoyed playing piano at the church she attended in Zeigler until joining First Christian Church of Royalton.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her late husband, Edward M. Wilinkin, and her first husband, Robert K. Shrake. She was also preceded in death by both of her parents, Virgil and Inos Phifer (nee Hall) and both of her siblings, Margaret Parsons (nee Phifer) and Kenneth Phifer.

She is survived by her four children, Robert Shrake, Brian Shrake, Judy Donegan (nee Shrake), and James Shrake, as well as eleven grandchildren.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Donations to First Christian Church of Royalton in lieu of flowers are encouraged.

Online condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Bertha Erma Lee Conner, 95 went to be with the Lord on October 21, 2020. She passed away at Franklin Hospital with her daughter Katie and husband Jerrel by her side.

Erma Lee was born on April 14, 1925 in Sesser, IL. to Lemuel and Bertha (Rick) Cockrum. She married Wesley V. Conner on July 19, 1942. He passed away on March 23, 2011. They have one surviving daughter, Katie (Jerrel) Dungy of Benton, Il.
Erma Lee was saved at 12 years old and was baptized in the pond behind their house in rural Sesser Illinois. Until her passing she was the oldest member of Rescue Freewill Baptist Church. She was Sunday school clerk for many years and part of those years she and her sister in law, Venita Kern were church custodians. She also was the church pianist for several years. She was best known for her chicken and dumplings.

Erma Lee is survived by her daughter Katie (Jerrel) Dungy, 7 grandchildren, Karen Miller, Rhea Eva (Joey) Hutchcraft, Matt (Andrea) Dungy, Eric (Kelly) Kirk, Tom (Kim) Kirk, Erin (Jason) Bennett, and Molly (Jeff) Minor. 12 great grandchildren, Brandon Hess, Samuel Miller, Shelby (Matt) Anrovandi, Ben (Katlynn) Hutchcraft, Ike Hutchcraft, Liam (Kara) Kirk, Laney, Briley and Eli Kirk, Taylor Noel (Aaron Ballew), Madison Noel, Addie Dungy and 5 great great granchildren, Wesley and Noah Androvani, Oliver Ballew, Knox Minor and Bennett Kirk. One sister Mazie Hamilton and fiance Larry Overturf, and one son in law Kern Kirk. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her husband, parents, 2 infant sisters Nancy May and Margaret Fay, 2 daughters Ruth Kirk and Paula Tate, and great grandson Zach Dungy, 4 half brothers Edgar, Loren, and Virgil Griffin. Brothers Frank and Coy I. Cockrum, 4 sisters, Rada Reynolds, Dorothy Conner, Afton Lampley and Nellie Rosemary Smith.

Visitation will be held on Friday October 23, 2020 at Rescue Freewill Baptist Church in Whittington, Il. from 6:00-8:00 pm with funeral services on Saturday October 24, 2020 at the church at 11:00 with visitation at 10:00 until time of service. Burial will be in the Franklin Cemetery in Whittington.

We ask that you be considerate of others and practice social distancing. Masks are recommended, and will be made available upon request.

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

Blake Sullivan, age 53, of Bonnie, passed away at 9:55 a.m. Friday, October 16, 2020 at his mother’s home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Brandon Houseworth officiating. Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery East of Akin. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Due to Health Concerns related to COVID-19: Visitation and Funeral services are limited to 50 people at one time; facial coverings are required; and social distancing should be observed. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Blake was born on March 7, 1967 in Benton; the son of Melvin Sullivan and Pam (Morgan) Sullivan.

He was a graduate of BCHS Class of 1985. He served his country in the U.S. Army, and he was a construction worker.

Blake was an avid sports fan, enjoyed music, playing strat-o-matic baseball; but most of all enjoyed spending time with his daughters and granddaughter.

Surviving is his loving mother Pam Tippitt and husband John of Bonnie; his father Melvin Sullivan and wife Linda of West City; three daughters Chelsea Sullivan and fiancée Matt Johnson of Wheaton, IL, Paige Sullivan of Royalton, Peighton Sullivan of Benton; a great-granddaughter Hadley Blake Sullivan; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Floyd Morgan and Patsy Connor; and his paternal grandparents Howard and Bertha Sullivan.

Memorial contributions in memory of Blake, may be made to the ALS Association, and will be accepted at the funeral home, or if donor’s wish to give electronically at donations@alsa-national.org.

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