William Harold Howe, age 91, of Macedonia, passed away at 10:20 a.m. Monday, October 12, 2020 at the VA Medical Center in Marion.

Mr. Howe’s wishes were to be cremated with no public services.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. Howe was born on September 9, 1929 in Watseka, IL; the son of Wayne Harold Howe and Bernice (Conner) Howe. He married the former Louella Hamlin on April 19, 1974, and together they shared 46 years of marriage.

He proudly served his country first in the U.S. Coast Guard, later he transferred to the United States Army Air Corps, and later the U.S. Air Force.

He was the self-employed owner and operator of Howe Body Shop, where he enjoyed working and tinkering on cars.

After suffering a stroke that forced his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed their daily trips to McDonald’s to visit with friends.

Surviving is his loving wife Louella Howe of Macedonia; his biological children: Michael Howe of Benton and his children Gene, Veronica, Natalie, Jessica, and Jennifer; William Howe of Herrin and his children Holly, Garrett, and Craig; Claudia Moore of West Frankfort and her children Amy, Stacy, Michael and Joshua; Louella’s three children: David Franklin of Benton, Paul Franklin of Pureyear, TN, and Tracy Howe of Akin; two grandchildren: William C. Burcham and Wayne H. Howe; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Robert Howe.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Howe, may be made to the organization of the donor’s choice.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mr. William H. Howe; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

James Norman Isom 64 passed away Monday October 12, 2020 at his home in Christopher Illinois with his wife , son, daughter in law and special friends by his side.

James was born July 18, 1956 to Betty Ann (Spencer) Isom. James spent most of his life working as a brick mason, he was an avid outdoorsman and loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycles.

James ( Jim) leaves behind his wife Carol A (Hayes) Isom , son Charlie James Isom and wife Andi Jo of Christopher IL, son Daniel Furlong and wife Shannan of Chesapeake VA, grandchildren Brandon Isom, Stephanie Isom, Gavin Price and Cannon Furlong as well as other family and friends. James is preceded in death by his mother Betty Ann Isom , sister Julie D Isom and granparents Norman and Georgia Spencer.

It was James’s wishes to be cremated with no funeral service. James’s wife Carol plans to hold a celebration of life gathering for family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Gilbert’s funeral home to assist in final expenses.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Maria Sophia “Sophie” Adamson, 93, of Valier passed away on Sunday October 11, 2020 at StoneBridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Benton, Illinois.

Sophie was born in Dresden, Germany on October 6, 1927. Born to Maria Launhardt and Heinrich Stock. She grew up in Germany where she was a proof reader at a publishing company. On April 9, 1952 she married Henry M. Adamson of Greenup, Illinois, who preceded her in death September 27, 2000. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. As a naturalized citizen of the United States and the wife of a career military soldier, she assumed the roles of mother and father during Henry’s deployments overseas. Sophie moved with her family to Valier and had resided there since December 1964. After moving to Valier, she was employed as a seamstress in Country Set sewing factory in Du Quoin, Illinois and later began her home sewing business. As a professional seamstress, she made everything from everyday clothing to creating gowns for proms, homecomings, and weddings. She also made cheerleading uniforms for many of the local schools. She enjoyed raising many farm animals, gardening, and canning. Later in life, she enjoyed reading, flower gardening, sewing, knitting doilies, and embroidery. Throughout life, Sophie engaged in travel adventures in the United States and the world, including Germany, Australia, Turkey, and Thailand to name a few.
Sophie’s brother, Gunther preceded her in death and his wife Desley resides in Brisbane, Australia

Sophie had two daughters and two sons:
Dorothee “Dee” Merkle, who preceded her in death, husband Phillip Merkle, Boone, Iowa
Emily and husband, Steve Mickelwait, Haymarket, Virginia
Michael Adamson, Valier, Illinois
Thomas “Tom Tom” Adamson, who preceded her in death.
Grandchildren include:
Michael Kelly and wife, Sarah and their children; Kilian and Keira
Katherine Mackenzie and husband, Patrick and children; Hayden, Andrew, and Will
Julie Greonig and husband, Jake and children; Erin and Louis
William Merkle
Kyle Mickelwait and wife Rae and children; Hayley, Owen, and Adam
Leigh Anne Mullins and husband Matt and children; Madison, Max, Millie, Morgan, and Maverick
Nikolette Burgett and husband David and children; Aurora, Bridget and husband Dalton and their children: Channing, Delilah, and Isabella
Mitchell Adamson and wife Rasheal and daughter Samantha
Megan Adamson and wife Ashley

Chrystal Edith Hale, 99, of Benton, passed away at 6:25 a.m., Monday, October 12, 2020, at Benton Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Benton, IL.

She was born on November 27, 1920, to Howard and Kate (Johnson) Biddle in Macedonia, IL. Chrystal married Roy Eugene Hale and he preceded her in death.

Chrystal is survived by her loving children, Roy Lee Hale of Benton and Helen Farkas of West Frankfort; four grandchildren, Kevin Farkas, Debbie Schultz, Cindy Rundloff and Randy Hale; and many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Kate Biddle, her husband, Roy Eugene Hale, a son, Paul Dean Hale, a brother, Harry Dean Biddle, a daughter, Shirley Holdren and a sister, Lois Waller.

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

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 12:30 p.m., at the Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL, with the Reverend Derrik Cairel, officiating.

Memorials may be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

DoLores Brincivalli, 91, of Benton formerly of Dolton, IL passed away on October 6, 2020 at the Franklin Hospital.

She was born on January 3, 1929 in Riverdale, IL to Louis and Evelyn (Lenover) Martens. She married Dario Brincivalli on January 10, 1948 and he preceded her in death on December 5, 1982.

She is survived by her daughters Vicki (Hal) Harrington of New Lenox, IL and Linda Dawe of Valier; three grandchildren Ray Wise of New Lenox, IL, Sean (Jodie) Dawe of Christopher and Angela (Chuck) Brown of Winchester, IL; four great grandchildren Jaden, Landree, Tyson and Carson and one sister Joan David of Tinley Park.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother Ron Martens and son-in-law George Dawe.

She worked 26 years as a secretary at Dr. Iwanetz office. She loved her grandchildren, great grandchildren and the Chicago Cubs.

Funeral Mass will be on Saturday October 10, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St Andrews Building Trust Fund. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Barbara J. DeGroff, age 76, of Batavia, IL, formerly of Logan, IL passed away peacefully Saturday, October 3, 2020 at her home in Batavia.

She was born July 27, 1944, the daughter of Edgar Betine and Elsie Betine (Summers).

On March 8, 1963 she married Paul V. DeGroff and he preceded her in death on April 2, 1999. Barbara worked for a number of years at Burgess Norton in Geneva and Dukane Corp in St. Charles until she retired in 2009.
She is survived by one of her three children Darren DeGroff (Lori), Batavia, IL aswell as by Brent (Amy), Evernden, Friendswood, TX who was like a son to her. She is also survived by her two siblings, Ronnie (Dana) Betine, Logan, IL and Brenda Smith, Johnston City,IL. She leaves behind uncles and an aunt, Kenneth (Judy) Summers and Charles Ford as well as a number of cousins. Also left to grieve are two brothers-in-law, Ronald (Mary) Corbin and John Neil (Karen) Spilman.

She leaves to mourn her passing eleven neices and nephews, Michael (Pam) Betine, Rhonda (John) Schaper, Rebecca (Tony) Bevier, Richard (Angela) Smith, Karla Corbin, Jason (Casey) Smith, Damien Dawson (Kelly), Connie Smith, Derek Dawson, Andrea McMahon and Geoff Kaak, as well as a number of great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Elsie Betine, her husband, Paul V. DeGroff, and children Debra DeGroff and Daniel DeGroff.
She collected butterflies and could regularly be found crocheting, reading, playing word games and puzzles. She enjoyed watching all the birds that would accumulate on the birdfeeders in her back yard. She was a lover of dogs and had at least one most of her life, she will be missed by Winnie, Gracie, Roxy and Cooper.

A Visitation for Barbara will be Tuesday, October 6, 2020 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street (Rt 38) Geneva, IL. There will also be a visitation on Thursday, October 8 from 9 am until the time of her funeral service at 11:00 am at Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL 301 S Main St, Benton, IL 62812., with the Reverend Ryan Mulvany Officiating services.

Burial will be in Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton immediately following the funeral.

In lieu of flowers memorials would be appreciated to Starfish Animal Rescue, 167 Oswalt Ave, Batavia, IL 60510.