Danielle Nicole Reynolds, 36 years of age, of the Benton area, died at 5 a.m. Sunday, August 2, 2020, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL after a lengthy hospitalization.

Danielle was born June 6, 1984, and is the daughter of Gary and Bette Reynolds of Benton.

Danielle is survived by her parents, one brother, Brandon Reynolds, a niece and a nephew, as well as fiancé, Brian Giberti. She is also survived by three aunts, JoAnn Garner and Joyce (Kent) Hodge of Sesser, Gayla Stubblefield of Mt. Vernon, and one uncle Richard (Carolyn) Stubblefield of Mt. Vernon.

Cousins left to mourn her passing are Nancy (Paul) Glaser, Dr. Kevin (Myjal) Garner, Kara (Karl) Silge, Kendall (Claire) Garner, Michelle Davis, Lenise (Steve) Sgutt, and Jennifer (Dr. Edward) Lobenhofer.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Ingram and Thelma Morgan, maternal grandparents Willie and Hazel Stubblefield, two dear aunts, Carolyn Sue Stubblefield and Donna Lampley, and a cousin Sara Elizabeth Stubblefield.

Danielle lived several years in the northeastern United States, and returned to southern Illinois when her health began to fail a few years ago.
Visitation and funeral for Danielle will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2020, with visitation from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, with Pastor John Plunkett officiating.

Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

The coronavirus protocol will be followed at the visitation and funeral with masks required.

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

Loretta Odom, 91, of Benton, passed away at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at Helia Healthcare in Benton, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on December 14, 1928, to Seburn and Ethel (Ward) Neal at Frisco, IL. On July 24, 1948, she married James P. Odom, and they were blessed with a devoted marriage of 68 years until his death on October 7, 2016.

Loretta was a successful Avon sales representative for 20 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Benton where she served as coordinator of bereavement dinners and a Sunday School teacher for many years. Her church family was very important to her. She was also a member of the Franklin County Home Bureau. Loretta enjoyed canning vegetables with her grandchildren, spending time with her family, having them over for dinner and celebrating birthdays and holidays together.

Loretta is survived by her two children, Karen (Bill) Hodges of Denver, CO and Brad Odom of Logan; four grandchildren, Emily (Victor) Munoz of Benton, Benji(Leslie) Odom of Ewing, Molly (Brandon) Koester of Benton and Jay Hodges of Tacoma, WA; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Faye Klosowski of Milwaukee, WI and several dearly loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Seburn and Ethel Neal, husband, James P. Odom, a grandson, Josh Odom, a granddaughter, Jennifer Hodges, a great-grandson, Deegan Odom, four brothers and four sisters.

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

Graveside services will be held on Monday, August 3, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Mark Minor, officiating.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the caregivers at Helia Healthcare who have helped take care of Loretta.

A recording of the graveside service will be available for viewing on Pate Funeral Home’s website.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church and may be mailed to 203 W. Church St., Benton, IL 62812.

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

Betty Jean Swink, 87, of Christopher, passed away on Sunday July 26, 2020 at her home.

She was born on January 8, 1933 in Dongola, IL to Fleatus Elmer and Mertie Estus (Adams) Corzine. She married Leavell Swink on June 4, 1966 and he preceded her in death on August 20, 2000.

Betty is survived by her son Bradford (Donella) Swink of Mulkeytown; nieces and nephews Sandra Lewis, Karen (David) Reininger, James (Yolanda) Corzine; great niece Angela Schrum; great nephews Andrew Lewis, David Karraker, Brandon Reininger and several great great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Maribelle Karraker and Marjory Corzine; one brother Byford Corzine and one sister-in-law Barbara Corzine, one nephew Gary Karraker and one niece Rhonda Corzine.

She was a homemaker, and had worked for Smoot Oil Company in Dongola and she was a bookkeeper for U-Save Office Furniture that her and her husband owned. She was a member of the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher and was a Sunday school teacher and played the piano. She was also a member of the Christopher Women’s Club, Jolly Jill’s, and the Red Hatter’s.

Funeral services for Betty Swink will be on Thursday July 30, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Christopher with Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the church. Burial will follow at the Mt Olive Cemetery in Dongola, IL.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Faith Missionary Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available at the church.

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

Terry Lynn “TL” Stowers, 74, of Benton, passed away at 1:51 p.m., on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

He was born on July 14, 1946, to Floyd and Faye (Hammonds) Stowers in Benton, IL. On June 12, 1971, he married the former Marcia Davis. Mr. Stowers was a United States Marines Veteran serving during the Vietnam War. He worked at the Waltonville Orient #3 Mine and Farmersville Crown #3 Mine for 22 years.

Terry was a member of West City Baptist Church, Benton, VFW Post 2671, U.M.W.A. Local 12 and Local 9111. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. TL was an avid reader, enjoyed his TV shows, the outdoors and spending time in Pope County, tinkering with electronics, cars, tractors, he was known as Mr. Fix It. Terry had a smile on his face and never knew a stranger.

Mr. Stowers is survived by his loving spouse of 49 years, Marcia L. Stowers; one son, Derek Stowers and wife Sarah of Benton, IL; three grandsons, Logan Stowers, Lenox Stowers and Lance Stowers; one sister, Brenda Welborn, Marion, IL; one brother, Lindell Lee Stowers and wife Marty of Mt. Vernon, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main St., Benton, IL.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2020, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hammonds Cemetery, Disabled American Vets or to the donor’s favorite charity, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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