Phyllis J. Crider, 71, of Benton, passed away at 4:46 a.m., on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Herrin Hospital.

She was born on September 15, 1948, at home, R.R. 2, in Thompsonville, IL. She was the daughter of Jim and Roxie (Duckworth) Reed, along with her siblings, James Everette Reed, Norma Jean (Reed) Lance, Mary Louise (Reed) Brown and Bobby D. Reed. She married Jack Crider on April 3, 1971, in Mt. Vernon. They were blessed with 49 years of marriage. Together they had two daughters and one son, Rhonda, Jacque and Mark.

Mrs. Crider is survived by her husband, Jack E. Crider; daughters, Rhonda K. Crider and fiancé Mike Matzker, of Benton, Jacque R. Farr, and husband, Dempsey Farr Jr. of Benton and son Mark A. Crider of Marion; grandchildren, Torey Pulliam and wife Raquel of Sesser, Ricky Corn and wife Haley of Benton, Tarron Pulliam and wife Makayla of Benton, Dustin Hayes of Benton, Brittany Patterson and husband Sean of Hinesville, GA, Mady Wallace of Benton, Travis Richardson of Dix and Tabor Pulliam of Benton; great-grandchildren, Tayleigh and Lucy Pulliam, August Rich, Peyton and Zaiha Pulliam, Tyson Farr, Carson White, and Easton Corn; a brother, Bobby D. Reed and wife Mary Lou of Hendersonville, TN, their children, Rick Reed and Julie Angel (Zachary) Bruce and one sister, Mary Brown of Benton, her children, Alicia Graves, Doug (Clyde) Barnhill and Rodney Barnhill; nephews, Jamie, John and Joel Reed and nieces, Becky (Reed) Hillis and Sharon Lance; and several great-nieces and great-nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Roxie Reed; one brother, James Everette Reed and wife Carolyn; one sister, Norma Jean (Reed) Lance and husband Roscoe Lance; two brother-in-laws, Clyde Barnhill and Eugene Brown; one nephew, Terry Zachary; and one great-nephew, Scott M. McDonough.

Mrs. Crider was a member of the Benton Church of God/New Life Church for 40 years. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, singing, writing songs, short stories and poems. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

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

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Earl Minson, officiating. Burial will follow funeral services at Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL.

Phase 4 guidelines will be in effect. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time. We ask that everyone wears a mask and please use social distancing guidelines.

Memorials may be made in Mrs. Crider’s honor to the Alzheimers Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Ronald Dean Niblett, 80, of Christopher, IL, passed away peacefully at home at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.

Ronald was born December 25, 1939 in Christopher to Avery and Alta (Williams) Niblett.

He married Judith Marie McGhee on August 3, 1961. She survives of Christopher.

He is also survived by his children, Lisa Murphy, Timothy Niblett, Mark Niblett, and Crystal (Scott) Dagner, grandchildren, Alexis Murphy, Ashley (Adam) Swon, Lindsey (John Wilson) Niblett, Brandi (Taylor) Adams, Mathew (Kayla) Niblett, Sabrina (Omar) Mendez, Destiny Niblett, Cole Dagner, and Levi Dagner, great-grandchildren, Alexis Swon, Avery Niblett, Tristin Adams, Abby Adams, Piper Adams, Kaiden Niblett, Myla Niblett, Jaden Mendez, and Daniel Mendez.

Ronald is also survived by sisters, Betty (Ken) Jones, Billie VanZandt, sister-in-law Marietta Niblett, several nieces and nephews, lifelong friends, a special niece, Suzanne Crain, friend, Gary Dean VanZandt, and special girls, Bailey and Reagan Gilbert.

Ronald was preceeded in death by his parents Avery Niblett and Alta Niblett Cherry, step-father, Ira Cherry, sisters, Mildred Hagen and Margaret Pasquino, brothers, Howard and Donald Niblett, and two special brothers-in-law, Doy VanZandt and Bob McGhee.

Ronald graduated from Christopher High School in 1957 and was a lifelong resident of Christopher. He retired from Old Ben Coal Mine in West Frankfort. Ronald was active in the class of 1957 reunion committee. He was a member of the Christopher American Legion where he liked to play pinochle with his buddies. He worked for the City of Christopher for many years both as an alderman and the building and zoning inspector. Ronald was an avid Cardinals fan. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandkids. Ronald was a member of the New Life Church of God in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at Gilbert Funeral Home on Thursday, July 23 with the Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. The funeral will begin at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Harry Howard Thomas, 84, of Buckner, passed away on Sunday July 19, 2020 at home, with her wife of 64 years, Christina, by his side.

Harry was born on May 30, 1936 in West Frankfort to David and Beulah Thomas. He was raised in Buckner and married his high school sweetheart Mary Christina (Simion) Thomas on April 12, 1956.

Harry proudly served 20 years in the United States Navy. His Navy career took him all over the world but Buckner was always home.

After returning to Southern Illinois, Harry finished his career at Old Ben Mine # 26. He happily retired to his favorite full time job, Grandpa.

Harry spent many years in his garage/shop with an open door for neighbors to stop and visit. He always had a project and would tinker for hours in his shop.

Harry loved to read, fish, ride his scooter and drive his jeep.

Harry is survived by his wife Christina; his son Chris (Launa) Thomas of Christopher, son and daughter-in-law Scott (Amanda) Thomas of Mulkeytown; grandchildren Zach (Katie) Thomas, Kati (Steve) Borta of Sesser, Matt (Leigh Ann) Thomas of Akin and Samantha (Trevor) Reeves of Mulkeytown; great grandchildren Jaxon Borta, Charley Borta, Evan Thomas, Ryleigh Thomas, Lela Thomas, Lexton Thomas, Ledger Thomas and Madilynn Reeves; sister-in-law Joann Thomas of Yuaipa, CA; brother-in-law Andy Wilson of Christopher.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Bette Thomas, brother David A. Thomas, step sister Valier Wilson and one infant son.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday July 22, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Andy Wilson officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Mr. Paul David McPherson, age 53, of Benton, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020 at the Lake Cove Resort of Whittington, with family by his side.

Paul’s wishes are to be cremated.

Phase 4 Restore allows fifty attendees using social distancing guidelines, which includes wearing a mask.
A Memorial Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Paul David McPherson was born on May 17, 1967 in Watseka, IL; the son of David Daniel Bennett and Lillie Marie McPherson.

He was a welder, last working at Southern Illinois Storm Shelters of Benton. He attended the Immanuel Baptist Church.

Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying drones, doing yard work, taking care of his animals especially his dogs, helping people, and most of all enjoyed spending time with family.

Paul is survived by his longtime partner Shawnda Jenkins and her son Kabe Jenkins and wife Nicole and their children Finn and Charlotte; a son Cameron Blackwell; siblings including: a sister Violeta and Dennis Higgins, a brother Billy Bennett and wife Cathy, brother David Bennett and wife Kim, a sister Irene Giroux, a brother Matt Giroux and wife Melody, a sister Angie Bennett, a brother William McPherson and wife Kristina, a sister Maleatha Giroux; 26 nieces, 32 nephews, and several loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father David Daniel Bennett, his step-father Allen Merle Giroux, his mother Lillie Marie Giroux.

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

Lisa Rea Loucks, 51, of Sesser, formerly of Christopher passed away on July 11, 2020 at 9:17 PM.

She was born on June 16, 1969 in Pinckneyville, IL to George and Sandra (Moore) Murch. She married Marc Loucks on October 22, 2005 and he survives of Sesser.

She is survived by her parents George and Sandra Murch of Christopher; husband Marc Loucks of Sesser; three children Brent Ullman of Grand Tower, IL, Austin (Samantha) Loucks of Christopher and Azure Loucks of Sesser; two sisters Jacque (Bill) Matyi of Johnston City, Il and Trisha Pheasant of Carterville, IL and several nieces and nephews.

Lisa raised and loved Ragdoll cats.

Funeral services will be on Thursday July 16, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Jay Kelly officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday July 15, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser.

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

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