Clint Andrew Sullins-Sesser, IL

Clint Andrew Sullins, 52, of Sesser, passed away on June 18, 2020.

He was born on July 11, 1967 in Chicago Heights, IL to Henry and Sandra (Stilts) Sullins Jr.

He is survived by his mother Sandra Sullins of Sesser; fiancé Lynnette Jones of Sesser; three children Kristen (Ryan) Tobicoe of Hobart, IN, Taylor Sullins of Portage, IN and Cole Andrew Sullins of Portage, IN; one grandson Landon Tobicoe of Hobart, IN; one sister Tina Ricci of Sesser; one brother Jason (Kristina) Sullins of Naperville, IL and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Henry Sullins Jr.

He was a construction worker and loved to ride Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.

Graveside services will be on Monday June 22, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL with Pastor Jordan Bird officiating.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is handling arrangements.

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

Lenora Faye Kraft – Benton, IL

Lenora Faye Kraft, 92, of Benton, IL passed away Thursday morning June 18, 2020 at the Benton Rehab & Health Care Center.

She was born in Franklin County on June 10, 1928, the daughter of Harry and Iva (Wilson) Struble. She married Arlie Sam Kraft.

Mrs. Kraft was a school cook for several years. She also worked at Town & Country. Mrs. Kraft along with her husband loved camping, family and grandchildren.

Mrs. Kraft is survived by her husband of 73 years, Arlie Sam Kraft of Benton; four sons, Sam Kraft, of Benton, Gary Kraft, and wife Debby, of Benton, Scott Kraft, of Benton and Chris Kraft, and wife Teresa, of Benton; grandchildren Jeffifer Kraft, Brandon Kraft, and wife Samantha, Cody Kraft and wife Christine, Sheena Kraft, Courtney Kraft, Mike Kraft, and fiancee Mercedes and Samantha Kraft. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.

Mrs. Kraft was preceded in death by her parents, daughter-in-law, Linda Kraft, two brothers and three sisters.
A private family visitation will be held. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 20th at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Irene (Rozenski) Wisnoski – Sesser, IL

Irene (Rozenski) Wisnoski, 95, of Sesser, IL passed away peacefully on June 17, 2020 at Winfield Woods Health Care in Winfield, IL.

Beloved wife of the late Mike Wisnoski, Irene is survived by her daughters Paula Polak (Michael) of Chicago, IL, Patricia Fiorino (Steve Shapiro) of Winfield, IL, and Charlotte Conner (David) of Champaign, IL; her six grandchildren: Lisa and Jason Polak, Katie (Matt Roberts) Fiorino and Connie (Ethan Luke) Fiorino, and Brooke (Zachariah Burton) Conner and Julie (Andrew) Ohanesian; and her four great grandchildren, Beatrix Luke, Quinn Burton, Oliver Fiorino, and Clyde Ohanesian.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Mike Wisnoski, her parents, Bill and Anna Rozenski, her brother, Paul (Edna and Lorraine) Rozenski and sister, Carolene (Michael) Powenski.

Irene was born on October 15, 1924. She and her mother owned and operated Rozenski Grocery until its closure in 1980. While he was delivering milk to her store, she met her husband, Mike Wisnoski. They married on November 2, 1946 and remained devoted to each other until his death on April 6, 2013.
Rozenski Grocery was a special place for the people of Sesser when they were struggling with unemployment or having difficult times because Irene and her mother sold food on credit for those needing the help. No interest was charged. Customers could pay their grocery bills when they went back to work.

She spent her life in service to her family. She and Mike built a home on Lucretia Street across the street from her mother’s house. In that home, they raised their three daughters and later hosted countless family gatherings with their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren, who returned to Sesser for holiday and for Sesser Homecoming. Irene’s home was decorated with photos of weddings, birthdays, and other events, creating her own small museum of her family’s adventures throughout the years.
A devout Catholic, Irene was a member of St. Mary’s Church and was a member of the Altar Society. She was a devoted caregiver to her mother and her husband in their later years.

The family would like to thank the staff at Winfield Woods Healthcare and ALC Hospice for their compassionate care.

Private Graveside services will be held at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 1 pm. Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the Sesser-Valier Ministerial Alliance and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Thomas Franklin Chitwood – Ava, IL

Thomas Franklin Chitwood, Sr, 61, of Ava, passed away at 5:55 p.m.on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

He was born on July 14, 1958, to Walter “Bud” Chitwood and JoAnn (Rider) Williamson in Christopher, IL. He married Elizabeth Poe and she survives.

Thomas is survived by his mother, JoAnn Williamson; wife, Elizabeth Chitwood; two children, Tammy Bohn and Thomas Chitwood, Jr; a brother, Bobby Chitwood; two sisters, Carolina Murphy and Anita Drury; five grandchildren, Cortney, Trevor, Cody, Maddie and Abby; two great-grandchild, Wyatt and Oaklynn; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter “Bud” Chitwood and one grandson, Bradley Chitwood.

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

Per Thomas’ wishes cremation will take place.

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

David C. Smothers – Marion, IL (formerly of Sesser, IL)

David C. Smothers, 50 of Marion, passed Thursday, June 11, 2020.

David grew up in Sesser, IL. He was a Graduate of SIU, Carbondale and spent his entire career in the tire industry. He traveled extensively all over the globe and made many friends. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He was born on December 18, 1969 in Pinckneyville, Il to Cyril Leon and Gayla (Roberts) Smothers. He married Tricia (Bruner) Smothers and she survives of Marion.

In the past six years, he met the love of his life and gained a son, who he absolutely loved wholeheartedly. He thought he missed the window of having children, and was grateful he got to fulfill the role of father.

He is survived by his wife Tricia Smothers of Marion; son Peyton Wall of Marion; mother Gayla Smothers of Sesser; sister Pamela (Kevin) Cummings of Mt Vernon; two brother-in-law’s BJ Bruner of Collinsville, IL and Bryan (Jenny) Bruner of Marion, IL.
He was preceded in death by his father Cyril Leon Smothers.
Private graveside services will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Rev. Jim Slone officiating.
David kept in contact with everyone he ever met since Kindergarten. He had a great sense of humor, a gift for gab, and wore his heart on his sleeve. He will be greatly missed by so many.

In lieu of flowers, an education fund has been set up for Peyton. He was looking foward to watching him become a successful human and often discussed where he would like him to go to college.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Marguerite Yvonne Matyi – Christopher, IL

Marguerite Yvonne Matyi, 86, of Christopher, Illinois passed away peacefully with her family by her side at 7:30 AM, Saturday, June 6, 2020.

A private funeral mass will be on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 11 AM at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Christopher, IL. Graveside services for Marguerite will be at 12 PM at the St. Andrew Catholic Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Andrew Chapel Fund, 412 E. Washington, Christopher, Il or CAYA (Christopher Area Youth Association), c/o Thomas House, 403 N. Ward, Christopher, IL. Gilbert Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Visit our website www.gilbertsfuneralhome.com.

Marguerite was born on August 20, 1933, in Christopher, Illinois to Henry and Carmen (Maniez) Bedar. She was the sister to two brothers, Rennie Bedar and Henry Bedar Jr., whom she greatly adored. She met the love of her life Albert Matyi on a Grey Hound bus coming home from her job at General Telephone. Their romance took off and they were married on April 1, 1952. It really took off!!

She is survived by her children Mike and Jenni Matyi, Benton, Steve and Sara Matyi, Mulkeytown, Beth and Kevin Davie, Johnston City, Janie and Randy Rowland, Mulkeytown, Francie and Rodney Fourez, Christopher and David Matyi, Mulkeytown, her grandchildren Thomas and Erin House, Christopher, Bill and Jacque Matyi, Johnston City, Joe House, Murrieta, California, Kevin Davie Jr, Johnston City, Meghan and Chad Dirler, Duquoin, Lindsi and Josh Downs, Duquoin, Nick and Molly Davie, Johnston City, Rodney and Katie Fourez, Swansea, Jared Fourez, Christopher, Katie and Eric Peradotto, Pickneyville, Loghan Matyi, Christopher and her great granchildren, Drake and Will Matyi, Max and Kylie Davie, Matyi and Mallory House, Londyn and Saylor Dirler, Jack and Addison Downs, Athena Fourez, Jase and Owen Fourez, Fisher and Lainey Peradotto, and Knox Davie. So many cousins and nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Also her beloved God children, Debbie Kretz and Mark Kirkpatrick.

Sadly Marguerite lost the love of her life, her husband Albert Matyi on November 19, 1973 and exactly 28 years later on the same day, her beloved daughter Cheryl (Sissy) House in 2001. She was preceded in death by both of her parents and her brothers.

Marguerite, also known as GMA to many, will always be remembered as a huge Chicago Cubs fan and fortunately was able to see her Cubs win the World Series in 2016. She was a huge supporter of the Christopher Bearcats and enjoyed spending time with her classmates. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She loved to pray her rosary daily and always made of list of those who needed special prayers. To us she was a legend in her own time.

Although she will be missed greatly by her family and friends we are comforted knowing that she is with Albert and Sissy and all of her loved ones in heaven.

Rodney L.”Bootsie” Boots — Benton, IL

Rodney L.”Bootsie” Boots, 66, of Benton, passed away at 5:40 a.m., on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at Benton Health Care and Rehab Center, surrounded by his loving family.

Rodney was born on May 29, 1954, to Herman Boots and Bessie (Boner) Lampley in Danville, IL. On August 29, 1976, he married Jenny K.Battin, and she preceded him in death.

He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Bootsie enjoyed being around people and had a passion for working on vehicles from mechanics to auto body. He liked singing karaoke.

Rodney is survived two sons, Jamie (Heather) Miller of Carterville and Rodney Beasley of KY; two daughters, Patti (Jim) Miller of Benton and Sheresa (Ralph) Taylor of Benton and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Boots and Bessie Lampley, his wife, Jenny K. Boots, a son, Curtis Boots, three brothers, Phillip Boots, Charles Boots and Steve Boots and one sister, Twana Jacobs.

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

Per Rodney’s wishes cremation will take place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Pate Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral costs.

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

Sue Rumisek – Thompsonville, IL

Mrs. Susan Marie Rumisek, age 71, of Thompsonville, passed away at 12:36 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2020 at her home.

Mrs. Rumsiek’s wishes were to be cremated. Burial will be at a later date at the Calvary Cemetery in Steger, IL.
The Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, is in charge of arrangements.

Susan Marie Rumisek was born on February 22, 1949 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Lawrence C. Fuller and Eleanor M. (Cummings) Fuller. She married Charles Paul “Chuck” Rumisek on February 11, 1967, and he survives.

She was a retired manager with Signature Group Insurance, affiliated with Montgomery Wards.

Sue was of the Catholic Faith.

She enjoyed gardening and cooking. She loved animals, especially her dogs and horses. She was a former dog breeder and even had show dogs. Sue liked trees; especially magnolia, peach and apple trees. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Mrs. Rumisek is survived by her loving husband of 53 years Charles “Chuck” Rumisek; two daughters: Lisa Marie DeGuido and husband Dean of Manhattan, IL, Danielle K. Marquardt and husband Jeremy of McLeansboro; five grandchildren: Nathan, Nicholas, Kyla, Stephanie, and Mia; three great-grandchildren: Rae-Lynn, Brielle, and Knox; five siblings: Michael Schodrof of Midlothian, IL, Robert Schodrof of Crown Point, IN, Dorothy Beatty of Sequin, TX, Jean Berger of Orland Park, IL, Jennifer Heemstra of Tinley Park, IL; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews; and her seven furry friends: Cabi, Missy, Hope, Chewy, Casey, Sarge, and Dancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter Amy Louise; three siblings Karen Harris, Donald Schodrof, and Mary Schodrof.

Memorial contributions may be made in the form of planting a tree In Memory of Sue. Her favorite tree is a Magnolia.

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

William Arthur “Sonny” Bunton – Sesser, IL

William Arthur “Sonny” Bunton, 86, of Sesser, passed away on June 2, 2020 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Sonny was born Sept. 7, 1933 in Sesser to Eddie and Marie (Clapp) Bunton. On Sept. 4, 1955 he married Marjorie L. (Thompson) Bunton, to this union three children were born, W. Ralph (Cathy) Bunton, Virginia F. McCann and Mona L. (Mark) Lappin.

He was Papaw to 8 grandchildren, Rachel (Cory) Bailey, Ross (Liz) Bunton, Matthew (Brittany) Lappin, Jared Blaylock, Josh (Jenny) Bunton, Marcus (Reed) Lappin, J.B. McCann and Jake (Britt) McCann, 12 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. Sonny proudly serviced his country in Korea and Japan in the Army.

He was a lifelong member of Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church. A 62-year member of Sesser-Goode Masonic Lodge and worked at Old Ben #21 for 33 years. His high school motto was “Be willing and ready to help” served him his whole life. He never met a stranger and was a champion “roadkill” (tools, sunglasses, etc.) scavenger.

Sonny had many great friends and neighbors and the family would like to thank all those who checked up on him in past few years. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Darline (Harry) McNeil, and several other family members.

Private graveside services will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. The family would like to thank the staff at SIH hospital for their compassion and care. Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.

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

Theresa Kesler-Christopher, IL

Theresa Kesler, 89, passed away on May 31, 2020 at Stonebridge Nursing Home in Benton, IL.

She was born on January 25, 1931 in Christopher, IL to Edward and Antonia (Luchiaski) Nowacki. She married Stanley Kesler in 1951 and he preceded her in death on December 5, 1998.

She is survived by her children David (Sharon) Kesler and Mary Ann Kesler both of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers Raymond Nowacki, Frank Nowacki and three sisters Gertrude Pasziewicz, Bernice Pulley and Florence Dick.

She was a member of the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher.

Private Funeral Mass will be held at the St Andrews Catholic Church with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

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

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News