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

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, 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, 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.

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

Eddie Jones, 64, of Thompsonville, passed away at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2020, at his home, surrounded with by his family and loved ones, after a short battle with cancer.

He was born on July 23, 1955, to Ervin “Red” Jones and Goldie (Roberts) Payne in Christopher. On July 26, 1975, he married Debbie Kay Lucas, and she survives.

Eddie was a truck driver for 47 years and a true 4th generation cowboy. He was an avid team roper and passed on his love for horses and the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. He lived and loved the western lifestyle, but most of all, he loved his family.

Eddie is survived by his loving spouse of 45 years, Debbie, one son, Scott (Tami) Jones of Thompsonville; one daughter, Stacy (Josh) Pribble of Thompsonville; three grandchildren, Karley Jones, Wiley Jones and Alan Pribble; three brothers, Ty Jones of Benton, Tim (Lisa) Jones of Benton and David (Tammy) DeSpain of Thompsonville; one sister, Yvonne Fry of Thompsonville; mother and father-in-law, Steve and Judith Crane of Thompsonville; six brother and sister-in-laws, Terri Jones of Christopher, Jackie (Larry) Wyskiel of Benton, James “Bo” (Sandy) Shortland of Karber Ridge, Margie (Brian) Perkins of Louisburg, NC, Wendi Lee of Thompsonville and Ben “Doug” (Lisa) Schram of Tallahassee, FL; two uncles, Carl Roberts of Whittington and Cecil Roberts of Mt. Vernon; a very special aunt and uncle, Walter and Maxine Smith of Cahokia and many nieces, nephews and cousins

He was preceded in death by his father, Ervin “Red” Jones, mother, Goldie Payne, step-mother, Carolyn Wilson, step-father, Carl Payne, grandfather, Clarence Jones, grandmother, Estaleda “Peggy” Jones, step-grandfather, Darr Jones, father-in-law, Cletus “Red” Schram and two brother-in-laws, Ronnie Shortland and Cletus “Chip” Schram.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL. Private graveside services will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at the Shiloh Cemetery, Whittington, with Pastor Jason Forby, officiating.

The family would like express a special thank you to Dr. Ralph Latta, Dr. Georges Tanios, LHC IL Home Health and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their guidance and kindness during Eddie’s illness.

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

Alice Fay Key, 94, of Mulkeytown, passed away on May 31, 2020 at Shawnee Senior Living in Herrin, IL.

She was born on July 6, 1925 in Christopher to Isaac and Callie (Newberry) Drysdale. She married Johnny E. Key on October 26, 1941 and he preceded her in death on November 2, 2016.

She is survived by her children Brenda Fay (Fred) Rauback of St. Louis, MO, Becky Susan (Mark) Hart of Lafayette, IN, Johnny Lavar (Cindy) Key of St. Charles, MO, Rue Launa (Vernon) Webb of Benton, Lorri Latona Key of Kansas City, MO and Derek Laron (Machell) Key of Marion, IL; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; one brother Marion Drysdale and three sisters Vera Gay of West Frankfort, IL, Nida Wright of West Frankfort, IL and Mirna Hamalton of TN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister fern Phelps and seven brothers Franklin Drysdale, Arnie Drysdale, George Drysdale, Victor Drysdale, Junior Drysdale, Ardin Drysdale and Vernon Drysdale.

Private graveside services will be held on Tuesday June 2, 2020 at the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

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