John Eugene Roberts, age 71, of McLeansboro, passed away at 8:36 a.m. Thursday, September 17, 2020 at Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 24, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home with Bro. Willie Huffine officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280 and the V.F.W. Post #2671 and the Army National Guard of Marion; will be at the conclusion of the Celebration of Life Service, outside of the funeral home.

Due to Health Concerns related to COVID-19: Visitation and Funeral services are limited to 50 people at one time; facial coverings are required; and social distancing should be observed. If you are sick, please stay at home.

John was born on October 4, 1948 in Benton, IL; the son of Roy Roberts and Edith (Carpenter) Roberts. He would marry the former Marie Darlene Heifner on October 15, 1977; and she survives.

He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His flag was proudly displayed in his front yard day and night.

John worked for BRP Boat manufacturing until its closure. He formerly worked at Old Ben Coal as a weigh man, and with Coca-Cola, and was a handyman with carpenter work.

He was a member of the Plasters Grove Free Will Baptist Church of Thompsonville.

John enjoyed hunting with his oldest daughter, playing old country gospel music on his guitar, and small engine repair in his community. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving is his loving wife, of one month shy of 43 years, Darlene Roberts of McLeansboro; two daughters: Leigh Ann Blackburn of West Frankfort, IL, Amanda and husband James Cranmore of Harrisburg, IL; seven grandchildren: Kearsten, Kendall, Kyleigh, Kade, Macy, Braylin and Kambree.; a sister-in-law Malinda Roberts of Benton; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Patty Heifner of Thompsonville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Randall, Floyd, Marion and Darrell; a sister Opal; four infant siblings; and a grandson Isaiah Snowden.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Carl E. Price, 94, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Saturday September 19, 2020 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on February 8, 1926 in Mulkeytown to Lee and Wavia (Culley) Price. He married Mary Mae (Essex) Price on March 6, 1947 and she preceded him in death on December 3, 1966, he later married Dorothy (McCollum) Price on November 26, 1975 and she preceded him in death on January 13, 2018.

He is survived by his children Susan Vaughn of Mulkeytown, Brenda (Vic) Maze of Herrin, David (Candy) Price of Christopher, Paul (Paula) Price of Mulkeytown, Patty (Barney) Mack of West Frankfort and Alan (Becky) Price of Mulkeytown; 11 Grandchildren; 15 Great Grandchildren; 2 Great Great Grandchildren and one sister Chloe Cook of Dowell.

He was preceded in death his parents, two sisters Fay King and Irene Price and two brothers Leon Price and Neal Price.

He was a coalminer at Freeman Mine #6 and was a Veteran of the United States Navy. He was runner-up for Father of the Year and lived for his children and loved to garden.

Graveside services will be on Thursday September 24, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with Brother Donald Maas officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mulkeytown Cemetery or to the West Franklin Historical Society. Envelopes will be available at the Cemetery.

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

Donetia Faye (Bozovich) Laur, 90, of Benton passed away Thursday, September 17, 2020 at Parkway Manor in Marion.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, September 21st at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Joe Zbinden officiating. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of Flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Steel City Baptist Church or to the Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance.

Donetia worked at the telephone company in Benton upon graduation from high school. She later worked in the office for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria and a secretary for Freeman Coal Company in West Frankfort. After retiring from Freeman, she worked 12 more years doing in-home care for the elderly through several senior citizen programs. For a time she served as the pie baker at the Christopher MaidRite.

Donetia was a member of the Steel City Baptist Church.

She enjoyed listening to her music, working in her flowers, and cooking; she also loved watching Cardinal Baseball games.
She was born October 15, 1929 in Benton, Illinois to Nicholas John and Dollie Faye Overturf Bozovich. Survivors include two step-sons, Nick and Sandy Laur of Sesser and Mark and Lori Laur of Scheller: five grandchildren, Brian and Dana Laur of Sesser, Erin and Chip Basso of Sesser, Jared and Erin Laur of Evansville, Indiana, Bethany Deaton of Carterville, and Allyssa Laur and fiancè Jordan Edwards of Sesser: eight great-grandchildren, Reid and Reagan Basso, Delaney, Patrice, and Banx Laur, Cooper and Julia Laur, and Lucas Laramore, Sister, Virginia Benns of Benton, Brothers, Howard Bozovich of West Frankfort, David and Diana Bozovich of Whittington; Sister-in-law-Rosemary Bozovich of Godfrey. Several nieces & nephews and their families: Terri J. Harmon, Tresa M. Reigart, Stephen R. Bozovich, Michael Bozovich, Richard Bozovich, Kathy Bozovich, Nick Braden, William Braden, Roberta Sentel, Clarence Braden, Jeanie Braden, Warren Rice, Donald Rice, Karen Rice, Tammy Young, Ronald Bozovich, John Bozovich, Al Baluk, Christine GrBr and Diane Bozovich.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bill Neal, who passed away in 1978 and her second husband Dallas Laur, who passed away in 2012 after 32 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by Sisters Mildred Jacobs, Ann Mason, Ruth Baluk, Betty Braden, Mary Bozovich and Brother Kenneth Bozovich.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

John “Little John” Hampton, 59, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Friday September 18, 2020 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on March 16, 1961 in Christopher to John “Pappy” and Nina Mae (Clancy) Hampton. He married Georgetta (Anderson) Hampton on June 1, 1991 and she survives of Mulkeytown.

He is also survived by his children Chris (Mary) Hampton of Mulkeytown, Sarah (Jim) Emberton of Zeigler, Tearra (Zach) Carter of Mulkeytown, Andrew Hampton of Christopher and Gabby Hampton of Mulkeytown; six grandchildren Ashly, AJ, Jared, James Jr., Jarren and Jenna; one sister Tina (John) Hughes of Sesser and two brothers Dennis Hampton of Mulkeytown and Harry Hampton of Wentzeville, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Kevin Hampton, two grandchildren Carlie Staggs and Christian Hampton and one brother Phillip “PG” Hampton.

John was a Supervisor of Dispatching at the West Frankfort Police Department.

Graveside services will be on Monday September 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown with Brother George Marshall officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday September 20, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, with an Emergency Service Personnel Walk-Thru at 4:45 PM on Sunday. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

Jerry Lee Gossett, 68, of Sesser, IL, passed away September 14, 2020 following a battle with lung cancer.

Jerry was born July 20, 1952 at Miner’s Hospital in Christopher, IL, the son of Stanley Lee Gossett and Betty Jo (Snyder) Gossett.

Jerry was a 1971 graduate of Sesser-Valier High School and a veteran of the United States Army, where he proudly served for two years. He worked as a coal miner for several years with Freeman United Coal Company and also as a carpenter.

Jerry is survived by two sons, Jeremy, and wife Jennifer, of Caseyville, IL and Joshua, and wife Kimberly, of Christopher, IL; grandchildren Chasity, Sophia, Cody, Grady, Kelsey and Rachael; great-grandchildren Ryker, Kayson and Amelia. He is also survived sisters Rhonda Skurat, of Christopher and Sandra Gossett, of Carbondale and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Betty Gossett and one sister, Debra Gossett.

It was Jerry’s wish to be cremated and a Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank all those who offered prayers and support during Jerry’s illness and passing.

JoAnn Marie Ohms, 83, of Sesser, passed away on September 11, 2020 at her home.

She was born on November 10, 1936 in Randolph County, IL to Leo and Elsie (Schiebel) Gaertner. She married Otto Ohms on May 30, 1956 and he survives of Sesser.

She is also survived by her children Alan Ohms of Redbud, IL, Don (Becky) Ohms of Sparta, IL and Julie (Don) Heine of Sesser; grandchildren Amanda (Josh) Searby, Victoria (Eric) Halfacre and Leo Ohms; step-grandson Greg Lashbrook; four great grandchildren Atlas, Zoe, Jonah and Scout.
She was a member of the St Mary’s Catholic Church of Sesser. She had worked in the family’s upholstery business and had also worked at the Redbud Hospital.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday September 15, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at the St Pius Cemetery in Walsh, IL following the service at the funeral home.

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

Charles N. Edwards, 85, of Macedonia, IL passed away Thursday morning, Sept. 10, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

He was born in Macedonia, IL on May 8, 1935, the son of Noble & Evelyn (Vanhorn) Edwards.

He married Sue (Dethrow) on Feb. 3, 1957.

Mr. Edwards was always there to help others. He loved his friends and family, horses and farming. He never met a stranger. Mr. Edwards was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge & Eastern Star.

Mr. Edwards is survived by his wife, Sue Edwards; three daughters, Judy Courter, and friend Gary Ehrhart, Joyce Hawkins, and husband Mike and Jennifer Ehrhart, and husband Mike; grandchildren Michele Gulley, Timothy Courter, and wife Melissa, Alicia Courter, Tammy Filkins, and husband Dave, Josh Hawkins, and wife Jennifer, Katie Bonsack, and Frank Akin, Jarret Bonsack, Kyle Bonsack; great-grandchildren Kolton Gulley, Gage Clark, Jaden Courter, Laney Courter, Kaylyn Courter, Brinley Montgomery, Adyson Filkins, Selena Filkins, Antonio Filkins, Jonah Filkins, Westyn Hawkins and Lily Akin; a cousin who was like a brother, Melvin Edwards.

Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his parents, by a brother and a sister.
Masonic Rites will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with a funeral service to follow with Pastor Derrick Cairel officiating. Burial will be in the Edwards Farm Cemetery in Macedonia. Visitation will be after 10 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home.

We ask everyone attending the services to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time, and everyone attending is encouraged to wear a mask.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com