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

Charles Robert “Boogie” Welsh, age 74, of Benton, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at his home.

Boogie’s wishes are to be cremated. Burial will be at a future date in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. The Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, is in charge of arrangements.

Charles Robert Welsh was born on May 19, 1946 in Chicago, IL, the son of James Welsh and Mary Virjean (Brown) Welsh.

He was a self-employed painter.

Boogie enjoyed Karaoke, hunting, fishing, camping, playing the guitar. His family said he was a very sociable person and enjoyed spending time at Sandy’s Bar in Benton.

Surviving are his children: Marissa Jackson and husband Tony of Valier, Amanda Welsh of Ocala, FL, Jessica Welsh of West Frankfort, IL, Michael Welsh of Benton; ten grandchildren: Crystal, Steven, Kaysea, Mary, Ricky III, Joshua, Emily, Devan, Shaylyn and Ashlen; ten great grandchildren; a aunt Christine Brown of Benton; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

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

Sue Jerrells Sloan, 72, of Benton, passed away at 10:55 a.m., on May 26, 2020 at the Franklin County Hospital, Benton, IL.

She was born on January 5, 1948, to Roland and Kathryn (Prindle) Jerrells in Christopher, IL. Sue retired from the Franklin County Clerks Office. She was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benton, IL.

Sue is survived by her loving daughter, Melissa K. Hungate, husband Stewart; grandsons, Tayler Hungate, wife Ashlee, Grante Hungate and Fiancee Madison McGuire; a brother, Hal R. Jerrells, wife Sandy; nephews, Chris Jerrells, wife Catherine, Craig Jerrells; Victor Achilam from Nigeria, who has become part of our family; special friends, Karen Baker and Cynthia Britton, all of Benton, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Kathryn T. Jerrells.

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

A private family visitation will be held at Pate Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, burial will follow services at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in the form of a Mass Intention or a donation to St. Joseph Catholic Church, and can be mailed to the church at 506 West Main Street, Benton, IL. 62812

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Georges Tanios Oncologist and friend.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Donna (Dossett) (Wallace) Grogan, 86, of Valier, IL passed away peacefully on May 16, 2020, at Stonebridge Nursing Center in Benton, IL.

She was born in Princeton, IN on Jan. 1, 1932. She was one of two children born to Marlin and Doris (Rumble) Dossett.

She graduated from Princeton High School 1951. She worked at the Gibson County Recorders office and Lynn Gas in Princeton before moving to Valier, IL.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her two sons, Ricky Robinson (Sharon), Benton, Illinois, and Mark Robinson (Laura) Ellettsville, Indiana; brother, David Dossett, Bellingham, Washington; four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, one niece, two nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

Donna will be laid to rest in a private family service at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is handling arrangements.

For more information go tour website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Carl Edward Garascia, 83, passed away on Wednesday May 13, 2020 at Benton Healthcare and Rehab.

He was born on March 5, 1937 in Sesser to Charles “Pappy” and Anna Jean (Fornear) Garascia. He married Evelyn (Brown) Garascia and she preceded him in death, he then married Ruth Ann (Kellerman) Garascia and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by his children David (Sheri) Garascia of Sesser, IL, Mike (Lauri) Garascia of Virginia, Steve (Debbie) Bigham of Bartlesville, Ok and Sarah Bigham of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren Caleb, Brooke, Hannah, Katie, Jordan and Jared; and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1st wife, 2nd wife, one son Marc Garascia, one great granddaughter and one brother David Garascia.

He was Veteran serving in the United States Army. He was a Coalminer and a member of the UMWA.

Private graveside services will be held at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is handling arrangements.

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

Christian Mitchell Rolla, age 17, of Benton, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020 in Benton.

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, and the public gatherings of no more than 10 people and observing social distancing; Private family burial services will be Thursday at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. The Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, is in charge of arrangements.

Christian Mitchell Rolla was born on February 21, 2003 in Mt. Vernon, the son of Billy Ray Rolla and Jonna June L. (Mitchell) Rolla.

Christian was a student at Benton Consolidated High School.

He enjoyed attending both the Horse Prairie Baptist Church of Sesser, and the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton.

Christian was into gaming, loved playing X-Box, enjoyed running track, collecting historic antique swords, studying history, talking politics, hanging out with his friends, and was fascinated with Russia.

His plans were to attend Georgetown University and planned to major and study foreign relations, with the goal of becoming an Ambassador.

According to his family, Christian was a very affectionate and supportive person. He cared about others, before himself.

Surviving is his mother Jonna June L. Rolla and partner John Paul Miller of Benton; his father Billy Ray Rolla and partner Theresa DeBord of Sesser; siblings: John Charles Eubanks, Jr. and wife Sierra of Whittington, Johnel Maria Eubanks and fiancée John Vercellino of Mulkeytown, Cobin Dane Rolla of Benton; grandparents: Ned Mitchell of Sesser, Victoria Conner and husband Mike of Herrin, Mike and Barbara Rolla of Christopher; aunts and uncles: Honor Haught of Alabama, Heidi Haught of Florida, Justin Mitchell and wife Brittany of Marion, Carrigan Mitchell of Nashville, TN, Michael Rolla and wife Valerie of Orient, Rodney Hale of Chicago; a niece Violet Eubanks; several cousins and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents: Amos and Rose Mary Mitchell, and Bill Ray.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Rolla Memorial Scholarship Fund, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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