James Ray Bellamey, 88, of Christopher, passed away on March 13, 2020 at his home.

He was born on August 24, 1931 in Grayville, IL to James Edward and Lydia (Handley) Bellamey. He married Flora Allis (Simpson) Bellamey on December 18, 1971 and she survives of Christopher.

He is also survived by his children Angie (Thomas) Armstrong of Tucson, AZ, Terri (Dave) Green of Indianapolis, IN, Kevin Bellamey of Indianapolis, IN, Gordon (Carol) Bellamey of Georgetown, IN, Dan Bellamey of Christopher and Dallis Bellamey of Zeigler; 22 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Johnnie Ray Phillips, one sister Ellen Strassman and two brothers Donald Bellamey and Robert Bellamey.
James was an Army Veteran serving during the Korean War and had worked for the Indianapolis Police Department for many years.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday March 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL. Visitation will be on Tuesday March 17, 2020 from 5:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday March 18, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Little Zion Cemetery in Enfield, IL.

The family requests no flowers and that memorials can be made to the Southern Illinois Honor Flight, 10400 Terminal Drive, Suite 200, Marion, IL 62959. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Rev. John David Elko, Jr, age 77 of Benton, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bill Hottensen officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and the U.S. Marine Corps will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. (Currently CDC Guidelines recommend that funeral directors adhere to limit public events to 50 or fewer people. And if you are sick, please stay at home.)

John was born on April 9, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of John and Betty (Tindall) Elko; and raised by his stepmother Mary Elko. He married the former Lucille Roberts on November 21, 1973, and she survives.
John was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged on February 22, 1967.

John was ordained as a Southern Baptist Preacher on August 26, 1979. He pastored several churches and led many to the Lord. He attended New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Illinois.

Surviving is his loving wife of 43 years, Lucille Elko of Benton; his son Kevin Elko and wife Casey of West Frankfort; his daughter Amanda and husband Ben Mikutis of Benton.

John was the proud papa/grandpa to 3 grandchildren that meant the world to him, Logan Elko, Tyson Elko and Fallyn Bradley.

He is also survived by one brother, Dave and wife Lynn Elko; sisters-in-law Jane Stowers and Carolyn McLearin and husband Lonnie; brother-in-law Vernon Roberts; several nieces and nephews; and three close cousins: Tom Swigonski, Don Swigonski and Judy Evans.

Mr. Elko was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother; a grandchild; an infant sister; and Uncle Max and Aunt Sophia Swigonski; brothers-in-law: Larry Stowers, William Roberts, and Eddie Frost; sisters-in-law: Linda Roberts and Wanda Frost.

The family would prefer Memorial contributions be made to the family of Rev. John David Elko, Jr; to assist with funeral expenses. Memorials may be sent to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Delores Jean Otterson, 86, of Dandridge, TN, formerly of Benton, went to see Jesus on March 14, 2020, at the Jefferson Memorial Hospital, Jefferson City, TN, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on July 10, 1933, to Joe and Mildred (Pent) Martoglio in Benton, IL. Delores was a retired administrative assistant at her family owned business, Otterson Construction. She married Luther G. Otterson on February 14, 1953, in Waukegan, IL.

Delores was a member of New Hope Church of God, Kodak, TN. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was extremely devoted to her family.

She is survived by her loving spouse of 67 years, Luther G. Otterson; two daughters, Debra Jackson and husband Mark, Pamela Sneed and husband Lindell; five grandchildren, Danielle Montgomery and husband Russell, Mark Jackson and wife Kristen, Amanda Hankes and husband Bradley, Joseph Jackson and Lyndsie Gross and husband Brad; seven great-grandchildren, Tristan, Camden, Drake, Hudson, Isabella, Lexington and Briella; two sisters, Roberta Sandusky and Rena Dorris.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Mildred Martoglio; two brothers, Hosea Martoglio and Joe Martoglio; and one sister, Lillian Furlong.

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

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 17, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 11:00 a.m., at the Pate Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at the Jackson Grove Cemetery, Benton, IL.

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

Charles “Charlie” Stephen Harland, 70, of Izaak Walton Lake, Mulkeytown, IL, passed away on Tuesday March 10, 2020 in My Vernon, IL.

Charlie was born on March 11, 1949 in Coello, IL to Charles K. and Shirley (Gregory) Harland. He graduated from Christopher High School in 1967. Survivors include his sisters Kathryn C. (Dean) Pearce of Centralia, IL and Debra D. Gerdes of Sandwich, IL; one nephew Michael E. (Ally) Gerdes of Minonk, IL. He also leaves an honorary daughter Nancy (Bing) Chen of DuQuoin, IL and an honorary granddaughter Tiffany Chen, a step-nephew, two step-nieces, seven great and six great great nephews and nieces, twelve cousins and an uncountable number of friends.

Charlie was a skilled carpenter by trade and served as a Sergeant in the US Army in Vietnam in 1969-1970 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0538, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4753, the Franklin County Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 0064, and the Society of the Fifth Division, US Army. His avocation was fishing, fishing, fishing, and frying and eating fish and he was a lifelong avid Cardinals fan.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles K. and Shirley M. Harland.

Charlie’s funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday March 14, 2020 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Kevin Bradley from the Valier First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at Ward Cemetery in Mulkeytown, IL. Visitation will be on Friday March 13, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Christopher Youth Fishing Derby or to the Franklin County Disabled American Veterans. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

George O. Slankard died peacefully at his home in Sesser, IL. He was 95 years old.

George was born on December 15, 1924, in Sesser, IL to George T. and Helen (O’Neil) Slankard. He graduated from the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University and became a teacher in the Sesser Schools, where he met another teacher, Mary Hartman, who would become his wife on October 11, 1950.

After concluding that teaching was Mary’s forte and not his, George decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and work in the family owned business of Slankard Publishing. George’s passion for printing grew beyond that of his family’s and for the next 45 years he and Mary built the business and published three magazines; the first being the American Cooner, which was widely known and respected in the field of hunting, dog training and field trials. Cars & Parts was the next magazine to be published and was one of the first Automobile magazines that not only included interesting and informative articles but also included information on car auctions, swap meets as well as being a classified marketplace for cars, parts, accessories and services. Hunter’s Horn was then published, which specialized in the sport and competition of Fox Hunting.

After a very progressive and fruitful career in the publishing business, George retired and decided to devote his attention and energy to the field of Horticulture. With Mary by his side, George became active in learning and growing many different species of plants. He was a member of the Azalea, Magnolia and Holly societies. His love for and beauty of plants was evident to all who visited their extensive gardens.

George was a lifelong learner and consummate reader of anything and everything that was of interest to him. His vast knowledge on a variety of subjects always amazed and delighted his family and friends, who were blessed to be able to sit down and speak with him. Those discussions will forever be in their hearts.

George is survived by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Mart (Hartman) Slankard, numerous nieces and nephews along with friends who always considered him part of their family, as well.

A celebration of life will be held in the summer when the magnolias and gardens are in full bloom.

Memorial contributions, in memory of George, may be made to the Rend Lake College Foundation for the RLC Learning Resource Center Project. Gifts can be made online at www.rlc.edu/give-now as well as to the Sesser United Methodist Church P O Box 428, Sesser, IL, 62884.

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

James “Sam” Samuel Wink, 78, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Sunday March 8, 2020.

He was born on March 25, 1941 in Rome, KY to Thomas Henry and Mary Bertha (Durbin) Wink. He married Agnes (Bartlett) Wink on October 29, 1960 and she survives of Mulkeytown.

He is also survived by his children James “Byron” Wink of DuQuoin, IL, Tom (Bobbie Jo) Wink of Christopher and Mary Jo Wink of Benton; 14 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; one sister Jane Ruth Hayden of Sorgho, KY and one brother Vincent Wink of Owensboro, KY.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Barry Samuel Wink, one sister Mary Ann Millay and two brothers Bill Wink and David Wink.
He served in the Army National Guard.

Funeral Mass will be on Friday March 13, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday March 12, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher and on Friday from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com