Norma Marie McAtee, age 92, of Sesser, passed away at 4:13 p.m. Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO, with sons Rob, Mike, and Jon, granddaughter Lisa, great-granddaughter Madison, and close friends Kristy Scott, Joy Robinson, Janet and Richard Bush by her bedside.

Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Chapel with Rev. Alan Newman officiating. Burial will follow at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery of St. Louis. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Norma was born on January 20, 1927 in East St. Louis, Illinois, the daughter of George W. Sanders and Katie Vivian (Hiller) Sanders. She would marry Elmer Harold McAtee on May 21, 1948, and he preceded her in death on February 14, 2004.

Her working career included being a Medical Marketing Distaff of New Jersey, EMT, and lastly working as an Administrative Assistant with the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency.

She was a member of Second Act, Thursday Pinochle group of Zeigler, and the Wit and Wisdom of West Frankfort.

Norma enjoyed fishing; teaching the Bible; loved to travel in the mountains of Colorado looking at the scenery, especially enjoyed looking at the snow covered trees; loved visiting with family, especially during the holidays. One thing she despised was airplanes.
She was a member of the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher.

Mrs. McAtee is survived by three sons: Robert Edward McAtee and wife Alyssa of Montrose, CO, Michael David McAtee and wife Sue of St. Louis, MO, Jonathan Mark McAtee of Marion, IL; fifteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Norma was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters: Georgetta Wilma Lamkins and Marion Worthen.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Keith Polkow, 76, of Sesser, IL, passed away on December 27, 2019.

He was born on August 4, 1943 in Chicago, IL to Alfred and Eleanor (Lietz) Polkow. He married Cary (Carlo) Polkow on January 4, 1992 and she survives of Sesser.
He is also survived by his children Brian Polkow of Westmont, IL and Kimberly Dunn of Darien, IL and three grandchildren.

He had worked for Borg-Warner for 32 year until his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Craig Polkow.

His wishes were to be cremated with a burial at a later date at Mt Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Danny Lee Williams, age 56, of Sesser and formerly of Johnston City, passed away at 6:05 a.m. Monday, December 23, 2019 at his home.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Family Church of God in Zeigler, with Bro. Denny Bush officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the church.
Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Danny was born on November 9, 1963 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Vernon Williams and Nancy (Baker) Williams. He married the former Leonda Robinson on July 28, 2019, and she survives.

He formerly worked as a production supervisor with Archway Cookies. Danny was camp host at Arrowhead Campground in Johnston City, where he enjoyed visiting and telling stories with his camping friends and neighbors.

Danny was a Deacon and member of the Family Church of God in Zeigler. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and a member of the V.F.W., and he was a Mason.

He was a member of the “Good Ole Boys Band”, loved fishing and landscaping, and was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan.

Surviving is his wife Leonda Williams of Sesser; step-children: Terry and Heidi Gunter of West Frankfort, Larry and Dawn Gunter of West Frankfort, Luke and Abby McGill of Mt. Vernon; six grandchildren: Landon and Logan Gunter, Avery and Finley Gunter, and Liam and Sarah Jane McGill; two brothers: Jack and Gina Williams of Pittsburg, IL, Steve and Liz Sylvie of Houston, TX; three sisters: Becky and Scott McDonald of Pawnee, IL, Debbie Sylvie of Janesville, WI, and Connie and Don King of Janesville, WI; several nieces and nephews.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents; his family that raised him: Ben and Pat Sylvie; his wife Louise; two brothers: Vernon Williams, Jr., and Sonny Williams; four sisters: Vera Crain, Jo Ann McDonald, May Peterson, and Rita Chwarzcski.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with expenses, and may be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, Illinois 62812.

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

Dorothy Eloise Miller Craine was born on January 23, 1920 in Macedonia to Dora Lillian (Smith) and John George Miller. She passed away on December 22, 2019 in her home.

Dorothy had five siblings: Georgia Idena Robertson, Neva Mae Hess, John Eugene, Darrel Dwain, and Charles Edward. In November 1938 she married Leslie Olen Craine. They were married 57 years.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, and two nephews.
She is survived by one sister-in-law, Ava LaVerne Miller, two daughters, Mary and Jean, two grandsons, Justin and Jesse, two great-grandsons, and fifteen nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was a member of Jackson Grove Baptist Church. She loved to travel, quilt, swim, read, play dominoes, and work puzzles. Most of all she loved doing those things with friends and relatives.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be private.
A Memorial Celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2020 at the Jackson Grove Baptist Church, east of Benton, with Rev. Don Bullard officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in support of Dorothy’s favorite missionaries, Rusty and Brenda Carney, through Free Will Baptist International Missions. Checks may be made out to “IMINC” with their names placed on the memo line. See https://iminc.org/missionaries/rusty-and-brenda-carney/
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Dorothy, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

George “Rusty” Robert Eovaldi, 91, of Sesser, passed away on December 22, 2019.

He was born on January 28, 1928 in Sesser, IL to Joseph and Frances (Golli) Eovaldi. He married Karen Ann (Wiese) Eovaldi on March 28, 1970 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children Deborah Anne (Vince) Zaranti of The Villages, FL, Robert Dale (Bendra) Eovaldi of Marion, IL and Georgina Ann (Anthony Veschusio) Krajeski of West Frankfort; five granddaughters Melania Parker, Belinda Eovaldi, Rebecca Eovaldi, Grace Veschusio and Cassidy Veschusio; three grandsons Dr. Johnny Fleming, Corey Fleming and Liam Veschusio; one great granddaughter Keira Anne Kenas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Patricia Anne (Collins) Wingfield and one sister Flora Mae Bertman.

He loved his grandchildren, gardening and fishing.

His wishes were to be cremated. There will be a private family burial at a later date. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Leslie Rees, 78, of Buckner, passed away on December 22, 2019.

She was born on January 26, 1941 in Buckner, IL to William “Les” and Ann (Rapach) Rees.

She is survived by her sister Denise (Eddie) Gil of Buckner and several cousins.

She was a legal secretary.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be on Thursday December 26, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Connie Mae Lambert, 65, of Benton, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 21, 2019 at her home.

She was born on August 24, 1954 to Perry and Zelma (Holman) Furlow. She married Richard Lambert on June 28, 1973.

Connie is survived by her loving husband Richard Lambert, daughter Carrie Angela Lambert, and granddaughter Olivia Isabella Lambert all of Benton; two sisters Marilyn Kindler of Cedar Hill, MO and Brenda (John) Kovach; one brother-in-law James Lambert of Benton, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Perry and Zelma Furlow, and two brothers Virgil Lee Furlow and Gail Ivan Furlow.

Funeral services will be on Friday December 27, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.

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

Ruth Pechenino, 95, of Christopher passed away on Friday December 20, 2019.

She was born on December 8, 1924 in Benton, IL to Henry and Ruth (Ward) Taylor. She married Anthony “Tony” Pechenino and he preceded her in death on December 20, 2009.

She is survived by her daughters Karen Webb of Christopher and Kathy (John) Thomas of Owensboro, KY; grandchildren Kevin Webb, Scott Webb, Kim Webb and Michael Thomas; and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson Jason Thomas and four brothers Ralph Taylor, Gene Taylor, Charles Taylor and Bill Taylor.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday December 24, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the funeral at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at St Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.

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