Leroy Thomas Spotanski, 93, of Sesser passed away on August 6, 2019. He was born on September 20, 1925 in St. Louis, MO to George Michael and Anna Rose (Kurgenski) Spotanski.

He married Elaine (Harmon) Spotanski on June 26, 1948 and she preceded him in death on December 21, 2014. He is survived by his children Vicki (Joe) Kloepper of Mulkeytown and David (Anita) Spotanski of Waltonville; grandchildren Amy (Kirk) Tipton, Matt (Dawn) Spotanski, Todd Spotanski, Dennis Harris and fiancé Sonya Gunter, Tricia (Barry) Higgins, Doug (Tricia) Harris, Mandy (Brian) Carson, Kristi (Jason) Carter, Jessie (Max) Dicus; 15 great grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and one brother George M. Spotanski of Scheller. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one son Dennis “Tiny” Spotanski.

Leroy was a TEC Sargent 5 in the United States Army serving during WWII and Korea. He was an active and lifetime member of the VFW Sesser Cox Post 4753 and American Legion Post 0560 Bates in Sesser. He always volunteered for the military funerals and military functions. He was the Sesser Goode Township Supervisor for 23 years and served on the Sesser Police Commission Board for 23 years. He also served on the Franklin County Board for over 20 years. He worked at the Rend Lake College as Director of the Physical Plant until his retirement in 1987. He loved to fish and play golf. He had four hole-in-ones on the Pinckneyville Golf Course. He has been a member of the Roman Catholic Church in Sesser for 78 years and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus in Christopher.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday August 10, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sesser with Father John Iffert officiating. Visitation will be on Friday August 9, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Southern Illinois Honor Flight and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Chris Paul Reed of Clearwater, Florida, formerly of Benton, went home to be with the Lord on August 3.

He was born in Eldorado to Fred and Lena (Mosley) Reed on March 21, 1924.

He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Britton and husband Larry of Florida, son Gary Reed and wife Debbi of Colorado, grandson Jonathon Stewart and wife Jennifer of Florida, granddaughters Michelle Rogers and husband Curtis of Montana and Amanda Palmer and husband Bill of Texas. He has seven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bettye Dykes Reed, son Jimmy Chris Reed and son David Paul Reed. Also preceding him were his sister Evelyn Lipsey, sister Imogene Burzynski, and brother Billie F. Reed.
He was a member of East Benton Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years.

He was the former owner of Reed Heating and Air Conditioning in Benton. He belonged to Benton Masonic Lodge #64 and served as Past Master, Benton chapter of Eastern Star and was a Past Worthy Patron, and a member of the American Legion Post 280 after having been in the Army.
Donations may be made to any charity instead of flowers.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday, Aug. 8th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastors Mark Joplin & Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be at the Masonic & Oddfellows cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday and after 10 A.M. Thursday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Masonic Rites will be conducted at 7 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Amos Herman Mitchell, Sesser, Illinois passed away at Helia Healthcare of Benton, Illinois with his loving family at his bedside, 10:00 pm, August 2, 2019 at the age of 100 years and 165 days. Mr Amos, or Billy Goat was greatly admired and professionally cared for by the staff at Helia.

Amos is predeceased by his loving wife Rosemary, by his parents Herman Omar and Nella (Pulliam) Mitchell, brothers Lowell (Jennie) Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, Cecil Mitchell, sisters Neva Furlow, Clorine (Melville) Straub, Wilma (Tom) Uttley, and Agnus Mitchell.

Amos is survived by his loving sons, Ned Mitchell of Sesser and Randy Lowell (Renee) Mitchell of Collinsville. Amos also leaves behind to mourn his passing and cherish his memory grandchildren Justin Jon (Brittany) Mitchell, Jonna June L Mitchell and (friend Jan Paul Miller), Carrigan Aleta Mitchell, Ty Matthew Mitchell and Alexa Marie Mitchell.

Amos was also blessed to have known and be known by his great grandchildren; Johnel Maria Eubanks (fiancé Johnny Vercellino), John Charles (Sierra) Eubanks, Jr., Christian Mitchell Rolla, Cobin Dane Rolla, Kingston Lane, Kaylor Belle Lane, Kambria Noelle Mitchell, Kennasyn Joelle Mitchell, great great granddaughter Violet Sky Eubanks. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Amos was born February 18, 1919 in Zeigler, Illinois. He attended one year of high school before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps to help support his widowed mother and her family. He later earned his GED and insisted that his two sons, Ned and Randy attend and complete a college degree. Amos entered the Army in 1941 and honorably served his country in WWII in the Americal 23rd Infantry Division in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Burma, and New Guinea. He was a decorated war veteran earning two Bronze Battle Stars, American Defense Service Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon and 5 Overseas Service Bars.

Amos was the oldest member and faithful Christian of the Sesser First United Methodist Church. He was a living witness to all who knew him. He was married to the love of his life Rosemary White Mitchell on January 20, 1945 by Methodist minister R. A. Lippman. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage.
Amos was a retired coal miner, last employed at Freeman United Coal, Waltonville #3. He was a long time member of Local Union 1545 of the United Mine Workers of America. He was an avid bird hunter and was widely known for his expertise in training bird dogs, both English Setters and Pointers. He was an excellent gardener and enjoyed maintaining his home and lawn.

The visitation will be Friday, August 9th, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Sesser from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. A funeral service of Christian burial will be at 1:00 pm, August 9, 2019 at the church. Jim Slone will officiate. Internment with military rites will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice or the Sesser First United Methodist Church.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to the Newell Funeral Home, Waltonville, Illinois.

Ernest Paul (Ernie) Bain, 88, of Peoria, IL passed away at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Unity Point Proctor Hospital.

He was born September 6, 1930 in Macedonia, IL the son of Ransom Ray and Laura Opal Beaty Bain. He married Marilyn Pugh Blahnik June 28, 1975.

Ernie is survived by his wife of forty-four years; six stepchildren, Susan (Gary) Weed of Louisville, KY, Joe (Debbie) Blahnik of E. Peoria, Cindy (Herb) Ritchell of Northbrook, IL, Lori (Dave Roethe) Blahnik of Madison, WI, Jeff (Brooke) Blahnik, John (Judy) Blahnik of Germantown Hills; sixteen step- grandchildren and seventeen step-great-grandchildren; one brother Kenneth Ray (Thurleen) Bain of Grantsburg, IL; 5 nephews and nieces, Donald Bain of Macedonia, IL, Kendee (Mark) Pemberton of Macedonia, IL, Jon (Beverly) Bain of Pittsburg, IL, Kerry (Jeremy) Gray of Wheatland, IN, Joshua (Grace) Bain of Ft Worth, TX; twenty-two grand-nephews and nieces, and seven great-grand-nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one step grandson, J. P. Blahnik.

Ernie had a long productive career in automobile sales, retiring in 1993 as sales manager at Honda World. He attended United Presbyterian Church in Peoria. Ernie was an Army veteran serving during the Korean conflict, 1952-1954.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 3 PM at Davis-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria.

His final resting place will be at Liberty-Ridlen Cemetery where a memorial service will be held Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 3 PM at Liberty Baptist church, 14376 Liberty Rd. 9 miles east of Benton, IL, North from Route 14. There will be a time of visitation two hours before each memorial service.

Cyril “Huck“ Leon Smothers, 80, of Sesser passed away Monday, July 22, 2019 peacefully with his family by his side. He was the husband of Gayla (Roberts), they shared 60 years of marriage.

Born in Valier, Cyril was the son of Vernon and Marie Smothers. He graduated in 1956 as a member of the Army Reserves and remained a loyal Bluebird. His career path kept him in Southern Illinois where for 32 years he was a proud Union Member and Coal Miner at Inland Steel/Consolidated Coal.

In 2014, his dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed, he received the prestigious honor of Coal Miner of the Year. He would tell you his greatest life achievement was the title of Dad and Papa. He was a hero to his daughter and a best friend to his son. Cyril was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He shared his love and knowledge for the outdoors with all his loved ones. He was so proud of each of his grandchildren and provided them a lifetime of great memories. In the last 5 years, he was blessed with great grandchildren who brought him so much joy. Cyril was a member of the Methodist Church of Sesser and also Sesser Masonic Lodge. You could often find him courtside at a Sesser basketball game, enjoying dinner with longtime friends or tinkering in the garage.

He is survived by his wife Gayla Smothers of Sesser; one daughter Pamela (Kevin) Cummings of Mt. Vernon; one son David (Tricia) Smothers of Marion; grandchildren Heath (Kristin) Tepovich of Richmond, IL, Mallorie (Anthony) Upegui of Troy, IL, Kolton Cummings of Olympia, WA and Peyton Wall of Marion; great grandchildren Keegan Upegui , Kamryn Upegui, Hudson Tepovich and Danica Tepovich; and one brother Phillip Smothers of Pekin.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be on Saturday July 27, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Sesser with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM at the church. Burial will be a Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

He will be greatly missed and remembered as a great husband, father and friend.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church or to the Sesser-Valier Athletic Department. Envelopes will be available at the church.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Arthur H. Neal passed away July 19, 2019 at his home in Benton, Illinois.

He was born May 29, 1926 to Earl and Audrey (Stites) Neal.
He grew up and graduated from Benton Township High School in 1944.
After high school he joined the Navy and was assigned to the Seabees in Guam. Coming home he worked in area coal mines and then owned Neal and Son in Benton for many years. Throughout his time in business, he served on several bank and community boards.

He married Fay Cantrell on March 29, 1947 and together they shared more than 67 years of marriage.

He is survived by a daughter, Ilana Ing and a son Jim (Jamie) Neal. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Jason Ing, Mikala(John) Wilder, Abby(Tim) Kathalynas, and Adam Neal; five great-grandchildren, Josh Wilder, Hannah Wilder, Beckett Wilder, Bronson Wilder and Harlynn Kathalynas; his sisters Loy(Jiggs) Whalen of Metropolis, IL and Mildred Smith of Florida. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was receded in death by his parents, wife, Fay and two brothers, Eugene and Frank.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, Illinois. Military Honors will be conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts & the Navy Honors Team.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Gustave G. Vandekerkhove, better known as Butch Vander, 82, of Coello passed away on July 20, 2019 in Mt Vernon.

He was born on March 13, 1937 in Benton, IL to John & Maggie (McKee) Vandekerkhove. He married Janice (Davis) Vandekerkhove on July 4, 1958 and she survives of Coello.

He is also survived by his children Micheal (Tracey) Vandekerkhove of Mulkeytown, Tom Vandekerkhove of Hurst, Sonya Eldridge of Ewing, and Robert (Chanda) Vandekerkhove of Coello; grandchildren Elizabeth (Todd) Paulson, Ty (Abbey) Vandekerkhove, Treg (Faith) Vandekerkhove, Brittany (Jake) Basler, Austin Vandekerkhove, Remy (Caleb) Vandekerkhove, Alexandria Fedderke and Adrinne Fedderke; great grandchildren Chloe, Drake, Landon, Axel, Sloane and Kourtlin; and one sister Mary Rose Carrier of New Hampshire.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services will be on Saturday July 27, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Larry “Ray” Jones, 72, of Zeigler passed away on July 18, 2019.

He was born January 17, 1947 in Christopher to Fred and Ollie (Hammonds) Jones. He married Ruth Ann (Aleksick) Jones on February 12, 1966 and she survives of Zeigler.

He is also survived by his children John Brian (Garret) Jones and their daughter Rian Jones all of Mulkeytown; Gary Jones and his sons Ray Jones and Luke Jones of Royalton; Jamy Mendez and her daughter Mia Mendez of Summerville, SC; and Dana (Tim) McBride and their children Jude Alvarez and Tatum McBride of Royalton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one infant brother Cyril Jones and one sister Glenda Jones.
He was owner of Jones Hydroblast, INC of Royalton for 39 years and was a coal miner at Old Ben #24 for 13 years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going camping and spending time with his family.
Funeral services will be on Monday July 22, 2019 at Noon at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Hallman officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at Noon. Burial will be in Zeigler Cemetery.

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