Marie Clapp, 98, of Christopher, passed away on April 5, 2019.

Marie was born on March 3, 1921 in Rend City, IL the youngest of eight children born to Elza and Martha (Quillman) Sample. She married Byrl Clapp on March 15, 1941 and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter Lene Berglund of Christopher; grandchildren Danny (Shari) Berglund of New Jersey and Lauri (Zach) Cowart of Chattanooga, TN; three great granddaughters Victoria, Harper and Ella; one step-great grandson Vincent and also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She had worked at the Silver Dollar City Theme Park in Branson, MO, designing and making costumes. She was a member of the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, beloved son Leslie, two brothers and five sisters.
Funeral services will be on Friday April 12, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Diana E. Malkovich, age 67, of Benton, passed away at 9:33 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Private family funeral services will be held Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Marty Shadowen officiating. Private family burial services will be at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.

Diana was born on April 23, 1951 in Benton, the daughter of Fred Pierson and Pauline (Sanders) Pierson. She was married to Anthony E. Malkovich of Benton.

She was a homemaker, and previously worked in the dietary department at Heritage Woods of Benton and was also formerly a waitress and bartender for many years at the Benton V.F.W.

Diana enjoyed cooking, canning, playing BINGO, loved being outdoors, and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving is her loving husband Tony Malkovich of Benton; three children: Steve Spani, Michelle Spani and Joe Spani; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother Rick Pierson and wife Wilma of Benton; and a sister Gayla Bradshaw and husband Gary of Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a daughter Diane Reginato.

The family wishes memorial contributions to be made, in memory of Diana, to the Benton City Park or City of Benton, for beautification projects.

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

Debbie Wilson, 62, of Benton, IL passed away Sunday evening, March 31, 2019 in Benton.

She was born in Chicago, IL on January 18, 1957, the daughter of Bobby & Kathryn (Marvel) Wilson.
She married Danny Wilson on November 16, 2000, and he survives.
Debbie loved reading her Bible.

She is survived by her husband, Danny Wilson, of Benton; mother Kathryn Wilson, of Benton; sisters Karen Dancer, of Haleyville, AL and Linda Hiney, and husband Randy, of Delray Beach, FL; brother-in-law, Junior Wilson, and wife Pam, of Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 3rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Lavina Lucille Rotolo, 90, of Louisville, KY, formerly of Benton, IL, passed away at 6:00 p.m., on Friday, March 29, 2019, at the Nazareth Home in Louisville, KY.

She was born on September 2, 1928, to Roy and Clara (Clemens) Phelps of Robbs, IL. In 1950, she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. Lavina worked as a Home Advisor in Perry County for one year, then in Franklin County for one year, before staying home to raise her family.

Lavina was a proud member of North Benton Baptist Church, Benton, IL. She was a loving and prideful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. For many years, she led the singing at Vacation Bible School and played the organ at church. She loved being with her girls and spending time with her grandson. She spent countless hours working on her family history, loved to take on a craft project, and was one of the first members of the Rend Lake Fitness Center where she was faithful to exercise.

She is survived by her daughter Kay Grimes of Sarasota, FL; her daughter Carol Bean of Louisville, KY, and her husband, Michael Goad; one grandson, Jacob Grimes of North Port, FL and wife Tiffany and son Shane; and her three beloved nieces, the Phelps girls, and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Clara Phelps; her husband, Pete Rotolo; and her brother, Roy Everett Phelps, and her sister-in-law, Barbara Phelps.

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

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will follow visitation on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home. Burial will follow services at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.

Memorials contributions may be made to North Benton Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff and caregivers on Charity Court at Nazareth Home for the excellent care she received the time she was there.

Helen Moro, 100, of Christopher, passed away on March 27, 2019.

She was born on October 23, 1918, in Royalton, to Albert and Ollie (Ward) Stewart. She married Ernest “Blackie” Moro and he preceded her in death on March 28, 1996.

She is survived by her sons Raymond Cacini and John Moro. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Graveside services will be on Saturday March 30, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Osage Cemetery in Royalton, IL. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Berneice L. Slayton, 92, of Benton, Illinois was called home on Friday, March 22, 2019.

She was born in West City on April 15, 1926 to Nathan and Ruby (Mandrell) Brookshire. On April 18, 1949 she married Charles (Ross) Slayton of Benton. Mrs. Slayton was a member of the West City Church of God. Mrs. Slayton is survived by her nephews: David and William (Billy) Winters of Benton, James (Allen) Akin of West Frankfort, Edwin Brookshire of Peoria, AZ and John Brookshire of Gulfport, MS and their families. She is survived by her nieces: Pam Duncan of Centralia, Lisa Filkins and Julie Howard of West Frankfort and their families. She is survived by her sister in law: Rena (Kay) Brookshire of Benton and her brother in law: James R. Akin of West Frankfort. She is also survived by many other close friends, family and loved ones: John Merlau, Judy, Larry and John Mize of West Frankfort, Glen and Phyllis Smith and (Precious) of Benton, Connie, Jeanette, Roberta and many more including friends from Heritage Woods and Helia HealthCare.

Mrs. Slayton was preceded in death by her husband Charles (Ross) Slayton who passed away August 31, 1998, her parents, her brothers: Charles, Edward, Kenneth and Bill, two sisters: Beatrice and Rosalie and three half-sisters: Annabelle, Dora and Dimple.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 – 9 pm Tuesday, March 26th at the Funeral Home.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Psalm 23:4 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.

Miss me – But let me go!
When I come to the end of the road & my soul has been set free:
I want no rites in a gloom filled room, why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little but not too long and not with your heads bowed low:
Remember the love we once shared, Miss me but let me go!
Life is a journey we all must face and at the end we must go it alone:
It is a part of the Master’s Plan – And it’s the Final Step to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart, go to the friends we know:
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds – Miss me but let me go!
(Written by Berneice Slayton in 2018)

https://www.franklincounty-news.com/2019/03/25/35782/