Chalen Chester Parrish, 48, of Valier, IL passed away on February 19, 2019.

He was born on June 28, 1970 in Naperville, IL to Chester Dale and Irena Ann (Warren) Parrish. He was married to Elizabeth (Hamza) Parrish on July 17, 1993 and she survives of Valier. He is also survived by his children Tyler Chalen Parrish of Valier, Collin William Parrish of Herrin, Kayla Elizabeth Parrish of Royalton, and Hailey Marie Parrish of Valier; one brother Jeffrey Dale Parrish of Plainfield; one sister Jennifer Irena Batka of Mulkeytown. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Visitation will be on Saturday February 23, 2019 at the Plumfield Christian Church from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Plumfield Christian Church or to the Family. Envelopes will be available at the church.

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

Marion “Spank” Bowman, 82, of Benton, IL passed away Thursday afternoon February 21, 2019 with his family by his side.

He was born in St. Louis, MO on February 25, 1936, the son of Benjamin & Ethel (Fulgham) Bowman.
Mr. Bowman is survived by his wife Betty (Williams) Bowman, of Benton, daughter Sherry Howard, of Splendora, TX, son Steve Bowman, and wife Teresa, of Bonnie, IL; grandsons Joshua Bowman, and wife Bri, of Florence, AL, Brandon Howard, of Splendora, TX, Travis Howard, and wife Brooklyn, of Splendora, TX; great-grandchildren Chaye Davidson, Tate Howard and Thomas Howard.

Mr. Bowman was preceded in death by his parents, by two brothers, Kenneth and B.E. and by a sister-Kathleen.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 25, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Joe Keener, 57, of Benton, IL passed away on Tuesday night February 19, 2019.

Joe was born in Russellville, Arkansas on July 29, 1961, the son of Thomas R. & Carol (Sawosko) Keener.

He married Lisa Compton on May 26, 1984 in Hillsboro, MO. Joe was a member of the congregation of Jehovah’s Witness.

Mr. Keener is survived by his wife, Lisa Keener, of Benton; son Zack Keener, of Fulton, MO; daughter Joelle Buffington, and husband Samuel, of Vanzant, MO; grandsons Justin and Jaden; mother Carol Anderson, of De Soto, MO; father Thomas Keener, of Hillsboro, MO; sisters Barbara Bonin, of Dupo, IL and Angela Waggoner, of Fulton, MO and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Benton Public Library or the Hillsboro Missouri Fire Department.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Faye Buckner, 94, of Buckner, passed away on Monday, February 18, 2019.

She was born on April 21, 1924 in Franklin County, IL to Everett and Ruth (Flatt) Overturf. She married Logan Buckner on July 22, 1940 and he preceded her in death on May 1, 1994.

She is survived by her children Lana (Danny) Vukadinovich of Mulkeytown, Elva Martin of West Frankfort and Earl Buckner of Buckner; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren and one brother Ray (Nancy) Overturf of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one son John Buckner. Graveside services will be on Wednesday February 20, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Masonic and IOOF cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 12:00 PM until 1:45 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Burial will be at Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.

Janet Marie Parker, 74, of Logan, IL passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019.
She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 17, 1944, the daughter of Adam James & Pearl (Abbott) Schelsky.

Mrs. Parker was a Home Health Care Provider. She enjoyed taking care of the elderly & children.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband-Jesse Parker, Son-Kenny Parker and Daughter-in-law Angie, by 1 Daughter-Sandy and by a very special Niece Donna Johnson and by a Sister-Edith Baumhardt.
Mrs. Parker is survived by her children Jesse Parker, Jr. and wife Lori of North Dakota, Robert Parker and wife Cynthia, of Seattle, WA, Jan Parker, of Logan, IL and Donna Parker, of San Diego, CA; 14 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, including special ones, Ladybug and Precious; sisters Joyce Watkins, of Benton, IL and Mary Carroll and husband Jack, of Columbia, MO; several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 15, 2019 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Dean Severin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Keith Absher, 71, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday morning February 9, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Logan, IL on April 1, 1947, the son of Troy & Dorothy Aline (Kirkman) Absher.
He married Diane Cameron on February 20, 1970 in Benton and she survives.
Mr. Absher is survived by his wife, Diane Absher, of Benton; three children, Karen Lynn Byrd, and husband Keith, of Biloxi, MS, Tammy Sue Overton, of Benton, IL and Wendy Marie Gose, and husband Charles, of St. Louis, MO; 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren: several nieces and nephews; one brother, William Absher, and wife Patti, of Logan, IL.

Mr. Absher was preceded in death by his parents, Troy & Aline, sister, Sharon Jackson and one brother, William Absher.

It was Mr. Absher’s wishes to be cremated.
There will be a gathering of family & friends from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 16th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

David Hilty Jr., 76, of Marion, formerly of Christopher, passed away on Friday February 8, 2019.

He was born on May 31, 1942 to David Ellsworth and Stella (Burns) Hilty. He married Reba Mae (Edmonds) Hilty and she survives of Marion. He is survived by his children Denise Slater and David Hilty; three grandchildren.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday February 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Zeigler City Cemetery with Brother Ivan Ryan officiating. Burial will be at Zeigler City Cemetery. Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.