Ruth Ann Yunker, 84, of Benton, passed into eternal life at 12:17 a.m., on Friday, July 12, 2019, at her residence.

She was born on December 23, 1934, to Harry and Viola (Roberson) Durham in Whittington, IL. In 1960, she married Eugene J. Yunker of Orland Park, IL. Ruth Ann was a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She was an educator, teaching music and elementary education.

An accomplished musician, Ruth Ann started playing the piano and organ at age four. She had many talents but her biggest joy was being a mother to five, grandmother to thirteen and great grandmother to eight.

She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church of Orland Park, IL., First United Methodist Church of Benton, IL., long time member of Mary Circle and Suzanna’s Piecemakers.

Ruth is survived by her five children, Pamela (Edward) Mack of Darien, IL, Sidney (Mark) Czynski of Mundelein, IL, George Yunker of Mooresville, NC, William Yunker of West Frankfort, IL, and John Yunker of Benton, IL; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene J. Yunker; father, Harry S. Durham; mother, Viola Florence Durham.

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

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2019, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Rev. Chuck Smith officiating.

Memorials contributions may be made to SSM Hospice Good Samaritan, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com

Roscoe Webb Neal, age 97, went home to the Lord July 7th surrounded by his loving family.

He was born March 28, 1922 the youngest son of Aaron and Nobia Otterson Neal. He is survived by wife Marjorie Sullivan Neal, daughters Karen (husband Keith) Duckworth, Kathy Essary (fiancé Jim Lambert), Kendra (husband David) Clark and sister Dorothy Biegler. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Russell, infant daughter, Janice, four brothers Okley, Eual, Jim, Harvey and one sister Goldia Neal Braden.

He served in World War II, 1942-1945, as Private 1st class in the 82nd fighter control squadron as a plotter/coder with the Army-Air Corps. He earned three overseas gold bars. He served in Versailles, France, Corsica and Italy.

Visitation is at 10 am Thursday, July 11 at Morton-Johnston. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Neal Cemetery, Logan.

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

Mary J. Boyd, 81, of Benton, IL passed away at 2:07 p.m., on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at Franklin Hospital, Benton, IL.

She was born on January 10, 1938, to Mr. and Mrs. Smith in Cassville, WI.

Mary is survived by her three children, Mary E. Bartlett and husband Joseph, Charles J. Boyd and wife Julie, and Thomas W. Boyd and wife Paula; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

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

Per Mary’s wishes cremation was held.

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

Mrs. Lavina Mae Gibbs, age 87, of Benton; passed away at 7:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Helia Healthcare of Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Karl Barnfield officiating. Burial 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.

Lavina was born on May 18, 1932 in Benton, IL, the daughter of Rev. Clyde Gulley and Leona Fern (Gant) Gulley. She married Clarence Herb Gibbs on May 28, 1955, and he preceded her in death on October 11, 1995.

Lavina was a Certified Nurse’s Aide at the Franklin Hospital, where she worked for 25 years.
She was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church.

Mrs. Gibbs is survived by her children: Cheryl Ann Norris, Clyde Herbert Gibbs, and David Aaron Gibbs and wife Brandie, all of Benton; two sisters: Arlene Davis and husband Rev. Eddie Paul Davis, Kathryn Crawford, of Benton; two brothers: David Gulley and wife Peggy, Danny Gulley and wife Jackie, also of Benton; a sister-in-law Gladys Thompson of West Frankfort; several nieces and nephews; and her four-legged family Annie and Lucy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a sister Clydean Rodriguez; two brothers-in-law: Ray Wilburn and Jimmie Dale Crawford; and a niece Amanda Kay Gulley.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Lavina Gibbs to the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Lavina, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Shirley L. Summers, 83, of Troy Grove, IL passed away Friday morning, June 28, 2019.

She was born in West Frankfort, IL on August 14, 1935, the daughter of Ransom & Fern Hewlett.
She married Warren Summers on June 2, 1956, and he preceded her in death on November 7, 1999.

Mrs. Summers was a member of the Moose & Elks Lodge.

She is survived by her children, Diana Summers, Troy Grove, IL, Gwen Voss, and husband Greg, of Lombard, IL, Kenneth Summers, and wife Marsha, of Minnesota, Paula McDonald, of Mendota, IL and Larry Summers, and wife Debbie, of Plainfield, IL; grandchildren Sheila Voss, Kaitlyn Summers, Nicholas Summers, Valerie Drewel, David McDonald and Madison Summers; sister Maxine Page, of Benton, IL; brother Lowell Hewlett, of West Frankfort, IL

Mrs. Summers was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 2nd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Phillips Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Dale Allen, 68, of Sesser, passed away on June 29, 2019.

He was born on September 9, 1950 in DuQuoin, IL to Robert “Fuzz” Allen Sr. and Billie (Bowlin) Allen.
He is survived by his mother Billie Allen of DuQuoin, IL; his children Greg (Leigh) Allen of North Palm Beach, FL, Jonathon (Jeni) Allen of Naples, FL and Kaylee Allen of Herrin, IL; four grandchildren London Allen, Kelsi Epplin, Talion Miller and Blaine Bradley; one sister Kandy (David) Porter of DuQuoin; and one brother Bobby Allen of Sesser.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Dale enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables and playing tennis. He was an avid follower of all aspects of horse racing, including western pleasure show horses and cutting horses.

Dale loved living life and never met a stranger.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday July 2, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuenralhomes.com

Jimmie Dale Crawford, 79, of Sesser, IL passed away Friday, June 28, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born in West Frankfort, IL on January 1, 1940, the son of James and Charity (Culpepper) Crawford.
Mr. Crawford married Kathryn Gulley on May 9, 1964 and she survives.
Mr. Crawford was a member of the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church. He was a member of the UMWA. Mr. Crawford served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Crawford, of Sesser; two sons, Tim Crawford, of Sesser and Mark Crawford, of Miami, FL; grandchildren Matthew Crawford, of Sesser, Elizabeth Crawford, of Sesser, Sydney Crawford, of Benton, Michael Crawford, of Benton and Gabrielle Reed, of Carbondale. He is also survived by three sisters and five brothers.

Mr. Crawford was preceded in death by his parents and by three brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, July 1, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Bro. Larry Cook officiating. Burial with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Post and the National Guard Honor Squad will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Monday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com