Donnie Keith Brooks, age 75, of Ewing, passed away at 7:33 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in the Opdyke Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. Brooks was born on September 22, 1943 in Macedonia, IL, the son of Warner Brooks and Florence (Winemiller) Brooks. He married the former Vonda Allen on March 19, 1964, and she survives.

Donnie was a former oil field laborer, also he worked as a farm hand.

He was a member of the Macedonia United Methodist Church.

Donnie enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandson.

Survivors include his wife Vonda Brooks of Ewing; his son Brian Keith Brooks of Ewing; a grandson Joshua Keith Brooks; and a great-grandson Joshua Keith Brooks, Jr.; four nieces: Cheryl K. Lampley, Billie S. Higgerson, Gail Ellett, Becky Markham and husband Ben; two nephews: William E. Lampley, Jr. and wife Michele, Steven C. Lampley and wife Daredan; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Mr. Brooks was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Kathryn Parrish and Hazel Lampley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Leffler Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

 

Jordan A. Kent, 32, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, passed away September 27, 2018 at 2:02 p.m. at Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage, AK.  He was born August 27, 1986 in Benton, Illinois.

He is survived by his daughter Emma Wampler of Mulkeytown, Illinois; mother and step-father, Kathryn and Ray McCluney of Paris, Missouri; his father, William Kent of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; two sisters, Tina Kent and John Edwards of Brevard, North Carolina, Amy Bushong and husband, Chad of Mulkeytown, Illinois; two nieces, Cheyenne and Haylee Bradford; two nephews, Carson and Candon Bushong; step-brothers, Travis McCluney of Paris, Missouri, David Hawkins of Benton, Illinois; step-sister, Shanna Trone and husband Randy of West Frankfort, Illinois, and Ashley Riley of West Frankfort, Illinois; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jordan had recently relocated to Soldotna, Alaska to be with his love, Brandy L. Hudgins.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Fred and Alberta Yoder, Joe and Wanda Kent, step grandmother Allene Yoder, many aunt and uncles, and one cousin.

Jordan loved music, shooting pool, and spending time with his family and friends. He had the ability to make everyone in a room laugh. He always seemed to be looking for the one place he belonged. He has finally found it!

Services will be on Thursday October 4, 2018 at 2:00 Pm at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, Illinois with Rev. Kurt Jensen from the First Christian Church in Mulkeytown will be officiating.  Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

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

Robert Klingel, 82, of Buckner passed away on September 29, 2018 at the Herrin Hospital.

He was born on July 25, 1936 in Christopher to Theodore “Ted” and Aslee (Motsinger) Klingel.  He married Lois Ann (Stoebig) Klingel on September 7, 1957 and she preceded him in death on December 28, 2009.

Survivors include his son Chris Klingel of Buckner; one sister Brenda (Roger) Rice of Coello; two brothers Deon McGuire of Herrin and Kenny Klingel of Eureka, CA; sister-in-law Beverly Klingel of Christopher; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert was active in the West Franklin Historical Society in Mulkeytown.  He was past president of the Six Rivers Racing Association, a member of the Eureka Eagles, and Humboldt Grange Club all in the Eureka, CA area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother William Donald Klingel, and two sisters-in-law Donna McGuire and Naomi Ruth Klingel.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday October 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM.  Entombment will be at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the West Franklin Historical Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For a full obituary go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

Valeta Ruth Morgan, 77, of Zeigler passed away on September 28, 2018 at her home. She was born on November 10, 1940 in Herrin, IL to Gilbert and Lois (Clark) Prather. 

She married Noel Morgan on June 28, 1957 and he survives of Zeigler. She is also survived by her daughters Michelle (Roman) Willis of Royalton and Sandra (Ryan) Thorpe of Zeigler; grandchildren Morgan, Braden, Brittany, Amber, Ryan and Autum; great grandchildren Kilynn, Jordan, Zoie, Mia, Mya, Damion, Miracle, Merecia, Chaz and two great grandchildren on the way River and Britlynn; one sister Charlotte Colyer-Smith of Zeigler; one niece Lisa and one nephew Kevin and a dear friend Sherry Clark of Zeigler.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter Christy Duiguid. She was a school teacher and a member of the First Apostolic Lighthouse Church in Christopher.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 12 noon at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Danny Norman officiating.  Visitation will be on Monday October 1, 2018 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 12 noon.  Burial will be at Zeigler City Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First Apostolic Lighthouse Church in Christopher.  Envelopes will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Larry Dean Taylor, 79, of Sesser passed away on September 26, 2018 at Parkway Manor in Marion.

He was born on May 24, 1939 in West Frankfort, IL to Ralph Henry and Altha “Billie” (Clark) Taylor.  He married Bonnie Ellen (Legendre) Taylor on July 12, 1980 and she survives of Sesser.

He graduated from Goode-Barren Township High School in Sesser and Decatur Barber School.  He also served his country in the Illinois National Guard for six years.

Larry was a longtime barber in Mt. Vernon, Waltonville, Ashley, and Sesser.  He invented the “Taylor Vac”, a vacuum system for barbershop haircuts which was used by many shops in Southern Illinois. He was also the founder and president of Southern Illinois Oil Inv., INC, an oil production company.

He was a member of the Webbs Prairie FWB Church until its closure and then attended Bear Point FWB Church.

Larry enjoyed camping, Civil War re-enacting, driving his antique cars, and wood carving.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie, a son Alan Dean (Lisa) Taylor of Mt Vernon; a daughter Jennifer Lynn Taylor of Benton, her fiancé Kirk Hayes of Kell; a nephew Rick (Sue) Taylor of Woodlawn; and two grandsons Raini and Bodi Hawkins of Phoenix, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Michael Ray Hawkins, a brother Donald R. Taylor, and a sister-in-law Peggy Taylor.

Funeral services will be on Saturday September 29, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook and Brother Merle Fullerton officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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