Crystal R. Smith, nee Guill, 97, of Loves Park, IL and formerly of West Frankfort, IL, passed away on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

Crystal was born September 30, 1920 in West Frankfort and was the seventh of eight children born to Charles and Ermie Guill. Crystal was a loving mother to Carl, Donna, Theresia and Charlotte, a cherished grandmother to grandchildren Douglas, Bryan, Lisa, Jeffrey, Walter, Dennis, Christopher, Tricia, Kirsten, Bradley, Tracy and Kerry, a proud great-grandmother of 18 great-grandchildren and a proud great-great grandmother of 12 great-great grandchildren.

She was the fond sister of the late Howard, Lena, Enos, George, Francis, William and Harold. Crystal loved tending flowers in her garden, enjoyed quilting, sewing, poetry, reading, traveling to Hawaii and baking. Crystal had a special place in her heart for her two cats.

In celebration of her life, a graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2018 at Ten Mile Cemetery, in McLeansboro, IL.

Peggy Lou McCann, 87, of Carthage, MO and a former resident of Ewing, IL died Monday morning, September 17, 2018 in Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO.

She was born in Jefferson County, near Belle Rive, IL on July 10, 1931, the daughter of Loria & Pearl (Monday) Whittington. She married Junior Ray McCann on March 17, 1951, at the First Baptist Church in Ewing, IL. He preceded her in death on May 23, 1983.

She is survived by one daughter, Susan Pearce and husband Billy Joe, of Carthage, MO; one son, Russell McCann and wife Gina, of Carterville, IL; one brother, Tom Whittington and wife Sue, of Benton; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs. McCann was preceded in death by her parents and by one sister, Patsy D. Herring.
Graveside services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Elder S.E. Williams Cemetery near Ewing, IL with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. There will be no visitation and those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Danny “Foot” Drysdale, 61, of Sesser, IL passed away on Monday September 17, 2018.

 He was born March 14, 1957 in Christopher to Franklin and Ruth (Scott) Drysdale.  He was married to Patty (Kramer) Drysdale on February 14, 1984 and she survives of Sesser.

He is survived by his wife Patty; children Chelsea (Donnie) Basenberg of Zeigler, Alicia Swanagan of Gillette, WY and Amber Keith of Gillette, WY; grandchildren Chloe Basenberg, Christian Basenberg, Nicolette Basenberg, Wyatt Abbott and Louis Abbott; brothers and sisters Geno Drysdale, Debbie King, Marion “Mav” Drysdale, Kevin Drysdale, Melissa Galloway, Melinda Bruns.

He was a musician and played many instruments, enjoyed fishing and loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Pamela Drysdale and one brother Rodney Drysdale.

Funeral services will be on Saturday September 22, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Eddie Paul Davis officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Patty Drysdale to help with funeral expenses.

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

Nathan M. Sill, 37 formerly of Benton, IL., born on September 30, 1980, in West Frankfort, IL., died Friday, September 14, 2018.

Nathan was very intelligent, and always felt the need to help others.

He is survived by his mother, Anita J. Rice; step-father, Michael S. Rice; a sister and brother, Angela Winkleman and Timothy Lytle; a niece and nephew, Alivia and Briar Winkleman; and many cousins and friends.

Nathan is preceded in death by his sister, Savauhna Hammond.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

A memorial gathering will be held on Monday, September 24, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Immanuel Baptist Church, 516 North Main Street, Benton, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pate Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Visit www.patefh.com to view obituary and sign online guest registry.

Mary Louise (Abney) Richardson, 93, of Benton, IL passed away at 4:44 p.m., on Monday, September 17, 2018, at Herrin Hospital.

She was born on December 24, 1924, to Alonzo and Nellie (Dooley) Abney in Harrisburg, IL, and raised in Saline County, IL.  Louise was a homemaker.  On April 18, 1945, she married Forrest B. Richardson in Crown Point, Indiana.

Louise was the proud wife of a minister, the Rev. Forrest B. Richardson.  Throughout her life she was involved with helping her husband in his ministry by assisting with church music, a Sunday school teacher, participating in the ladies ministries and cleaned many churches.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, fishing, socializing at Heritage Woods of Benton, playing the piano for friends, working word searches, solving puzzles and spoiling her grandchildren.

She is survived by seven children, Forrest W. Richardson and wife Diane of Marion, IL., Katie Richardson-Roach and husband Artie of Logan, IL., Burt Richardson and wife Jill of Herrin, IL., Jim Richardson of West Frankfort, IL., John Richardson of Carrier Mills, IL., Nell Richardson-Jones and husband John of Christopher, IL., Jeanne Richardson-Crnokrak and husband Bill of West Frankfort, IL; a daughter-in-law, Lyn Richardson of West Frankfort, IL; 15 grandchildren, Aaron Richardson, Joel Richardson, Lori Hammers, Shawn Roach, Temetra Gibson, Bob Richardson, Amy Richardson-Harkins, Julie Richardson-Nolen, Billy Richardson, Kari Jones-Ramsey, Tim Jones, Brandon Jones, Jordan Murphy, Alex Crnokrak and Anna Crnokrak; 23 great grandchildren, Sarah Richardson, Kaydee Richardson, Cody Hammers, Reider Hammers, Chloe Roach, Mikaylan Roach, Quinn Gibson, Bailey Richardson, Ella Richardson, Kaitlyn Wilburn, Oliva Harkins, Sophie Harkins, Ava Harkins, Isabelle Nolen, Amelia Nolen,  Jason Richardson, Nathan Ramsey, Chuck Jones, Paul Jones, Teddy Jones, Sam Jones, Remy Murphy and Jase Murphy;  one great-great grandchild, Beckham Wilburn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alonzo and Nellie (Dooley) Abney; husband of 59 years, Forrest B. Richardson; a son, Marty Richardson; a daughter-in-law, Judy Stump-Richardson; five brothers and four sisters.

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

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 20, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 21, 2018, 10:30 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Burial will follow services at Logan Church of God Cemetery, Logan, IL.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Sherry Lyn Atchison, 59, of Benton, IL passed away on September 17, 2018 at her home after a long battle with lung cancer and the Grace of God is upon her.

Sherry was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 10, 1958 the daughter of Charles & Vera (Shook) Pruitt.

She loved her kids, grandkids, NASCAR, wrestling and Alan Jackson.

Sherry is survived by her children, Ronald Kevin Atchison, Tulsa, OK, Jamie King, Benton, Tyler Atchison, Benton and Marcie Atchison, Benton; grandchildren Ashley Thomas, Tulsa, OK, Joshua King, Tennessee, Vera Nicole Welch, Joshua King, Braxton King, Xander Atchison, Hope Atchison and Checotah Atchison, all of Benton; sisters Diana Hynes and husband Donnie, of Tulsa, OK and Brenda Modlin, of Benton. She is also survived by her soulmate, Maxie Burton II, of Benton.

Ms. Atchison was preceded in death by her parents and by a great-granddaughter, Lillian.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 20th at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Opal June Wyant, 92, of West Frankfort, IL, passed away at 6:15 p.m., on Friday, September 14, 2018, at Helia Healthcare of West Frankfort.

She was born on June 20, 1926, to John and Mary (Summers) Gaither in Thompsonville, IL. She married Louis Wyant and he precedes her.

Opal was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She enjoyed sewing, camping, fishing, and spending time with her family.

Opal is survived by her one son, Kenneth (Delores) W. Patterson of West Frankfort, IL; one daughter, Mary L. Pritchett of West Frankfort, IL; five Grandchildren, Brett A. Patterson of Galatia, IL, Lainie M. Rich of West Frankfort, IL, Brock W. Patterson of AL, Roberta L. Dalton of West Frankfort, IL, Kelly T. Baker of Benton, IL; nine great-grandchildren, Megan M. Patterson, Nason L. Clark, Bryce Rich, Amber King, Paige King, Cooper  Patterson, Crew Patterson, Cade Patterson, Jaxsen Starling; and one great- great grandchild, Slade Rich.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Riley and Mary Ethel Gaither; loving husband, Louis O. Wyant, four brothers; Sylvester Gaither, John Gaither, Kenneth Gaither, Carter Gaither, and one grandson; Barry Patterson.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 1:00 p.m, at the Plaster Grove Cemetery in Thompsonville, IL, with Reverend Mark Minor officiating.

Memorials contributions may made to Plasters Grove Cemetery, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Lamon Deon Hart, 80, of Valier passed away on Thursday September 13, 2018.

He was born on December 24, 1937 to Nelson Hart and Lillie (Overturf) Gibson.  He married Francesca (Shovan) Hart on August 31, 1958 and she survives of Valier. Survivors include his wife; children Lonnie (Mary) Hart of Benton and Lori (Chris) Dillman of Marion; grandchildren Andrew Hart, Sidney (Abbie) Hart, John Ryan (Tina Breen) Beighley, Tyler (Kristi) Dillman, and Cortney (Nick) Panzo; great grandchildren Cooper, Vincent, Madison, Trey, Emerson, and Evann; one brother Damon (Charlotte) Hart of Valier. He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was retired from Zeigler Coal Company as a surface mine Superintendent.  He also served on the Valier Village Board for over 30 years, and was a 50 year member and Past Master of the Valier Masonic Lodge.  Lamon was a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Funeral services will be on Sunday September 16, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Dale Burzynski officiating.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 12 noon until the time of the service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.   In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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