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/

Mary E. Chambers, 71, of Mulkeytown, passed away on March 22, 2019.

She was born on April 20, 1947 in Mulkeytown to Thomas and Ola (Moyers) Bullock. She married Bob Chambers on May 17, 1977 and he survives of Mulkeytown.

She is also survived by her daughters Melissa (Norman JR.) Inglett of Mulkeytown and Bobbie Jo Chambers Miller of Mulkeytown; grandchildren Kolton Inglett, Caleb McCurren, Colin McCurren and Emalee Chambers; one brother John (Kay) Bullock of Mulkeytown.

She was a member of the Eastern Star and she was a retired Postmaster at Valier Post Office.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Maude Reese.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday March 26, 2019 at 11:00 Am at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. Visitation will be on Monday March 25, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Charles Panzier, 83, of Sesser, passed away on March 23, 2019.

He was born on June 15, 1935 in Jefferson County, IL to Theodore Joseph and Dorothy Marie (Loucks) Panzier. He is survived uncles Harold (Barbara) Loucks of Sesser and Clifford (Nancy) Loucks of Benton. He is also survived by several cousins.

Graveside services will be on Thursday March 28, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Michael “Mike” A. Edwards, 66, of West Frankfort, passed away at 9:46 p.m., on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Helia Healthcare of Benton.

He was born on April 4, 1952, to Lloyd and Virginia Edwards in DuQuoin, IL. He was a graduate of Pinckneyville High School and then went on to graduate with a Bachelors in Forestry from SIUC. Michael retired as a Park Ranger at Rend Lake for the United States Army Corp of Engineers after 25 years.

Michael was a member of Redemption Church in Johnston City, IL. He was a loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed being outdoors , sharing the Lord’s Gospel, and helping others.

Michael is survived by his loving son, Joshua Edwards and wife Cassandra of Christopher, IL; two grandchildren, Nevaeh and Jaxon; and one brother, Steve Edwards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Virginia Edwards.

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

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2019, 1:00 p.m., at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robbey Smith, officiating.

Memorials contributions may be made to Redemption Church, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Rosie Ann Gaither, 79, of Thompsonville, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the Kindred Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

She was born on August 27, 1939, to Everette and Maude (McClintock) Isaacs in Benton, IL.

Rosie was a member of the Thompsonville First Baptist Church. She was a loving sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. On Tuesday’s Rosie enjoyed sewing and making quilts at the church with her dear friends.

She is survived by her three sons, Kenny Isaacs, Wayne Gaither and wife Kim, and Tracy Isaacs; three daughters, Patricia Bowers, JoAnn Roberson and husband Dan, and Michelle Shaw; five brothers, Ben Isaacs, Everette Isaacs, Aden Isaacs and wife Mary, Fred Isaacs and wife Lola, Justin Isaacs; two sisters, Ruby Arview and Ronda Taskoski; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by father, Everette Isaacs; mother, Maude Isaacs; husband, Kenneth Gaither; grandson, Ryan Michael Isaacs; daughter-in-law, Sherry Isaacs; son-in-law, Evert Bowers; and a brother-in-law, Ron Taskoski.

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

Visitation will be held Friday, March 22, 2019, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019, 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Rev. John Robinson, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Plasters Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Thompsonville First Baptist Church, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Carlton Ray Owens, age 41, of Thompsonville, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room in Benton.

Memorial Celebration of Life Services will be announced at a future date.

Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, has been entrusted with the cremation services.

Carlton Ray Owens was born on January 29, 1978 in Houston, TX, the son of Gayle Lucille Owens. He was engaged to Melissa Linger of Thompsonville.

Mr. Owens was an over-the-road-truckdriver with Merica Logistics, of Fort Wayne, IN.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran. And, he was of the Catholic Faith.

Carl enjoyed hunting and fishing. He took pride in his family and his work’ and especially loved spending time with his family.

Surviving is his fiancé Melissa Linger of Thompsonville, four sons: Darion Owens of Sullivan, MO, Hunter Warren, Ranger Owens, and Parker Owens all of Thompsonville; his mother Gayle Hinkle of Sullivan, MO; two sisters: Theresa Guhr and husband Eric of Versailles, MO, Regina Scheffer and husband Kit of Eldon, MO; Melissa’s family including her father: Jeff Warren and Faye Mason of Thompsonville; mother: Sheri Downey and husband Charles “Chuck” of Wayne City; three sisters: Jennifer Risinger and husband Bill of Clarksville, TN, Kimberly Downey and partner Laura McGill of Fairfield, Chelsea Trusty of West Frankfort; a brother: Jason Warren of West Frankfort.

Carl was preceded in death by his father.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Carlton Ray Owens, and, may be sent to Leffler Funeral Home 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Roy Eugene Rone, 57, of Marion, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Herrin Hospital.

He was born on November 26, 1961, to Robert and Shirley (Thomas) Rone in Chicago, IL.
Roy loved his family dearly. He enjoyed playing his guitar, listening to music, painting, and fixing cars.

He is survived by his son, Ryder Rone; daughter, China Rone; one grandchild, Rue Rone; two brothers, Roger Rone and Robert Rone; one sister, Roberta Bayless; and his loving companion, Lisa Capobianco; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Rone; mother, Shirley Rone; two brothers, Ronnie Rone and Ricky Rone; a step-son, Dominic Logioco and his ashes will be buried with Roy per his request.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL, 62812.

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019, 2:00 pm at Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL.

Memorials contributions may be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Joyce Blondell Watkins, 85, of Benton, IL passed away Monday, March 18, 2019 at her home.
She was born in Trenton, Tennessee on February 21, 1934, the daughter of Elonzo & Pearl (Abbott) Smith.

Mrs. Watkins was a member of the Fires of Revival Church in Benton. She was was retired from the Rock Island Arsenal.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Carroll, and husband Jack, of Columbia, MO; brother Joseph Schelsky, and wife Sandy, of St. Louis, Mo; grandson Joshua and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Watkins was preceded in death by her Parents, by a Daughter- Donna Johnson, by a Son-Eddie Dean Watkins, by a Sister-Janet Marie Parker, by a Sister-Edith Baumhardt, by a Brother-James Schelsky & by a Brother-Rusty Burns.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, March 22nd at The Fires of Revival Church in Benton with Rev. Dean Severin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, and after 12:00 Noon on Friday until the funeral at the Church.

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