Junita “Pat” Beasley, 90, of West Frankfort, Illinois, passed away Wednesday May 9, 2018 in her residence at 11:56 a.m.

Pat was born May 24, 1927 in Marion, Illinois to Sherman and Minnie (Holmes) Thompson.  She is a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church – West Frankfort, Illinois.  Pat enjoyed quilting, sewing, and crocheting.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Beasley; parents; brothers:  Mel and Bob Thompson; sister, Esther Milligan.

Pat is survived by son:  Gary (Cathy) Beasley and Stan (Sherry) Beasley; daughter, DeeAnn (Joe) Arview; grandchildren:  Alana (Dwayne) Nation, Nikki (Rob) Stecher, Becky (Josh) Bailie, Kristen (Eddie) Crain, Rick (Keina) Beasley, Patrick (Lisa) Arview, Jay (Uvanna) Arview, and Shannon (Sarah) Arview; step grandchildren, Melissa (Rick) Boughton and Shawn (Amy) Southard; great grandchildren:  Ciara Duke and fiancé Jarred King, Lucas Bailie, Kaelyne Beasley, Coleman Bailie, Hadley Stecher, Emma Stecher, Alex Stecher, Joseph Arview, and Noah Beasley; step greatgrandchildren:  Kyle Nation, Emily Andres, Cole Andres, Cole Williams, Seth Nation, Danny Nation, Megan Joedicke, Logan Southard, and Jace Southard; special friend, Connie Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00p.m. Friday May 11, 2018 at Union Funeral Home – West Frankfort, Illinois with Joe Arview officiating.  Burial will be in Denning Cemetery on the Orient Road.  Visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.

Online condolences of sympathy, visit www.unionfh.com.

Shawn David Flowers, 45, of Herrin passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2018. 

Graveside services will be held on Friday May 11, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with Brother Don Wright officiating.  Burial will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

Shawn was born April 26, 1973 in Benton.  He is the son of David and Brenda (Smith) Flowers of Coello.  He was a Union Painter and a member of the Church of Christ at Minor.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Marcy Rogers Flowers, son Chase Flowers, daughter Amanda (Jeb) Martin, three grandsons, Landon, Noah, and Rowan, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his brother Aaron Flowers, grandparents Helen and Bob Smith, and grandparents Jackie and Gene Flowers.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Chase Flowers’ College Fund. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

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

Brian Charles Donna, 81, died on Saturday morning May 5, 2018, in Red Bud, IL.

Brian was born on January 14, 1937, in St. Clair County, IL, the only son of Charles Donna and Marie (Kuhlman) Donna.  He married Carol Ann Pelo on June 9, 1956.

Brian was a devoted husband and loving father. He loved spending time with his family while enjoying the outdoors. After graduating from SLU, he worked for State Farm until his retirement. Brian was an active member of the Benton Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Surviving relatives include seven children, Renee (Rick) Levek, Collinsville, IL, Kent (Julie) Donna, Parrish FL, Craig (Lisa) Donna, Marion, IL, Brad Donna, Anna, IL, Todd (Angela) Donna, Augusta, ME, Chad (Kelly) Donna, Johnston City, IL, Troy (Leigh) Donna, Charleston, IL, eleven grandchildren, Matthew, Kara, Kelli, Kayla, and Brianne Levek, Bradley and Charlie Donna, Scott and Brian Stearns, Broque Weinstein, Leslie Green, several adored great-grandchildren, his sister Marilyn (Jim) Preston and his niece, Marla.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carol and his daughter-in-law Kathy.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p. m. Saturday, June 9, 2018, at the Marion Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 9490 Route 148, Carterville, IL 62918.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

 

CHRISTOPHER — Bonnie Kerkemeyer, 73, died at 8:02 a.m., Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at home.

Bonnie was born September 13, 1944, in Oak Park, IL, the daughter of Stanley and Bette (Camden) Johnson.

She married Richard Kerkemeyer on September 12, 1966 and he preceded her in death in 1996.

Bonnie attended First Baptist Church of Christopher, was a homemaker, child care provider and with her husband, owner of the S&S Tavern in Christopher. She was a courageous victor over breast cancer and was known for her infectious smile and caring soul.

Bonnie is survived by her sons Randy and wife, Terra Kerkemeyer; Craig and wife, Kelly Kerkemeyer, all of Christopher; one daughter, Lisa Jones and husband, Eric, of Valier; Grandchildren, Kara Stark, Michael Stark, Kailey Kerkemeyer, Khortnee Kerkemeyer, Cadi Kerkemeyer, Bailee Jones, Beau Jones, Bryce Jones, Charlie Swisher and Megan Wilson; sisters: Judi and husband, Bruce Anderson of Greenville, SC; Pamela Bloustine of Edmond, OK; Wendy and husband Jerry Harrison of Chicago, IL; Kim and husband Ricky Johnson of Oak Lawn, IL; Laurie and husband Tom Gotsis of Chesterfield, MO; Laurel and husband Dave of McKinney, TX; brothers: Ken and wife, Kathy Johnson of Rockford, IL; Jim and wife, LaDonna of Minooka, IL; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Also some of her very special kids: Schuyler, Simon, Sidney and Kane Stephens and Kelsey “ Jeano” Clark  whom she cared for when they were young. They and their parents were very special to her.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, husband and son Richard “Rick” Kerkemeyer, II.

Services will be on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Matt Crain officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2018 and 9 a.m. until time of service on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rick Kerkemeyer Memorial Scholarship fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information or to sign the online guest register, please visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Makanda Jaide Williams lived a life worth remembering.

With a heart as pure as gold, she seized every opportunity to be forgiving, helpful, loving, understanding and kind.  She put others first with a sense of compassion well beyond her 10 short years on this earth.

Born in Mt. Vernon on May 4, 2007, Makanda spent the last year of her life fighting the demon called DIPG with the courage of a warrior.  She lay down her sword on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 12:18 a.m., at her home in Macedonia, surrounded in love by her family and friends.

A blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty that loved fashion, fancy clothes, makeovers, and makeup, Makanda demonstrated to those who crossed her path the true meaning of strength and beauty.

Her love for family and friends was fierce, as was her love of all animals, especially her German Shepard, Sadie Mae, and equal to her faith in God.

Makanda leaves behind an army to watch over including her parents, Sarah and John Carlton of Macedonia, her twin brother, Connor, sister, Addison, maternal grandmother, Ramona Kearney of Benton, paternal grandparents, Tom and Rita Carlton of Benton, maternal great-grandmother Viola Werlinger of Benton, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins, who all held a special place in her heart.

She will join those that passed before her, including maternal grandfather, John Williams, maternal great-grandfather J.B. Kearney, and paternal great-grandparents Dwight and Norma Carlton and Artie and Edgar Hayes.

Family and friends are invited to dress comfortably, maybe wearing MakandaStrong shirts or her favorite color purple, and join in a celebration of Makanda’s life and legacy.  Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, at the Whittington Church with Rev. Mark Minor officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, at the Whittington Church.

Goodbyes hurt the most when the story in unfinished … so, for now, it’s see you later, Makanda.  Your journey isn’t over.  It’s just begun.

Makanda’s family will continue her fight with the hope that her legacy will enable other children to survive the monster called DIPG.  Memorials can be made in Makanda’s memory to the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation at www.defeatdipg.org.

The 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.