Valeta Ruth Morgan – Zeigler, IL

 

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-Sesser, IL

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

Donna S. (Smith) Glass — Loves Park, IL (formerly of West Frankfort)

Donna S. Glass, nee Smith, 77, of Loves Park, IL and formerly of West Frankfort, IL, passed away Monday, August 13, 2018.

Donna was born November 12, 1940 in Newark, Ohio and was the second of four children born to Carl E. Smith, Sr. and Crystal Rosemond Smith. She was the fond sister of Carl E. Smith, Jr. and the late Theresia Slaughter and Charlotte Menz. She was the cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Donna graduated from West Frankfort Community High School in 1958 and attended college in St. Louis, MO. She was employed in the business world for many years and owned and operated an accounting business for many years. Donna was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan throughout her life and could quote Cardinal statistics. Donna loved to travel and Spain was one of her favorite countries to visit. Like her mother, Donna had a special relationship with cats and welcomed them as pets and companions.

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.

Crystal R. Smith — Loves Park, IL (formerly of West Frankfort)

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.

Tonya Lee Kirkman — Benton, IL

BENTON — Tonya Lee Kirkman, 52, of Benton, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, at the Benton Health Care and Rehabilitation.

She was born on Jan. 9, 1966, to James “Jim” and Virginia (Perry) Arnold in Salem, Oregon. Tonya was a homemaker and recently started working at the Benton/West City Walmart. On April 4, 1991, she married Rodney Kirkman in Herrin. To this union, they had two children. Tonya and Rodney lived in Benton.

Tonya was a member of Resurrection Baptist Church, Benton, IL.

She was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Tonya enjoyed making crafts, gardening, baking, painting, quilting, and spending time with her sisters at church. She held a special spot in her heart for her grandchildren and enjoyed loving on them as much as possible.

Tonya is survived by her loving spouse of 27 years, Rodney Kirkman; two children, Jared Davis and wife, Kristie, of Benton, and Brandi Denton and husband, Todd, of Stafford, Virginia; five grandchildren, Basin Davis, Lealia Davis, Aydin Davis, Aubrianna Denton and Madison Denton.

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

Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, and on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, and will be held privately for family, at Pate Funeral Home, with the Rev. Carl Barnfield officiating. Cremation will take place following the funeral services and her cremated remains will be buried privately.

Memorial Contributions may be made to The Children’s Miracle Network-Benton/West City Walmart, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Peggy Lou McCann — Carthage, MO (formerly of Ewing, 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 — Sesser, IL

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 — Formerly of Benton, IL

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 — Benton, IL

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 — Benton, IL

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.

 

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News