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.

James F. Perrotto, 60, of Royalton, IL, died suddenly at his home Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

He was born July 13, 1957 in Meadville, PA and spent much of his youth in Southern Illinois. He graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1975 and attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

James was president and CEO for many years of Barber Mine Timber Company, Inc., a wood products firm located in Perry County. He was also a member of the boards of directors of several publishing companies, including Community Media Group, Oelwien Publishing Co., Timmus Investments and Mississippi Publishing Company.

He was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

James traveled extensively throughout South and Central America, residing in Roatan, Honduras, Panama City, Panama and Cancun, Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ann Bagnato Perrotto and James Perrotto; maternal grandparents, Harriet and Fred Gisewhite and several aunts and uncles.

James is survived by his wife, Luz Adriana Narvaez Chara Perrotto, whom he married in Bogota, Columbia in 2007; mother-in-law and father-in-law Maria Rubiela Chara and Guillermo Narvaez Espana, both of Cali, Columbia.

Also surviving are his parents, Jill Gisewhite Perrotto and L.J. Perrotto, of West Frankfort. Other survivors include his brothers and their wives, John D. Perrotto (Tammy), of Dutzow, MO, Mark J. Perrotto (Kendra), Tunnell Hill Lake of Egypt; niece Jenna Perrotto Johnston (Walter) and daughter Paige, of Columbus, OH; nephews Gregory Perrotto, of Wolcott, Indiana, Garrett Perrotto, Kansas  City, MO; aunts and uncles Linda Perrotto Johnson, of Erie, PA, Helen and Fritz Gisewhite, of Akron, Ohio; Roslyn Mullen, Atlanta, GA along with several cousins.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April, 27, 2018 at Union Funeral Home, in West Frankfort. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Route 37 South (Foxcroft Ward). Burial will follow at Tower Heights Cemetery, West Frankfort.

Online condolences of sympathy can be made at www.unionfh.com.

Norman D. Smith, 86, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at 5:03 p.m. Sunday April 22, 2018 in Parkway Manor, in Marion, Illinois.

Norman was born November 11, 1931 in West Frankfort, Illinois to James and Roxie (Hall) Smith. He was in the US Army during Korea and a  member of Third Baptist Church in West Frankfort, Illinois where he was a Sunday school teacher.  Norman was an avid runner and hiker.  He enjoyed physical fitness.  He taught at SIU – STC Trade School in the machine tool program.  He also enjoyed making knives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers J.D., Jack, and Kenneth Smith; sisters Wanda Smith and Molly Coffman.

Norman is survived by his wife, Sally Smith; sons William Dewain (Connie) Smith, John (Theresa) Smith, and James A. Smith; grandson, Joshua Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 11a.m. on Wednesday April 25, 2018 at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort, Illinois with Brother Joe Zbinden officiating. Burial will be in Denning Cemetery on the Orient Road.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 24, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 1961 of Orient, VFW Post 5764 of West Frankfort, and Zeigler Post 177.

 

Condolences of sympathy may be made at www.unionfh.com.

 

 

 

Peggy Ann (Kearney) Huffine, 58, of Thompsonville, IL passed away April 21, 2018 at SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

She was born in Benton, IL on September 5, 1959, the daughter of Joseph Wesley & Margaret Ellen (Kirk) Kearney. She married Roy Huffine on February 25, 1995.

She was very active in her Church, the Thompsonville Church of God, and was a mother to all the neighborhood kids. She was more than an aunt to her nieces and nephews. She was a registered nurse and loved caring for people. She worked at Franklin Hospital for years. She loved to travel, they had visited 49 states, traveling in the Caribbean and Central America.

 

Peggy is survived by her husband, Roy Huffine, Thompsonville; brother Jim Kearney, Benton; sister-in-law Leni Kearney; brother-in-law Michael Huffine, and wife Nancy, Marion, IL. She was also survived by several nieces and nephews. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, sister Jo Ellen Overturf and brother Joseph Kearney.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Wednesday April 25th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Brian Mixon and Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Knob Prairie Cemetery in Akin. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Thompsonville Church of God.

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