Diane Burroughs, 52, of Mulkeytown passed away on Wednesday April 18, 2018.

She was born on March 6, 1966 in Chicago to Dennis Martin and Linda (Divito) Martin.  She was married to Larry Burroughs and he preceded her in death on August 6, 2017.

She is survived by her daughter Ashley Akers (fiancé Corey Thomas) of Mulkeytown; granddaughter Bailee Thomas; father Dennis (Mary) Martin of Christopher; and one brother Dennis Martin.

She was preceded in death by her mother, and her husband.

She was a member of the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.

Memorial service will be on Monday April 23, 2018 at 6:00 PM at the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating.  Visitation will be on Monday April 23, from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family.  Make checks payable to Ashley Akers.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

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

Celina Pool, 74, of Sesser passed away on April 17, 2018 at Helia Healthcare in Benton, with her family by her side.

She was born on January 25, 1944 in West Frankfort, IL to Delbert and Irene (Walker) Bowlin.

Survivors include her children Jami Somers (Tim Ramsey) of Sesser and Jay Seibert of Sesser; granddaughter Britani Somers of Sesser; and one sister Helen (Don) Edmonds of Valier.

Family was very important to her especially her beloved cat of 18 years, Feisty.

She was a retired Registered Nurse and was a former member of the Valier Women’s Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents, fiancé Emil Perpich, one brother Pete Dugger, and one sister Deloris White.

Her wishes were to donate her body to the SIU School of Medicine.  No services will be held.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is handling arrangements.

In memory of Celina Pool memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and can be mailed to the Brayfield-Gilbert funeral home, PO Box 624, Sesser, IL 62884.

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

Merrie Ann Schafer, age 57, passed away Monday April 16 at her residence.  She was born April 6, 1961 in Benton, Illinois to Walter and Mary Schafer.

She is survived by her loving family, sons, David Carter of West Frankfort, Aaron Bowling and wife Brandi and grandchildren Blaine and Rylee Bowling of Orient, sister Marcia Raubach and husband Roger of West Frankfort, nieces, Beth McClerren and husband Dale, Amy Galli and husband Dave and Emily Collins and husband Nathan Norman, nephews Chris Raubach and wife Dawnette and Eric Collins, great nieces, Madelaine, Chloe, and Lucy Norman and Ashlan Galli and great nephews, Emmet, Will, and Henry Norman, Logan Galli, Reed Raubach, and Evan McClerren, plus many other family members and friends.

Merrie Ann was preceded in death by her parents, sister Cheryl Schafer Collins, infant brother, Robert Michael Schafer and great nephew, Owen Carl McClerren.

She was a 1979 graduate of Frankfort Community High School and attended John A. Logan College.  Following in the family tradition of radio, Merrie Ann hosted a Saturday teen radio show playing the rock music of the 70’s at WGGH in Marion with the station owner’s son.  Merrie Ann worked for several years as a waitress at Pizza Inn, a job she always loved.  She also worked for Adult Comprehensive as a homemaking assistant and made many lasting friendships over the years.  She was a loving caregiver to both her mother and sister Cheryl.

She was a member of First Christian Church in West Frankfort and was very active in the youth programs when growing up.

She loved reminiscing with her family recalling many special memories.  She had a unique sense of humor and an infectious laugh.  She especially loved telling about some of the antics she and her niece Beth were involved with in their younger years.  She was very close to her sisters, Cheryl and Marcia.

The joy of her life was spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren, Blaine and Rylee who called her MaMa Merrie.  She enjoyed fishing, reading mystery stories and watching mystery programs on TV.  She loved animals, especially the family cats Sissy and Pi Pi when she was growing up.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, April 21 at 3:00p.m. at the First Christian Church, 1001 South Cherry in West Frankfort with Lead Minister Brian Harris, officiating.  Visitation will be after 1:00 at the church.  Interment will be in Tower Heights Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the family, First Christian Church, or to the charity of choice. 

Union Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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

Alfonso “Al” Acosta Sr., 79, of Sesser, IL passed away on April 17, 2018.

He was born on August 2, 1938 in Chicago Heights, IL to Domenic and Leta (Newbury) Acosta.  He married Linda (McBride) Acosta on January 26, 1957 and she survives of Sesser.

Other survivors include his children Kevin Acosta of Sesser, Al Acosta Jr. of Sesser, Dale Acosta of Sesser and Susan (Harlan) Payne of Ina; grandchildren Dalton Acosta, Sara Acosta, Dillon Payne, Justin Payne, Anthony Acosta, Jared Acosta and Cash Acosta; great grandson Gavin Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Donald Acosta, grandson Mathew Acosta, sister Rosemary Monteton and brother Frank Acosta.

He was the owner operator of Acosta Demolition and Excavating.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

Ruth E. Kirk, 69, of Logan, IL passed away Monday evening, April 16, 2018 at her home.

She was born in Benton, IL on September 30, 1948, the daughter of Wesley & Erma Lee (Cockrum) Conner.

She married Kern Kirk on July 30, 1966, and he survives.

Mrs. Kirk was an active member of the Logan Church of God. She was a very loving mother and a cherished grandmother who was loved by all. She was well known for her infectious laugh and her good nature.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Kern Kirk, of Logan; sons Eric Kirk and wife Kelly, of Logan and Tom Kirk and wife Kimberly, of Logan; mother Erma Lee Conner, of Benton; grandchildren Liam, Laney, Briley and Eli; sister Katie Dungy and husband Jerrel, of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her father and by a sister, Paula Tate.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 19th at the Logan Church of God with Pastor Rick Fowler officiating. Burial will be in the Logan Cemetery. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Church.

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

Lou Morgan, 77, of Sesser passed away on Sunday April 15, 2018 at 3:45 PM.

He was born on March 20, 1941 in St Augustine, FL to Carl and Birdie Mae (Smith) Morgan.  He married Donna (Kizer) Morgan on July 22, 1965 and she preceded him in death on March 1, 2016.

Survivors include his children James Morgan of South Roxana, IL, Pam Morgan of Bethalto, IL, Paula Morgan of St Charles, MO, Danny Morgan of St Charles, and Lisa Morgan of Sesser; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and one brother Bud McClellan of Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one grandson Jason Pohl and one brother Cecil Morgan.

Lou loved his kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He enjoyed the outdoors and life in general.

He was retired from General Motors.

Memorial service will be on Sunday April 29, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Bob White officiating.  Visitation will be on Sunday April 29, from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Second Chance Animal Rescue and will be accepted at the funeral Home.

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

Gertrude “Gertie” Eickelman, 95, of Christopher, IL passed away on Sunday April 15, 2018.

She was born on March 6, 1923 in Logan, IL to Willie and Jess (Clark) Kirkman.  She married Stanley Eickelman and he preceded her in death on July 5, 1986.

She is survived by her grandson Bill (Jacque) Matyi of Johnston City; two great grandsons Drake and William Matyi of Johnston City; special friends Dolores Mikalauskis of Christopher and Madyson Wittenbrink of Mt Vernon; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Michael Eickelman and several brothers and sisters.

She was a member of the St Andrew Catholic Church in Christopher and a Charter Member of the Zeigler Eagles.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday April 18, 2018 at Noon at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at Noon. Burial will be at St Andrew Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St Andrew Altar Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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