Donald “Don” Atchison, 93, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday March 9, 2024 at his home.

He was born on March 31, 1930 in Chicago Heights, IL to Lloyd Atchison and Helen (Baggott) Johnson. He was raised by his grandparents Jack and Ella (Stover) Atchison. He married Barbara (Stewart) Atchison and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children Donna (Richard) Yunkus of Benton, Dena (Alan) Fox of Sesser, Larry (Delisia Steele) Atchison of Sesser, Ron (Michele) Atchison of Spring Hill, FL and Darin (Angie) Atchison of Sesser; grandchildren Alicia (Darin) Wuebbles, Lindsey (Andrew) Darnell, Ethan Atchison, Melissa (Nathan) Way, Brittany Atchison, Dailyn (Trey Sharp) Noble, Jayden Fox, Natasha Fox, Alan Fox Jr., Cody Atchison and Phillip Atchison; nine great grandchildren; one sister Diane Stahl of Mulkeytown and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, one sister Betty, one brother Jack Atchison and one aunt Essie Atchison Smith Hayse.

Don was a Truck driver and a Coalminer, he had worked at Freeman #3 mine in Waltonville. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan and a Jeff Gordon fan, he loved to tell stories and from his days driving a truck he was like a human GPS.

His wishes were to be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday March 30, 2024 from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the Sesser VFW.

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

Fred Robert Ruettiger Jr. passed away at the age of 87 on Monday, March 4, 2024, in his Christopher, Illinois home. His wife, five children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren were all able to tell them they loved him and to say goodbye.

Fred was born in Joliet, Illinois, grew up in Rockdale, Illinois, and attended Joliet Central High School. He proudly served in the National Guard for six years. He then spent forty-one years working as an engineer for the E.J.& E. Railroad. He lived in Plainfield/Joliet, Illinois for almost 30 years. He retired and moved to Christopher, Illinois where he enjoyed Rend Lake on a pontoon boat for a few years. He enjoyed vacationing in Wisconsin, fishing, watching Western TV shows and movies, especially John Wayne movies, completing Sudoku puzzles, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs. He had a great sense of humor.

He loved his wife of fifty-seven years Rosemary (née Breen) Ruettiger of Christopher, Illinois; his children: Cynthia Guilmette of Boise, Idaho; Bonnie (Kevin) Ketter of Plainfield, Illinois; Fred (Teresa) Ruettiger III of Crown Point, Indiana; Sherry Ruettiger of Plainfield, Illinois; and Donna Ruettiger of Herrin, Illinois. He also took great pride in his grandchildren: Allison (Ryan) Brown, Melanie (Alex) Warren, Jake (Jenny) Ruettiger, Bridget (Joy Bryant) Ketter, Ashley Guilmette, Martin Ketter, Kelli Guilmette, Serena Ketter, and Addison Ruettiger. Fred was also recently blessed with two great-grandchildren: Mia Ruettiger and Liam Brown. He also leaves behind several loving sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his mother Mary (née Jonish) Ruettiger, his father Fred Ruettiger, his sister Rita Blazer, his father-in-law Joseph Breen, and his mother-in-law Muriel (née Pemble) Breen.

The family will have a celebration of life get-together deep in the spring season, which will include one of his favorite things, a bonfire. Details are pending and will be announced here as they become available. Family and friends are encouraged to remember Fred in your own way, reflecting on the moments shared and the impact he had on your life.

Maxton-Rosado Funeral Home in Du Quoin is honored to have been called to serve the family. For more information, or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.maxtonrosado.com or call 618-542-2020 for more information.

Stephen Buxton Hopkins, Jr., age 82, of Benton, Illinois; died Tuesday morning at his home.

His wishes are to be cremated with a Celebration of Life to be scheduled at a future date.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the cremation arrangements.

He was born on January 12, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Stephen Buxton Hopkins, Sr., and Margaret (Simpson) Hopkins. His father passed away when he was six years old. His mother would later marry Bert Blow. Stephen was raised by his stepfather and mother.
Steve was a graduate of SIU – Carbondale. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving during the Vietnam War time.
His working career consisted of being a Nursing Home Administrator for over 35 years. He last worked for Stonebridge Nursing Home of Benton.
Steve was a renown CBJ (Certified BBQ Judge) with both the Kansas City Barbecue Society and the Memphis Barbecue Network. He also assisted with the Veteran Honor Flight in both Marion and Effingham, Illinois.

He was a past member of the Rotary Club and was a member of the Illinois Nursing Home Administrator’s Association where he was a past recipient of Administrator of the Year. He was a Christian and was associated with the Free Will Baptist denomination.

Steve also supported the Red Cross by being a blood donor, he enjoyed BBQ Judging, working on his lawn, golfing, and walking. He was an avid SIU football fan and was a season ticket holder. He also loved to watch Alabama football “Roll Tide.” He loved baseball especially the St. Louis Cardinals and locally he was a season ticket holder with the Southern Illinois Miner’s baseball team. His family said he would set aside 90 minutes per day to read books. They said he would watch FOX News and was a Republican.
He is survived by his loving wife Loretta (Robinson) Hopkins of Benton, IL; a daughter Lynsey Hopkins of Benton, IL; two step-daughters Brandy McClintock of Benton, IL, and Caroline Morgan of West Frankfort, IL; two grandchildren: Kaven Eston Pense and Aubrie Dawn Pense; step-grandchildren including: Brandon, Emily, Allyson, Mia and Zelda; two step-great-grandchildren Kyree and Harmony; in-laws that include: Leon Robinson of West Frankfort, IL, Lottie Toler of Marion, IL, Randall Ross Robinson and wife Brenda of Birmingham, AL, Nancy Lare and husband Jim of West Frankfort, IL, Barbara Innis of West Frankfort, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hopkins was preceded in death by his father Stephen Buxton Hopkins, Sr., his mother and stepfather Margaret and Bert Blow; a brother Thomas Simpson Hopkins (former announcer for the Kansas City Chiefs); his father and mother-in-law Millard and Geraldine Robinson; two brothers-in-law Frank Robinson and Richard Robinson; and a sister-in-law Moetta Robinson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Veteran Honor Flight of Southern Illinois (https://veteranshonorflight.org) or to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org)

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

Steve Pate, Sr., 84, of Troy, IL, passed away 6:00 p.m., on Monday, March 4, 2024, in Liberty Village Nursing Home in Maryville, IL, surrounded by his loving wife and children.

He was born on September 8, 1939, to Loyd and Ethel (Riecan) Pate in East Saint Louis, IL. Steve worked as a tool and dye maker at Marsh Stencil in Belleville, IL, and was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 9 . On April 4, 1959, Steve married Sue Crowe and she survives.

Steve was a United States Navy Veteran.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Steve enjoyed his time at the Lake of the Ozarks and taking his family on rides on the pontoon boat, listening to Cajun music and fishing. He loved watching his St. Louis Cardinals and he was a member of Troy Methodist Church in Troy, IL.

Steve also enjoyed watching his all of his granchildren participate in various events they participated.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sue; two sons, Steve Pate, Jr., and wife, Becky and Paul Pate, and wife, Caroline; and daughter, Michelle Pate-Noyes, and husband, Matt; five grandsons, Steven Pate, Ian Pate, Gorman Pate, Michael Pate and McGrady Noyes; four granddaughters, Elise Pate, Lara Pate, Mattie Noyes and Morgan Noyes: sister-in-law, June Dublar: brother-in-law, Richard Crowe and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Loyd and Roanne Pate, his mother and step-father, Ethel and Adam J. Smolik and his sister, Jane Chinn.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL and Richeson Funeral Home, 205 Edwardsville Road, Troy, IL.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March, 7, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Troy Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the Troy Methodist Church, with the Reverends Dan Perry and Bonnie Abel, officiating.
Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Lake View Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with military rites by the Navy Honors Team.
Memorials may be made to the Troy Methodist Church or Heartland Hospice and will be accepted at the church.

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

Charles Gale Ray “Johnny” Harris, age 74, of Benton; passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024, at his home.

Graveside services will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, IL, with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. Harris was born on December 12, 1949, in Benton, Illinois, the son of Herman Harris and Helen (Walters) Harris.

Johnny formerly worked for Mark Twain and Celebrity Boat Factories, and he also formerly worked for Summers Limestone. He also worked for Jim Ragan Yamaha, where he was a motorcycle mechanic and repairman, until he became disabled from suffering a stroke.

He enjoyed watching television, listening to the radio, and visiting with family.

Johnny is survived by several loving cousins, including: Becky Purdie and husband Bill and children Faith and Kikee (who took care of him), Glenn Lohman, Jr. and wife Janet (who also took care of him), Beverly Neal, Bobbie Arnold, Neva Zinzilietta and husband Scott, Glenda Ferkel, Brandi Friar all of Benton, Illinois; Karen Foutch of Du Quoin, Illinois, Shane Little of Lexington, Illinois, Janet Marie Wayne of Pittsburg, Illinois, and Michelle White of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents and his son John Harris (who died in a car accident on July 15, 2008).

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

Donald “Lil Doggie” Gene Montgomery, 78, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday February 18, 2024 at his home.

He was born on August 12, 1945 in Sesser to Lester and Oma (Weatherly) Montgomery. He married Diane (Loman) Montgomery on August 7, 1964 in Whittington and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his sons Mark Montgomery of Sesser, Russell (Stephanie) Montgomery of Sesser and Randy (Julie) Montgomery of Christopher; grandchildren Derrik (Kimberlee) Montgomery of Sesser, Morgan (Carson) Montgomery of Marion, Olivia (Matthew) Robertson of Benton, Courtney Hubbard of Christopher, Jeremy (Felicia) Johnson of West City, Faith (Danny) Smith of South Carolina, Jordan Johnson of Texas and Lance Johnson of Sesser; great grandchildren Oliver Montgomery, Bella Johnson, Jasper Johnson and Sutton Smith; one sister Joyce Dunovan of Springfield, IL and one brother Ronnie Montgomery of South Carolina and several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law’s and sister-in-law’s Nancy and Doug Linn, Marsha and Allen Willford, Michael Loman and Jerry Loman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Doris Newberry and three brothers Jimmy Montgomery, Frank Montgomery and Wayne Montgomery.

Donald was retired from Old Ben Coal #26 and was a farmer. He loved to talk and tell stories and also loved to drive around Rend Lake after Church. He was a member of the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday February 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Curtis Smith and Brother Randy Cash officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Clarence Deon Seiler, 84, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday February 17, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born March 21, 1939 in Sesser, IL to Clarence Walter and Mary (Cantrell) Seiler. He married Vivian Elaine (Dixon) Seiler and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children DeMara (Jim) DelBene of Sesser, Ilana (Scott) Ganswindt of Milwaukee, WI and Marcus (Stefany) Seiler of Wentzville, MO.; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and one brother Freddie (Carol) Seiler of Sesser.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a carpenter in Chicago for 25 years,

Graveside services will be on Tuesday February 20, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Ralph Brandon officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Eternal Friends of Christ and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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