Franklin “Tater” Drysdale. 85, of Sesser passed away on Tuesday March 20, 2018 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

He was born on January 24, 1933 in Christopher to Isaac and Callie (Newberry) Drysdale.  He married Ruth (Scott) Drysdale and she preceded in death.

He is survived by his children Geno Drysdale, Danny Drysdale, Debbie King, Marvin Drysdale, Kevin Drysdale, Melissa Galloway and Melinda Bruns; four sisters Fay Key, Vera Hall, Myrna Hamilton, and Nita Wright; one brother Marion Drysdale.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter Pamela Drysdale, one son Rodney Drysdale, and seven brothers and one sister.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday March 27, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Visitation will be on Tuesday March 27, from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Sharon Joyce Mabry, 73, of Valier passed away on Monday March 19, 2018 at her home.

She was born on September 11, 1944 in Belle Rive, IL to Oscar and Edna (Shear) Williams.  She was married to Ron Mabry for 52 years and he survives of Valier.

Other survivors include her children Kim (Brent) Kreid of Franklin, TN and Becky (Mike) Barry of Valier; grandchildren Maren Kreid, Trey Kreid, Kobe Kreid, Zeb Kreid, Luke Barry, Briley Barry, and Shayne Barry; brothers and sisters Charles (Janis) Williams of Valier, Carl (DeeAnn) Williams of Valier, Karen (Jim) Sanson of Marion, Brenda (Jim) Hewlett of Royalton; half-brother Bob Williams of Valier; half-sister Norma Hefner of Tennessee.

She was a member of the Valier First Baptist Church and West Frankfort Bowling League.

Funeral service will be on Saturday March 24, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Valier First Baptist Church with Rev. Harl Ray Lewis and Pastor Kevin Bradley officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday March 23, 2018 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher and on Saturday March 24, from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Valier First Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home and the church.

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

Larry Gene Pettit, 63, of Benton, IL, passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018 in Skokie, IL.

He was born in Benton, IL on November 22, 1954, the son of Dorothy (Glover) Pinson and Robert Pinson.

Mr. Pettit is survived by his wife, Jayne Pettit of Benton; children, Drew Pettit and wife Kayelee, of Desoto, IL, Justin Dickey and wife Ashley, of Highland, IL and Kriten Anastasi, of Johnston City, IL; grandchildren, Lahna Kaye Pettit, Josie Anastasi, Emmalyn Dickey, Nora Dickey; brother Brian Pinson and wife Karen, of Benton; niece Jennifer Jennings and husband Tyler and nephew Brandon Pinson and wife Samantha.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Logan Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

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

Mary Ellen Dare, 94, of Valier passed away on March 18, 2018 at Lavender Ridge Memory Care in Mt Vernon, IL.

She was born on April 22, 1923 in DeKoven, KY to Marion Lacy and Josephine Zinella (Lane) Thompson.  She married Paul Dare on September 28, 1946 in Detroit, MI and he preceded her in death on September 9, 1999.

She is survived by two sons Dennis (Donna) Dare of Swansea, IL and Richard “Red” (Jill) Dare of Benton; four grandchildren Matthew Martin, Michael Martin, Jamie Veach, Niki Wisniewski and many friends and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one infant son Henry Dare, two sisters Betty Jo Malinee and Dixie Smith and one brother Bill Thompson.

She was a member of the Valier Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be on Wensday (Mary Ellen’s way of spelling Wednesday) March 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Valier First Baptist Church with Rev. Harl Ray Lewis and Pastor Kevin Bradley officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the church.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

For more infromation got o our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Gloria I. Holland, 74, of Sesser, Il. passed away at 3:50 p.m., on Friday, March 16, 2018.

Gloria was married to James Holland in 1982. She was originally from Ohio and has lived in Illinois since 1983. She was employed by Dana Communications/ WQRL for over 25 years.

Mrs. Holland was the daughter of Rose and David Norris.

She was preceded in dead by her father, David Norris, mother, Rose Sadlowski, stepfather, Edward Sadlowski, brother, Gerald Norris, and stepbrother Dick Sadlowski.

She is survived by loving husband, James Holland, sons; Mark (Paricia) Lenevich of Benton, Il. and David Lenevich of Wheeling, W. Va., stepsons; Steve (Lisa) of Benton, Rob (Christa) of Gerogia, stepdaughter; Vickie Holland of Steubenville, Ohio, grandsons; Craig Lenevich, Vince Lenevich, of Pennsylvania and Daniel Lenevich of Benton, Andrew (Brooke) Holland and Aaron (Megan) Holland of Benton, Shane (Annie) Holland of Ohio, granddaughters; Addison Holland of Georgia, Darlene Francis of Ohio and Faith Marie Lenevich of Pennsylvania; great-granddaughters, Quinn Holland and Sammi J. Holland of Benton, and Alacia Ponder of Ohio; great-grandsons, Ayden Holland of Ohio and Liam Holland of Benton and siblings, Howard Norris, Alan (Vita) Norris, Marsha (John) Lenevich, Linda (Joe) Spano, and Robert Sadlowski of Ohio.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Funeral Arrangements will be privately held.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Martha Frances Purcell, age 99, of Benton; passed away at 4:40 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Helia Healthcare Center of Benton.

Mrs. Purcell’s wishes were to be cremated.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville, with Pastor Steve Smith officiating.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, is in charge of the arrangements.

Martha was born on June 7, 1918 in Logan, Illinois, the daughter of Cordis Cairel and Girtie (Fox) Cairel.  She married Eulas “Junior” Purcell, and he preceded her in death on May 25, 2006.

Mrs. Purcell was a member of the Midland Methodist Church in Kincaid, IL.

She was a housewife and enjoyed fishing, playing cards (pinochle) with friends.  She and her late husband Junior traveled when they were younger and were active with the Shriners and Eastern Star. After retirement they spent their winters in Texas.

Patricia is survived by, a nephew Jack Cairel and wife Janice of Stark, FL; four nieces: Janice Williams and husband Sam of Johnston City, IL, Elaine Harris and husband Guy of Tupelo, MS, Romain Short of Harrisburg, IL, and Barbara Cairel of Bento.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers: Raleigh Cairel, Frank Cairel, and Jack Cairel; one sister: Bonnie Neal; and a nephew Cordell Cairel.

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

Carolyn (Kramer) Luster, 72, of Benton passed away peacefully Thursday morning, March 15, 2018 at Helia Health Care Center in Benton surrounded by her family.

Carolyn was born on December 25, 1945, the daughter of Albert Clarence & Louise (Cook) Kramer.

She married James Luster in Benton, IL on August 8, 1964 and he survives.

Mrs. Luster started her working career in the Coal Mines. She then worked as an EMT and then as a Nurse. She then taught at Rend Lake College. She retired as an Inspector for the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Mrs. Luster is survived by her husband James Luster, of Benton; two sons, James Michael Luster and wife Joy of Benton and Scott Alan Luster and wife Tarah, of Cary, IL; three grandson, Noah Luster, Brendan Luster and Nathan Luster; one granddaughter, Natalie Luster; one brother, John Kramer and wife Lisa, of Mulkeytown, IL; one brother-in-law, William Luster and wife Carmen, of Plano, TX.

Mrs. Luster was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17th at the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

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