Casimir “Casey” Krol, 72, 0f Christopher passed away on Tuesday January 9, 2018 at the Veteran’s Community Living Center in Marion, IL.

He was born on November 5, 1945 in Chicago, IL to Casimir and Pauline “Polly” (Kempa) Krol.

He is survived by his sister Sandra Vaughn of Orland Park, IL; nephews Jim Tomsa of Orland Park, IL, Jeff Tomsa of Newark, IL, and David (Denise) Vaughn of Orland Park, IL; great nieces and nephews Regan, Riane, Gavin, Riley, and Jackson.

He was a veteran who served in the United States Army.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services for Casey will be on Sunday January 14, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.

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

Juanita (Moore) Scrutchfield was born on September 2, 1930, in Benton, IL, and passed away on January 8, 2018, in Des Moines, IA.

Juanita was employed as a cashier, customer service clerk, and accounting clerk before retiring from State Surety Bonding Company.

She loved traveling in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Holy Land, Alaska, Maine, Oklahoma and Utah and driving throughout the West.

Juanita is survived by her children Gary (Denise),  Loretta, and Janet Scrutchfield; grandchildren David (Karrie), Shawn (Heather) Scrutchfield, and Courtney (Jeremy) Hale; great-grandchildren Kenzie Scrutchfield, Braeyden and Isabella Hale; sister Marie (Jim) Shockley, brother Charles (Pat) Moore, sisters-in-law Diane Moore, Shirley Moore, and Sandy Care along with many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Guy “Red” Scrutchfield, her parents Dwight and Bonnie (Shaw) Moore, and brothers RZ, Frank, Jesse Moore, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and Mrytle Scrutchfield

Juanita attended Urbandale Baptist Church, enjoyed Senior Bible Study, and was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Benton, Illinois.

A visitation will be held at Westover Iles Funeral Home, Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, January 15, 2018, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. with special prayer at 7:00 p.m.

A visitation will be held at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, Illinois, on Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a funeral service at 1:00 p.m., burial will follow at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Juanita supported the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.

Online condolences maybe give at www.patefh.com

Myra D. Johnston, 92, of Christopher IL,  passed away on Sunday January 7, 2018 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born on March 27, 1925 in Sunfield, IL to Elza and Margaret (Okeefe) Silkwood.  She married Jesse Johnston on August 30, 1946 and he preceded her in death on January 31, 1981.

She is survived by her two sons Gary (Patricia) Johnston of Avon, IN and Roy (JoAnne) Johnston of Indianola, IL; four grandchildren Michelle Lawhorn, Becki Wissel, Brooke Marble, and Matthew Johnston; nine great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild.

She was a very loving mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister Viola Furlow and one brother Maurice Eugene Silkwood.

Her wishes were to be cremated with graveside services at the Sunset Memorial Park in DuQuoin at a later date.  Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

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

Doris Steckenrider, 101, of Christopher passed away on Sunday January 7, 2018 at Aviston Countryside Manor.

Doris was born on November 3, 1916 in DuQuoin, IL to Jack Edward and Martha (Rushing) Greenwood.  She married John D, Steckenrider and he preceded her in death on February 1, 1982.

Survivors include her children Charles “Chip” (Robbeye) Steckenrider of Benton and Virginia “Gingy” Steckenrider of Belleville; her primary caregiver granddaughter Lauri (Eric) Kirkpatrick of Shiloh; 8 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; and one sister Betty Kimmel of Freeburg.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son John Steckenrider, one sister and three brothers.

A funeral service for Doris will be on Saturday January 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Ron Cremeens officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Aviston Countryside Manor and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Lowell Virgil Owsley, age 94, of Orient IL; passed away at 10:45 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2018 at the Benton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Owsley pre-arranged his own cremation services in 2008, and chose not to have any formal public services.

He was born on November 11, 1923 in West Frankfort, the son of Bert Owsley and Maggie (Perkins) Owsley.

Virgil proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was involved in battles including Rome, Anzio, and Po Valley, where he would obtain 3 Service Bars, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars.

He formerly worked at Norge in Herrin, and was a former member of the Orient American Legion Post# 1961. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving is two sons: Lonnie Owsley of Orient, Jim Owsley of Elgin; a daughter Sheila Monroe and husband Jeff Bowers of Phoenix, AZ; a host of grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters: Marilyn Votow, and Carolyn McAplin; and two brothers: Berty Owsley and Harvey Lamasters.

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

Richard E Morton, 78, of Benton,IL, passed away suddenly Monday, Jan 1, 2018 at Gateway Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN, with his son by his side.

Richard was born in Benton, IL, on Dec 10, 1939 to Alex and Daisy (Nolen) Morton.  He married Ellen (Gilliam) on July 8, 1961.  Ellen died Aug 18, 2016.

Richard was a member of First Baptist Church in Benton, Benton Kiwanis Club, Benton Liars Club, past member of the Benton Zoning Commission and enjoyed participating in the car show on the square for many years.

Richard was the owner/operator of Morton and Johnston Funeral Home, along with Bruce Johnston and Darin Morton.  His legacy in life was assisting families with love and care with their deceased loved ones.  His compassion was making the difficult experience that comes with death less stressful on each person, handling every detail with perfection, going above and beyond for each family and bringing true professionalism together along with his friendship to all.  In his early business days, the funeral home also served as the ambulance service transporting the sick to the hospital in the Hearse.  Richard always had many memories to share and tales to tell thru out his business career.

Survived by: son Darin and wife Gay Morton of Benton, granddaughter Darian Alexandrea Morton, Benton, step grandsons, Kert (Shannon) Williams, West Frankfort, and Colton Williams, Benton,

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and wife,

Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm, Mon, Jan 8th at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, 410 S Main St, Benton, IL.  Visitation will be Sunday, Jan 7th, from 5 to 8pm at Morton Johnston Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery.  Pastors Bill Carter and Jim Jenkel will officiate.

Words cannot express our love in the outpouring of calls, inquiries and prayers sent to our family.  We Thank You so very much.

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

Rev. Donald J. Lenzini, 91, of Belleville passed away Sunday, December 31, 2017 in Belleville.

He was born in Zeigler, IL on February 18, 1926, the son of Joseph & Josephine (Herzog) Lenzini.

He was the assistant at St. Peters Cathedral Parish in Belleville at St. Andrews in Murphysboro, at St. Charles in DuBois, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Herrin, and Administrator of St. Joseph in Marion, as Pastor at St. Mary Magdalene in Todds Mill, Immaculate Conception in Centreville, St. Damian in Damiansville & St. Joseph in Benton, retiring in 2000.

Rev. Lenzini is survived by one brother Dr. Arthur Lenzini of Herrin, and by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents one brother, Robert and by a sister, JoAnn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 6th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton. Burial will be in the St. Aloysius Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday at St. Joseph Church, and after 9:00 A.M. on Saturday.

In lieu of Flowers, memorials can be made to Clergymen’s Aid Society or Hincke- Sense Priest Residence in Belleville, IL, or Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Grade School in East St. Louis, IL.

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