Dennis Sneed, 71, formerly of Christopher passed away on Wednesday February 14, 2018, at 12:50 AM at the Carrier Mills Nursing Home.

He was born on September 26, 1946 in West Frankfort to Robert Henry Sneed and Helen Mae (Stone) Parks.

At a young age his father passed away and he was raised by his mother and step-father Burford Lauren Parks.

He is survived by his mother, his loving companion Ruby Arview of Thompsonville; two daughters Kimberly (James) Nesler of Herrin and Mandy Sneed of Christopher; two sisters Diane Goggans of Albuquerque, NM and Rebecca Dielfield of Albuquerque, NM. He was preceded in death by his father, step-father and one brother Robert Sneed.

He was an Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War.

Memorial service will be on Monday February 19, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Military rites will be performed by the Christopher American Legion.

Janet Sue Moore, 55, of Mulkeytown passed away on Tuesday February 13, 2018 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

She was born on June 7, 1962 in Chicago to Nathanial and Donna (Burnett) Lester.

She is survived by her fiancée Marty Phillips of Mulkeytown; brothers and sisters Randy (Mitzi) Troxtell, Mark Burnett, David (Denise) Lester, Billy Lester and Ann (Dennis) Barciszewski.

Graveside service will be on Saturday February 17, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher to help with funeral expenses.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

Ronald (Ronnie) Lynch, 73, of Ewing passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 11, 2018 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

He was born in Benton, IL on July 28, 1944 the son of Ira & Marie (Briley) Lynch.

He married Carolyn Sneed on August 16, 1962.

Mr. Lynch is survived by his wife, Carolyn Lynch of Ewing; two sons; Dan Lynch and wife Susan of Benton and ,Craig Lynch & wife Shari of Mulkeytown three grandchildren, Brooke Lynch Cecil,Dustin Lynch and wife Tori, and  Kassie Lynch.

He is also survived by three brothers; James Lynch and wife Barbara of Benton, Alfred Lynch and wife Annette of Benton, Michael Lynch and wife Debbie of Mulkeytown; two sisters-in-law; Janet Wilson & husband Bill of Benton, Judy Smith and husband Tom of Benton; a brother-in-law Ronald Newcomb of Ewing; along with numerous nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, and step great grandchildren.

Mr. Lynch was preceded in death by his parents, by a sister: Sissy, by a sister-in-law: Evelyn Newcomb; by a Brother-in-law: Bob Payne.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

For further information, or to share a memory, please visit our website at https://www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com/.

Harry Dale Green, age 73, of Benton IL; passed away at 10:10 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Herrin Hospital.

Mr. Green will be cremated.  A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2018 at the Logan Church of God, with Pastor Rick Fowler officiating.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Harry was born on August 2, 1944 in Christopher, IL, the son of Virgil Owen Green and Dolly (West) Green.

He formerly worked with his brother at Green’s Trading Post in Benton.

Harry loved his Lord and Savior, and his church. He was a member of the Logan Church of God.  He also would attend and visit other Church of God congregations and was a former door greeter at the Christopher Church of God.

He loved to go to auctions, where he loved to purchase, collect and trade watches and pocket knives, car memorabilia, and Cocoa-Cola collectibles.  He loved his family, especially his great-nieces and nephews.

He is survived by a sister-in-law Enola Green of Benton; nieces: Marissa Green of Benton, Gail Hefley of Texas; nephews: Steve Green and wife Karen and Scott Green and wife Karen, also of Texas; great-nieces and nephews: Ashton Green, Akya Green, Arista Easley, Shaunda Stoughton, Cassie Whatley, Cody Hefley, Robert Green and Brandon Green; cousins: Kevin and Myrna Adams of Chicago, and Sam Adams.

Harry is also survived by his dog: Princess Lucy Dale Green.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers Bob and Jim Green.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Harry Dale Green, in care of Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Merrill “Wayne” Walden, 80, of Benton, IL, passed away at 8:50 p.m., on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on March 3, 1937, to Glen and Berdena (Brewer) Walden. Wayne attended West City Church of God. He loved talking to people, walking, and fishing as a young man.

Merrill is survived by three sisters, Janet (Walter) Trapper of Benton, IL, Betty Toms of Benton, IL, Linda (James) Beall of Benton, IL; one brother, Ronnie Walden of Benton, IL, several nieces and nephews, and a very special friend Debbie Gibbs.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorris Walden, parents, Glen Wayne and Berdena Lorene Walden, one sister Mary Washburn, and one brother Larry Walden.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, February 16, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., at  Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Harold Whitlock officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made out to Pate Funeral Home to assist the family with expenses and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Alberta Page, 95, of Sesser IL,  passed away on Friday February 9, 2018 at the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

She was born on October 4, 1922 in Waltonville to Dow and Ethel (Hall) Roberson.  She married Olen Page on February 15, 1949 and he survives of Sesser.

Other survivors include one daughter Signa (Roy) Miller of Sesser; two grandchildren Carrie (Chad Carnes) Miller and Lane (Joanna) Miller; three great grandchildren Jordan (Brandon) Evrard, Keaton Miller and Brantley Miller; one sister Hazel Page.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson Russell Miller, and two brothers Clyde Roberson and Lloyd Roberson.

She worked as a seamstress for many years and had a passion for quilting.  She dearly loved her family and would want us to remember the good times.

Graveside services will be on Monday February 12, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Bert Mitchell officiating.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

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

Thomas Winston Sheridan Ortner, Jr., age 55, of Benton; passed away at 7:44 a.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room of Benton.

Mr. Ortner’s wishes were to be cremated.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Franklin County Farm Bureau Building, 1210 Illinois 14 West, in Benton.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Thomas was born on August 10, 1962 in Aurora, IL, the son of Thomas Winston Sheridan Ortner and Donna Mae (Johnson) Ortner.

He formerly worked as a chef at the Holiday Inn of Mt. Vernon, IL. He last worked at West City Shell.

Thomas loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with them. He loved to cook, and he used to love to fish.

Thomas attended the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton.

He is survived by his Life Partner, Samantha Lynn Willis of Benton; his children: Angelena Ortner, Sherri Lukasik and Allie Ortner, all three of Mt. Vernon, IL, Sheridan James Ortner and Ava Marie Ortner both of Benton; four grandchildren: Layla Wasik, Blaine Wasik, Adam J. Wasik, and Frank Lukasik; four sisters: Kathy Pendergrass of Menden, MI, Sherry Ortner of Madeira Beach, FL, Robin Rogers Kirby of Peoria, IL, Valerie Ortner of Whittington, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by His father, Thomas Winston Sheridan Ortner, SR; his mother Donna Mae (Johnson) Ortner; and a son Thomas Franklin Ortner.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Thomas Ortner, in care of Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Mrs. Mary Catherine (Woodring) “Woody” Williams, age 95, of Benton IL;  passed away at 5:11 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Helia Healthcare of Benton.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home with Bro. Joe Zbinden officiating. Burial will be in the Elder S.M. Williams Cemetery of Ewing. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mary Catherine was born on August 21, 1922 in Morganfield, KY, the daughter of Forrest Brody Woodring and Mable Everett (Knight) Woodring. She married Ora Stanford Williams in 1943, and he passed away on March 26, 1999.

She formerly worked at Ordill Ammunition Plant of Crab Orchard, and Turco of DuQuoin.

Woody was a former member of the Young Republicans and Willing Worker’s Club. She was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church.

She enjoyed swimming, riding motorcycles, dancing, and singing. She especially loved kids and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Williams is survived by her children: Jim Fones and wife Edith of Temecula, CA, Guy Williams of Benton, R. David Williams and wife Debbie of Benton, Stanley R. Williams and wife Jean Ann of Benton, Jeanita Spillman and husband Merv of Springfield, TN, Terry R. Williams and wife Mary of Benton, Rita E. Arcieri and husband Kevin of Conroe, TX; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son Andy Williams; and two brothers: William E. Woodring and Forrest T. Woodring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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