Muriel Robinson, 95, of Sesser IL, passed away on Wednesday January 31, 2018 at DuQuoin Nursing and Rehab.

She was born on January 9, 1923 in Sesser to Margaret (Presley) Clinton.

She is survived by two sons Delmar Robinson of Sesser and Bill Robinson of Christopher; grandchildren Sheryl Bennett of Mt Vernon, Lisa (John) Davis of DuQuoin, Tresa (Christie) Robinson of Vienna, Jami (Alberto) Salazar of Evansville, IN, Martina Beaman of Sesser, and Erica Robinson of Herrin; 11 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren; one sister Myrna Sheldon of Hartford, Conn.

She was preceded in death by her mother, one great grandson, one sister and one brother.

She had worked as a secretary for Lyn-Gai Garment Factory in Sesser and for Slankard Publishing in Sesser.  She was a member of the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser and was a member of the Sesser Area Historical Society.

Funeral services for Muriel will be on Saturday February 3, 2018 at Noon at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the service time at Noon at the funeral home. 

For more information, or to share a memory, please visit our website at gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Robert E. Hammond, 87, of Benton IL, passed away Tuesday morning, January 23, 2018 at Stonebridge in Benton.

He was born in Benton, IL on November 20, 1930 the son of Reuben & Lula (Jones) Hammond.

He married Elizabeth “Betty” Hammond on March 4, 1952 in Piggott, AR and she preceded him in death on June 1, 2015.

Mr. Hammond was an Army Veteran.

He was a retired Coal Miner.

Mr. Hammond is survived by his daughter,  Cyndi Warren and husband Jerry of McLeansboro, son, Rob Hammond and wife Gay of Benton; grandchildren; Chris and Cori Warren of Mt. Vernon, Bryan Warren of McLeansboro, Bryson and Lana Hammond of Metropolis,  Alecia Boss and Nate of Benton, and Brad Hammond of Benton, and one great-grad daughter Natalie Warren of Mt. Vernon, and two other great grandchildren to arrive soon.

He is also survived by two sisters-in-law Shirley Jones and Pat Akins, both of Benton.

Graveside fuenral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 3rd at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts and the National Guard Honor Squad. There will be no visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Benton West City Ministerial Alliance/Food Pantry.

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

It is with great sadness that the family of Linda Ann (Haney) Kraft announce her passing. She fought a long hard battle with cancer and passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 22, 2018.

Linda was born May 25, 1959, the daughter of Willie and Thelma (Burton) Haney. She was a lifelong resident of Benton, who over the years volunteered for many different organizations in the community, including the Ministerial Alliance and Food Pantry.

She married Sammy Gene Kraft, of Benton, on January 10, 1976, and had one daughter, Jennifer Ann Kraft.

Linda attended Rend Lake Cosmetology school and ran her own beauty shop at her home, Linda’s Kut & Kurl for 15+ years. She loved being a beautician and especially loved being self-employed, as she could set her own schedule.

This allowed her to attend her daughter’s activities, which included volunteering as the leader of her Girl Scout Brownie group and coach her daughter’s softball teams with her husband Sam for many years.

After she closed her shop, she took some time off before going back into the work force at Wal-Mart. In the eight plus years, she was there, she worked as a cashier and during the holidays, loved to dress up as Santa’s Elf and the Easter Bunny for pictures.

She was also a member of the Benton Elks Lodge and elected as Trustee for the Benton Library.

One of the many things people loved about Linda was her passion for animals. She never met a stray animal that she and Sam wouldn’t care for.

Linda loved socializing, being with her friends, dancing, playing cards and had a wonderful smile that could light up a room. Many family and friends lovingly called her “Precious” as she was always sweet and kind to others.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents.

Linda will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 42 years, Sam; daughter, Jennifer of St. Charles, MO; sisters Carole Rice, Earlene Spetter, Brenda (Saffouh) KhanKan, and Sandra Majdich; brothers Ronnie Haney and Bill Haney; many cousins, nieces and nephews and a multitude of dear friends.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton

A celebration of Linda’s life will be on Friday, January 26th, 2018, at 11:00 a.m,, with the Rev. Gary West officiating. Burial will follow at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m, until 8:00 p,m,. Thursday, January 25th, 2018.

The family would like to extend a very warm thank you to all the staff at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Crossroads Home Health and to the SSM Hospice team.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Linda’s honor to the Franklin County Animal Shelter. Donations will be accepted at Morton Johnston Funeral Home.

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

Jack F. Dorris went to be with the Lord on January 22, 2018, surrounded by his much loved family. He was born on October 8, 1932. He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Rena, sons, Ron (Anne) and Brad (Kathy); one daughter, Renee; seven grandchildren; one brother, Charles (Tomoko); several brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nephews and nieces.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Charlie and Hallie, sister, Maxine; brothers, Bob and Gerald; father and mother-in-law, Joe and Mildred Martoglio; and others who were much loved.

He served in the military and was an army veteran of the Korean War. He was a retired minister and FedEx employee.

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

Visitation will be held at the Pate Funeral Home on Saturday, January 27, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Funeral services will at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Reverend Rick Fowler officiating. Burial will follow services at Masonic and Odd Fellow Cemetery in Benton, IL. Military rites will be performed by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the National Guard Honors Team.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of God World Missions Project #790-1092.

To view the obituary or to express condolences online, visit www.patefh.com

Vida Mae Mabry, 103, of Valier passed away on Sunday January 21, 2018 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born on November 16, 1914 in Doniphan, MO, to Rollie and Ida (House) Hastings.  She married Olen Mabry on December 21, 1935 and he preceded her in death on April 20, 1994.

She is survived by her children Ron and Sharon Mabry of Valier and Roger and Beverly Mabry of Valier; three grandchildren Kim and Brent Kried of Leepers Fort, TN, Becky and Mike Barry of Valier and Roger Dean and Melinda Mabry of Benton; nine great grandchildren Maren, Trey, Coby, and Zeb Kreid, Luke, Briley, and Shayne Barry, McCalynn Mabry, Blayne Mabry; and one great great grandson Sailor Alstat.

She was a LPN at the Frankin Hospital for over 30 years.  She was also a member of the Valier First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Violet Moyers and Virginia Sutton, and two brothers Kenneth Hastings and Charlie Hastings.

Funeral services will be on Friday January 26, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Harl Ray Lewis and Pastor Kevin Bradley officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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