Ethel Jean Warren, age 75, of Benton IL; passed away at 1:06 p.m. Thursday, January 11, 2018 at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Kent Dunford and Rev. Harlen Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Phillips Cemetery near Ewing.  Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday evening, and from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour on Sunday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Jean was born on August 29, 1942 in West Frankfort, IL, the daughter of Jess Boswell and Irene (Eubanks) Boswell.  She married Curtis Arlen Warren on September 23, 1966 and he survives.

She retired from Benton District 47 where she was a bus driver for 30 plus years. She was also a former secretary with Freeman Coal Company General Dynamics Division, secretary with Franklin Hospital, teller with Bank of Benton, and was Vice-President of Warren Excavating of Benton.

Jean was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton. She loved her church and enjoyed gospel singing.

She and her husband Curt enjoyed traveling, camping, and spending time with their grandchildren.

Surviving is her loving husband of 51 years, Curt Warren of Benton; a daughter Sandy Shortland and husband Bo of Herod, IL, and their children Travis Shortland and wife Megan, Emily Spencer and husband Jessie; two sons: Bryan Warren of Cornelius, NC, and his children Noah, Curtis, and Shelby Warren; Darren Warren and wife Mandy of O’Fallon, MO, and their children Zachary and Brady Warren; six great-grandchildren: Collin, Kadynce and Logan Shortland, Tanner, Sydney and Drake Spencer, and a new great-grand baby on the way; two brothers: Rodger Boswell and wife Angie of O’Fallon, IL, Marvin Boswell and wife LulaBell of Christopher; a sister Connie Kay Brandelise of Sesser; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a step-son Kevin R. Warren

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

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