Michael “Mike” T. Joplin, 72, of Benton, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:20 p.m., on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, with his loving wife by his side, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital, Mount Vernon, IL.

He was born on December 26, 1944, to Danny and Jean (Bigham) Joplin in West Frankfort, IL.  Mike was a 1962 graduate from Benton Consolidated High School. He received his B.S. in Paralegal Studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  On December 30, 1976, he married the former Linda Dill.   Mike retired as an educator.

Mr. Joplin was a United States Navy Veteran (Corpsman –TAD Marine Corps) and attended New Life Church of God in Benton.

Mike enjoyed spending time with his family and being active in fitness.  He was known for his faithfulness to his Lord and Savior and his quick witted humor.

Mike is survived by his loving spouse of 40 years, Linda (Dill) Joplin; his four children, Robert “Rob” (Erica) Webb of Wentzville, GA, Michael “Mike” T. (Amber) Joplin, II., of Wendell, NC, Nickolai Joplin of Champaign, IL and Sarah (Brock) Bennett of Benton, IL; his seven grandchildren, Emma, Jake, Mitchell, Clara, Hayden, Isabella and Keagan; his two brothers, Danny (Debbie) Joplin of Christopher, IL and Mark (Enola) Joplin of New Castle, IN.

He was preceded in death by parents, Danny and Jean Joplin;  two infant sisters; and an infant grandson, Harrison Joplin.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Sunday, December 3, 2017, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., & Monday, December 4, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 7:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Pastor Rod Joplin, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorials contributions may be made to the family.

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

Donald J. Marlo passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at Barnes Jewish Hospital.

He was a beloved husband of 37 years to Belinda (nee Johnson) Marlo.  He was a dear father to Christopher Don (Cindy) Marlo, Steven Don (Rhonda) Marlo and Paige Marlo. Beloved grandfather to Ashley, Corey, Juliet, Heather, Krystyan, and Katelyn. Brother to Ron (Gayla), Dale, David (Cathy), and Randy (Linda) Marlo.   He was also a dear uncle and cousin to many.

Don lived in The Hill area of St. Louis for over 40 years, as well as a dedicated employee to Barnes-Jewish Hospital over that time.

Don was in charge of youth Bocce at the Italia-America Bocce Club, an active member of the Crusaders, and member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree. He loved fishing and spending time with his family.

Visitation in St. Louis will be on Saturday, December 2, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Michel Funeral Home. Visitation in Sesser will be on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home 102 W. Callie Street, Sesser, IL 62884 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM.

Funeral services will be on Monday, December 4, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 101 N. Poplar Street, Sesser, IL 62884. Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to the Sick and Elderly Program of The Hill, 2315 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.

For a full obituary go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

BENTON — Charles Chalon Towle, 90, passed away Nov. 29, 2017.

Services will be Friday, Dec. 1 in First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jim Jenkel officiating. Visitation will begin at noon with services starting at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery, Benton.

Charles was born May 30, 1927, to Chalon Towle and Carrie (Booten) Towle. He graduated from Benton Township High School in 1946. After graduating from high school, he was drafted in the U.S. Army and served with Occupation Forces in Japan. In 1948 he moved to Davenport, Iowa where he worked for J. I. Case until his retirement in 1978. While living in Davenport he was a member of Grace United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School classes.

After his retirement, he returned to Benton and worked at Ted’s clothing store and then became a realtor for McCollum Real Estate. He was a long time member of the Benton Lions Club, serving several terms as president and secretary. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he served as a Trustee and was on the Church Relations Committee.

He is survived by his wife Pat (Rice) Towle, and sister, Julia Gostowski; daughters, Kathy Meier, Marcia (Jerry) Ludden, Davenport, Iowa, Pam (Dale) Irvin, Benton; sons, David (Karla) Towle, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Mike (Elaine) Prowell, Monroe, Georgia; grandchildren, Michelle (Matt) Cowell, Cory Meier, Josef (Berkleigh) Lawler, Ryan (Emily) Unger, and Alison (Brandon) Anthis, John Greer, Breen (Dillon) Greer, and Ian Greer; and great-grandchildren, Graden and Liam Cowell, Mason and Vada Unger, Payton and Alaina Anthis, and Ava and Jonas Lawler. He also leaves behind many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Virginia Walker and Annis Bliss along with son-in-law, Dick Meier.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Benton, or the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry.

Charles Chalon Towle, 90, passed away November 29, 2017.

Charles was born May 30, 1927 to Chalon Towle and Carrie (Booten) Towle. He graduated from Benton Township High School in 1946.

After graduating from high school, he was drafted in the army and served with Occupation Forces in Japan.

In 1948 he moved to Davenport, Iowa where he worked for J. I. Case until his retirement in 1978. While living in Davenport he was a member of Grace United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School classes.

After his retirement, he returned to Benton and worked at Ted’s clothing store and then became a Realtor for McCollum Real Estate. He was a long time member of the Benton Lions Club serving several terms as President and Secretary. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he and served as a Trustee and was on the Church Relations Committee.

He is survived by his wife Pat (Rice) Towle, and sister, Julia Gostowski; daughters, Kathy Meier, Marcia (Jerry) Ludden, Davenport, IA, Pam (Dale) Irvin, Benton; sons, David (Karla) Towle, Cedar Falls, IA, and Mike (Elaine) Prowell, Monroe, GA.

He is also survived by his grandchildren : Michelle (Matt) Cowell, Cory Meier, Josef (Berkleigh) Lawler, Ryan (Emily) Unger, and Alison (Brandon) Anthis, John Greer, Breen (Dillon) Greer, and Ian Greer; great-grandchildren: Graden and Liam Cowell, Mason and Vada Unger, Payton and Alaina Anthis, and Ava and Jonas Lawler. He also leaves behind many special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Virginia Walker and Annis Bliss along with son in law Dick Meier.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Benton, Illinois on Friday December 1st, with Reverend Jim Jenkel officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm with services starting at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery, Benton, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Benton, IL or the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home of Benton.

Wanda F. Sullivan, 82, of Du Quoin, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2017, at the Du Quoin Nursing Home.

She was born on June 23, 1935 to Walter and Pauline (Brandhorst) Fisher in Akin, IL. She married Frank Sullivan and he preceded her in death.

Wanda is survived by her four children, Jane (Richard) Sanders, Jeanene Alferink, Larance (Rika) Alferink and Randall (Jo Ann) Alferink; seven grandchildren, Christopher (Mary Ellen) Winemiller, Michelle (Wayne Lukowski) Winemiller, Jason Alferink, Lanard Alferink, Jr., April Savage, Tuesday Alferink and Jessica Alferink; nine great-grandchildren, Amber Winemiller, Skye (Trey Ridgeway) Brock, Payton Savage, Lavyon Winemiller, Kaitlyon Winemiller, Ahmari James, Mariah Parham, Eric Lynch and Landon Savage; two great-great grandchildren, Easton Ridgeway and Oliver Ridgeway; one sister, Violet (Garnett) Lillico; and three brothers, Harmon Fisher, Vernon (Paula) Fisher and Lendell (Nancy) Fisher.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Sullivan; parents, Walter Fisher and Pauline Fisher; a son, Lanard Alferink; and a brother, Denver Fisher.

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

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 2, 2017, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 12:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home with Rev. Ryan Mulvaney officiating services. Burial will follow services at Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL.

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

Donald Allen Bruns, 62, of Christopher formerly of the Pinckneyville and DuQuoin area passed away on Saturday November 25, 2017 at his home.

He was born to a farmer and his wife in Pinckneyville but spent most of his life in DuQuoin. He was older brother to Ramona Gayle and Anthony Todd. He enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together. He also enjoyed helping his Dad on the farm. A few years ago, just before his physical heart began to fail, he had a life changing encounter with Jesus that was very evident to his family and friends.

He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, even though he had a hard time with women. He will be missed by his extended family (including nieces and nephews), close friends and his church family.

Memorial service will be Friday, December 1, 2017, at the South Side Baptist Church, 612 S Emma Street, Christopher, IL, at 6:30 PM. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at the church. Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Clifford Freeman Sellers, age 72, of Olive Branch, MS and formerly of Benton, passed away at 3:57 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2017, at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center of Mattoon, IL.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, November 28, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.  After the visitation Mr. Sellers will be cremated. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Clifford was born on April 14, 1945 in Batesville, IN, the son of Clifford and Florence Sellers.

He lived with Charles and Helen Davis of Benton for 19 years, and after Helen’s death he would live with Ron and Lynn Sutliff of Olive Branch, MS, for the past 7 and ½ years. Most recently he had been living with Lynn’s daughter Rhonda and her husband Kevin Arthur of Mattoon.

Clifford loved school, and was homeschooled by his aunt Neloa

While living in Benton, he worked for the former Franklin-Williamson Human Services Workshop in West Frankfort. He also formerly worked at Hardees in Indiana.  He loved his church family at both Long View Baptist in Mississippi and The Apostolic Center in Mattoon.

He enjoyed the many Saturday shopping trips to Wal-Mart with Helen. He loved trains, and Rhonda had just told him she was going to take him on a train ride for his Christmas present from her family.

Clifford is survived by his adoptive family: Charles Davis of Benton, Lynn Sutliff and husband Ron of Olive Branch, MS, Michele Noward and husband Clint and son Quentin, and little sister Cailynn of Benton; a cousin Marilyn Reynolds of East Milam, IN; two sisters: Nancy Thola of Osgood, IN, and Carolyn Cunningham of Gulf Port, MS; and his many friends whose lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his adoptive mother Helen Davis of Benton.

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

Samuel Lee Potmas, age 63, of Herrin, passed away at 2:58 a.m. Monday, November 20, 2017, at the SIH Herrin Hospital.

Mr. Potmas’ wishes were to be cremated.  Per his wishes there will be no public services at this time.

Cremation services are under the direction of the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Samuel Lee Potmas was born on August 2, 1954 in Herrin, the son of Sam Potmas and Amelia (Cornia) Potmas.

He was a graduate of Herrin High School Class of 1972.  His working career would consist of coal mining, Olin’s and Norge, he also formerly worked at SIU.

He loved to hunt, ride his Harley, going mudding in his Jeep, playing golf, baseball; but most of all he loved animals.

Samuel is survived by a son Nathanael Kevin Potmas and wife Valerie of Zeigler; a step-daughter Machel Reynolds and her wife Sarah of Johnston City; four grandchildren: Declan, Keegan, Noah and Carter; two sisters: Cindy Hicks and husband John of Herrin, Carmalee Carr and husband Scott of Benton; two nieces: Christy Calonne and Amelia Hicks; a special aunt, Mary Ann McGinnis; a special cousin, Brad McGinnis; friends that he considered family: Donnie Fitzpatrick, Mike Payne, and David Cox; and numerous other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two nephews: Warren Dale Wallace, Jr. and Tyler Hicks.

Memorial contributions may be made to Second Chance Rescue of Franklin County, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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