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

Patricia Ann Malone, 80, of Christopher passed away on Sunday November 26, 2017 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Patricia was born on March 3, 1937 in Posen, IL to Stanley and Ann (Mazies) Rzepa.  She married William Malone and he survives of Christopher.

Other survivors include her children Barbara Sisk of Christopher, William Malone Jr of Tennessee, Debra Cacciato of Christopher, Mark Malone of Tinley Park, IL; Grandchildren Katti, Chad, Aaron, Brian, Michelle, Josh, Jessica, Lee, Angie, and Wendy; 2 great grandchildren Maggie and Keegan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Dennis Malone, and one brother Tony Rzepa.

There are no services scheduled at this time for Mrs. Malone.

Georgia Olson, 88, of Sesser, IL, passed away on Friday November 10, 2017 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born March 7, 1929 in Cairo, IL to James Orville Sowders and Helen (Berry) Stewart.  She married Junior Olson and he preceded her in death.

Survivors include her children Edgar (Shirley) Bledsoe of Sesser, Helen Seigart of Sesser, James (Jo) Bledsoe of Thebes, and Claudia (Patrick) Grubbs of Christopher; one sister Barbara (Donald) Atchison of Sesser; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister Florence Haynes, and three brothers Zollie Stewart, Bill Stewart, and Kenneth Stewart.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday November 14, 2017 at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating.  Visitation will be on Tuesday November 14, 2017 from 11:00 AM until the service time at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. 

For more information or to leave a condolences, please click on our website gilbertfuneralshomes.com

Our dear Momma Annalea Odum Gilbreath passed on to heaven Friday, November 10, 2017.

She was born July 8, 1924, to Ray and Maudie (Hill) Odum.  She was married to Dwight Gilbreath on May 4, 1940, and he proceeded her in death on November 29, 1999.

Surviving she leaves behind her brother, Carroll Odum; two children, Dwight E. Gilbreath and wife Rhonda, and Marilyn Mitchell and dear friend Paul; six grandchildren, Shawn Gilbreath, Darlina C. Milda, Christine Milda, Brian Lambert and wife Judy, Robert Lambert, Sarah Willingham and husband Travis; five great-grandchildren, Seth Russell, Michelle Annalea Mercado, Jennifer Hester and husband Austin, Joshua Lambert, Hunter Willingham; a great-great grandchild, Serenity; a special sister-in-law, Doris Gilbreath; a son-in-law, Jim Lambert; and also several nephews and nieces which she cherished.

Annalea is proceeded in death by her parents, Ray and Maudie Odum; husband, Dwight Gilbreath; a daughter, Carolyn Lambert; a son-in-law, Bill Mitchell; a grandchild, Deanna Heal; two brothers, Claude L. Odum, Sr.and Edward Odum; two nephew, Walter Odum and Claud L.”Hoss” Odum, Jr.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to her friend Shirley Katz, her lady friends at Stonebridge Care Center, the staff at Stonebridge Care Center and many extended family members.

Annalea will be missed by one and all!

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

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 10:30 a.m, at Pate Funeral Home with burial to follow services at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and the Activity Fund at the StoneBridge Care Center, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefhcom.