Anthony “Tony” L. South, 66, of Christopher IL, passed away on June 30, 2017 at 4:12 AM at the Herrin Hospital.

He was born on June 8, 1951 to Andrew Jacob and Marie Rosalee (Marten) South.  He married Malissa (Wiggs) South on December 20, 1991 and she survives of Christopher.

He was a concrete finisher.

Survivors include a daughter Lucille and Adam Anderson of Herrin; one son Robert Aaron Bradley of Christopher; granddaughter Brinley and a sister Rose Marie South of Christopher.

Tony’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.

Helen M. Corn, 101, of Macedonia, passed away at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center. 

She was born on August 30, 1915, to Tony and Anna (Petroski) Adams in West Frankfort, IL. Helen married Carl Corn and he precedes her in death.

She was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. Helen was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. In her free time she enjoyed gardening and doing puzzle books. 

Helen is survived by her three sons, Mike Corn of Benton, IL, Dennis (Patsy) Corn of Benton, IL, Kenneth (Tonya) Corn of Macedonia, IL; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Carl Corn; one daughter, Dorothy Lagioia, her parents, Tony and Anna Adams; two brothers, Michael Adams and Tony Adams; and one sister, Mary Gardzulis.

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

Graveside services will be held on June 30, 2017, at 2:15 p.m., at Brady Cemetery, with the Father Urban Osuji officiating. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to Brady Cemetery, and will be accepted at the funeral home. 

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

Vera Fay DeMattei, 84, of Mt. Vernon IL, and a former Benton resident,  passed away Monday evening June 26, 2017 at DePaul Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born January 18, 1933, in West Frankfort, IL the daughter of Fay & Alice Adeline (Schram) Austin.

 She married William “Chick” DeMattei on October 29, 1977 and he preceded her in death on August 11, 2016.

She put her family first, she loved her kids and grandkids.

Mrs. DeMattei is survived by her four children; Paula Rentfro and husband Garry of Lebanon, TN,  Janis Strickland & husband Steve of Mt. Vernon, Terry DeMattei and wife Debby of Clayton, NC, and Scott DeMattei  and wife Marilyn of Zanesville, OH.

She is survived by Grandchildren Jimmy Wells, Anna Rentfro, Jeff Rentfro, Lisa Rollins, James David Rentfro, Amber Smith, Stephen Strickland, Brook Dickneite, Mason Williams, Andrea Williams, Shannon French, Rachel Leaptrot, Ashley Herbert, Chad DeMattei, Erika Adornett, Abbie Poe, Adam Hooper and Katie Hooper. 

She also leaves behind 32  Great-Grandchildren, one sister, Deloris Bennett of Benton along with several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. DeMattei was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, by a Daughter-Rhea Eva Odom & by a Granddaughter-Alicen Wells.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 1st at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Alan Newman officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

In lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made to the Logan Street Baptist Church Building Fund. For more information, or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Nancy Lynn Cockrum, 66, of Benton went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 6:15 A.M. at her home surrounded by family and a special friend.

Nancy was born February 13, 1951 in Christopher, IL to George and Elouise Wilson.

Nancy attended Whittington Grade School and Benton Community High School where she graduated with the class of 1969.

In 1970, Nancy met the love of her life, Cliff Cockrum and began their racing life together traveling the United States. In 1974, upon the completion of Rend Lake, Nancy and Cliff would begin maintenance and care of the lake that would continue for the next 25 years.

Nancy was also a bookkeeper for the many businesses they owned and operated including Lewis Cards and Gifts, Cliff’s City Trash Service, Cockrum Bus Service, and Heritage Trailer Manufacturing. Later in life, Nancy served as a special election judge and Franklin County Public Administrator. Nancy’s life passion was following the racing lives of Cliff, Brian and Shane.

Nancy leaves behind to celebrate her life one son, City of Benton Fire Chief Shane Cockrum and wife Billie Jo, granddaughters, Macie and Kylie Cockrum, along with soon to be new arrival Kamie Cockrum. Two step-daughters, Diana Mullins and Jolene (Chris) Dixon. One step-son Dennis Cockrum. Grandchildren Kimberly (Nathan) DeSett, Hannah Cockrum, Travis Mullins, and Kristin Cockrum. Also eight great-grandchildren. Sister Sally Revis, two sister-in-laws, Cathy Wilson and Donna Cockrum, and several special nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a special friend, Glenda Pool.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Step-son Brian Cockrum, Brother Sheriff Bill Wilson, borther-in-laws-Robert and Jesse Cockrum, and one nephew Mike Wilson.

Funeral services for Mrs. Cockrum will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 28th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.

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

Jewell Irene Norman, 98, of Benton IL, passed away at 11:41 p.m., on June 21, 2017, at Stonebridge Senior Living Center.

She was born on May 29, 1919, to Walter and Elizabeth (Maniger) Caraker in Union County, IL. On September 20, 1936, she married Vernie Norman.  Jewell and Vernie lived in Benton, IL.  Jewell was a loving mother and grandmother.  She was loved by many and was frequently referred to as Maw Maw Jewell from the children she previously cared for at her day care.  
 
Jewell is survived by two daughters, Susan (Randy) Haithcoat of Benton, IL. and Patty (David) Cunningham of Greenville, IL.; four sons, Tim (Melanie) Norman of Benton, IL., Jim Norman of Benton, IL., Mike (Nancy) Norman of Danville, IL., and Steve (Barbara) Norman of Gulf Shores, AL.; 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. 
 
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Vernie Norman; her parents, Walter and Elizabeth Caraker; a granddaughter, Sara Cunningham; and a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Norman. 
 
Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 24, 2017, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
    
Funeral services will follow visitation at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Lloyd Whittaker officiating.
 
Burial will follow services at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.
 
Memorial contributions may be made to Stonebridge Senior Living Center or Celtic Hospice, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Julia Williams, 69, of Sesser IL,  passed away on Thursday June 22, 2017 at her home.

She was born on September 25, 1947 in Greenville, KY, to Lee Roy and Stella (Evans) Kirtley.  She married Dan Williams and he preceded her in death on April 22, 2007.

She is survived by two daughters Amy Lynn and Andy Julian of Olney and Jody Williams of Sesser; two grandchildren Gracie Julian and Brooks Julian; three sisters Nancy and Bob Geppert of Highland, Sara and Bob Martin of St Louis, MO, and Martha and Joe Minniti of Lisle, IL; one brother David and Melissa Kirtley of St Louis, MO, also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister Mary Kirtley.

Funeral service will be on Sunday June 25, 2017 at 1:30 PM at the Jesus Center in Sesser (First Christian Church) with Rev. Kirk Packer officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday June 24, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Southern Illinois Christian Service Camp in West Frankfort, IL or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Karol Jackson, 73, of Marion formerly of Mulkeytown, passed away on Sunday June 18, 2017 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

She was born on April 19, 1944 in Long Island, NY to Walter and Francis (Skowronski) Gapsiewicz. She married Norman Jackson and he survives of Marion.

Survivors include her husband, children Dawn and Bruce Breeden of Carterville, Tricia Lopez of Mission, TX, Andrea and Bill Creek of Springfield; grandchildren Aurora Breeden, Cooper Breeden, Alejandro Lopez, Adrian Lopez, Ericka Creek, and Jordan Creek; one brother Wayne and Nancy Gapsiewicz of McAllen, TX.

She was a teacher at Zeigler-Royalton School for many years and was a member of the Mulkeytown Christian Church.

Her wishes were to be cremated with no services.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to CASA and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Marlene Mary Ort, 80, of Sesser, passed away on Thursday June 15, 2017 at her home.

She was born on July 6, 1936 in Cincinnati, OH to Ralph and Martha (Yauch) Roether.

Survivors include her children Michael Ort of North Carolina, Pamela and Armondo Camarillo of Sesser, Terri Quillman of Mt Vernon, Rosemary and Terry Willis of Sesser, George and Maria Ort of Sesser, Cheryl Ort of Sesser, and Beverly and Michael Wefels of Benton; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; five brothers and sisters.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son David Ort.

Visitation will be on Monday June 19, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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