John Logan Buckner, 74, of Benton IL, passed away on July 21, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Buckner, IL on February 24, 1943, the son of Logan & Faye (Overturf) Buckner.

He married Joan (Henley) Chamness on December 30, 2002, and she survives.

Mr. Buckner was very active and involved in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a retired Coal Miner Examiner, working at Inland Steel Kerr-McGee and American Coal.

Mr. Buckner is survived by his wife Joan Buckner of Benton, stepson Brian Chamness and wife Sheri of Fort Worth, TX grandson Adrian James Chamness of Fort Worth, TX, mother Faye Buckner of Buckner and two sisters, Lana Vukadinovich and husband Danny of Mulkeytown, Elva Martin of West Frankfort, longtime friends and mentors Charlie and Shirley Keaton and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Buckner was preceded in death by his Father.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 25th at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton with Father Urban Osuji, Father Joseph Trapp and Father Ken Schaefer officiating. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Church.

If desired, Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton or to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School Building Fund in Herrin.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

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

Monalee Snyder, age 80, of Benton IL, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the Benton Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center of Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from Noon to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Mrs. Snyder was born on January 14, 1937, the daughter of John Bruce and Ival (Morris) Bruce. She was married to Philo Byron Snyder, and he preceded her in death on January 18, 1998.

She was a housewife and formerly attended the McLeansboro Street Church of God in Benton.

Monalee loved kids, and was referred to as the “Neighborhood Grandma”. Everyone was always welcome at her home, where she would cook, feed, and play board games with her grandchildren and all the neighborhood children. She also enjoyed to play Bingo.

She is survived by three sons: Darrell Wayne Snyder of Benton, Melvin Lee Snyder of Christopher, Byron Lloyd Snyder and wife Paula of Benton; fifteen grandchildren: Heidi Jean Beppler, Shane Wells, Van Snyder, Christopher J. Snyder, Kenneth L. Snyder, Philo Byron Snyder, Robert L. Snyder, Loran Owens, Holly N. Snyder, Amber Plumlee, Gabriel Snyder, Brian Plumlee, Justin Plumlee and Ashley M. Peebels; thirty-four great-grandchildren; sixteen great-great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Betty Bruce of Benton, Barbara Bruce of West Frankfort,Varlyn Stanley of Creal Springs; several nieces, nephews, friends and extended family, and all those whose life she touched.

Mrs. Snyder was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four children:Jeania Marie Snyder, Claude C. Snyder, Francis Eugene Snyder, Jacquline Irene Patterson; and eight siblings: J.R., Addie, Tommy, Othel, Randall, Warren, William and Aline.

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

 

 

 

 

 

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Donald Eugene Robinson 63, of Sesser passed away on Sunday July 16, 2017 at 11:24 PM at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born on January 9, 1954 to Arthur Robinson and Betty (VanHoorebeke) Vordtreide.

Survivors include his mother Betty Vordtreide of Sesser, one brother Louis “Junior” Gower of Sesser; 3 sisters B.J. Schlemmer of Redbud, Freda Galloway of Sesser, and Linda Gower of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his father, 5 brothers and sisters.

His wishes were to be cremated with a service at a later date.

James Andrew McDonnough, 41, formerly of DuQuoin passed away July 13, 2017.  James was born to Tim McDonnough and Cheryl (Pulke) McDonnough on April 11, 1976.  He married Dana (Miller) McDonnough on June 12, 2010. 

He graduated from DuQuoin High School in 1994 and graduated from SIU-C with a Bachelors Degree in Photo Journalism in 2010.  He served in the Army and National Guard for nearly 20 years, completing 2 tours of duty in Iraq and 2 tours of duty in Afghanistan as well as being stationed in various locations throughout the world.

James is survived by twin sons, Logan James and Joel Andrew McDonnough of Sesser, and their mother, Dana McDonnough of Sesser.  He is also survived by his mother, Cheryl of Pinckneyville, and his father, Tim (Lori) of Centralia, step brothers Chad (Sarah Fae) Stuehlmeyer of Mt.Vernon and Jered (Linda) Stuehlmeyer of Centralia, and step sister Amber (Spencer) Marcum of Centralia.

Visitation for James McDonnough will be Wednesday, July 19, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

Burial will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery near Pinckneyville.

The family requests that no flowers or other items be sent.  If you wish to memorialize James, please do so by giving to his children’s education fund, payable to Dana McDonnough. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Harvey E. Medley, 77, of Christopher ended his journey on earth on Sunday July 16, 2017 at 9:00 AM.

He was born in the UMWA Hospital in West Frankfort on January 31, 1940 to William and Marie (Ponder) Medley.

He graduated from Christopher High School in 1957 and married Janet (Mystrie) Medley on July 5, 1961 and she preceded him in death on October 24, 2007.

He was preceded in death by his wife Janet, father William Medley, mother Marie (Ponder) Medley Cook, step-father Wallace Cook, step-mother Ethel Loraine Medley, one son Tony Medley, two sisters Bernice Edwards and Judy Medley. He is survived by his son Keith (Glenda) Medley of Benton; brother Rick (Judy) Cook of Christopher; a sister Kay of Florida; granddaughter Savannah (David) Wynn Davis of Zeigler, Grandson Josh (Rachel) Sisney of Mulkeytown; neice Katie (Matt) Guymon of St Louis, MO; nephew John (Keisha) Cook of Christopher; 3 great grandsons; 2 great granddaughters; and 2 great nieces.

After serving his country in the US army in Korea, he was hired by the Zeigler/Old Ben Coal Company, working at Old Ben # 24 and # 21, from 1967-1984 and for the American Coal Company from 1984-1995. He was a very thoughtful, caring, and unselfish person and had trouble saying the word “NO.”

He loved music and looked forward to going to the dances each week (trading in his white cap and sneakers for cowboy boots and a cowboy hat) with his long-time friend and care-giver “Liz” (Libby) Sanders of West Frankfort. “Tunica Harv” will be missed by so many- “all the regulars” that met at the Maid Rite for coffee each morning; the “Class of 1957 Reunion Committee”; friendships that will be everlasting.

He never saw a stranger; and made a lasting impression on everyone he met. A friend he has known for only a few years said after meeting him – “To know him is to love him.” His family and friends have lost a devoted “Dad”, “Brother”, grandfather “Poppy”; uncle, best friend, good neighbor, and loving, devoted companion.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday July 19, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Harrison Cemetery with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Alana Conley Day, 70, of Benton passed away Friday morning, July 14, 2017 at her home.

She was born in Mt. Vernon, IL on October 20, 1946, the daughter of Charles & Alene (Storey) Burwell.

Alana married James W. Day on June 12, 1993, and he preceded her in death on March 13, 2017.

Alana owned and operated the Sun Tan Shack in Benton for over 30 years. She was an active member of the West City Church of God.

She is survived by her son, Heath Conley and wife Becky of Benton; and her two grandchildren; Madison and Grayson Conley of Eldorado, as well as their mother, Candida (Smith) Payne of Eldorado.  She is also survived by her sister, Teri Rice and husband Chunk of West City, her stepson Ode Day, and her beloved co-workers.  She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 18th at the West City Church of God with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday at the Church.

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

Sharon Lee Webster, 70, of Christopher IL,  passed away on Thursday July 13, 2017 at the Herrin Hospital.

Sharon was born on March 20, 1947 in Keene, NH to Clayton and Beverly (Matson) Gray.

She is survived by her mother Beverly Gray of Whiting, NJ; children Brandon and Bobbi Webster of Christopher, Kurt Webster of Murphysboro, Corbin and Wendy Webster of Marsailes, IL, Spencer and Gillian of Windbey Island, WA; grandchildren Aubrey, Emma, Isabella, Jessey, Shannon, Pierson, Meaghan, Mckenzie, Mcneil, Taylor, Christopher, Daniel; one brother Stephen Gray of New Jersey, and one sister Linda Goodnow of Frisco, TX.

Visitation for Sharon will be on Saturday July 22, 2017 from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

Thomas L. (Tommy Lynn) Clinton, beloved husband of Peggy and son of Jeanette Clinton, passed away recently in Elgin, IL.  He was a resident of Benton.

He is survived by his two sons, Richard and Russell, and was a loving grandfather to his grandchildren Brandy, Carolyn, Russell, Andrew and Stephanie.

Visitation Thursday July 13^th from 6-8pm at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home, 410 S Main St Benton

Graveside services will be on Friday July 14^th at 10 a.m., at Shiloh Cemetery, east of Ewing.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, or the First Baptist Church of Marion are greatly appreciated.

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

 

 

 

 

James Walter Prather, 90, of Christopher IL, passed away on July 11, 2017 at the Stonbridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

He was born on July 17, 1926 in Mulkeytown to James Benjamin and Lillie Irene (Hall) Prather. He married Lillie (Follis) Prather on August 28, 1948 and she preceded him in death on July 21, 2016.

Survivors include his children Tammy and Gary Cornaglia of Christopher, Kimberly and James Hanks of Harrisburg, and Robin and Larry Smith of Christopher; 7 Grandchildren Robbie (Laura) Prather, Carrie (Kip) Davis, Joshua (Sarah) Smith, Kaley Smith, Zachary Hanks, Brian (April) Hanks, and Addie Hanks; six Great grandchildren Riley Davis, Zane Davis, Jett Davis, Lex Davis, Christopher Prather, Caleb Prather; two sisters Mary Ramsey of West Frankfort, Margaret Potocki of Hillsboro; two brothers John Prather of Christopher and Ross Prather of Arizona and a former sister-in-law Jeris Hackle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son James Walter Prather II, and one brother Charles Prather.

He was a Navy veteran during World War II.

He was a coal miner and a member of the UMWA, American Legion, and the Masonic Lodge.

A Memorial Service will be on Sunday July 16, 2017 at 2:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday July 16, 2017 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

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

Charles Lawrence, 85, of Valier passed away on Monday July 10, 2017 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

He was born on October 25, 1931 in Cypress, IL to Charlie and Grace (Adams) Lawrence. He married Isabelle (Puttkammer) Lawrence and she preceded him in death.

Survivors include a son Chuck Lawrence of Benton; daughter Debra Lawrence Wilson of West Frankfort; three grandchildren Heather, Monica, and Isabella; three great grandchildren Devin, Libby, and Daphne.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

His wishes were to be cremated with a Celebration of Life service to be conducted at a later date.

To view a full obituary visit our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com