Glenn R. Byars, 89, passed away on May 9, 2017, in the Community Living Center at the Veterans Administration in Marion, IL.  He was the son of Luby and Mary (Silkwood) Byars and was born June 10, 1927, in Christopher, IL

He was united in marriage to Josephine (Venegoni) Byars on June 24, 1950, at the First Baptist Church, Christopher, IL, and together, they shared more than 66 years of marriage.

Glenn was a 1945 graduate of Christopher High School.  After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He was an Alumnus of Southern Illinois University, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1950.  In 1958, he received a Master’s Degree from SIU in Guidance and Administration.

He began his teaching career at Elkville High School, where he implemented an Industrial Arts program and coached football and basketball.  After two years, he was asked to implement the same program at Christopher High School.  There, he also taught science and physical education and coached track, basketball, baseball, and softball. In 1959, Mr. Byars was named Principal of Christopher Jr. High School and in 1966 was appointed the Superintendent, where he served for 10 years.

After a long career in the education field, he retired in 1984 with 35 years of service. Mr. Byars initiated the first summer recreation program in Christopher, for children 7 to 18 years old. Various summer activities included soccer, volleyball, ping pong, basketball, baseball, and swimming.  Later, he and his assistant and dear friend, Gene Helfrich, originated the Khoury League baseball program in Christopher.

Glenn Byars will be remembered as an avid sportsman.  His favorite remark was “I’m a participator, not a spectator!”  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap and skeet shooting, and golfing.  In his younger days, he played on independent basketball and volleyball teams.  He thoroughly enjoyed his times spent with his sons, family, and friends at these sporting events.

Mr. Byars served on the Christopher Elementary School Board for ten years, was the Chairman of the Rea Clinic Board of Directors, and served on the Isaac Walton Board.  He was a member of the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, a fifty year member of the American Legion in Christopher and Marion, IL, Western Franklin County Historical Society and the Christopher Lions Club.

Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine (Venegoni) Byars, his parents, Luby and Mary (Silkwood) Byars, and two sisters, Theola Bouffiou, and Doyce Hutson.

Survivors include his sons, James Randall, and wife, Anita (Herzog) Byars, of Freeburg, IL, and Richard Scott, and wife Kimberly (Simpson) Byars, of Marion, IL.

Also surviving are his grandchildren:  Jessica Lynn (Byars) Stanford and husband Matt, of Belleville, IL., Bradley Scott Byars, of Dallas, TX, Scott Christopher Byars, of Freeburg, IL, and Robert Simpson Byars and wife Erica (Polacheck) Byars, of Minneapolis, MN, and great-granddaughter Colette Amelia Byars, of Minneapolis, MN.  Other members of the family who survive are, Bill and Catherine Browning, Gracie Venegoni, Bruce and Kari Tomei, Lisa and Rob Lowery, Laura and John Schneider, William and Georgina Browning, Randy and Marcia Venegoni, Paul and Julie McGuire, along with other great nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 11:00 at the St. Andrews Cemetery with Military Rites.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Oakley Renee Bowlin (Nay nay) was born March 12, 2015 in Carbondale Memorial Hospital at 5:12 AM to Salena Bowlin of Elkville.

Oakley went to be with the Lord Friday May 5, 2017.

To our angel Oakley, from the moment you came into this world, so bright eyed, you captured the hearts of everyone whose path you crossed. Your laughter brought joy to our hearts, your personality was bigger than life! Oakley loved Mickey Mouse, Moana and her pets Bella, Alaska, Yadi, and Petey.  She loved music and dancing. Anytime she had the chance she would always tell us its ok! She was her mommy’s life, her Mimi Cindy’s and Papa Chris’ princess and her Pawpaw Lyle’s bestest Buddy.  She even had a way to get her uncle Branden to bust a move, her Godmother and Aunt Sadie and Oakley shared a love of make-up, her uncle Seth and Oakley shared the love of music as she was constantly running off with his headphones.  She truly made our family whole, again Fly High Sweet Baby…Fly High!

Oakley is survived by her mother Salena Bowlin, her grandparents Cindy Bowlin and Chris Stover, great Pawpaw Lyle Bowlin, uncle Branden Lewis and Godmother and aunt Sadie Lewis, uncle Seth Bowlin, great uncle and great aunt Richard and Melinda Bowlin, special cousins Wade, Jacob, and Maycee Bowlin all of Elkville, great great grandfather James Lucas of St. Louis, aunt Felicia Trott and family of Georgia, uncle Taylor Stover and family from Kansas, great grandmother Nelda Brooks, aunts and uncles from Alabama and Georgia, and her great grandparents of Murphysboro.

She was preceded in death by her great grandmother Mandy Bowlin and great great grandmother Mary Lucas.

Oakley as you enter through the gates of heaven hold Maw Maw Mandy’s hand and she will hold you close and protect you.

We love and miss you forever and always Oakster!

The family wants to give special thanks to Shawn, Dawn, and Morgan Cashion and everyone else for all your hard work and kindness.

Funeral services for Oakley will be on Wednesday May 10, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Scott Slone officiating.  Visitation will be on Tuesday May 9, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 8:0 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Arthritis Foundation in honor of Cally Flora and the fight against Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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

Patricia Jane Withrow 85, passed away on Friday May 5, 2017 at Shawnee Christian Nursing Home in Herrin.

She was born on October 4, 1931 in Johnston City, IL to Lester and Bell (Cooper) Derrington.  She married William “Bill” Howard Withrow and he preceded her death on November 26, 2000.

She is survived by her children William E. Withrow of Benton and Patricia Ann Conaughty of West Frankfort; grandchildren Robert Ellis Withrow, William Howard Withrow, Jason Martin Conaughty, Nicholas Lane Conaughty, and Martin Joseph Conaughty; great grandchildren Gavin Withrow, Destiny Withrow, Marina Theresa Conaughty, Gavin Martin Conaughty, Lauren Francis Conaughty, Hadley Rose Conaughty, Preston James Baize, Cameron Lane Conaughty, Constance Maryanne Conaughty; and one sister Vera Cavinder of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Betty Lewis and Genevieve “Jenny” Janello, two brothers Loris “Lefty” Derrington and Billy Derrington, and one son-in-law Marty Conaughty.

Patricia loved to go fishing with her husband. She also loved to go shopping with her daughter and her sisters, sewing, crocheting, and cooking. She also loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She will be dearly missed by her family.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday May 9, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Rev. Daniel Ison officiating.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the Cemetery.

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

Donald  Crisp, 88, of Benton, passed away at 4:20 p.m., Saturday, April 29, 2017, at his home.
He was born on September 8, 1928, to John and Opal (McCarty) Crisp in Steel City, IL. Donald retired as a coal miner for Old Ben #26. On April 2, 1949, he married the former Pearl Tate.  Donald was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He enjoyed taking care of his family and providing whatever was needed.  Donald was an avid gardener and received great joy by giving it all away.

He was a very active member of North Benton Baptist Church, where he served as a teacher of the Men’s Sunday school class, where he taught and believed his faith and served as a Deacon.  He was also a member of the U.M.W.A.

Donald is survived by his children, Terry (Carla) Crisp of Benton, IL, Pamela (Bill) Martin of Benton, IL, and Mark (Dianne) Crisp of Benton, IL; four grandsons, Brian Crisp of Benton, IL, Jeff (Tobey) Crisp of Thompsonville, IL, Dusty (Chelsea) Crisp of Benton, IL, Josh (Bethany) Crisp of Bargersville, IN; a granddaughter, Mariah (Dale) Hayes of Benton, IL; two sisters, Martha Carlton of Benton, IL, June Gasky of Hammond, IN;  and seven great-grandchildren, Bailey Crisp of Thompsonville, IL, Chase Crisp of Thompsonville, IL, Maddie Hayes of Benton, IL, Cade Hayes of Benton, IL, Rylee, Raygan, and Parker Crisp of Benton, IL, and Tinley and Lexi Crisp of Bargersville, IN.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Pearl Crisp; parents, John and Opal Crisp; five brothers, George Crisp, Clarence Ray Crisp, John Robert Crisp, Roger Crisp, and Keith Crisp; and four sisters, Joan Crisp, Wanda Piazza, Katheryn Williams, and Sandra Neal.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.