Robert Willis Gouge, 80, of Valier, passed away on Monday October 21, 2024 at St Louis University Hospital in St Louis, MO.

He was born on December 25, 1943 in St Louis, MO to James and Stella (Overturf) Gouge. He married Jenetta Fay (Harrison) Gouge on October 25, 1961 and she preceded him in death on May 18, 2022.

He is survived by his children Michael (Janice) Gouge, Robin (Vince) Akin and Joseph Gouge; grandchildren Sarah (Jason) Ferber, Christina (Patrick) Braun, Holly (Vint) Akin, Jacob (Megan) Gouge and Katie Gouge; great grandchildren Lennox, Zoey, Avery, Madison, Cassandra, Hayden, Blake, Naomi, Abigail, Penelope and Hattie Mae.

He was preceded in death by parents, wife, one daughter Stella Robinson and two sisters Dolores Holleman and Edna Avery and three brothers James Gouge, Albert Gouge and Daniel Gouge.

Funeral services will be on Saturday November 2, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Christ’s View Christian Church in Christopher with Pastor Ron Henwood officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Blairsville Cemetery.

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

Charles “Dobber” Emmett Swisher, 88, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Tuesday October 22, 2024.

He was born on July 2, 1936 in Mulkeytown to Emmett and Verble Maxine (Hill) Swisher Jr. He married Judith Ann (Boggia) Swisher on September 20, 1957 and she survives of Mulkeytown.

He is also survived by his children Charles Dean Swisher of Mulkeytown and Pamela Jean Swisher of Ocean Springs, MS; grandson Charles Robert Swisher; sisters Janice Tilley of DuQuoin and Debbie (Jerry) Stanley of Mulkeytown and one brother-in-law Raymond Flannigan of Marion and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Linda Flannigan, one brother Bob Swisher, sister-in-law Evelyn Swisher and one brother-in-law Norman Tilley.

Dobber was a Veteran of the United States Army and was a Para Trooper at Fort Bragg. He was a great athlete and loved to fish. He was a Commercial fisherman, coalminer and a taxidermist.

Graveside services will be held on Friday October 25, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with Jerry Stanley officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the West Franklin Historical Society. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

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

Naomi Ruth Dial, 83, of Thompsonville, passed away at 11:15 p.m., on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, IN.

She was born on September 18, 1941, to Eugene and Monette (Hayes) Puckett in Franklin County, IL. Naomi worked for over 30 years as a factory worker for Maytag in Herrin, IL. She married Gordon Wayne Dial and he survives.

She was a member of Plasters Grove Baptist Church.

Naomi absolutely loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed dancing, painting, fishing and camping.

Naomi is survived by her husband, Gordon, her two sons, Nelson Dial of Thompsonville, IL and Harrison Dial of Thompsonville, IL; her daughter, Evelyn Dial of Thompsonville, IL; her sister, Marilyn Harris; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Monette Puckett, her son, Chris Dial, four brothers and two sisters.

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

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Pastor Alan Newman, officiating.
Following the funeral service, in accordance with Naomi’s wishes, cremation will take place.
Memorials may be made to Benton Ministerial Alliance and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Victoria Marie Lampley, age 73, of Benton, passed away at 10:56 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt.Vernon, IL.

Vickie was born on September 8, 1951, in Fairmont, West Virginia; the daughter of James Holden and Gloria (Hedley) Holden.

In her working career she was a cook, having worked with several area restaurants including: Kewpee Café, Plaza Restaurant, Lou’s Country Kitchen, Bennett’s Cafe, Bonzfire and Talk of the Town Thompsonville Café.

She was a member of the Benton Eagles Ladies Auxiliary.

Vickie was a member and loved attending church services at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton.

She enjoyed listening to Country music, time with her dogs, and being with her family.

Surviving are two sons: Bobby Cunningham of Akin, Illinois, and Luke Williams and wife Koleytta of Benton, Illinois; a grandson Cody Lee Cunningham of Lander, Wyoming; a sister Carol Hester of Benton, Illinois; special friend Joe Buchanan of Benton, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

Her sons said that throughout the years she was a mother figure to several other children that she helped take care of. Those she took care of referred to her as momma.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother David Holden.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL.

The family prefers Memorial contributions be made to the family to assist with the funeral expenses and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

On October 3rd, at 1030 am, Mike Johnson went to be with the Lord.

Mike was an avid motorcycle rider, hunter, fisherman, and boater. Mike served his country in the Army National Guard and worked as a farmer, coal miner, and electrician. Mike resided at Sunshine Gardens and was recently saved before peacefully leaving this world at 74 years old.

Mike is survived by his children Michael and Amber Johnson and family, Chris and Angie Johnson and family, mother Darlene Johnson, and brother Terry and Brenda Johnson and family. Mike is preceded by father Jack Johnson and Grandparents Hoyt and Ellen Smith.
Arrangements will be on October 16th from 10-12pm, at Morton Johnson Funeral Home, 410 South Main Street, Benton Illinois.

A graveside service, administered by Brother Ivan Ryan, will follow after at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

John Dennis “Denny” Sobeck, 71, passed away on a beautiful cloudless, warm and sunny Thursday morning – October 10, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO from complications related to end stage renal failure.

Born April 23, 1953 to John M. and Alberta (Cook) Sobeck in Christopher, IL in the Miner’s Hospital, and a class of 1971 graduate of Christopher High School, he married Rebecca Moyers on November 15, 1974 at Mulkeytown Christian Church and they have long resided in Coello. Younger brother of Larry Sobeck(Carol) and Sue E. Haley(Robert), father of Justin(Kim) and Tacy(Chris), and Pawpaw to Gram Avery and Jackson David. Denny is survived by those who were fortunate to have loved him, as well as everyone lucky enough to have known him. Parents Alberta and John preceded him in passing, 1999 and 2003 respectively.

He enjoyed a varied career path through the years, starting as a mechanic and tow truck driver at Janello Motors, followed by 23 years at Old Ben # 26 near Sesser. After the mine closed in 1997, he went back to Rend Lake College and SIUC to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences, graduating in 1999 and then working at Franklin-Williamson Human Services (Centerstone) as a Rehabilitation Case Manager, where he made an impact in the lives of the developmentally disabled population he cared deeply for until his retirement in 2015. Denny was also a second-generation 33rd degree Mason, and was one of the last members of the Christopher Lodge before it was consolidated.

After retirement, he purchased a Ford F350 and trailer and enjoyed hauling odd loads for others and remaining connections from Justin’s time in the rail industry – the most unique a pair of railcar wheels to Denver for Gram’s birthday one year. His Grandsons were the highlight of his post retirement time, and he had recently expressed his goal was to see them drive and graduate high school. Denny and Becky traveled to see the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band from 1988-2022, averaging a few shows each year across the Midwest on their various tours. Aside from trips to Colorado to visit Tacy, Chris and Gram, Denny and Becky also visited New Orleans and Savannah/Tybee Island, GA with Justin, Kim and Jackson.

Denny chose to be cremated and a Celebration of Life service with Masonic Rights will be held on November 23, 2024 from 1:30-6pm memorial with service at 2pm at the West Franklin Historical Society (Former Mulkeytown Grade School) in Mulkeytown Illinois. A scholarship fund for his grandsons will be established for any memorials, but a better way to remember him is through the simple request to enjoy life to the fullest each day, because “it is what it is”.

Mary Ann Wingo, 93, of Benton, passed away at 5:24 a.m., on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Hospice, the Lucy-Smith-King Care Center in Henderson, KY.

She was born on April 18, 1931, to Clyde and Marie (Larson) Smith in Benton, IL. Mary married Gene Wingo and he preceded her in death.

She was a member of the East Benton Baptist Church.

Mary loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She spent time working in her garden and enjoyed all the beautiful flowers.

Mary is survived by her loving sons, David Wingo and George (Cindy) Wingo; six grandchildren, Nicholas (Dana), Cody (Mikala), Tyler, Quenton (Ember Milby), Abigail and Eli (Mallory) and four great-grandchildren, Logan, Joel, Andie and Lylah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Marie Smith, her husband, Gene Wingo and her brother, Bill C. Smith.

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

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Mark Miller, officiating.

Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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