Steve Pate, Sr., 84, of Troy, IL, passed away 6:00 p.m., on Monday, March 4, 2024, in Liberty Village Nursing Home in Maryville, IL, surrounded by his loving wife and children.

He was born on September 8, 1939, to Loyd and Ethel (Riecan) Pate in East Saint Louis, IL. Steve worked as a tool and dye maker at Marsh Stencil in Belleville, IL, and was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 9 . On April 4, 1959, Steve married Sue Crowe and she survives.

Steve was a United States Navy Veteran.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Steve enjoyed his time at the Lake of the Ozarks and taking his family on rides on the pontoon boat, listening to Cajun music and fishing. He loved watching his St. Louis Cardinals and he was a member of Troy Methodist Church in Troy, IL.

Steve also enjoyed watching his all of his granchildren participate in various events they participated.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sue; two sons, Steve Pate, Jr., and wife, Becky and Paul Pate, and wife, Caroline; and daughter, Michelle Pate-Noyes, and husband, Matt; five grandsons, Steven Pate, Ian Pate, Gorman Pate, Michael Pate and McGrady Noyes; four granddaughters, Elise Pate, Lara Pate, Mattie Noyes and Morgan Noyes: sister-in-law, June Dublar: brother-in-law, Richard Crowe and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Loyd and Roanne Pate, his mother and step-father, Ethel and Adam J. Smolik and his sister, Jane Chinn.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL and Richeson Funeral Home, 205 Edwardsville Road, Troy, IL.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March, 7, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Troy Methodist Church, 407 Edwardsville Road, Troy, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the Troy Methodist Church, with the Reverends Dan Perry and Bonnie Abel, officiating.
Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Lake View Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with military rites by the Navy Honors Team.
Memorials may be made to the Troy Methodist Church or Heartland Hospice and will be accepted at the church.

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

Charles Gale Ray “Johnny” Harris, age 74, of Benton; passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024, at his home.

Graveside services will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, IL, with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. Harris was born on December 12, 1949, in Benton, Illinois, the son of Herman Harris and Helen (Walters) Harris.

Johnny formerly worked for Mark Twain and Celebrity Boat Factories, and he also formerly worked for Summers Limestone. He also worked for Jim Ragan Yamaha, where he was a motorcycle mechanic and repairman, until he became disabled from suffering a stroke.

He enjoyed watching television, listening to the radio, and visiting with family.

Johnny is survived by several loving cousins, including: Becky Purdie and husband Bill and children Faith and Kikee (who took care of him), Glenn Lohman, Jr. and wife Janet (who also took care of him), Beverly Neal, Bobbie Arnold, Neva Zinzilietta and husband Scott, Glenda Ferkel, Brandi Friar all of Benton, Illinois; Karen Foutch of Du Quoin, Illinois, Shane Little of Lexington, Illinois, Janet Marie Wayne of Pittsburg, Illinois, and Michelle White of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents and his son John Harris (who died in a car accident on July 15, 2008).

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

Donald “Lil Doggie” Gene Montgomery, 78, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday February 18, 2024 at his home.

He was born on August 12, 1945 in Sesser to Lester and Oma (Weatherly) Montgomery. He married Diane (Loman) Montgomery on August 7, 1964 in Whittington and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his sons Mark Montgomery of Sesser, Russell (Stephanie) Montgomery of Sesser and Randy (Julie) Montgomery of Christopher; grandchildren Derrik (Kimberlee) Montgomery of Sesser, Morgan (Carson) Montgomery of Marion, Olivia (Matthew) Robertson of Benton, Courtney Hubbard of Christopher, Jeremy (Felicia) Johnson of West City, Faith (Danny) Smith of South Carolina, Jordan Johnson of Texas and Lance Johnson of Sesser; great grandchildren Oliver Montgomery, Bella Johnson, Jasper Johnson and Sutton Smith; one sister Joyce Dunovan of Springfield, IL and one brother Ronnie Montgomery of South Carolina and several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law’s and sister-in-law’s Nancy and Doug Linn, Marsha and Allen Willford, Michael Loman and Jerry Loman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Doris Newberry and three brothers Jimmy Montgomery, Frank Montgomery and Wayne Montgomery.

Donald was retired from Old Ben Coal #26 and was a farmer. He loved to talk and tell stories and also loved to drive around Rend Lake after Church. He was a member of the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday February 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Curtis Smith and Brother Randy Cash officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Clarence Deon Seiler, 84, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday February 17, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born March 21, 1939 in Sesser, IL to Clarence Walter and Mary (Cantrell) Seiler. He married Vivian Elaine (Dixon) Seiler and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children DeMara (Jim) DelBene of Sesser, Ilana (Scott) Ganswindt of Milwaukee, WI and Marcus (Stefany) Seiler of Wentzville, MO.; eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and one brother Freddie (Carol) Seiler of Sesser.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a carpenter in Chicago for 25 years,

Graveside services will be on Tuesday February 20, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Ralph Brandon officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

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

Marjorie Louise (Sullivan) Neal, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, February 11, 2024 surrounded by her family.

Marjorie was a devout Christian, a loving mother, doting grandmother and good friend. She gave the best hugs and welcomed everyone.
She was born July 7, 1934 the daughter of Zenas and Vivian Sullivan. She was married to Roscoe Neal. Marjorie is survived by three daughters: Karen (Keith) Duckworth, Kathy (Jim) Lambert and Kendra (David) Clark.

She leaves behind seven grandchildren, Kevin and Kory Duckworth, Brett Burnett and Brooke Loyd, Eric, Trent and Kaitlyn Clark. She also leaves behind fifteen great grandchildren, Riley, Theodora, Hudson, Hunter, Ace, Landon, Layton, Leah, Colter, Kellan, Eli, Mia and Elizabeth, Axton, and Roscoe Maxwell.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband Roscoe, her parents, 2 infants Janice and Russel, and 2 brothers.
Marjorie worked for years as an insurance agent for Country Companies Insurance. She also was a church secretary at Thompsonville First Baptist Church and North Benton Baptist Church.

Visitation services will be held 11am February 15, at, Thompsonville First Baptist Church and funeral at 1:30p.m. She will be buried in a family plot in the Neal cemetery.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Gene Loucks, 71, of Scheller, passed away on February 13, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born on October 12, 1952 to Carl and Annamae (Zettler) Loucks.

He is survived by his two children, Brent and Becky Loucks of Scheller and Chanda and Edvis Taylor of Scheller; four grandchildren Seth Loucks and special friend Haden, Wyatt Loucks and special friend Reesie, Shaelyn Taylor and Tra Taylor and his Special Lady Friend Deni Ward. He is also survived by his mother Annamae Loucks, one sister Doris (Randall) Worley along with nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Carl Loucks.

He was a member of the White Oak Baptist Church of Scheller. He was a coalminer, worked road construction and was Goode Township Road Commissioner. After retirement, Gene enjoyed spending time with his family, working on the cattle farm and helping his grandchildren prepare for the 4 H Fair.

Funeral services for Gene will be on Saturday February 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Gowdy Cannon officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.

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

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