Gary Lynn Donelson 63, of Mulkeytown passed away on Thursday April 6, 2017 at his home.

He was born on October 5, 1953 in Christopher, to Gary D. and Shirley (Moyers) Donelson.

He is survived by his children Samantha Donelson of DuQuoin and Casey Donelson of Mulkeytown.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Graveside services will be held on Monday April 10, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilbert Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

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

Virginia “Jenny” Dee Hartman, 92, of Benton, passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Helia Health Care of Benton.

She was born on December 14, 1924, to John and Margaret (Newsone) Adams in Benton, IL.   During WWII, Jenny was an inspector in Detroit, MI., where she would inspect landing gear on military aircrafts.  She married John Hartman, Jr., and he preceded her in death.   Throughout her life Jenny was a homemaker, housekeeper and a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Jenny was a member of West City Baptist Church.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and enjoyed crocheting, going out for a picnic and dancing.  Jenny always had a smile on her face and was a joy to be around.

She is survived by her two sons,  Dr. Dave Hartman and wife Terri of Macedonia, IL, Mark  Hartman and wife Polly of Nashville, IL; four grandchildren, Matt Hartman and Melinda Doty, Lindsay Unver and husband Oguz, Michael Hartman and wife Mallory and Alex Hartman; a great-grandson, Seth Unver; and a daughter-in-law, Rohnda Hartman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Hartman, Jr.; a son, Ronnie Donovan; a daughter, Lynn Hartman; and a brother, Tillman Adams.

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

Graveside service will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017, 11:00 a.m., at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL., with Rev. Alan Newman, officiating.

Memorials may be made to Faith Missionary Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Phyllis Jane Mann 85, of Christopher passed away on Sunday April 2, 2017 at Cobden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Phyllis was born on November 18, 1931 to Pete and Lela (Wheatley) Mann.  She married Alfred James Henry Mann on June 1, 1950 and he preceded her in death on November 22, 1994.

She is survived by a cousin Gilbert DuHamel of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Keith Henry Mann, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roy and Maxine (Mann) Williams.

Graveside service will be on Wednesday April 5, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner with Rev. Jean Webster officiating.

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

NEPTUNE BEACH, FL. – Clarence Clyde “C.C.” Lowery, 61, of Neptune Beach, FL, formerly of Benton IL, passed away on September 24, 2016 peacefully at his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

C.C. was born on November 8, 1954 in Evansville, Indiana to Clarence “Red” and Kathleen Lowery.

C.C. attended Benton High School, where he quickly developed a reputation for his intelligence and charisma. He then attended Eastern Illinois University, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Education.

C.C.’s career path was in education and counseling. He was a well-known educator at Rend Lake College while living in Illinois. In Florida, he was the co-owner of Beaches Counseling, Inc., a private practice psychotherapy clinic, where he worked as a therapist for many years.

Before retirement, C.C. worked as an administrator and counselor for the U.S. Navy Fleet and Family Service Center.

He will be remembered as the guy who could light up a room with his quick wit and charm and never met a stranger. C.C. loved football, camping, snorkeling, making people laugh, and his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Heidi Lowery; children, Olivia Lowery, Clarence Wade Lowery, Mackenzie Lowery, Brad Gordon and Tammy Gunn; mother, Kathleen Lowery; siblings, Lynn Alligood, Cindy Lowery, Rob Lowery; cousin, Bill Lowery; grandchildren, Lillian, Lacey, Savannah; and many cousins and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

A celebration of life will be held on April 15, 2017 at Twin Oaks Lodge in Benton from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a short program held at 4 p.m. The family will begin receiving guests at 3 p.m., and guests are invited to share memories and food with the family after the program. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is assisting with local arrangements.

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

Mona Lea Powell, age 89, of Benton IL, passed away at 4:00 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017 at her residence at Heritage Woods of Benton.

Mrs. Powell was born on May 16, 1927 in Akin, IL, the daughter of Jerry Neal and Maud (Bolen) Neal.

She worked as an Inn Keeper with Holiday Inn, Inc., and worked in the East St. Louis, St. Louis and Marion locations.

She was an active member of the North Benton Missionary Baptist Church, where she was the former pianist, a member of the Joy Club, and enjoyed working in the church nursery.

Mona was also actively involved in politics. She served as Eastern Township Clerk, and also was an election judge.

She was a former member of the Eastern Star, loved to quilt, but most of all she loved spending time with her family.

Mrs. Powell is survived by her daughter Edith Jones and husband John of Benton; a son Michael R. Fields and partner Dr. John Empkey of Festus, MO; four grandchildren: Mona Booker and husband David of West Frankfort, IL, Michael Jones of Benton, Steven Summers and wife Michelle of Jacksonville, FL, Sherri Michael of Jacksonville, FL; seven great-grandchildren: Emily Booker, Morgan Booker, Hannah Summers, Abigail Summers, Justin Bollingmo, Kenny Michael, Samantha Michael; a sister-in-law Ina Mae Neal.

She loved her pets, especially her dog Winston, and her cat Holly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three spouses: Eugene Summers, Roy Fields, and Virgil Powell; a son Jerry E. Summers, and a brother Bennie J. Neal.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Gary West officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Second Chance Animal Rescue of Franklin County, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Kevin David Fornear, 47, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday March 26, 2017 at 8:58 PM at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. Kevin was born on July 4, 1969 in Carbondale to Adam and Lynda (Ray) Fornear. He is survived by his parents Adam and Lynda Fornear of Sesser.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday March 29, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill cemetery in Sesser with Bob White officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brayfield-Gilbert funeral home in Sesser.  For more information or to share a memory, please visit their website gilbertfuneralhomes.com