Kay Sammons, 100, of Valier IL, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 11:50 PM at Parkway Manor in Marion.

Jerry Leon Pierce, 67, of Benton IL, passed away at 8:13 p.m., on Wednesday,  March 8, 2017, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, IL.

He was born on November 19, 1949, to Arthur and Juanita (Fasig) Pierce in Christopher, IL.  Jerry retired as a Coal Miner for Old Ben 21 & 24 mines.

Jerry loved listening to music and would play music for the residents of Helia Healthcare of Benton where he was a resident. He also loved his pet dog Tom.

Jerry is survived by his three sisters, Maryln (Bill) Lamb of Thompsonville, IL, Doris Timmons of Edgemont, SD and  Jeanne (Bob) Grott of Tamaroa, IL; two nephews, Brent (Karen) White and Roger (Cindy) Lamb and three nieces, Monica Crawford, Tonya Schorfheide and Jennifer Grott-Hagston and many great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Juanita Pierce.

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

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 11, 2017, from  11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017,  at 2:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Eddie Paul Davis, officiating. Burial will follow the services in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, IL.

Memorial may be made to Helia Healthcare of Benton and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Sadie Jo (Atchison) Lewis, 93, formerly of Sesser IL, went to be with her Lord on March 2, 2017 at 2:00 PM at St. James Manor in Crete, IL.

She was born September 14, 1923, Sesser, to Harve and Maggie Atchison. She married Donald Harland Lewis on July 27, 1941, and he preceded her in death.

She was saved and baptized in 1942, at the age of 19, at Horse Prairie Baptist Church in Sesser.  Later, after moving her membership to First Baptist Church of Sesser, she rarely missed a service and served on several committees.  She especially enjoyed her Sunday School class and the time spent in fellowship with her sisters in Christ.  Her faithful presence at church was sorely missed since her move to Crete.

Her favorite pastime included spending time with family and friends, entertaining, cooking and baking.  She was known by many as “the pie lady”. She was a devoted member of Beta Sigma Phi.

Sadie leaves behind many family members and friends who cherish the memories of their time spent with her.

She is survived by her son Gary L. Lewis and wife Diane of Broken Arrow, OK, her daughter Debbie Jasinski and husband Ed of Steger, IL, and seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends Lee and Mary Allen of San Diego, CA, who are like members of the family; and wonderful friends and neighbors for more than 30 years, Mark and Tammy Wells of Sesser.

She loved all of her grandchildren and especially enjoyed the summers her granddaughter Traci Cioe spent with her and Don.

Sadie loved and felt very close to her nieces and nephews.  Glen was a special friend who kept her updated about church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; son Robert Don Lewis, sisters Freda, Beulah, Jewell, and Chesta; and brothers William, James, Kent, and Robert.

Funeral services for Sadie will be on Saturday March 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Sesser, with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Visitation will be on Friday March 10, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  Burial will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Benton, IL — Barbara Ruth Benard, age 78, of Benton, IL passed away at 4:21 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2017 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton, with Rev. Merle Fullerton and Pastor Alan Newman officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton, and from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Tuesday, also at the church.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Barbara Ruth Benard was born on February 17, 1939 in Benton, IL, the daughter of John Claude Beaty and Aileen (Kirk) Beaty.  She married Clarence Newton Benard on April 2, 1961 and he survives.

Mrs. Benard was a retired school teacher.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and her Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois.  She proudly taught at Benton Consolidated High School, Rend Lake College, Ashley High School, and Harrisburg High School.

She was a well-known pianist and private music instructor.

Barbara loved Southern Gospel Music, and worked with several churches, revival services, and Southern Gospel groups throughout the region.  She most recently was a member of Glad Heart.  She was also the long-time pianist with “The Baptist Voice”, a radio program that airs each Sunday on WMIX 94.1 radio station out of Mt. Vernon, IL; and she was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher.

Mrs. Benard loved to travel, camping, going to the beach, shopping, dining out, and attending Professional Gospel singing events and concerts.

Barbara is survived by her husband of fifty-five years: Clarence Benard of Benton; three daughters: Marla Harp and husband Richard, Aletha Jackson and husband Robert, Sonya Dorris and husband John all of Benton; six grandchildren: Jared Harp and girlfriend Jordan Rowold, Josh Harp and fiancée Michaela Dollins, Nick Shelton, Zack Dorris, Macy Jo Dorris, Katlin Jackson; a sister-in-law Dolly Sledge of Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter Angela Faye Benard; and a daughter Darla Kay Benard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher, or to Glad Heart, and will be accepted at the visitation and funeral services.

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

Gerald Wayne “Red” Elders, 96, of Murphysboro, finished a full and notable life peacefully on February 24, 2017.

Red was born June 29, 1920 in Christopher, Illinois, to Louis “Rabbit” Elders and Flora (Dreimeyer) . Red grew up in Christopher and was a proud Bearcat. He was later a member of the Fighting Illini football team. Red then moved to Seattle, Washington, to pursue a career in semi-pro football.

In Seattle, Red married Billie Marie Hutson of Sesser, Illinois, before enlisting in the Merchant Marines. He became a First Mate on a sea going tugboat in the South Pacific during WWII. 

Red was a man of many talents and great accomplishments.  He opened E & E Mine Service, which operated in Christopher for many years. Red invented and developed several patents for mining tools, including a roof support system, which changed the face of modern day coal mining.  After moving from Christopher, Red and Billie lived in Aspen, Colorado, and Prescott, Arizona.  In Arizona, Red was a founding member and president of Oxycal Laboratories, Inc. and was involved in the development and patenting of ESTER-C. Red returned to southern Illinois and resided in Murphysboro for the past 17 years.     

Red is survived by daughters Suzi (Neal) Persky of Austin, Texas, and Tia Elders of Murphysboro, Illinois, and grandson Evan (Purvi) Persky, of Los Angeles, California.  He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Billie, one brother Leonard Elders, and companion, Alice Limpus.

Red was a world traveler, sportsman and someone who lived life to the fullest. His final years were spent surrounded by family, friends, pets, care-givers, laughter and adventures! Red never met a dog he didn’t like, never lived in a house that he didn’t build and knew that he had lived a very blessed life. Red  will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Christopher.  Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.