Wanda Faye Dorris, 72, of Sesser, IL passed away on Friday December 9, 2016 at 5 a.m. at her home.

She was born in Sesser on April 19, 1944 to Noble and Mae (Braden) Merkel.  She married Jim Dorris on February 14, 1964.

She is survived by two sons Steve and Benita Dorris of Sesser and Brian Dorris of Sesser, grandchildren Taylor (Ryan) Eubanks, Drew Dorris, Blake Dorris, Trey Dorris, Brianna Dorris and one great grandchild Everett James Eubanks.

She is also survived by two sisters, Neva Sulser of Sesser and Nina (Ray) Chrisman of Nashville, TN.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Jamie Phoenix, and two brothers George Merkel and Harold Merkel.

She was a retired clerk from the Sesser Post Office and was a member of the Sesser First Baptist Church.

Funeral service will be on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the Sesser First Baptist Church with Brother Bryant Harris officiating.  Visitation will be on Sunday December 11, 2016 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  Visitation will also be on Monday December 12, 2016 at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.  Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Sesser-Valier Athletic Department and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Kevin Douglas Gray, age 51 of Akin IL, passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016 at his home..

Kevin was born on February 22, 1965 in Benton, the son of Max M. Gray and Laverne (Mundell) Gray.

Kevin was a BCHS graduate of the Class of 1983. He worked as a laborer with Productive Products in Akin, until its closure. Prior to working at PPI, he worked for the Dallas Morning News newspaper.

Kevin was an avid baseball enthusiast, and enjoyed NASCAR.

He is survived by a sister Crystal Heumann and husband Wilford “Bubby” Heumann of Benton; a brother Kyle Gray of Benton; two nephews Matt Davis and Travis Gray and a niece Alexa Heumann; an uncle Roger Mundell of Benton; and several cousins.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. There will be no visitation, family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Kevin, to the American Cancer Society.

The Leffer Funeral Home of Benton has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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

Charles F. Baumgarte, 93, of Benton, IL, passed away Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at StoneBridge Living Center in Benton.

Charles was born on May 3, 1923, in Nason, IL, the son of Henry and Clara (Hawthorne) Baumgarte.

He was married to Frances Baumgarte and she preceded him in death on January 12, 2010.

Charles was an Army veteran, serving during World War II as an ambulance driver in London, England.

He was a truck driver and hauled dirt for the Franklin Hospital when it was built. He worked 35-plus years at Newhouse Lumber Co. in Benton.

He is survived by his daughter Judy Tatum, of Benton, grandson Don Overturf and wife Cheryl, of NinetySix, South Carolina; great-grandson Joshua Overturf and wife Andrea of Orange City, FL; nieces and nephews Loretta Franklin and husband Denzil, Stella M. Gulley and husband Gene, Ronnie Baumgarte and wife Linda, Marilyn Conner, Betty Miles and husband Allen, Paula Williams and husband Kirby, Debbie Kays and husband Mark and Mike Webb and wife Cindy. He is also survived by several nieces and great nephews.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, by his wife Frances, by brothers and sisters Bob Baumgarte, Paul Baumgarte, Ruth Hall, Geraldine Hutchcraft, Charlene Webb, son-in-law Walter Lee Tatum, niece Brenda Young and nephew Danny Hall.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with the Rev. Bert Mitchell and the Rev. Steven Flach officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the Benton American Legion and VFW Posts will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

Longtime Benton resident George W. “Bill” Lockin, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 after a brief illness. Bill was living in Brentwood, TN at the time of his death.

A native of of Berea, KY, Bill was born on August 28, 1923 to Earl Wyman and Mary Jane Lockin. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Earl Wyman Lockin and is wife of 67 years Elwanda Dalton Lockin.

Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After serving his country for five years Bill returned to the University of Kentucky to complete his education, graduating with a Master’s degree in Mining Engineering.

Upon graduation, Bill was hired by Inland Steel Coal Company in Wheelwright, KY where he worked for 31 years. In 1966 Inland moved operations to Southern Illinois where Bill held several management positions at the Sesser and McLeansboro mines. He retired in 1982 as the Mine Manager of Inland Steel No. 2 in McLeansboro.

Bill and his wife Wanda enjoyed camping in their Airstream camper and were members of the Wally Byam Airstream Caravan Club in Southern Illinois. He was also an active member of the Lion’s Club International, Methodist Men, Benton Booster Club, Benton American Legion an he was an active amateur radio operator.

An incredible and dedicated husband, father and grandfather, Bill was loved and adored by his children, David William Lockin (wife Jennifer Ryan Lockin), of Lilburn, GA, daughter Karen Lockin Bachus, of Rome, GA, and daughter Jane Lockin Hutson (husband John Hutson), of Brentwood, TN; grandchildren Matthew Lockin (wife Melissa Lockin) of Phoenix, AZ, Jonathan Lockin, of Lilburn, GA, Avery Bachus, of Marietta, GA, Madelyn Hutson, of Providence, RI, and Kathryn Hutson, of Brentwood, TN.

A memorial service will be held at Benton First United Methodist Church, 203 Church St. Benton, IL at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016. The eulogy will be given by Jim Muir and the service will be officiated by the Rev. Mark Minor. Visitation with the family will be held that morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a military internment at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Funeral arrangements are through Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.