Alberta Marie Walter, 50, of Decatur, IL, passed away November 11, 2016.

She was born July 18, 1966 in Eureka, CA, the daughter of Clarence VanHoorebeke and Jane (Baxter) Tucker.

She is survived by her children Robert Province, of Christopher, IL and Janie Kerns, of St. Joseph, Mo; one grandchild Jace Weston Kerns; one brother Dolph VanHoorebeke, of Buckner, IL and one sister, Angie Smith, of Benton, IL

Her wishes were to be cremated with no services.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Raymond VanHoorebeke.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Richard Hommema, Jr., 89, of Melbourne, Florida, passed away at 7:35 p.m., on  Sunday, November 13, 2016 at his residence.

 He was born on August 4, 1927, to Richard and Katherine (Zwart) Hommema, Sr., in Chicago, IL.  He married the former Sarah Cardy.

Richard is survived by his loving spouse Sarah; three children, Jeanette Carol Hubiak, Keith Allen Hommema and Shirley Ann Gibson; three grandsons, William, John, Derek; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

 Visitation will be held Monday, November 21, 2016, from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.  Burial will follow services at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

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

Judith Lynn Shukites, 63, of Christopher, IL, passed away November 14, 2016 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

She was born September 25, 1953 in Christopher, the daughter of William “Bill” Yadloski and Doris Hargraves.

Judith married John D. Shukites on December 16, 1978.

She is survived by her children Phillip (Missy) Shukites, of Christopher and John Michael Shukites, of Christopher; grandchildren who were her life, Zane and Xander Shukites; brothers and sisters Chuck (Cheryl) Yadloski, of Marion, IL, Kathy (Chris) Ahrendt, of Goreville, IL, Sue (Dave) Andress, of Kansas City, MO, Lori (Roger) Gant, of Mulkeytown, IL; several nieces and nephews.

Judith was a retired LPN and an dedicated supporter of the Illinois Autism Society. She was known for playing the accordion and for her work in the music ministry at Christopher First Baptist Church.

.She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2016 at Christopher First Baptist Church  with Pastor Matthew B. Crain officiating. Cremation rites will follow with burial to be held at a later date.  Visitation will be on Friday November 18, 2016 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the church

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Christopher 1^St Baptist Church, envelopes will be available during visitation at the church.

Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, IL, is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

CHRISTOPHER — Beth Ann Pheasant, 37, of Christopher, IL, passed away on October 31, 2016 at 11:10 p.m at her home.

Beth was born June 18, 1979 in Urbana, IL, the daughter of Larry G. Wyskiel and Alice Faye (Cronin) Wyskiel.

She was a registered nurse and worked at the VA Hospital, in Marion, IL.

Beth is survived by her father Larry Wyskiel and wife Jackie, of Benton, IL and her mother Alice Wyskiel, of Sesser, IL.

Also surviving are her children Makaylah Wyskiel, Shelby Eickelmann, Riley Eickelmann, Hannah Pheasant, Daymon Pheasant and Drew Pheasant, all of Christopher; one grandson Parker James.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

Private burial will be at a later date in Little Flock Cemetery, in Carterville, IL.

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

Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Floyd Burns, age 66 of Benton, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 2016 in Benton.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016 at the First Christian Church of Benton, with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.  Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.  Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Floyd was born on February 7, 1950 in Perry County, IL, the son of Floyd Lewis Burns and Mary Ann (Fowler) Burns.

Floyd was a self-employed mechanic. He formerly worked for Dave’s Taxi and enjoyed the many trips driving area residents to their doctor appointments to the various St. Louis Hospitals, and the many other hospitals across Southern Illinois.

He was a proud member of the First Christian Church in Benton.

Floyd is survived by a nephew Lee Otis Sexton and wife Lana of Channahon, IL; an aunt Lillie Davie of Cape Girardeau, MO; and several cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Ortus Velma Burns and Mary Lou Sexton; an infant sister; a niece Cathy (Sexton) King; and two nephews: Thomas Floyd Sexton and Timothy Dale Sexton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fellowship Center Building Fund at the First Christian Church, 302 South Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Norma “Jean” Dale, 89, of Sparta, IL passed away Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 at her home.

She was born in Pesotum, IL on January 20, 1927, the daughter of Touncie E. and Rosie M. (Fields) Conner.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church, in Sparta.

She is survived by cousins Billy Paul Conner and wife Linda, of Whittington, IL, James Richard Conner and wife Nancy, of Pocahontas, Del Lavern Conner, of Midland, Texas and Barbara Newman, of Rockford, IL; her adopted family that she made her home with, Pastor Tim Gregory and wife Becky, of Sparta, and their children Rachel, Timmy and wife Kristan, Megan, Elizabeth, Joshua and Hannah.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Paul Everett Conner.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at First Baptist Church, in Sparta with Pastor Tim Gregory officiating. Burial will be in Franklin Cemetery, in Whittington, IL.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, in Sparta.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Sparta Building Fund.

Johnston Funeral Home in Ina is in charge of arrangements.