Connie Diann Maddox, 77, of Sesser, IL, passed away September 13, 2016 at Marshall Browning Hospital, in Du Quoin, IL.

For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Leona Marie Osborne, age 71 of Benton, passed away at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Shawnee Rose Care Center in Harrisburg.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, September 15, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home, with Elder Willie Huffine officiating.  Burial will be in the Bald Hill Cemetery in Scheller.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Thursday until the funeral hour, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Leona Marie Osborne was born on July 7, 1945 in West Frankfort, IL, the daughter of Edward Eads and Lillian Marie (Donkin) Eads.  She was married to Meredith Lee Osborne, and he preceded her in death on July 4, 2002.

She worked as a CNA and a rehabilitation nurse at many different area nursing facilities, which include Helia Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Benton Health Care and Rehab., and the Park View Nursing Home.

Leona liked to watch television, especially the “Price is Right” and soap operas, including “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and “One Life to Live.”

Most of all she enjoyed and loved her family. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Leona is survived by her two children: Mike Osborne and wife Anna of Benton, Lisa Osborne and fiancée Paul Johnson of Eldorado; four grandchildren: John Osborne and wife Cindy of Ewing, Justin Osborne of Benton, Jessica Duncan of Benton, Jerica Stubblefield and fiancée Trevor Meyers of Macedonia; five great-grandchildren: Karter Osborne, Ethan Osborne, Lillian Osborne, Addyson Lampley and Ethan Kreowicz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a grandson Kaybrin James “KJ” Osborne; two brothers-in-law: Roy Dean Osborne and Devon Osborne.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Franklin County Animal Shelter and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Virginia Waller, 94, of Christopher, IL, passed away September 5, 2016 at her home.

Virginia was born April 27, 1922 in Mulkeytown, IL, the daughter of Harley Kirkpatrick and Marie (Watson) Kirkpatrick.

She married Willis Burton Waller in November 1938 and he preceded her in death on November 10, 2010.

Virginia is survived by her children Gloria and Jim Jenkins, of Christopher and Vivian Turner, of Energy, IL; grandchildren Shelly and Donnie Baine, of Mulkeytown and Bradley and Sue Johnson, of St. Charles, MO; great-grandchildren Katelyn and Madison Baine; sister Phyllis Grubbs, of Christopher; sisters-in-law Sue Kirkpatrick, of Christopher and Wanda Kirkpatrick, of Benton, IL. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the Eastern Star and a homemaker.  Virginia was a member of the First Baptist Church in Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Hester Salo and Ruby Kirkpatrick, and two brothers Norman Kirkpatrick and Richard Kirkpatrick.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Rev. George Biby officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

John Hampton Alexander, age 59, of Ewing, passed away at 11:47 p.m. Sunday, September 4, 2016, at his home with his loved ones at his side.

Funeral services for John will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Pastor Jay Kelly officiating.  Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.  Private burial services will take place at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.

John Hampton Alexander was born on May 20, 1957 in Ramapo, New York, the son of James Arthur Alexander and Francis Jewel Pauline (Oshier) Alexander.  He married the former Kimberly Dawn Parr and she preceded him in death in 2010.

John was a LPN, as well as an avid fisherman and motorcycle rider.

He is survived by his siblings: Robert Eugene Alexander of California, Geneva Harmon-Cremer of Ewing, IL, Mary Denise Gobtop and husband Randall of Macedonia, IL; his children: Eric Powell and wife Tiffany of Sesser, IL, Thomas Gratton Alexander & wife Amber of Sulpher, LA, Michael Andrew Alexander and wife Kendra of Sesser, IL, Michael James Salatas of St. Louis, MO, Jeanetta Kay Speakman of Zeigler, IL, Nicholas John Salatas and wife Emily of St. Louis, MO, Jeffrey David Salatas and wife Lisa of Johnston City, IL, Elizabeth Dawn Salatas-Molitor and husband David of St. Louis, MO, Phillip Robert Salatas of Benton, IL; his father-in-law Leon Parr of Orient, IL; 19 grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A special “Thank You” to Geneva and Joseph Alexander for their loving care during John’s illness, and to all of his lifelong friends that uplifted him in his time of need.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife; four brothers: William A. Alexander, James Arthur Alexander, Jr., Gerald “Harry” Archie Alexander, Thomas Gratton Alexander; two sisters: Rita Lee Davis, Carol Lynn Rand; a sister-in-law Judith Ann Shurtz; and a nephew James Earl Hinton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eternal Friends in Christ Church of Sesser, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Barbara Jean Pierson, age 75, of Benton, passed away at 1:54 a.m. Sunday, September 4, 2016 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, with Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating.  There will be no public visitation, family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.  Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Barbara Jean Pierson was born on October 22, 1940 in Benton, the daughter of Louis Trapper and Kathleen (McKinney) Trapper.  She married Bobby Pierson on August 7, 1971 and he preceded her in death on November 23, 2002.

Mrs. Pierson was a homemaker, and formerly worked at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

She liked playing Bingo, writing to pen pals, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by a sister Theresa White of Benton; a brother Walter Trapper and wife Janet of Benton; a nephew Steve Trapper of Thompsonville; two nieces: Michelle Dorris and Diana White both of Benton; three great-nephews: Michael Rodriguez, Matthew Rodriguez, and Mitchell Rodriguez.

Mrs. Pierson was preceded in death by her parents, husband, an infant brother Richard Trapper, a brother Charles Trapper, and a sister Angie Swigert.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice agency of the donor’s choice.

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

Wesson Anthony Ken Dudek, two-day old son of Misty Renee May Smith and Kyle Anthony Dudek, joined his two brothers in Heaven on Thursday, September 1, 2016.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 4, 2016 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, with Grandfather Mark Dudek officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Wesson Anthony Ken Dudek was born at the Heartland Regional Medical Center of Marion on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 and passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.

Baby Wesson is survived by his parents Misty Renee May Smith and Kyle Anthony Dudek of Benton; maternal grandparents: Kennith and Jodi Smith of Freeman Spur; paternal grandparents: Janice Dudek of Marion, and Mark and Arden Dudek of Georgetown, TX; paternal great-grandmother: LaVeda Warren of Benton; maternal great-grandmothers: Dorothy Lewis of Freeman Spur, and Alice Smith of Marion; aunts and uncles: Melissa Dudek, Joshua Dudek, Jennifer Dudek, all of Marion, Kennith Scott Smith of Freeman Spur, Tina Lyn Smith of Herrin; and several other cousins, great-aunts and uncles.

Wesson was preceded in death by his two brothers; paternal great-grandparents: Marion and Mary Dudek; paternal great-grandfather: Raymond Warren; maternal great-grandfathers: Carl Lewis and Bobby Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

To leave online condolences to the family, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com