Opal J. Burkett, age 88 of Benton, passed away at 8:22 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Westside Rehabilitation and Care Center in West Frankfort.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, October 20, 2016 at the Jonesboro Cemetery, Jonesboro, Illinois, with Opal’s son David Daisy officiating.  There will be no visitation, family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Burkett was born on June 18, 1928 in Jonesboro, IL, the daughter of Tom Lynn and Mary (Theiss) Lynn.

Opal formerly worked as a housekeeper at the Franklin Hospital, and previous to that she was a seamstress at the Joan Claire Dress Factory in Benton.

She is survived by her son David J. Daisy and wife Tonya of Jerome, IL; a grandson David Andrew Daisy of Jerome, IL;  a sister Dorothy Penrod of Waterloo; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Burkett was preceded in death by her parents; first husband David F. Daisy; second husband Kenneth Burkett; four brothers: Robert Lynn, Glenn Lynn, Ray Lynn and Paul Lynn; and a sister Viola Rendleman.

Memorial contributions may be made to her family to donate to the organization of their choice.

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

Sharon Rose (Holman) Burton, age 70 of Benton, passed away Friday, October 14, 2016 at her home.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the Potter’s Way Church in Frisco, with David Holman officiating.  Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Sharon Rose Holman was born on December 19, 1945 in Pumpkin Hill, the daughter of Edgar and Fern (Fields) Holman.

Mrs. Holman was a CNA  She was a member of the First Assemblies of God Church in Benton, until it’s closure.

She enjoyed reading, playing Scrabble, and loved visits from her children and grandchildren.

Sharon is survived by her children: Beth Smith and husband Scott of Benton, Scott Bailey and wife Leigh Anne of Benton, T.J. Burton of Benton; thirteen grandchildren: Meredith John Osborne and wife Cindy of Ewing, Asia Rose Bailey of Benton, Zachary Paul Ragsdale and wife Kristin of West Frankfort, Dawson Smith of Benton, Samantha Haggerman and husband Robbie of Benton, Gracey Gowler and husband Derek of San Antonio, TX, Shiloh Mocaby and husband J.R. of Benton, Kaitlyn Aiken, Chase Aiken and Carter Aiken, all three of Akin, IL, Gaige Bailey, Matyi Kays and Ryder Bailey;  four great-grandchildren: Ethan Osborne, Lily Osborne, Masan Ragsdale, Silas Gowler; three sisters: Doris Douglas of Benton, Mary Cook and husband Gary of Ewing, Joyce Gilbert and husband Russell of Effingham, IL; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Tommy Hood Burton; a son Jason Paul Bailey (Aug. 5, 2016); two brothers: Russell Holman and Stanley Holman; and a sister Louise Williams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the K.J. Rocks Memorial Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the services.

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

Benton, Illinois– Michael Dean Eaton, age 31 of Benton, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the Herrin Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.  Burial will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, East of Thompsonville.  Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. Wednesday until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Michael Dean Eaton was born on August 17, 1985 in Chicago Heights, IL, the son of Steven Eaton and Kathryn Ann (Underwood) Eaton.

Michael worked for the West City McDonalds Restaurant.

Survivors include his father Steven Eaton of Kennett, MO; four children Travis Eaton of Franklin County, IL, Steven, Kevin and Hailey Eaton all three of Kennett, MO; grandmother Joyce Atchison of Benton; step-grandmother Sandy Underwood of Hardin, KY; a brother Adam Mac Eaton and wife Samantha of Kennett, MO; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother Kathryn Ann Eaton (Oct. 30, 2015); a daughter Trinity Eaton, maternal grandfather James Underwood; maternal step-grandfather Bert Atchison; paternal grandparents Thomas and Martha Eaton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leffler Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.

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

Donald Lee Wade 81, of Energy, passed away October 5, 2016 at Herrin Hospital.  He was born December 3, 1935 in Herrin, IL to Glen and Mildred (Hall) Wade.

Donald worked in the construction field until he became ill and was placed in Helia Nursing Home in Energy and resided there until his death.

Donald enjoyed watching the Price is Right and was an avid fisherman.

Survivors include his children Mary Le’Donna Wade-Edmonds of Herrin, Marty and his wife Tabitha Wade of Zeigler, and Melissa Wade of Herrin.  One sister Phyllis (Wade) Barham of Herrin, and two brothers Ray Wade of Herrin and Roger Weiman of Freeman Spur.  Also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Fred Wade, Bob McGee, Percy Wade and one granddaughter Eco Edmonds.

Donald’s wishes were to be cremated.  Burial will be at a later date.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangments.

Donations can be made to the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

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

Tanya Marie Braden Mariano, 45, of West Frankfort, IL, passed away Tuesday morning October 4, 2016, at her home.

Tanya was born in Benton, IL on October 17, 1970, the daughter of Robert and Betty (Bozovich) Braden.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Mariano, of West Frankfort; one daughter Madison Marie Carnahan, of Benton; one son, William Robert Gusentine, of Energy, IL;one granddaughter Riley Marie Reed; one stepson, Kristopher Ryan Mariano, of Indianapolis, IN; one stepdaughter, Nicole Marie Meyers, of Pittsburg, IL; two step-granddaughters, Ashley Nicole Turner and Danielle Elizabeth Meyers; brothers and sisters Nick James Braden, of Benton, William E. Braden and wife Rose Charlene, of Benton, Roberta Sentel and husband Kenneth, of Creal Springs, Jeffrey Allen Braden, of Oklahoma, Clarence Braden, Benton and Jeanie Hoyle, of Florida; sister-in-law Vanessa Lee Braden, of Akin. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 7, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a mental health association of the donor’s choice.

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

Robert “Pastor Bob” Lee Shook, 70, of Marion, IL, passed away October 6, 2016 at Heartland Regional Medical Center, in Marion.

He was born September 28, 1946 in St. Louis, the son of Lester Shook and Selma (Helbig) Shook.

He married Susan (Thompson) Shook on December 10, 1988 and she survives of Marion.

Mr. Shook is survived by four children, Deana and Gary Kelly, of Du Quoin, IL, Eric and Robin Shook, of Texico, IL, Stephanie Shook, of Centralia, IL and Mathew and Gina Shook, of Centralia, IL; grandchildren Jordan Kelly, Kailah Kelly, Levi Shook, Lyra Shook, Carter Shook, Cassidy Shook and Dirk Robert Brewer; brothers and sisters Jack and Mavis Shook, of Springfield, IL, Terri and Sal Chavez, of St. Louis and Barbara Ann and Bill Wells, of Salem, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents.M

Mr. Shook was a Methodist minister, for 48 years, serving churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, in Sesser. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Preacher’s Aide Society and will be accepted at the church and also the funeral home.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

The Rev. Charles E. Issler, 84, of Mulkeytown, IL, passed away Monday Oct. 3, 2016 at Parkway Manor, in Marion, IL.

He was born March 27, 1932, the son of Charles and Bertha (Goff) Issler.

He married Freda (Meadows) Issler on Nov. 12, 1949 and she survives.

Rev. Issler was a servant of God that loved singing, preaching and going to church.

He is survived by his wife Freda; children Charles “Bud” Issler and wife Anna, of Benton, Gary L. Issler and wife Liz, of Herrin, IL, Paula Biby and husband David, of Mulkeytown; grandchildren Kevin Issler, Ryan Issler and fiancee Marsha, Tim Issler and wife Yolanda, Crystal Grant and fiance Jason, Christi Guinn, William Biby and Melissa Matier; 12 great-grandchildren; one sisters, Carolyn Schmidt and husband Gene of Shellknob, MO; one brother Ricky Issler, of Shellknob, Mo; two brothers-in-law Harvey Meadows and wife Anna, of Stroud, OK and Johnny Key and wife Faye, of Christopher, IL.

Mr. Issler was preceded in death by his parents, a son Ronald Eugene Issler, a daughter-in-law Rita Issler, a sister Geraldine and husband Wayne Craig, a sister Lillian Pride and a brother Darrell Issler.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Trinity Full Gospel Fellowship Church, in West Frankfort with Brother Guy Wayne Webster and Brother Mike Jeter officiating. Burial will follow at Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 am. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Issler’s memory can be made to the Trinity Full Gospel Fellowship Church.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, is in charge of arrangements.

Walter L. Carroll, 82, of Benton, passed away Sunday evening, October 2, 2016, at Parkway Manor in Marion, IL.

He was born in Zeigler, IL on August 27, 1934, the son of Perry Richard and Hannah (Jenkins) Carroll.

He married Margaret E. (McGuire) on May 20, 1972 and she preceded him in death on August 8, 2016.

Mr. Carroll was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was retired fro Olin Corporation.

He is survived by two stepsons, William Luster and wife Carman, of Plano, TX and James R. Luster and wife Carolyn, of Benton; four grandchildren, Richard Luster and wife Gina, of Indianapolis, IN, Sabrina Jarman and husband Greg, of Richardson, TX, Scott Luster and wife Tarah, of Cary, IL; nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, October 6 at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery with the Rev. Karl Barnfield officiating. Military rites will be conducted at the cemetery. There will be no visitation and those attending are requested to meet at the cemetery.

Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

Velma Gower, 91, of Sesser, IL and formerly of Benton, passed away at 10:35 a.m. Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2016 at the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church, Sesser, IL, with Rev. Larry Cook officiating.  Burial will be in the Mitchell Hill Cemetery of Sesser.  Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. Monday until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. at the church.  Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Velma Irene Gower was born on September 4, 1925 in Christopher, IL, the daughter of Larry and Effie Jane (Tucker) Willmore.

Velma loved spending time with family and friends, cooking, camping, and traveling.

She attended the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.

Survivors include her five children: Dorothy Baxter and husband Ray of Sesser, Mike Maceri and wife Belinda of Benton, Jane Eubanks and husband Randy of Sesser, Evelyn Gugin of Sesser, and Mark Wallace and wife Jennifer of Coello.  She also leaves behind 32 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 35 great-great-grandchildren; and life-long friend Daisy Woods.

In addition, she considered 4 step-children, numerous foster children and many nieces and nephews as her own. She provided assistance and love to any person in need and was always willing to cook a meal for anyone who walked through her door.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; five sisters; five children: Wesley Willmore, Richard Maceri, Ronald Maceri, and infant twins; two grandchildren: Scott Maceri and Rhonda Sue Maceri; and a great-granddaughter: Elizabeth Obrecht.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leffler Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses.

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