Willa Jean Dorsey, 68, of Sesser, IL, passed away August 17, 2016 at Herrin Hospital.

She was born December 21, 1947, the daughter of William “Bill” Murry and Martha “Jean” (Minor) Murry.

Willa married Larry Dorsey and he survives of Sesser.

She was a bus driver and was the manager at Sesser Foodland for many years until her retirement.

She is survived by her children Becky (Thomas) Bryant, of Sesser and Debby Edwards, of Sesser; grandchildren Tishann Dorsey, Amy Dorsey, Katy Dorsey, Zach Bryant, Allyson Bryant, Mathew Bryant, Jordan Edwards, Curtis Edwards and Madyson Edwards; brothers and sisters Terry (Mary) Murry, of Waltonville, IL, Larry (Vida) Murry, of Tuscola, IL, Janet (Mitch) LaCombe, of Parker, CO and Teresa (Michael) Bolten, of Buda, TX; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry Dorsey, of Du Quoin, IL, Margie Mae (Ronnie) Lively, of Du Quoin and Bobby (Susan) Dorsey, of Palmyra, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Kenneth Dorsey.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church, in Sesser, with Brother Bryant Harris officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, August 22, 2016 from 5:30 until the time of the service at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser-Valier Outdoorsmen Club. Envelopes will be available at the church and also at the funeral home.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Lewis Earl Hackleman, age 58 of Benton, passed away at 9:17 p.m. Thursday, August 18, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital of Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 22, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Bro. Joe Zbinden officiating.  Burial with military rites by the U.S. Marine Corps, the Benton American Legion Post #280 and V.F.W. Post #2671 will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Lewis was born on October 10, 1957 in Berwyn, IL, the son of Lewis Eugene Hackleman and Peggy Lou (Grammer) Hackleman.  He married the former Alice Rose Ingram on September 22, 1985, and she survives.

Lewis was a retired Corrections Officer from the Marion Federal Penitentiary, where he had worked for 21 years.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Mr. Hackleman attended the Steel City Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his grand babies. He enjoyed woodworking and his cars.

Lewis is survived by his wife Alice Rose Hackleman of Benton; a son Jeremy Scott Biggs of Carbondale; a daughter Emily Renee Salatas and husband Nick of Festus, MO; two grandchildren: Cayla Nicole Biggs of Cape Coral, FL, and Lainey Dawn Salatas of Festus, MO; two sisters: Cindy Lampley and husband Tike of Benton, and Mindy Szoke and husband Dr. David of Murphysboro, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and his father and mother-in-law Odria and Patricia Ingram.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Steel City Baptist Church, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Ronald Kevin Atchison, 57, of Benton, IL, passed away August 13, 2016 at his home.

Ronnie was born November 12, 1958 in Decatur, IL, the son of Kent Atchison and Judy (Williams) Atchison.

He married Cheryl (King) Atchison on March 11, 1995 and she survives of Benton.

Ronnie is survived by his children Jamie King, of Benton, Ronald Kevin (Dolores) Atchison, Jr., of Tulsa, OK, Tyler Wayne Atchison, of Benton, Kaysie Sanders, of Benton, Brandon (Melissa) Simmons, of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren Nicole Welch, Joshua King, Braxton King, Xander Atchison, Hope Atchison, Checotah ‘Coda” Atchison, Vance Sanders, Dominic Sanders, Serina Sanders, Marina Simmons, Ashley Thomas: one great grandchild Lillian Thomas; brothers and sisters, Janice Hicks of Benton, Brenda McGlasson of Benton, Robert (Jodi) Atchison of Sesser, IL, Teresa Jones of Tulsa, OK, Gena (Chelsey) Atchison of Mt Vernon, IL, Andrew (Kim) Atchison  of Benton; special friends Rick Redfearn of Tulsa, Ok, Sherry Atchison of Benton, and Max Burton of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ronnie was a corrections officer at Big Muddy Correctional Facility, in Ina.

He loved to fish and loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 5 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 5 p.m.

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

Clifford Eugene Blair, age 73 of Benton, died at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016 in the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. C.J. Easter officiating.  Burial will be in the Jackson Grove Cemetery east of Benton.  Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Mr. Blair was born on July 21, 1943 the son of Jim and Eleanor Blair.  He married the former Carol Ray Mobley on July 21, 1962 and she preceded him in death on May 11, 2014.

Clifford was a Brick Mason and a member of Laborers’ Local 773.

He enjoyed fishing, collecting antiques, and yard sales.

Mr. Blair is survived by his two sons: David Blair of Logan, Randy Blair of Benton; one grandson Kevin Biggs; a great-grandson; a sister Nancy Vandom of Benton; an ex-daughter-in-law Robin Blair of Herrin; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two sisters: Elsie and Susie; and five brothers: Mark, Bill, Gary, Jim and Ernie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Clifford Blair and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Charles “Byron” Smith, 58, of Orient IL, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016, at 3 a.m. in Benton IL.

Byron was born on November 4, 1957 to Charles “Dick” and Suzanne (née Stuckey) Casey in Christopher, IL. He graduated from Benton Consolidated High School in 1976. He worked for several coal mines, including Freeman Coal Co. and Amax Coal Co. Byron enjoyed swapping good jokes, cooking (and eating) savory food, and swimming in lakes and the ocean.

Byron is survived by his mother Sue Casey and stepfather Charles Casey of Benton IL; son Joshua Byron Smith and wife Lora Walsh, of Fayetteville, AR, with their son Zadok Owen and daughter Aletta Fontabel; son Alex Tyler Smith and wife Amanda, of Benton, IL, with their daughter Alivia JoAnn; daughter Anna Elizabeth Lane and husband Randy, of St. Louis, MO; brother, Scott Ralls and wife Andrea of Cordlandt Manor, NY; sister Valarie Durham of Roswell, NM; brothers Rick Casey and Randy Casey, both of Benton IL; and sister Tammy Rehbock of Romeoville, IL.

He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Richard Smith, and his stepmother, Donna Kay Smith.

In accordance with Byron’s wishes, there will be no funeral services and cremation will be held.

Arrangements entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 201 S. Main, in Benton IL.

Memorial contributions are requested to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

The guestbook may be signed at www.patefh.com

Jason Paul Bailey, 43, of Benton, IL, passed away Friday, August 5, 2016 at Franklin Hospital, in Benton.

Jason was born in Benton on March 26, 1973, the son of John T. and Sharon Rose (Holman) Bailey.

Jason dearly loved his children and family.

He is survived by three children, Gaige Bailey, Holmes Beach, FL, Madelyn Kays, of Sesser, IL and Ryder Lane Bailey, of Zeigler, IL; mother Sharon Rose Burton, of Benton; sister Beth Smith and husband Scott, of Ewing, IL; two brothers, Scott Bailey and wife Leigh Anne, of Benton and T.J. Burton, of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his father John T. Bailey.

Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to the time of the service at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.