Benton, Illinois — Kyle David Ewert, age 50 of Benton, passed away at 9:36 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2016, at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room, in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Rev. Bill Hottensen officiating.  Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home.  The Army National Guard will conduct a flag presentation at the conclusion of the funeral services.

Kyle was born on February 9, 1966 in Harvey, IL, the son of Ronald Ewert and Melody (Curttright) Ewert.

His working career consisted of working as a tree trimmer and working for Chem-Dry Carpet Cleaners.

He enjoyed camping and fishing, Pink Floyd music, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandson.

He is survived by his daughter Megan Ewert of Ewing, IL; his mother Melody Blankenship of Lowell, IN; his girlfriend Patricia Snyder of Benton; two grandchildren: Zoey Duncan of Mt. Vernon, IL, and Adryan Gibbs of Ewing, IL; three brothers: Neil Blankenship of Normal, IL,  Scott Ewert of Michigan, Adam Ewert of Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews.

Kyle was preceded in death by his father and a grandchild.

Memorials may be made to the family of Kyle Ewert to assist the family with funeral expenses, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Tom (TJ) Learned, 65, of Marion (formerly of Benton) passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Heartland Regional Medical Center, in Marion, IL.

Tom was born on April 26, 1951 in Christopher, IL, the son of Harold (Lefty) and Rachel Learned.

He married Lynda (Piercy) Learned on October 8, 1982 and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by three daughters, Aleicia Learned, Marion, Erin and husband David Holley, of Valley, Alabama and Kristen and husband Robert Tomshack, of West Frankfort, IL; sisters Barbara and husband Melvin Dixon, Benton, Brenda and husband Larry Eubanks, Benton and Melissa and special friend Michelle Leigh, Benton; grandchildren Jordyn and Shelbie Learned, Marion, Reese, Reagan and Remy Holley, Valley Alabama and Hailey and Madison Tomshack, West Frankfort.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one brother, Harold Learned, Jr.

Tom enjoyed cooking, sports, Alabama football (Roll Tide), Benton Rangers sports and the Southern Illinois Miners baseball. He coached Benton girls’ softball for more than 20 years and also coached Future Rangers basketball. He was very active with the Benton PTO while his daughters were growing up. He also enjoyed running. However, the thing he loved most of all was spending time with his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 1 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers monetary donations will be accepted at the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.

BENTON — Marilyn Dohr, age 69 of Benton, passed away at 12:45 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2016, at the SSM Good Samaritan Regional Health Center of Mt. Vernon.

Mrs. Dohr’s wishes were to be cremated.  Cremation services are under the direction of the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Marilyn was born on June 14, 1946 in Mississippi, the daughter of De Witt Holcomb and Mary (Witten) Holcomb.  She married Raymond E. Dohr on October 15, 1964, and he survives.

Her working career included being a secretary and later in life she would work and retire as a sales clerk with Wal-Mart.

She loved spending time with her family, especially her daughter and most of all with her grandchildren.

Marilyn is survived by her loving husband of fifty-plus years Raymond E. Dohr, of Benton; a daughter Linda Persman and husband Jim, of Mt. Vernon, IL; three grandsons: Eric Persman, Michael Persman & Jacob Persman, all three of Mt. Vernon, IL; two brothers: Jimmy Holcomb and wife Linda of Tennessee, Donald Holcomb of Arkansas; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Charles Holcomb and Tommy Holcomb; and a brother-in-law: Allen Dohr.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123.

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

Norman Dean Kirkpatrick, 62, of Mulkeytown, IL, passed away at 2:45 p.m. on April 26, 2016 at his home.

Norman was born November 3, 1953 in Christopher, IL, the son of Harley Norman Kirkpatrick and Wanda (Wall) Kirkpatrick.

He is survived by one son, Page Kirkpatrick, of Royalton, IL and one daughter, Amanda “Tootie” Yosanovich, of Buckner, IL; his mother, Wanda Kirkpatrick, of Benton, IL; grandchildren Charley Harper Yosanovich, Drake Yosanovich,  Camben Luke Kirkpatrick, Olivia Grace Kirkpatrick, Isla Claire Kirkpatrick; one sister, Patty and Mike McCubbins, of Benton, IL; two very close friends, Rennie Clark and Dennis Gulley.

Norman worked mine construction for Dover Construction Co. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Norman’s wishes were to be cremated with no funeral services.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the CAYA and can be sent to the funeral home.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Charolett Evilsizer, 81, of Christopher, IL, passed away April 25, 2016 at Reflections Memory Care, in Herrin, IL.

Charolett was born August 20, 1934, in Mulkeytown, IL, the daughter of Francis Greenwood and Velma (Hannis) Greenwood.

She married George Evilsizer on Feb. 5, 1955 and he survives of Christopher. She was a member of Greenwood United Methodist Church.

Charolett is survived by her children, Sherry and Sam Timmons, of Loyce City, TX, Cindy and Joe Friend, of Royalton, IL and Sue and Mike Clements, of Fairview Heights, IL; grandchildren Amy and Chris Cates and Niki, Jacob Tindell, Alexa and J.D. Jones, Eric and Brittney McElroy, Marty Clements and Crystal LaChance; 15 great-grandchildren. several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers and  sisters Henry Greenwood, Sybil Lee, Mildred Darnell, Kenneth Greenwood, Nadine Tennison, Darlene Shubert, and Marian Greenwood.

Charolett loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and also loved working with children when she worked at Little People Day Care Center, in Christopher.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on  Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with the Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery, in Buckner, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Greenwood United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Benton, IL — Arther Thomas Gunnells, 78, of Benton, passed away at 5:11 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2016 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bill Perry officiating.  Burial will be in the Plasters Cemetery North of Thompsonville.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Art was born on September 9, 1937 in Trimble, TN, the son of William Thomas Gunnells and Hattie (Powell) Gunnells.  He married Ellafair (Irvin) Clark on September 8, 1989, and she preceded him in death on April 26, 2014.

Mr. Gunnells worked as a television repairman for 46 years, first working for 17 years at Russell Magnavox, and in 1984 he became owner and operator of Benton TV Service.

He enjoyed vegetable gardening, and especially found enjoyment sharing the harvest with his neighbors.  He loved to fish, hunt, sing karaoke, and singing solos at his church.

Art attended the Logan Church of God.

He is survived by his four children: Diane Gunnells, Marty Thomas Gunnells, all of Dresden, TN, Sarita Grace of McLeansboro, IL, Elizabeth Denise Rich of Benton;  two step-children and their families: Connie Sue Orley and Walter Carl Clark, both of Benton; five grandchildren; three sisters: Jo Anne Kaiser, Francis Isabelle, Janice Dixon, all of Tennessee; two brothers: Cambell Gunnells, and Donald Ray Gunnells, both of Tennessee; several nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and an infant daughter; a son Ricky Dale Gunnells; and a brother Leonard Gunnells.

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

James Wesley Whitecotton, 77, of Sesser, IL passed away April 20, 2016 at his home.

Mr. Whitecotton was born on August 4, 1938 in Stiritz, IL, the son of Paul Whitecotton and Edna (Thome) Whitecotton.

He married Marie (Mork) Whitecotton on May 20, 1964 and she survives of Sesser.

He is survived by his children, Renee Colman, Phoenix, AZ, Tim and Shawna Whitecotton, Jacksonville, FL, Tammy and Joe Bushong, Waltonville, IL, Terry and Kim Whitecotton, Buckner, IL and Todd and Amy Whitecotton, Seabrook, TX: grandchildren David, Sarah, T.J., Kelsey, Tyler, Trace, Wes, Brook, Cheyenne, Ryder, Cutter, Connor, Trinity and Angelis, Seiley; brothers and sisters Carolyn and Clyde Hollars of Chicago, IL, Betty Vecchio of Granger, IN, Linda and Rich Regaldo of Bowlingbrook, IL and Bruce and Rhonda Whitecotton of Chicago, IL; five surviving great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Tom Whitecotton, and two brothers Al Whitecotton and Larry Whitecotton.

Visitation will be at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser on Saturday April 23, 2016 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Per his wishes there will be no funeral service, cremation will follow the visitation.

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

For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Benton, IL — Lawrence Andrew Gostowski, age 90, of Benton, passed away at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at his home.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton with Rev. Kent Dunford officiating.  Military rites will be conducted by the Benton V.F.W. Post 2671, Benton American Legion Post 280, and the Army National Guard from Marion.  There will be no visitation, friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Lawrence was born on February 9, 1926 in Franklin County, the son of Stephen Gostowski and Mary (Snow) Gostowski.  He married the former Virginia Merkel on July 29, 1950 and she survives.

Mr. Gostowski was a farmer.  But many will remember him from his employment with the Benton Kroger store.

Lawrence proudly served his country during World War II, having served in both the U.S. Army and the Army Air Corps, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. During his service he earned two Bronze Battle Stars from battles and campaigns fought in Luzon.

Lawrence was a member of the Benton V.F.W. Post 2671, where he was a past commander.  Until his health failed him, Lawrence was a fixture with the honor squad, honoring veterans at military rites, Memorial Day services, and Veteran’s Day events across the area.

His favorite pastime was fishing, no matter the temperature, he just loved to fish.  For many years he supplied the crappie fillets for his church’s annual fish fry and picnic.  He loved to garden, and enjoyed sharing the fruits and vegetables that he harvested.

Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his church.