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.

Lawanda B. (Evilsizer) Fourez, 86, of Christopher, IL, passed away on August 6, 2016.

She was born on October 15th, 1929 in Buckner, IL, to George Lucien and Goldie Mae (Shover) Evilsizer. She was united in holy matrimony to Frank “Bunny” Fourez Jr. on June 29th, 1946.

The union was blessed with seven children. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children; Larry (Susie) Fourez, Rick (Yvonne) Fourez both of Christopher, IL, Randy (Debbie) Fourez of Marion, IL, Bunny Fourez of Christopher, IL, Tami (Roger) Price of Benton, IL, Rodney (Francie) Fourez, Darrin Fourez both of Christopher, IL; 14 grandchildren, Jolie (Marty) Ramsey, Larry (Gayla) Fourez Jr., Jackie Miller, Johnny (Jamie) Fourez, Eric (Stephanie) Fourez, Amy (Mike) Johnson, Cameron (Brianna) Fourez, Jamie (Troy) Randall, Christopher (Rachel) Price, Abbie Price, Meghan (Chad) Dirler, Rodney (Katie) Fourez, Jared (Alyssa) Fourez, Dylan Fourez, Zeke Fourez; 26 Great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren.

Lawanda also leaves a brother George Evilsizer, a sister Judy Patterson, a brother Bob (Lorain) Evilsizer, a sister Brenda (Tom) Monti, brother in law Wendell Bowlin, and one sister in law Mary Kaminski. Lawanda was preceded in death by her loving husband Frank “Bunny” Fourez Jr., her son Larry Alan Fourez, parents George Lucien and Goldie Evilsizer, 6 sisters; Doris Bowlin, Loretta Cain, twin sisters Nadine and Darlene Evilsizer, Gladys Terry, and Sharon Forgotch, one sister in law Charlotte Evilsizer and 4 brothers in law Jack Cain, Ron Terry, Sam Patterson and Julius Kaminski.

Lawanda’s wishes were to be cremated with a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Gerald Leo McGlasson Sr., 85, of Mulkeytown, IL, passed away August 1, 2016 at Du Quoin Rehab and Nursing.

He was born June 13, 1931 in Mulkeytown, the son of Karl McGlasson and Opal (Henson) McGlasson.

Gerald married Yvonne “Pat” Marie (Huffman) McGlasson on September 29, 1952 and she preceded him in death on July 15, 1992.

He was a retired coal miner, last working at Old Ben 26, near Sesser, IL. He was an Air Force veteran and served during the Korean War. Gerald was a member of the VFW in Christopher, the UMWA and was the unofficial mayor of Mulkeytown.

Gerald is survived by his children Michell and John Salingue, of Royalton, IL and Jerry and Wendy McGlasson, Jr., of Benton, IL; grandchidren Jennifer McClintock, of Thompsonville, IL, Melissa McGlasson, of Benton and Sara and Kenny Wilson, of Christopher; great-grandchildren Jeremy McGlasson, April McGlasson, Caleb Stowers, Mya Wilson, Noah Wilson; brother Bill and Helen McGlasson, of Du Quoin, IL and their children Bill McGlasson, Jr. and Kelly Wiggins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association 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.