Patricia Shaffer Gooden, 85, of Christopher, IL passed away at 7:18 p.m. on February 21, 2016 at Franklin Hospital Emergency Room, in Benton, IL.

She was born November 12, 1930 in West City, IL the daughter of Harvey Warren and Margaret (Waskom) Warren. Camille Dugauguez was her step-father.

Patricia was a member of the St Andrews Catholic Church, of Christopher.

She was married to Charles Shaffer and he preceded her in death, then she married Bob Gooden and he survives of Christopher.

She is survived by her daughters, Debra Shaffer, of Benton and Donna and Roy Manasco, of Marion, IL; grandchildren James Theile, Joseph Bell, David Shepard and Michael Shepard; 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, her first husband, one grandson, Jerry Litton and one sister Havena Rice.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home. Visitation will on Friday, February 26, 2016 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Mayabell Hedges, 86, of Sesser, IL passed away at 2:30 p.m. on February 22, 2016 at Herrin Hospital.

Mayabell was born on December 11, 1929 in Sesser, IL, the daughter of John Wilmore and Mary Wilma (Arnold) Todd.

She was a homemaker.

She was married to Mathew Hedges and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children, Lucille Lane, Christopher, IL, Jackie Sheppard, Harvard, IL, Delores Hedges, Harvard, IL and Mary Reinert, Woodstock, IL. She is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a sister Billie Lou Lucttrell, Cadiz, KY.

Mayabell was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter Mayabell Harrell; two brothers James Wilmore and George Wilmore.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, Sesser, IL with Brother Rocky Nolan officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the New Life Pentecostal Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

He was born in Mount Vernon, the son of Charles Spruell, Nina (Farley) Spruell and Betty (Leming) Spruell. Betty survives in Christopher.

Leota “Lee” Ruth Ward, 79, of Sesser, IL passed away on February 18, 2016 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Lee was born September 23, 1936 in Buckner, IL, the daughter of Frank Connor and Reba (Kirkpatrick) Connor.

She married Keith Ward on May 6, 1961 and he survives of Sesser.

Lee worked at Rea Clinic in the medical billing department until her retirement.

Lee is survived by her children Byron and Tonya Ward, of Buckner, Scott Ward, of Sesser and Brandi Ward, of Sesser; grandchildren Abbie Leigh Ward, Jordon Ward and Jered Benson. She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter-in-law Michelle Ward.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 3 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday February 21, 2016 from 12 noon until the time of service at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Wilma Ruth Loucks, 81, of Benton, IL passed away Sunday afternoon Feb. 14, 2016 at StoneBridge Senior Living Center, in Benton.

She was born in Benton on Feb. 20, 1934, the daughter of Elza and Bertha (Wiley) Stowers.

She enjoyed reading and hat parties with the ladies from church. She loved sweets and liked a little coffee with her milk. She liked to swing on her front porch and rock in her rocking chair. She was a member of First Baptist Church of West City, IL.

She is survived by two daughters, Deb Muilenburg and husband Vic, of Chariton, Iowa and Dawn Neal and husband Steve, of Benton; one son, Darrell Loucks and Janice Poteete, of Benton; daughter-in-law Barbara Loucks, of Benton; one brother, Rudy Stowers and wife Jane, of Benton. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by one son, Dwain Lee “Bud” Loucks, by two sisters and their husbands, Geneva and James Summers and Zella and Paul Bain, and by three brothers and their wives, Floyd and Fay Stowers, Dan and Bertha Stowers and John and Kate Flowers.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.m on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with the Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery, in Ina, IL.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

COELLO — John Robert Dees, 60, died at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Benton Rehab and Healthcare.

Mr. Dees was a mechanic for Alpha Services.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

He was born Sept. 3, 1955, in Du Quoin, to Donald Dees of Coello, and Elizabeth “Betty” (Hickman) Dees.

He married Kim (Hoover) Dees on Nov. 17, 2003, and she survives of Coello.

Survivors include children, Daniel and Lisa Dees of Royalton, and Derek Dees of Herrin; stepdaughter, Michele Wallace of Benton; and brother, Bryan Dees of Coello.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gilbert Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Geneva McDonald, 92, of Benton, IL passed away Tuesday morning, February 16, 2016 at her home.

She was born in Chicago Heights, IL on September 28, 1923, the daughter of Ed and Beulah (Hammond) Winemiller.

She married Harry B. McDonald on September 14, 1946 and he preceded her in death on May 1, 1996.

Mrs. McDonald was a member of the First United Methodist Church, in Benton. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women, the Order of Eastern Star and Home Extension.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. McDonald was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by two brothers, Eddie Winemiller and Dennie Winemiller, and by three sisters, Callie Stilts, Sarah Wilkerson and Susie Hale.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Lee Lovett officiating. Visitation will be after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton.

Memorials may be made for those who wish to the First United Methodist Church, in Benton.

EWING — M. Marie Neal left her earthly home and walked into the arms of God at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016.

She was born Jan. 16, 1926, to George Willis and Pearl (Scarborough) Beaty at their home on Cyril James Road south of Ewing.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Howard. Her brother was married to Ione and they were blessed with four children.

She met the love of her life, William J. Neal, and they married April 8, 1949. They were blessed with Brenda Neal of Macomb, and Charles W. Neal (Barbara); and grandchildren, Amber Neal of Ewing, and Kyle Neal of Ewing. Marie cherished her family and close friends dearly.

Marie was a member of Frisco Baptist Church until its closing and moved membership to Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton. Marie was a proud member of the forming group of Frisco Baptist Church’s successful Tuesday School for preschool children.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Rescue Baptist Church – Tuesday School at 14241 Rescue Church Road, Whittington, IL 62897 as both her grandchildren are graduates and she loved the growth she saw in many children.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today, Feb. 13, in Neal Cemetery southwest of Logan, with Pastor Sammy Simmons officiating.

Arrangements are by Morton-Johnson Funeral Home.

BENTON — Tanya Diane (Sheridan) Thompson, 46, of St. Peters, Missouri, formerly of Benton, passed away Thursday evening Feb. 11, 2016, at her home surrounded by family and friends.

She was born Nov. 16, 1969, in Benton, the daughter of Larry and Joyce (Anderson) Sheridan.

She touched so many lives in her hometown of Benton and the St. Louis area with her strength, determination and warm heart. She was a lover of life and will be missed by many.

Tanya had a successful 25-year career as a catering and event executive specialist in the St. Louis area.

She was forever an inspiration and support to her loving family who survives her including loving husband, Wade Thompson of St. Peters, Missouri; two stepdaughters, Erin and Kristin Thompson; mother, Joyce Sheridan of Benton; sister, Robin Storey and husband, Mark of Benton; niece, Katlyn Storey; nephew, Holden Storey; and her beloved pups, Star, Jersi, Zeke and Abby.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spotsavers St. Louis Dalmatian Rescue, 9224 Vauk Lane St. Louis, MO 63126 or to a charity of your choice in Tanya’s memory.