Charles Robert “Chuck” Schram, age 48, of Benton, passed away at 11:53 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Roger Webb officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Chuck was born on November 25, 1967 in Joliet, IL, the son of Kenneth Lee Schram and Kendra Kay (Piercy) Phillips.

Chuck enjoyed fishing, camping, playing golf, and watching baseball. He was an avid pool player and enjoyed playing pool in area leagues.

He formerly attended the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton.

Most of all Chuck enjoyed spending time with his family.

Chuck is survived by his mother Kendra Phillips of Benton; six children: Charles Burke Schram of Benton, Autumn Brooke (Schram) Small of Bonnie, Brittany Renee Schram of Benton, Camdin Douglas Schram of Thompsonville, Christy Ann Long of Mississippi, Amber Breland of Mississippi; four grandchildren: Aubrie, Gherig, Arabella and Spencer; a sister: Kim (Schram) Davis of Christopher; two step-brothers: Jimmy Phillips and Danny Phillips of Benton; and a nephew Tyler Mersinger of Carbondale.

He was preceded in death by his father; paternal and maternal grandparents; and a half-brother Matthew Ryan Phillips.

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

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Chuck, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

Cletus Earl McBride, 78, of Sesser, IL passed away at 10:09 p.m. on January 13, 2016 at St. Louis University Hospital, in St. Louis.

He was born July 14, 1937 in Franklin County, IL the son of Burtis “Big Boy” McBride and Lena Mae (Walker) McBride.

Cletus worked at Butler’s, Bracy’s and Bowlin’s Foodland, all in Sesser and was a member of the Sesser Fire Protection District for 36 years, and was fire chief for the past 30 years.

He married Constance “Connie” (Allen) McBride on August 24, 1958 and she survives of Sesser.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, in Sesser.

Cletus is also survived by his children, Cletus Eric McBride, of Sesser and Lisa Marie Travelstead, of Herrin, IL; grandchildren Nicole (Jeremy) Shelton, of Herrin and Ashley (Geoff) Hammonds, of Herrin; great-grandchildren Gage Shelton, of Herrin and Sophie Shelton, of Herrin and one great-grandchild on the way; niece and nephew Paula Horn, Sesser and Glenn Gulley, Sesser.

Cletus was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marceline Gulley.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis and Brother Tom DeWitt officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the funeral home. There will be a firefighters walk-through at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

 In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser Firefighter’s Association 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

Vivian Leeper, 62, of Coello, passed away at 7:50 p.m. Friday, January 8, 2016 at her sister’s home in Coello, IL.

She was born June 11, 1953 in Christopher, IL, the daughter of George Overturf and Frances (Hager) Overturf.

Vivian married Jack Leeper on September 1, 1972 and he preceded her in death on April 26, 2009.

She was a homemaker.

She is survived by her son, Corey and wife Ashley Leeper, Mulkeytown, IL; grandchildren Bryce and Maggie Joe Leeper; brothers and sisters Ruby Giouanetti, Dupo, IL, Sharon Stritzen, Coello, Debra Chapman, Coello, Roy Overturf, Murphysboro, IL, Deno Overturf, Carmi, IL, Donald Overturf, Marion, IL and George Overturf, Benton, IL. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with Brother Bert Mitchell officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 12, 2016 from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 a.m.

Burial will be at Zeigler Cemetery, in Zeigler, IL.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.

BENTON — Denise “Dee” Fryar, 45, was peacefully received into the arms of her loving Savior at 10:35 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, surrounded by her family and friends.

In the words of her husband, Terry about Dee, “After a cancer diagnosis in May, she fought very hard, but could not recover. She is now healed permanently and will be missed by so many people. I was privileged to be with her for 30 years and she was the finest woman I have ever known. She leaves behind a husband, daughter, sister, brother, and mom and stepdad along with countless friends who will miss her so very much. We are so very grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support from all of you. Please continue to pray for the family as we will be struggling for quite some time to come. Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing us to have such a precious gift on this earth for 45 years! Denise, we love you so much and will miss you, but enjoy the family and friends who now surround you, and we will see you soon!”

Denise was born Oct. 22, 1970, in Evergreen Park. Mrs. Fryar sold Avon for 25 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University. She had worked for several businesses in Benton, and was a substitute teacher.

Mrs. Fryar is survived by her husband, Terry Fryar of Benton; daughter, Josie Fryar of Benton; mother and stepfather, Laurie and Albert Smith of Benton; sister, Debbie McMahon and husband, Phil, of Benton; brother, Jeff Clark and Adena Bowlin of Benton; nieces, Caitlin Melton and Brooklyn McMahon; nephews, Jordan McMahon and Ian McMahon; mother-in-law, Rosalie Fryar of Mount Vernon; very special friend, Debbie Crawford of West Frankfort; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mrs. Fryar was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Billy Dave Fryar.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, in Whittington Church, with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Josie Fryar Educational Fund, and will be accepted at the church, or at any State Bank of Whittington location.

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

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

Benton, IL — Sandra Renee (Fletcher) Gibbs, age 61, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Monday, January 4, 2016 at her home in Rend City.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home, with Brother Paul Reynolds officiating, with burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Thompsonville, IL. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home and from 11 a.m. Thursday until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Sandy was born on March 27, 1954 in Christopher, IL, the daughter of Robert Henry Fletcher and Bobbie Ruth (Simpson) Fletcher. She married Charles Curtis Gibbs on February 4, 2006, and he survives.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandma and great-grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved to listen to music, dance, craft, crochet, read, garden and watch the birds and wildlife. Her smile could light up a room with joy.

Sandy is survived by her husband of ten years Charles Curtis Gibbs of Benton; two children: Lisa Marie McClerren and husband Russell of Thompsonville, IL, William Jack Chaffin and wife Stacey of Scheller, IL; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two brothers: Terry L. Fletcher and wife Jackie of Ewing, Michael Fletcher and wife Janice of Thompsonville; two sisters: Pauletta Y. Henson and husband Martin of Christopher, Vickie J. Merriman and husband Richard of Goreville; two sisters-in-law Thelma Overton of Valier Patch, IL and Ellen Shockley and husband Paul of Benton; along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; twin brothers Donald and Ronald Fletcher, and a granddaughter Leah Caroleen Bunch.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 2501 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 435, Dallas, TX 75219.

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Sandy, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

Donald “Duck” Simion, 74, of Christopher, IL,  passed away January 3, 2016 at VA Medical Center, in Marion, IL.

Donald was born July 24, 1941, the son of Rudolph Simion and Opal (Roberts) Simion.

He married Karen (Flowers) Simion on June 27, 1966 and she survives.

Donald was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his children, Aaron and Mary Simion, of Christopher and Eric and Wendy Simion, of Fort Wayne, IN; one brother, Darrell and Rose Simion, of Christopher and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery, in Christopher.  Entombment will be at St. Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher. In lieu of flowers memorial should be made to the ALS Association, 2258 Weldon Parkway, St. Louis, MO, 63158

Friends ask are asked to meet at the St. Andrews Cemetery.

The family of Duck Simion would like to invite family & friends to a luncheon at Duckie’s Station following the graveside service.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

James Clifford Carpenter, 76, of Christopher, IL passed away January 2, 2016 at his home.

He was born July 19, 1939 in Christopher, the son of Clifford Carpenter and Lena (Laws) Carpenter.

James was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Christopher American Legion and the Italian Club, in Coello, IL.

He is survived by his children Laurie Greene (Casey), Nebraska, step-children Tina and David, of Florida and Anthony, of Desoto, IL; grandchildren Allison Fels and (Danny),Halley Zulawski (Andrew), Caitlan Greene, Carissa Greene, great-grandchildren Danny Jr. and Kylee; brothers and sisters Dimple and Patrick Lynch, Christopher, Jane & Dean Phillips-Pinckneyville IL, Laverne Wilmore, Joliet, IL, Marion and Lou Carpenter, Port Bolover TX, Johnny amd Fay Key Christopher, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, brother LeRoy Carpenter, sisters Carolyn Dulitus, Loretta Hester, Ruby Vaughn and infant sisters Gladys and Alberta Carpenter.

Graveside funeral services will be held Wednesday Jan. 6, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Mulkeytown Cemetery, in Mulkeytown, IL. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

James Allyn Drew, age 66, of Ewing, passed away at 8:38 a.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 1, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home, with Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Military rites will be conducted at the conclusion of the funeral service at the funeral home by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671 and the Army National Guard. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

James was born on June 9, 1949 to Lester and Goldie (Hall) Drew of Benton.

He was of the Baptist faith having formerly been a member of Flatt’s Baptist Church until its closing.

James served his country in the U.S. Army from March 17, 1969 to March 8, 1971 during the Viet Nam War.

He formerly worked for BNSF Railroad, was a rural mail carrier, and also worked for Ewing-Northern Township.

He loved fishing, hunting, car races and working on cars. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. He never met a stranger and was always there to help when called upon.

James is survived by his wife Joanne (Hendricks) Drew of Ewing, IL; his children: Robert Drew and wife Heather of Benton, IL, James Drew of McLeansboro, IL, James D. Lenard and wife Judy of Benton, IL, Rick Lenard and wife Kelly of Johnston City, IL, Vicky Shageto and husband Victor of Bonnie, IL, Kim Phelps and husband Eric of West City, IL; a sister Mary Ellen Spann and husband Jerry of Little Rock, AR; two brothers Dewayne Drew and wife Renne’ of Waltonville, IL, Rodger Drew and wife Sharon of Ina, IL; seventeen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews; and was loved by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother Donald Johns.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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