Elizabeth “Betty” Dees, 79, of Coello, IL, passed away Feb. 7, 2015 at Herrin Hospital.

She was born Jan. 9, 1936 in Dowell, IL, the daughter of Dorris Hickman and Helen (Probst) Hickman.

She was a secretary at Christopher High School and a member of Coello Baptist Church.

Betty was married to Donald Dees and he survives in Coello.

She is survived by two sons, John and Kimmy Dees, of Coello and Bryan Dees, of Coello; grandchildren Daniel Dees and Derek Dees and step granddaughter Michele Dees; a brother James Hickman, of Alabama.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Betty’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Rose Marie Patten, 86, of Benton, passed away Monday evening Feb. 9, 2015 at the Stone Bridge Living Center, in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

For those who wish, memorial contributions can be made in Mrs. Patten’s memory to First Christian Church, in Benton.

Robert J. Kirkpatrick passed away February 7 due to heart complications at Barnes Hospital with his family at his side.

He was born January 15, 1927 in Sesser, IL where he attended schools. He was the son of William Virgil Kirkpatrick and Freda Atchison, and was raised by his grandparents, Harve and Maggie Atchison.

Bob married Lucille Underwood on July 27, 1950 and they have celebrated 64 years of marriage. Bob served as an Army Staff Sargent at end of WWII assigned to General MacArthur’s Headquarters in Manila and Japan. His 10 year career as a Railway Postal Clerk ended after a rail car accident. He enrolled in college and completed his BS in Accounting and Business from Southern Illinois University in three years. Bob became a Senior Bank Examiner with the FDIC, and eventually became President and Chairman of the Board, Bank of Sesser.

In the mid-60s he survived a near-fatal car accident which did not slow down his service to the community. Bob completed 30 years on school boards including Rend Lake College. He and Lucille were dedicated members of Sesser United Methodist Church. Bob served as Lay Leader and Finance Chair as well as Chair of Conference Finance & Administration. Having moved to Mt. Vernon, they became members of the First United Methodist Church there. Recognized for his continuous contributions, Robert received the Liberty Bell Award, Outstanding Chamber Member, and 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award for Sesser-Valier Schools.

Wearing many hats, he was Sesser Masonic Lodge Secretary for 35 years, honored as a 33rd degree Mason, and had active leadership roles over 50 years in the Ainad Shrine and Illinois Scottish Rite. Bob was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion.

Bob and Lucille loved to travel, visiting the vast majority of the U.S. and many parts of the world. In past years Bob spent time with WWII veterans and participated in an Honor Flight to DC.

He is survived by sons and wives Keith and Becky Kirkpatrick of Valparaiso, IN; and Rick Kirkpatrick & Jayne Sanders of Denver, CO; and daughter and husband, Kathy and Al Johnston of Galva, IL. There are six grandchildren (with spouses): Colin Kirkpatrick & Logan Wince, Burbank, CA; Jamie & Angela Kirkpatrick, Mackinaw, IL; Meghan Kirkpatrick, Chicago; Tyler & Beth Johnston, Galva, IL; Karly Johnston, Kewanee, IL; Troy Kirkpatrick, Carbondale, IL; great-grandchildren under two: Camden Johnston and Finch Kirkpatrick. He is survived by sisters Phyllis Corona, Helen Galloway, Virginia Brachear; and large numbers of close relatives including Wilbur & Winnie Van Horn and Aunt, Sadie Lewis. He is preceded in death by siblings Michael O’Sullivan, Terry O’Sullivan, and Susan Callihan.

Robert Kirkpatrick loved and was deeply dedicated to God, his family, his community, and his country.

Visitation will be on Friday, Feb. 13 from 5-to-8 p.m. at Brayfield Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser and on Saturday, Feb. 14, 10:00-1:00 p.m. at Mt. Vernon First United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be at 1:00 with burial to follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Memorial gifts may be made to Shriners Hospital St. Louis, Sesser United Methodist Church, or Mt. Vernon First United Methodist Church.

Carmen Lucille Lampley, 81, of Benton, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015 at Franklin Hospital in Benton.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Gary West officiating. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a trust fund for Rusty Lampley, that has been set up at the State Bank of Whittington, or to the Wednesday night Kid’s Program at North Benton Baptist Church.

 

Jimmie Eldridge, 89, of Benton, IL passed away Sunday morning Feb. 1, 2015 at his home.

He was born on Sept. 1, 1925, the son of Orlando and Eva Jane (Overturf) Eldridge.

He married Martha Carmel (Willburn) Eldridge on March 15, 1946 in Tijuana, Mexico, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 29, 2007. Mr. Eldridge was a World War II veteran, serving from August 1943 to March 1946.

He was a member of the Church of Christ.

Mr. Eldridge is survived by four children, Dianne Essary, of Benton, James A. Eldridge and wife Beverly, of Benton, IL, Nancy Sims and husband Alan, of Pittsburg, IL and Mark Eldridge, Fuquay-Varina, NC; daughter-in-law Cathy Eldridge, West Frankfort; grandchildren Christine Knight and husband Rick, Julie Ann Essary, James A. Eldridge, Jr. Jennifer L. Owens, Steven Eldridge, Chelsey N. Sims, Josh Sims, Jared Kramer Eldridge and Emily Nicole Eldridge; seven great-grandchildren and 4 great-greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son Tim Eldridge and 11 brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton with Steve Reeves and Chuck Bartlett officiating. Military rites will be conducted at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

Kelly J. Roberson, 32, of Benton, passed away Saturday morning, January 31, 2015 at her home.

She was born May 2, 1982, in Benton.

Kelly married Jeremy Roberson in October 2002.

Kelly loved her family and her animals and she was a hard worker.

She is survived by her husband, Jeremy Roberson, of Benton; two sons Nick McClerren and Damian McClerren; a sister Bridgett Thacker, of McLeansboro; three brothers, Patrick McClerren, of Peoria, Kevin McClerren and wife Gayla, of Benton and Mike McClerren and wife Tina, of Logan; mother Pam Robinson; father Rick McClerren, of Benton, grandmother Eddyth Mandrell, of Benton; grandmother Mary McClerren; mother-in-law Linda Ward, of Benton; stepmother Sue Roberson, of West City; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law David and Kim Webb, of Benton, Jamie and Rob Rizor, of Las Vegas, NV, Jessyca and Danny Frye, of Mulberry, AR, Michelle and Jarrid Cima, of Newburgh, IN, William Ward, of Benton, Beth Ward, of Benton and Drew and Jayma Roberson, of West Frankfort, IL; nieces and nephews Cassie, Morgan, Gabrellia, Rachael McClerren, Destiny Russell, Shelby McClerren, Patrick McClerren, Kameron Russell, Dillion McClerren, Tyler and Nathan McClerren, Hayley, Whitney, Kristen, Joey and Makenzie; Brad and Becky Mandrell, Sam and Karen McClerren, Margaret and Dale Emerson and Candy and Steve Hall.

Kelly was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Gene Mandrell and Bill McClerren, father-in-law Dwight Roberson, nephew Dalton Russell and by her stepfather Dave Robinson.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Roger Webb officiating. Burial will be in the Horse Prairie Cemetery, in Sesser. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Robert V. Rogers, better known as “Foulball” or “Valjean”, passed away suddenly January 22, 2015.  He was found unresponsive in his vehicle slumped over the steering wheel by a passer-by.

He was born March 18, 1930 at home to Oliver Evan and Mary L. (Campbell) Rogers who preceded him in death in 1995.  He was also preceded in death by a sister Betty K. Moschino, nieces Lorraine Johnson, Megan Culver, and Ashley Biggs and an infant sister Alpha Nadine Rogers.  He is survived by one brother Richard (Sue) Rogers of Texas, three sisters Maxine (Earl) Giacomo of Mulkeytown, Wanda (Richard) McReaken of Zeigler, and Connie (Fred) Sample of Benton.

He was a retired 48 years from the United States Navy after serving 23 years active duty.  He served on numerous cruises.  Upon his retirement he returned to enjoy fishing, hunting, and gardening.  In his later years he enjoyed playing Bingo at Marion KC’s and getting his lottery tickets and his daily visits to Cooksey’s Bait Shop to visit with the owners and longtime friends Ron and Carol Reed.

His extended family included nieces and nephews Ella (Charles) Culver and their children Jordan Culver and Ashton Culver, Bob (Mary) Giacomo and their children Josh (Beth) Giacomo, Sarah (Keith) Shasteen and son Logan, Laura Giacomo, and Joe Giacomo, Theresa (Jeff) Thompson and their children Christopher Thompson and Michael Thompson, Elena (Andy) Bilger and sons Christian Bilger, Esequel Bilger and Andres Bilger, Rosa (Steve) Nerio and girls, Tim McReaken, Rhett (Brenda) McReaken and children Jessica (Brandon) Melvin and Brett McReaken, Jason (Heather) Sample and son Derek Sample, Dana (Maria) Bonifacio-Sample, Kathy Esposito and children Chasity (Brandon) Shaffer and their children Savannah Smith, Amber Smith, Grant Smith, and Ashley Smith, Nicole (Reuben) Washington and  their children Wardell Williams, Jayla Williams, and Brittany Washington, Richard Johnston and their children Rachael Johnston and Keenan Johnston, Angela (Brent) Gossett and their children Lorrie (Adam) Horton and sons Jude Crawford and Gabriel Horton, Emily Gossett, Madeline Gossett, and Grace Gossett.

In honoring Valjean’s wishes, there will be no visitation or services.  It was also his wish to be cremated and that was handled by the Gilbert Funeral Home of Christopher, IL.

Randy Followell, 55, of Mulkeytown, IL passed away January 23, 2015 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Randy was borh May 13, 1959 in Herrin, IL, the son of Franklin Followell and Irene (Daily) Rogers.

He was a forklift operator at Gilster-Mary Lee in Steelville.

 Randy is survived by a daughter, Lindsey Followell, of Marion, IL; one brother, Charles Followell, of Mulkeytown, IL.

He was preceded in death by his mother and by one brother, Tony Followell.

Randy’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

For more information to to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Harry Mike Tate, 50, of Benton, passed away January 21, 2015 at Benton Rehab and Health Care, in Benton.

 He was born October 14, 1964 in Benton, the son of Harry Martin Tate and Charlotte (Kramer) Petrazio, both of Benton.

He was a roofer.

He is survived by one son, Shane Michael Tate of Pinckneyville, IL, one brother, Martin and Judy Tate, of Macedonia, IL; two sisters, Theresa and David Chwarczinski, of Mulkeytown, IL and Melissa Tate, of  Jacksonville, FL; nieces and nephews Mark Take, Angie Tate, Marty Veteto, Brad Veteto, Travis Underwood, Melanie Underwood and Steven Underwood; special friends Frank Kinsey, Bob Marvin and David Tate. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 26 at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

For more information to to gilbertfuneralhomes.com