Martha “Flo”Hargis, 76, of Benton, passed away January 18, 2015 at Plano Specialty Hospital in Plano, TX.

She was born Nov. 2, 1938, the daughter of William Noble Overturf and Nannie Jane (Smith) Overturf.

She was married to Carl “Chick” Hargis and he preceded her in death on January 7, 1980

Mrs. Hargis was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ, in Benton.

She is survived her her children, Kelly and Marion Lappin, Sesser, IL and Gina and Kelly Kaufman, Wylie, TX; grandchildren Carly Lappin, Rae and Ross Worthey, Keith Kaufman, Leah Kaufman and Vaughn Kaufman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Mark Hargis, one sister Burnes Warman, three brothers Evan, Leo and Walter Overturf.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL.  Visitation will from 11 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service.  Burial will be at Smith Cemetery in Buckner, IL.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the American Diabetes Association and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruth I. Green, 90, of Mt. Vernon and a former Benton resident, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2015 at her second home, the Mt. Vernon Residential Living Center.

She was born in Benton, IL, on September 14, 1924, the daughter of Ed and Hattie (Johnson) Sanders.

She married Ralph E. Green on Nov. 14, 1946 and he preceded her in death on July 25, 2011.

Mrs. Green loved to go to rummage sales and she loved to go out to eat with her sisters. Her family was the most important thing in her life. She game them her unconditional love and did everything for them she possibly could.

Mrs. Green is survived by three daughters, Brenda Hayes and husband Rick, of Mt. Vernon, IL, Tammy Noel and husband Jim, of Benton, IL and Sharon McKissen and husband Dan, of Michigan; grandchildren Tommy Hayes and wife Amy of Mt. Vernon, Todd Hayes and wife Stacy, of Mt. Vernon, Tim and Kevin Spears of Benton, Melanie Harvey and husband Brian, of Carbondale, Brecca and Bryli Wyant, of Benton, Sandy Fauble and husband Gale, of Michigan, Vickie Hoffman, of Georgia and Gerald Losinski and wife Pam, of Michigan; great-grandchildren Alexys, Paetyn, Kennady, Darick, Jacob and Emily Hayes, all of Mt. Vernon, Hannah Harvey, of Carbondale, Alicia Shelton, Whittington and Chelsea, Brittany and Kaylee Spears, of Benton; sister Delores Neal, of Norris City, IL and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Green was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daugher-in-law Donna Green Kuriger, brother Chike Sanders, sisters Mildred Crowder and Doris Downey.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton.  Visitation will be after 12 noon on Thursday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

Dixie Louise Morrison McGinty, 79, of West Frankfort, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2015.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 21 at 11 a.m. at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mike Cash officiating. Burial will be in Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort . Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Dixie’s Benevolence Fund.

Kevin Lynn Biddle, 49, of Logan, passed away January 16, 2015 at his home.

He was born in Lawrenceville, IL on July 11, 1965, the son of Lester Biddle, Jr and Lena (Sanders).

Mr. Biddle was an over-the-road truck driver and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.  He enjoyed working on his car and backhoe and camping.  Mr. Biddle was a member of the Benton American Legion, the Benton Eagles and the McLeansboro Eagles.

Mr. Biddle is survived his four children, Heather Myers and husband Ryan of Whittington, IL, Lindsay Thomas and husband Jake, of Hopkinsville, KY, Kaitlyn Biddle, Logan, IL and Michael Sullivan and wife Regina, of Benton; two grandchildren, Lucas and Layla Myers; mother Lena Sanders, of Logan; brother L.W. Biddle and wife Michele, of Thompsonville, IL; sister Sarah Williams, of Logan, IL.  Mr. Biddle is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his truck-driving companion, his dog “Sofe.”

Mr. Biddle was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Brad Ryan and the Rev. Derrick Cairel officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, January 19, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

Linda Flannigan, 76, of Mulkeytown, IL passed away January 6, 2015 at Du Quoin Nursing & Rehab Center.

Linda was born May 1, 1938 in Mulkeytown, IL, the daughter of Emmett “Dobber” Swisher and Verble (Hill) Swisher.

She married Raymond Flannigan on April, 6, 1957 and he survives in Mulkeytown.

Linda was a loving mother, military wife taking care of her family while her husband was gone to serve his country. She enjoyed her and Raymond’s world travels very much.

She worked as a medical transcriptionist, in Nashville, TN.  She was a member of the Mulkeytown Christian Church.

Linda is survived by her children, David (Paula) Flannigan, McKinney, TX, Mark Flannigan, Mulkeytown and Tracy Flannigan, Mulkeytown; grandchildren, Shana Flannigan; great-grandchildren Avanna Hall and Dixie Hall; brothers and sisters, Charles “Dobber” (Judy) Swisher, Mulkeytown, Bob (Evelyn) Swisher, Coello, IL, Janice (Norm) Tilley, Du Quoin, Debbie (Jerry) Stanley, Mulkeytown.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services Friday, January 9, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery, in Mulkeytown.

In lieu of flowers donations can be to Mulkeytown Christian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

Lorena L. Giacone, 93, of Christopher, IL, passed away Jan. 2, 2015 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center, in Benton, IL.

Lorena was born on July 31, 1921 in Christopher, the daughter of Louis Eure and Josephine (Giacomo) Eure.

Lorena was a homemaker and a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher and a former member of St. Andrews Alter Society.

She was married to Burt Kirchner, who preceded her in death and later married Louie Giacone, who also preceded her in death.

She is survived by a daughter, Joyce Lewis, Christopher, IL and two step-children, Robert Fabris, Christopher and Barry Giacone, Sesser, IL; grandchildren Trisha Eure, Christopher, Tiffany (Matt) Cripps, Peoria, Tracy (Duane) Thryselins, Christopher, Jeff Fabris, Christopher and Scott Fabris, Christopher; great-grandchildren Ellis and Brooke Akers and Damian and Rylie Cripps.

She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Kirchner, sister Margaret Mondoni and a brother, John Eure.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Saturday until 11:30 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.  Burial will be in Muller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL.

Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.  For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

Roy Paul Porter, 88, of Waukee, Iowa and formerly of Christopher, IL, passed away on Dec. 27, 2014 at Village of the Legacy Point, in Waukee, Iowa.

Mr Porter was born on May 3, 1926 in Buckner, IL, the son of Russell Porter and Lillian (Heacox) Porter.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in World War II and the Korean War.  Mr. Porter was 32nd Degree Mason and was a member of Marion Christian Church.

He married Betty J. (Rowland) on Nov. 8, 1946 and she preceded him in death on March 21, 2013.

Mr. Porter is survived by his children, Joyce Clingan, Urbandale, Iowa and Paula (Bruce) Leggett, Coeurd’Alene, Idaho; grandchildren, Melinda Davis, Angie and (Rusty) Lawler and Ryan Leggett; great-grandchildren Riley Lawler, Breckon Lawler, Maddox Lawler, Macy Davic, Bradley Leggett and Caleb Leggett.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2014  at Masonic & IOOF Cemetery, in Benton, IL.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice Care of Iowa by pone at 515-274-3400 or online.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher in in charge of arrangements. For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTOPHER – Martha Marilyn Teel, 89, passed away Wednesday December 31, 2014 at the DuQuoin Nursing and Rehab Center.

She was born on Christmas Day in 1925 and lived in Franklin County area most of her life.

She is survived by four children Sherry (Larry) Bullock of DuQuoin, Forrest (Ann) Teel of Christopher, Winona Teel of Johnston City, and Taylor (Kim) Teel of Christopher.  Seven Grandchildren Linaya Germann of Carbondale, Trevor Bullock of Herrin, Courtney Overturf of Royalton, Harrison Teel of Benton, and Mackenzie Teel, Shawn Teel, and Brianna Teel all of Christopher.  She is survived by eight Great Grandchildren and one sister-in-law Edna Teel of Washington, IL.

Mrs. Teel was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 70 years Marvin Teel just six months ago.  She was also preceded in death by her parents Opal and Ethel Flowers, one brother Norman Flowers, and two sisters Ruth Stritzel and Mary Boyd.

Mrs. Teel was a faithful member of the Greenwood United Methodist Church of rural Mulkeytown.

Although she worked outside the home at various times, her greatest passion was being a homemaker, wife and mother.  One of her greatest interests was that of self-expression through painting and other forms of art.  She had a special talent of making a painting or drawing come alive on paper and canvas.  Her paintings are appreciated by many and treasured by her family.

Funeral services will be on Saturday January 3, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Greenwood United Methodist Church with pastor Dick Sullins officiating.  Interment will be at the Ward Cemetery in Mulkeytown.  Visitation will be on Saturday January 3, 2015 from Noon until the time of the service at 2:00 P.M. at the church.

Memorials can be to the Greenwood/Ward Cemetery or to the Greenwood United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the church.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com