Roy P.   Kretz, 82, of Christopher, IL, passed away September 12, 2014 at Marshall Browning Hospital, in Du Quoin.

Roy was born Dec. 22, 1931 DuBuque, Iowa, the son of Roy Leo Kretz and Henrietta (Schmitz) Kretz.

He served in the U.S. Army 9th Signal Corps in Korea.  He was employed for several years at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake.

Occupation: Core of Engineers at Rend Lake

Roy married Mary (Chizmadia) Kretz May 24, 1957 and she survives in Christopher.

Also surviving are four children, Roy John Kretz-Benton, IL, Robert C. and Lisa Kretz, Bluford, IL, Catherine Kretz, Bloomington, IL and Cindy Kretz and Dave Stark, Mulkeytown, IL.  Surviving grandchildren include Roy John Kretz Jr., Shannon Kretz, Kali Boaz, Charles Boaz and Todd Boaz.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September, 17, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher, IL with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Visitation will be after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

VALIER — George Dawe 65, of Valier, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, in Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

George was born July, 16, 1949, in Christopher, to Myron and Alma (Talley) Dawe.

He served in the U.S. Navy and worked with Human Resources for Peabody Coal Mine. He was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher.

George was a member of Masonic Lodge in Sesser and Knights of Columbus in Christopher.

He married Linda (Brincivalli) Dawe on Oct.25, 1969, and she survives of Valier.

Also surviving are his children, Sean and Jodie Dawe of Christopher and Angie and Chuck Brown of Winchester, and grandchildren, Jaden Dawe, Landree Dawe, Tyson Brown and Carson Brown; brothers, Mike and Liz Dawe of Thompsonville and Greg and Nancy Dawe of Universal City, Texas; and mother-in-law, DeLores Brincivalli of Tinley Park.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher, with Monsignor Tom Flach officiating. Burial will be in St Andrews Cemetery in Christopher. Visitation will be at 5 p.m. Monday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

Memorials may be made to St. Andrews Improvement Fund.

Ila Faye Cox, 63, of Zeigler, IL, passed away at 7 a.m. on September 6, 2014 at Benton Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, in Benton, IL.

Ila was born August 24, 1951 in Plattsburg, MO, the daughter of Ada Pierson Edwards, of Mounds, MO.

She was a maintenance worker at Pepsi.

She was married to Richard Cox and he preceded her in death.

Ila is survived by a son, William Cox, of Alabama and a brother, Frank (Linda) Arnold, of Sesser, IL.  She is also survived by six brothers and sisters.  She was preceded in death by her husband and three brothers.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September, 13, at 12 noon at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 10 a.m until the time of service at noon.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family 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

Sesser- Faye Ailene Willmore, 83, of Mt. Vernon, formerly of Sesser, went to be with her Lord and Savior Monday, September 1, 2014 at Countryside Manor in Mt Vernon, IL.

Faye was born March 15, 1931 in rural Geff, IL to Ralph and Anna (McNeal) Beck.

She grew up on the family farm in Wayne County with her four sisters. She married Chester E. Willmore on May 9, 1948 at her parents’ home and they enjoyed 37 years of marriage until 1985 when she lost Chet, the love of her life, to illness.

Faye was a homemaker and beautician, operating Faye’s Beauty Shop in rural Sesser for over 20 years. She was a wonderful and caring mother to her four sons and gracious, Christian Soul to those who knew her.

She was of the Baptist faith and a member of the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon and former member of the First Baptist Church in Sesser. She was an avid quilter for many years, crafting everything from utilitarian comforters for use at home, to exquisite works of art with her skills in quilting, embroidery, cross-stitching and applique. All of her grandchildren received a handmade quilt and many of her extended family and friends were gifted with baby quilts. There will be a display of her quilts at the funeral home. The family asks any friends and family who wish to bring one of Faye’s quilts for the display to please do so.

Faye is survived by her four sons, Jerry and Lisa Willmore of Hockley, TX; William (Tom) and Joann Willmore of Mt Vernon, IL; David and Bonnie Willmore of Valier, IL; and Jeffrey and Jennifer Willmore of Tempe, AZ. Two sisters Joyce (Bob) Caudle and Norma Lee Koontz, both of Fairfield, IL.

Grandchildren Larry Willmore, Heather (Andy) Adams, Kenny Willmore, Nick (Kristie) Turner, Mary Jo (Ryan) Thompson, Amanda (Will) Bolyard, Kyle (Kailey) Willmore, Dayne (Elisha) Willmore, Zachary Willmore and Lucas Willmore; and several great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Chester, sisters Bernadine Beck and Doris Kidd, and second husband Douglas Guy.

Funeral Services will be on Friday September 5, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL, with Pastor Gary Davenport officiating. Interment will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be on Thursday September 4, 2014 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Theresia Elizabeth Seagraves, 108, of West City, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 11, 2014 at 8:47 p.m. at Helia HealthCare in Benton.

She was born in Benton, IL on November 11, 1905, the daughter of Isaac Newton and Sallie (Schrade) Simpson.

Mrs. Seagraves was a longtime member of Flatts Baptist Church.  She graduated from Benton High School in 1924.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.  She received several blue ribbons in Town & Country Art Show.  She was a talented and gifted artist.  She was a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan and will be greatly missed by her family.

Mrs. Seagraves is survived by three children, William H. Seagraves and wife Pat of Prospect Heights, Mary Lou Lewis, Benton and Molly Frasher, Metropolis.  She is also survived by grandchildren Vernon “Rick” Lewis and wife Tricia, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Cyndy Ellis and husband Larry of Waltonville, Terry Lewis, of Benton, Claudia Toler and husband Gary of Thompsonville, William Seagraves II and wife Lisa, of Prospect Heights, Rene Frasher, of Metropolis, Lisa Oldham, of Metropolis, Dan Frasher, of Metropolis, Brenda Schmidt and husband Tim, of Metropolis.  Also surviving is 12 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Seagraves was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, four sisters, son-in-law Vernon Lewis and grandson Frank Lewis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 15 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating.  Burial will follow in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

For more information or to sign the memorial register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

Andy W. “Paw” Tasky, 65, of Benton, passed away August 8, 2014 after a long and courageous battle.

He was born on March 25, 1949 in Benton, the son of Edmond and Betty (Mitchell) Tasky.

Andy is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Jeannette and by his children Shane (Tara) Tasky, Kathy (Bill) Simmons and Tammy Marino.  He is also survived by a sister, Brenda Schwartz; stepmother, Ramona Tasky; grandchildren Jeremy (Liz) Bandy, Anthony (Sarah) Marino, Danielle Bandy, Lacey Smothers, Hunter Tasky, Sayler Tasky and Bayley Tasky; great-grandchildren Hailey, Sierra, Preston, Taylor, Myah, Mason, Brendon and Dreyson; nieces Nicole Schwartz, Lindsay Schwartz and Tina Lampley.

Andy was a coal miner, retiring from Old Ben Mine No. 26.  He was an Army veteran.

He was preceded in death by his parents, by a brother, Edmund Gene Tasky and by many dear aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Daniel Ison and Donnie Smith officiating.  Burial with military rites conducted by the Benton American Legion Honor Guard will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 1 p.m. on Saturday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Patrick “Pat” Todd Styve, 51, of Sesser, IL, passed away July 29, 2014 in Sesser, IL.

He was born July 8, 1963 in Melrose Park, IL.

Pat was a 1981 graduate of Sesser-Valier High School, Sesser, IL and a 1985 graduate of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education.

Pat started his teaching career in Belleville, IL, where he taught elementary and middle school mathematics. After 15-years of teaching he changed careers, joining an insurance agency which took him to Palm Springs, CA, then back to Sesser, IL.

Pat was a loving father whose life centered on his son Jake and daughter Grace. He loved spending time with his brothers and was a loyal friend to many. He enjoyed spending time on the lake, traveling, music and golf.

Pat is survived by his children, Jake and Grace Styve of Sesser, IL; mother, Kay Styve (nee Witcher) of Sesser, IL; brothers, Robert Styve II, Sesser, IL; Michael Styve (Beth, Michael Jr, Kyle & Kaitlyn) of Overland Park, KS; Scott Styve (Kimberly & Dalton) of Cathedral City, CA; Brad Styve (Julie & Ava) of Thornton, CO; and numerous cousins, friends and acquaintances.

He was proceeded in death by his father, Robert Styve of Sesser, IL; brother, Donald Styve of Austin, TX; maternal grandparents, Woodroe and Ida Witcher (nee Warner) of Sesser, IL; paternal grandmother Bernice Styve (nee Butler) of Forest Park, IL;  uncles, Charles “Spike” Witcher of Sesser, IL; Dugan Styve of Franksville, WI;

Visitation will be on Friday, August 1, 2014, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, 102 W Callie, Sesser, IL, 62884. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert with the Rev. Kirk Packer officiating..  Burial immediately following funeral services at Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jake and Grace Styve Education Fund online (http://www.gofundme.com/cbzinw) or at the funeral home.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Patrick T. Styve, 51, of Sesser, died July 29, 2014 from injuries sustained in a car accident on State Highway 148 South.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 2 at 11 a.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Kirk Packer officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday, August 1, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to an education fund for Patrick’s children, Jake and Grace Styve, and will be accepted at the funeral home or by going to www.gofundme.com/cbzinw.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A complete obituary will be posted later.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com