SESSER — Joyce Marie Montgomery, 68, died at 2:33 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, at home.

Joyce was born March 7, 1945, in Du Quoin, to John Nelson and Claris (Downen) Sheriff.

Joyce married Noble Montgomery on March 4, 1964. He survives of Sesser.

She was a homemaker.

Joyce is survived by her children, Mike and Crystal Montgomery of Sesser, and Chuck and Missy Montgomery of Mulkeytown; grandchildren, Emma Montgomery, Chloe Montgomery, Liam Montgomery, Jeana Montgomery, O’Rian Montgomery and SkyLyn Montgomery; and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Judy Sheriff of Scheller.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, in Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Gary Crocker officiating.  Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Passages Hospice.

SESSER — Theresa Ann (Leber) Hester, 55, passed away Feb. 12, 2014, at her home surrounded by her family and friends.

She was born March 8, 1958, in Stauton, to Caroline (Klinkerfuss) and Edward Leber Sr.  Theresa was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Edward Leber Jr.

Theresa is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Gary Bedgood, grandchildren, Keith Taylor, Dalton Thompson and Collin Thompson; her great-granddaughter, Layla Thompson; sister, Libby Kessel and her children and grandchildren; brother, Geno Leber and his wife, Judy, and their children and grandchildren; brother, Karl Leber and his children and grandchildren; sister, Madonna Spann and her children and grandchildren; sister, Stephanie Woodside and her children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, in St. Mary Catholic Church in Sesser.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois

Ralph L. Reece, 88 formerly of Bonnie, died Tuesday Feb. 11, 2014 at 12:15 a.m. at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.

He was born in Franklin County, IL on March 7, 1925 the son of Willie E. and May (McGinnis) Reece.  He married Barbara Jean (Williams) in Ina on September 12, 1948 and she preceded him in death on August 10, 2011.

He was a World War II Army Veteran.  Mr. Reece retired from Army Corps of Engineers and he was also a farmer.

Mr. Reece is survived by two children, Roger Reece and wife Liz of Du Quoin and Rhonda Monroe and husband Alan of Wayne City, IL.  He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Reece was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one daughter, Paul Weiss, by two granddaughters, two sisters, Dorothy and Eva and by one brother, Lloyd.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2014 at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina with the Rev. Gary Whipple officiating. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Paul Sileven, 78, of Benton, passed away Wednesday morning, Feb. 5, 2014 at his home.

Paul was born in Benton, IL on August 9, 1935, the son of Fred and Flora (Denham) Sileven.

He married Donna (Higgins) on February 6, 1955 in West Frankfort, and she preceded him in death on August 11, 2011.

Paul was a bodyman for Bert Baker Chevrolet and then for Taylor Motors.

He is survived by two daughters, Candy Schelsky, of Benton and Vera and husband Jerry Bruce, of Benton; five grandchildren, Vickie Karrick and husband William, Greg Abbott and wife Angela, Amos E. Abbott and wife Malerie, Stacia Sloan and husband Andy and Amy Kolodziej and husband Johnny.

Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Alissa, Megan, April, Andrew, Christian, Aleesha, Emma, Caitlyn, Caden, Cameron, Tensley Mae Sloan and Sandler Dash Sloan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a sister, Violet Simpson and by an infant brother, Virgil Leon Sileven.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating.  Burial will be in Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Friday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Shane F. Marvel, 38, of Benton, passed away January 22, 2014.

He was born on April 27, 1975, in McLeansboro, the son of Steven and Debra (Lance) Marvel.

He married Terri Hudachko on Feb. 20, 1999 in Benton.

Mr. Marvel was an avid hunter.

He is survived by his wife, Terri Marvel, of Benton; his father Steve Marvel, of Benton and his mother Debra Marvel, of Benton.

Mr. Marvel is also survived by two daughters, Nichole Gibson and Stephanie Marvel; two sons, Zackary Marvel and Tyler Arnett; two grandsons, Carter Williams and Caden Gibson and a daughter-in-law, Jessie Williams.  He is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mr. Marvel was preceded in death by a son, Josh Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Roger Webb officiating.  Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows  Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

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

Dwyght Lee Roberson, 56, of West City, passed away Friday, January 24, 2014 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating.  Burial will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery, in Sesser.  Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

For those who wish, memorials can be made to Sue Roberson to help defray medical expenses.

Connie Patten, 66, of Benton, passed away Friday evening, January 17, 2014 in Carbondale.

She was born in Christopher, IL on Dec. 22, 1947, the daughter of Roy and Rosalind (Overturf) Hanner.

She married Steve Patten in Valier on Nov. 6, 1976, and he passed away on Jan. 17, 2014.

Mrs. Patten was a retired beautician and full-time Home Health Caregiver.

She attended God’s House of Prayer in Carterville, IL.

Mrs. Patten is survived by two daughters, Anna Lampley and husband Steve, of Benton and Kelly Patten and Matthew Neal, of Benton; grandchildren, Kara Abney, Samantha Lampley, Dakotah Lampley, Alexis Abney, Makayla Abney, Douglas Lampley and Devin Neal; one brother, Leroy Hanner and wife Jessie, of Detroit, Michigan.

Mrs. Patton was preceded in death by her parents, by one brother, Ronald Hanner and by two sisters, Rita Issler and Shirley Long.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with burial in Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Marty Beers and the Rev. George Calhoon officiating.