Donald Richard Basso, 93, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday July 15, 2023 at his home.

He was born on December 9, 1929 in Sesser, IL to Domenico and Allene (Lance) Basso. He married Beverly Jean (Gulley) Basso and she survives of Sesser. He is also survived by his children Karen (Wayne) Shurtz of Tennessee, Rick (Sandy) Basso of Sesser and Jeanne (Chuck) Wright of Valier; five grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Donna (Basso) Harrison.

Funeral services will be on Saturday July 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Ralph Brandon officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Residential Hospice, Sesser First Responders and the Sesser Police Department and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Rebecca Whittington, 62, passed away at the University of Louisville Jewish Hospital on July 8, 2023. Rebecca was an attorney who lived in Benton and had a law office in Carbondale, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Rev. Carl and Eva Bennett Whittington, and her brother, Richard “Dick” Whittington. Rebecca was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on October 27, 1960.

Rebecca obtained her Juris Doctor from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, in May 1983. She was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in May 1980, with a major in political science, after only three years. She graduated from Union Grove High School in Union Grove, Wisconsin.

Rebecca had been a solo practitioner since 1997. She handled many types of cases including trusts and estates, probate, guardianships, personal injury, wrongful death, employment, insurance defense, family law, banking, municipal law, and bankruptcy.
She began her legal career as a judicial law clerk for the late Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Meyers in Benton from 1983 to 1985. She had previously externed for Magistrate Judge Meyers during law school, and she had also externed at the Office of the State Appellate Defender for the Fifth District Illinois Appellate Court. She was a member of the law firm formerly known as Feirich/Schoen/Mager/Green in Carbondale from 1988 through 1997. She worked as an associate at a law firm previously known as Mitchell Brandon & Schmidt in Carbondale from 1985 to 1988.
Rebecca was admitted to the Illinois bar and also the bars for the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. She was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Franklin County Bar Association, Jackson County Bar Association, Illinois Pro Bono Center Board of Directors, Local Rules Committee for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and the Seventh Circuit Bar Association.

She had been a two-term member of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness for the Fifth Appellate District. She also had an appointment to the Judicial Screening Committees for the Illinois Appellate Court vacancy on the death of Justice Terrance Hopkins and on the First Circuit Court vacancy of Judge Bruce Stewart.

She was a master at the Southern Illinois American Inn of Court and member of the Steering Committee for the organization, along with being a member of the Executive Committee and Secretary/Treasurer of the Inn for four years. She was a member of the Board of Directors for the Pro Bono Center of the Illinois Bar Association in Champaign until its dissolution. She was a member of the Southern Illinois University School of Law Advisory Board of Directors for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic. She was a two-term member of the Board of Governors for the Southern Illinois Law School. She received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Liberal Arts at Southern Illinois University in March 2000.
She was a past president of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and also on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. She was a member of the Franklin County United Way Board of Directors and a member of the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra Board of Patrons. She was a member of several women’s groups including the Carbondale Business and Professional Women’s Organization and the Steering Committee of Southern Illinois Women’s Business Counsel,

Rebecca was the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services in Carmi and Mt. Vernon. She was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. She served the Illinois Elks Association as State Organist and also a member of the State Judiciary Committee. She also served her local lodge in Benton as Lodge Secretary.
Most recently, she attended the Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon. She attended the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton for many years. She also attended the First Baptist Church and United Methodist Church in West Frankfort. For many years she played the piano and served as the musical director at various local churches.

In addition to her many activities, she was engaged in extensive antique collecting and animal rescue efforts, particularly rescuing standard poodles. She was a member of the Crab Orchard Kennel Club. Post-Katrina, she was a volunteer driver and short-term foster “parent” for a network of standard poodle breeds, volunteering on a varying basis. One days she rescued 17 dogs and delivered them to an American Kennel Club Rescue organization. She not only rescued dogs, she also rescued cats she found. She worked with the Heart of America Poodle Rescue for many years rescuing and adopting abandoned poodles.

She leaves behind several family members: cousin Susan (Tom) Saxe, Thompsonville, and their children Jonathan (Erin) Saxe, Rathdrum, Idaho; Matthew (Faith) Saxe, Pittsfield, Illinois; and Elizabeth (Tim) Van Orden, Athens, Texas, along with the Saxe grandchildren, Lauren, Emma, Reilly, Luke, Reesa, and Madeline. She also leaves behind cousin Gayla (Jim) Mitchell, Zeigler, and Kevin (Beth) Jarvis, Springfield.

Among her many rescues, she adopted Sabrina, Sophie, Lily, Cousin, and Roxie, along with Koko, Yum Yum, and Muffin. She leaves behind Baxter, Bosley, and Kelly, her most recent poodle rescues, who are now in the care of the Heart of America Poodle Rescue in Moscow Mills, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 15, at 1:00 with visitation from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Kevin Carrothers officiating. Burial will follow at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.

Memorial donations may be made to the Heart of America Poodle Rescue, 90 Killarney Lane, Moscow Mills, Missouri 63362 and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Margaret Deanna Carter, age 73, of Benton, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 9:32 p.m. Friday, July 7, 2023, at the SSM Health DePaul Hospital of Bridgeton, Missouri, with her family by her side.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Minor and Rev. Greg Shelton officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Margaret was born on July 31, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan; the daughter of William Dean Tedrow and Virginia Dare (Knowles) Tedrow. On July 30, 1968, she married Edward Eugene Carter, and he preceded her in death.

She was a retired accountant, having worked in accounts payable with St. John Health System and previously with ADT.

Faith and family were most important to Margaret. She was a member of The Whittington Church, and she enjoyed spending time with her family.

She also enjoyed being involved with the Benton Garden Club, knitting, crocheting, playing cards, dice games, and reading books. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her grandkids.

Surviving are two children: Jeff Carter and wife Elizabeth of Marine City, Michigan, Tracy Letrent and husband Robert of Benton, Illinois; six grandchildren: Eddy, Joey, Kylee, Andrew, Payton and Alex; a brother Steve Tedrow and wife Barbara of Flint, Michigan; several nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a sister Bryan Ann Wilt, and a brother David Tedrow.

Memorial contributions in memory of Margaret; may be made to the Whittington Church Building Fund or the Benton Public Library; and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Margaret; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Laura Ann Cole, 83, of Benton, passed away on Sunday July 9, 2023 at her home.

She was born on September 18, 1939 to Walter and Josephine (Smid) Elder. She married John R. Cole on November 21, 1962,

She is survived by her husband John R. Cole of Benton, two daughters Gayla A. (Rick) Kent of Benton and Donna K. (Darryl) Jones of Mt Vernon, as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws.

She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Josephine Elder, one son Ronnie L. Cole, two brothers Charles Elder and Walter Elder II.

Graveside services will be on Friday July 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Dennis Jones officiating.

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

Nina Frances Fasig, 95, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Tuesday July 4, 2023 at Stonebridge Nursing Home in Benton.

She was born on February 7, 1928 in Mulkeytown to Dolpha and Eunice (VanHorn) McGlasson. She married Bill Fasig and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter Linda (Gary) Killgrove of Mulkeytown; granddaughter Amy Williams of Mulkeytown; great grandchildren Jaxon Willis, Kaitlin Willis and Emma Willis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister and one brother.

Funeral services will be on Friday July 7, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother David Mitchell officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

Edgar A. DeLaval, 85, of Mulkeytown, passed away on July 2, 2023 at his home.

He was born on August 15, 1937 to Leon Sr. and Hortense Liberty DeLaval. He was married to Donna (Tindall) DeLaval and she survived of Mulkeytown.

He is also survived by his son Terry DeLaval of Christopher; step-daughter Teresa (Brian) Leonard of Carterville; step-son Lyle (Becky) Payne of Coello; one sister Sandra (Joe) Mucinski of Florida; Grandchildren Alexis DeLaval, Kassie Jo DeLaval, Kaitlin Staley, Austin Vandekerkhove, Christopher (Jennifer) Anderson-Payne, Madison (Dylan) Tucker, Jamie Leonard and Stefanie Leonard, Connie Presley and Taylor Majors; Great Grandchildren Levi M. Grob, Everleigh G. Jackson Emilia N. Vandekerkhove, Kreyd M. and Elizabeth A; Nieces and Nephews Trudi DeLaval-House, JoAnne (John) Magner and Jason (Danille) Mucinski and also survived by several other nieces and nephews and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife of 33 years, Jenevie Lucille Davis-DeLaval, Grandson Levi DeLaval, two brothers Joseph DeLaval and Leon DeLaval Jr. and one nephew Danny DeLaval. Edgar was retired from Old Ben Coal and Zeigler Coal Company in June of 1996, he was also a retired Volunteer Christopher Fireman. He served in the United States Army and is a 33-year plus member of the America Legion Post 0528. His wishes were to be cremated with a private graveside burial at a later date at the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

John Walter Hughes, 76, of Sesser, passed away on Friday June 30, 2023 at his home.

He was born on January 22, 1947 in Herrin, IL to Walter and Dorothy (Barrass) Hughes. He married Tina (Hampton) Hughes on October 18, 2010 and she preceded him in death on September 14, 2021.

John is survived by his children William David Hughes of Maryland, John Michael Hughes of Maryland, Susan Lynn Hughes of Maryland, Gina (Bryan) Hiller of Christopher, Donna (Javier) Limones of Robstown, TX and Zachary Baker of Harrisburg; 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Funeral services for John will be on Wednesday July 5, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother George Marshall officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

Virginia Maxine Giacomo, 90, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Tuesday June 27, 2023 at Marshall Browning Hospital in DuQuoin, IL.

She was born on May 16, 1933 in Mulkeytown, IL to Oliver Evan and Mary Louise (Campbell) Rogers. She married Earl Giacomo on August 18, 1951 and he preceded her in death on January 12, 2020.

She is survived by her daughter Ella (Chuck) Culver of Christopher; son Robert “Bob” (Mary) Giacomo of Pinckneyville; grandchildren Joshua (Beth) Giacomo, Sarah Shasteen, Laura (Mike) Dreas, Joseph (Kait) Giacomo, Jordan (Alyssa) Culver, Ashton Culver; great grandchildren Logan Shasteen, George Dreas, Hazel Marie Dreas, Aubrey Culver, Ethan Culver and Thomas Giacomo; two sisters Connie (Fred) Sample of Valier and Wanda McReaken of Coello and one brother Richard Rogers of Dallas, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one granddaughter Megan Culver; one great granddaughter Anna Jean Giacomo, one sister Betty Moschino and one brother Robert Rogers.

Funeral Mass will be on Saturday July 1, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the St Andrew Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday July 1, 2023 from 9:00 AM until the time of the Mass at 11:00 AM at the Church. Burial will be at St Andrew Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.

In lieu of flowers donations can be given to the St Andrew Chapel Fund or to Residential Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the Church .

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