Lonnie Gale Garner, 72, of Sesser, Illinois was called home on July 25, 2023.

Lonnie was born on June 3, 1951, to Don and Barbara (McGovern) Garner of Sesser. Lonnie was a 1969 graduate of Sesser High School and loved participating in athletics while representing his community. On October 26, 1974, he married his best friend, Cheryl (Seiler) and they were married for just short of 49 years.

Together, they raised Laura Garner-Mayer, Craig Garner (Melodee), and Shane Garner (Bethany). Lonnie worked as a supervisor for Blue Bell in DuQuoin and as a coal miner for Monterey Coal. Lonnie was also a long-time member of Sesser First Baptist Church. He was so proud to be a husband, father, papa, and Red Devil. His family was his everything. Lonnie’s last words were to make sure that his babies knew that he loved them. Those babies were his grandchildren, Maty (Derek) Parvin, Jaycee (Logan) Giles, Haydon Mayer, Caleb Lewis, Cru Garner, Ellie Garner, Cala Garner, Waylen Giles, and Croix Garner.

Lonnie enjoyed going to ball games and spending time with his family. He often would force his children to listen to Beach Boys harmonies and Michael McDonald. He was so loved and will be missed by all who knew him. His legacy can be seen in the lives of his beloved family.

Lonnie is survived by his wife, kids, grandkids, sisters, his niece and nephew, and inlaws, Freddie and Carol Seiler. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Danny. In lieu of flowers, Lonnie would have loved donations to be made to Sesser-Valier Youth and Government or the Southern Illinois Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Funeral services for Lonnie will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will follow the funeral service at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

De Etta Lou Sanchez, 86, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on February 23, 2023. She was born on March 14, 1936, in Stiritz, Illinois, to Nancy Gertrude and August Majdich.

De Etta was a woman of extraordinary warmth, grace, and resilience. Her love knew no bounds. She was a devoted mother and a compassionate nurse. De Etta touched the lives of countless people with her kind heart and unwavering support. Her legacy of love and kindness will forever live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

De Etta pursued higher education and became a Registered Nurse at Saint Louis Hospital. She dedicated her career to serving others as a Registered Nurse for the Bi-County Health Department in Southern Illinois.

In retirement, De Etta found joy in reading books, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with family and friends. Her nurturing nature extended beyond her professional life, and she cherished the moments shared with her loved ones.

De Etta is survived by her children, Annette, Rafael, Nancy, and Rodrigo, as well as her grandchildren, Alejandra, Rodrigo, De Etta, Christy, Andrea, Nicole, Ian, Ashley, and Tristen. She is also survived by her brother, Randy Majdich. De Etta was preceded in death by her grandson, Jacob Wesley Sanchez, her parents, Nancy Gertrude, and August Majdich, and her siblings, Roberta Brown and Dennis Majdich.

A graveside service to honor and remember De Etta’s life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, August 5th, at the Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy, Illinois.

In this time of loss, let us remember De Etta Lou Sanchez for the love and kindness she brought into the world. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Mrs. Anna Mae Wilson, age 95, of Logan; went to be with her Lord and Savior at 6:20 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, from the Parkway Manor Nursing Home of Marion, Illinois.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Logan Church of God, with Pastor Mike Mayberry officiating. Burial will follow in the Logan Church of God Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday at the Logan Church of God.
Funeral Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Anna Mae was born on February 27, 1928, in Logan, Illinois; the daughter of William Miles Smothers and Bertha Mae (Moore) Smothers. She married Lawson Daniel Wilson on November 7, 1950, and together they shared almost 59 years of marriage until his death on October 30, 2009.

She was a secretary and a homemaker and caretaker of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Wilson was a faithful member of the Logan Church of God, where she was the former secretary of the Logan Church of God lady’s ministry.
Anna Mae enjoyed singing at her church, quilting, visiting with friends and family. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are two children: Danny L. Wilson and wife Nancy of Wickenburg, Arizona, Loni J. Talarico and husband Tom of Bowling Green, Ohio; three grandchildren: Maria Anne Jessup and husband Michael of Carterville, Illinois, David L. Talarico and wife Jolene of Fort Riley, Kansas, Daniel W. Wilson of Phoenix, Arizona; ten great-grandchildren: James and Thomas Jessup, Nathan, Johnnie, Lena, and Lawson Talarico, Jaymi, Elyse, Tyler, and Weston Wilson; a brother Delmas Smothers of Greenfield, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; eight siblings: Alma McCormick, Lola McCormick, Mary “Maggie” Leneave, Everet “Dusty” Smothers, Larry Smothers, Lillian Willett, Joe Smothers and Jack Smothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan Church of God and will be accepted at the church.
To leave online condolences to the family, or share memories of Anna Mae, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Jack L. Stubblefield of Sesser went to be with the Lord on July 18, 2023.

Jack was born on June 17, 1939 to Leo and Marie (Dilliner) Stubblefield in Sesser. Jack was united in marriage to Marlene Eubanks on July 19, 1958 in Sesser. They shared 59 years of marriage until Marlene’s passing on December 12, 2017.

Jack worked for the USPS for almost 40 years upon his retirement. Jack was a member of First Baptist Church in Sesser. Jack served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Supt. and was willing to serve his church and King Jesus in any way possible.

Jack was blessed with a daughter, Jackie (Jeremy) Lilly of Sesser and a son, Chris (Tammy) Stubblefield of Windermere. FL. His truest blessings were his 7 grandchildren, Taylor (Dalton) Neal of Benton, Morgan (Kelsi) Stubblefield of Columbia, MO, Jackson Stubblefield of Nashville, TN, Hudson and Ava Stubblefield of Windermere, FL and Keegan and Mason Lilly of Sesser.

Jack is survived by his children, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Debbie Malkovich of Sesser and Brenda (Billy Joe) Hartley of West Frankfort and brother-in-law Gale (Carrie) Eubanks of Sesser. He is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Jack is also survived by an aunt, Doris Carman, of Mt. Vernon.

Jack was preceded in death by his loving wife, his parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law, sister, Neoma Mandrell, brother in laws, Louis Mandrell and Danny Malkovich, and niece Lorlei Mandrell.

Services for Jack will be on Friday July 21, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 Am until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Sesser First Baptist Church Youth Fund.

Randall R. Crocker, 70, of Sesser, IL, peacefully passed away at home by his wife’s side on July 16th after a difficult, but swift battle with cancer.

Randall Crocker was born on July 12th, 1953, to Burton and Jean (Dillow) Crocker in Du Quoin, IL. A lifelong resident of Sesser, Randall graduated from Sesser-Valier High School in 1971, where he was later presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018. After high school Randall attended Rend Lake College for two years, before transferring to the University of Illinois where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance.

Randall married Cindy (Hill) in 1986 and together they raised three children– Erin, Brett, and Kyle.

Randall’s life will be remembered by his multiple professional achievements. Randall ran a successful construction business, Crocker Construction, building 60+ homes throughout Southern Illinois and remodeling countless more. He owned and managed Crocker Insurance Agency for over three decades after buying the business from his father in 1988, up until his retirement in 2020.

Throughout his life, Randall was a loyal public servant dedicated to the betterment of Sesser and the surrounding community. Randall spent 21 years as a Rend Lake College Board Trustee. He served on the Franklin County Board for 22 years, during many of which he acted as the board’s chairman and was instrumental in initiating the planning and development of the new Franklin County Courthouse. Additionally, Randall served on the Franklin County 911 Board, the Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board, and the Government Interinsurance Exchange. One of Randall’s proudest contributions was his commitment to the Sesser Homecoming Association and his involvement in the success of the yearly Rend Lake Days event.

Randall’s greatest joy and source of pride resided with his family. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather (Pops) leaving behind a legacy of family, hard-work, and civic duty. Randall is survived by his wife, Cindy (Hill) Crocker of Sesser; daughter, Erin (Tony) Janello of Mulkeytown; son, Brett (Danielle) Crocker of Sesser; son, Kyle Crocker of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren, Jaylyn and Aiden Janello, and Collin and Avery Crocker; sisters, Dianna Marberry of Sesser, Janet (Larry) Jones of Harrisburg, Brenda (Keith) Kramer of Sesser, and their families; father and mother-in-law, Cordell and Greta Hill, of Sesser, formerly of Carrier Mills.

Randall was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Jean Crocker. His brother-in-law, Mike Marberry, and niece Frannie Marberry.

Visitation services will be held at Valier First Baptist Church on Wednesday, July19th from 3:00 – 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at Valier First Baptist Church on Thursday, July 20th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Randall R. Crocker Family Memorial Scholarship. Donations can be mailed to Cindy Crocker, P.O. Box 303, Sesser, IL 62884.

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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