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

Jacob “Jake” R. Kramer, 42, of Denver, CO., passed away on June 25, 2023 in Thompsonville, IL.

He was born on August 17, 1980, to John Kramer and Valerie (Mason) Vicari in Benton, IL. Jacob graduated from Eastern Illinois University, receiving his Bachelors Degree. He would then receive his Master from DePaul University.

Jake was a loving son and father. His two values in life was helping others and being a proud father. He was a highly intelligent individual, who always lead with his heart. Jacob taught English for many years. He loved music and performing, reading and was a life long learner.

Jacob “Jake” is survived by his daughter, Elena Kramer; son, Declan Kramer; father, John Kramer; mother, Valerie (Victor) Vicari; two brothers, Hunter Rone and Adrien DeMartini; two sisters, Athens DeMartini and Tessa Leech.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 30, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Alan Newman, officiating.

Memorials may be made to Jennifer Law, in care Jacob’s children, Elena and Declan, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Mary Ann Townzen-Wall, 83, of Christopher, passed away on Sunday June 25, 2023 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

She was born on March 11, 1940 in Coello, IL to Dave and Jeanette (Docherty) Orr.

She is survived by her step-children Michael (Jaymie) Townzen of Peoria, IL, Jeremy (Christina) Townzen of Missouri, Patrick (Lindsey) Townzen of Marion, IL and Christopher (Crystal) Townzen of Indiana, nieces and nephews Michael (Judy) McClendon of Missouri, Sharon King of Benton, Gary (Sally) Ceasar of Christopher, Phillip (Sonja) Ceasar of Buckner, Danny Ceasar of Christopher and Cyrilene Hicks of Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband Michael Townzen and two sisters Grace Howerton and Irene Ceasar.

Mary Ann’s wish was for her body to be donated to the SIU School of Medicine.

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

Eugenia Darlene “Dar” Kollra, age 70, of Benton, Illinois and formerly of Tuscon, Arizona; passed away at 9:09 a.m. CST, Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the St. Mary’s Hospital of Tuscon, Arizona.

Dar’s wishes are to be cremated. A graveside Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, Illinois.

She was born in Newnen, Georgia, on August 30, 1952; the daughter of Roy Milam and Charlotte (Guinn) Milam. She was married to Mark Kollra; and he preceded her in death.

Dar was a retired Canteen Supervisor with the VA Hospital in Tuscon.

She enjoyed playing cards, watching Investigation and Discovery Television (IDTV), visiting and spending time with family and friends, and especially enjoyed spending time and spoiling her grandchildren.

Surviving are two daughters: Denise Chaffin-Ford and wife Wanda of Benton, IL, Debbie Jean Gibbs and husband Ken of Galatia, IL; a son Rondal Lee Ford of Marion, IL; four grandchildren: Kelsey Clark, Kaitlyn Ford, Destin Ford, Aiden Ford; three great-granddaughters: Americus Clark, Skyler Clark, Kynzley Ford; a sister Holly Andrus of Florida; several brothers; close friends: Sandy, Ed, Rebel, Kim; and he fur baby Namey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mark Kollra, a son Jeffrey Wayne Ford (Nov. 19, 2021) and twin sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lady’s Auxiliary of the Benton American Legion and VFW.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Darlene; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com