Our beloved father, Terry Lynn Thomas peacefully returned to our Heavenly father from the farm on March 4, 2023 at the age of 78. Terry was born in Benton, Illinois on March 16, 1944. He was preceded in death by his childhood sweetheart and dear wife of 57 years, Mary Lou Thomas on Feb 5, 2022, his parents Frank and Hazel Thomas, his brothers Val Gene and Gary, and sister Glenda Stiebel.

Terry’s spirit and generous heart could be felt by anyone he came in contact with. Terry had a special gift of bringing a smile to everyone’s face and enjoyed giving a hug to all as he never met a stranger. He especially liked to joke with others though his friends said, “Terry loved to dish it out, but could not take it.”

Terry was an avid golfer, St. Louis Cardinal fan, and a supporter of any team his grandchildren participated on. His passion for playing Benton Ranger football, baseball and basketball ultimately garnered him a basketball scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University as well as many other awards. He graduated with an Bachelors degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Education. He then pursued pharmaceutical sales following his graduation from the Certified Medical Representatives Institute of Roanoke, Virginia with highest distinction he became a field force representative for Pfizer Laboratories and retired after 35 years in 2003. Following his retirement, he enjoyed being a marshal at Rend Lake Golf Course.

Terry loved the outdoors and spent much of his time in the woods hunting and fishing with his buddies, children and grandchildren. His love of the outdoors and music brought out the happy and free spirit that defined him. He especially loved birds and was an official Audubon bird counter at Rend Lake. Terry was a member of the Benton Elks Club and the Benton Ranger Booster Club.

His love for his family was above all others. He enjoyed traveling to Montana, California, Mackinac Island, Michigan, Door County, Wisconsin and many destinations such as Pebble Beach, Arizona, Augusta, Georgia and Florida to play golf.

Terry is survived by his son and daughter, Tera Keller and Todd Thomas, son-in-law Ryan Keller, daughter-in-law Michele Thomas, granddaughters Caroline, Courtney, and Carlianne Keller and grandsons Chase and Kyle Thomas, sister-in-law Sandra Long and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Graveside services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Audubon Society, an organization Terry enjoyed.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

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

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

Barbara Hammonds Blackston was born October 29, 1941 to Loyd and Norine Hammonds in Mulkeytown, Illinois.

Barbara graduated from Christopher Community High School. She married and moved to Granite City, Illinois. She is the mother of three children. Kevin (Ronda) Smith, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Beth Ann (Bill) Kovach and Lisa (Eddie) Perigan of Granite City, Illinois.

Barbara spent her professional life as an office manager in the areas of construction, HVAC and financial services. Barbara loved bowling, dancing, reading, listening to music and spending time in Bible study. She was a devout Christian.

Barbara is survived by her three children, her three grandchildren, Austin Perigan, Ryan Kovach and Dehlia Smith and one great grandchild, Shia Perigan. She is also survived by her brother, Paul {Nancy} Hammonds, of Alpharetta, Georgia and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James Blackston, her sisters, Ethel Zicker and Doris Livesay and her brother, Frank Hammonds.

Funeral Services will be on Thursday March 9, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at Hammonds Cemetery in Buckner.

Memorials can be made to Hammonds Family Cemetery, through Gilbert Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank Laura Robinson, her in home caregiver and ProMedica her in-home hospice for their love and care as well as the Rev Jerry Justice. Soddy Church of God, Soddy-Daisy, TN, who officiated the funeral services.

Mr. Lamont Toms, age 90, of Benton, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the Shawnee Rose Care Center of Harrisburg, Illinois.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #5671, and the U.S. Navy Honors team. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery for the services.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the services.

Mr. Toms was born on March 27, 1932, in Benton; the son of Joseph Toms and Alice (Miller) Toms. He married the former Velma Imogene Thorpe on September 14, 1956; and she preceded him in death on September 19, 1999. He would later marry Shirley Elieff on June 2, 2001; and she survives.

Lamont would serve his country in the U.S. Navy from 1949 through 1953. He was a coal miner having worked for Old Ben Coal Company; and retired on February 1, 1990, after working for 22 years with Old Ben Coal Company.

He enjoyed attending church with his West City Church of God family. He also enjoyed going to McDonalds to drink coffee and visit with friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, including Sally Revis, Rodney Sailliez, Jason Revis, Tracy Saffelder; but most of all enjoyed being with his great-granddaughter Alyssa Sailliez.

Surviving is his loving wife of 22 years, Shirley Toms of Harrisburg, IL; great-granddaughter Alyssa Sailliez of Benton; nephew James Toms, Jr. and wife Jane of Logan; friends Charles and Catherine Wiggs of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Joseph and Alice Toms; his first wife Velma Imogene Toms; brothers: Clifton Toms, Edward Toms, Jim Toms, Charles Toms, Joseph Toms, Jr.; and sisters: Aline Rice, Delores Yvonne Pitchford and Virginia Wingate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West City Church of God, and will be accepted at the graveside service on Saturday; or can be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mr. Lamont Toms, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

James “Jim” Louis Flannigan, 88, of Macedonia, passed away on February 27, 2023, at the Hamilton Memorial Hospital, McLeansboro, IL.

He was born on June 23, 1934, to Wallace and Dorthy (Williams) Flannigan in Franklin County, IL. Jim serviced in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. James was a farmer and he worked for the Highway Department until his retirement.

James is survived by his sister, Betty McKay of St. Louis, MO; 2 nieces; 2 nephews; 3 great-nieces; 4 great-nephews; 3 great-great nieces and 2 great-great nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, Wallace and Dorthy Flannigan; one brother, Virgil Flannigan; and one sister, Nellie Harper.

Funeral Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 1:00 pm at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Following services burial will take place in the Brady Cemetery with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the National Guard Honors Team.

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

Gayla Rella Smothers, 81, of Sesser, passed away on Tuesday February 28, 2023.

She was born on March 30, 1941 in Sesser to Stanton Roberts and Jett (Murry) Eperson. She married Cyril Leon Smother on January 17, 1959 and he preceded her in death on July 22, 2019.

She is survived by her daughter Pamela (Kevin) Cummings of Mt Vernon; daughter-in-law Tricia Smothers of Marion; grandchildren Heath (Kristin) Tepovich, Mallory (Anthony) Upegui, Kolton Cummings, Peyton Wall; great grandchildren Keegan Upegui, Kamryn Upegui, Hutson Tepovich and Danica Tepovich.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one son David Smothers.

Funeral services will be on Monday March 6, 2023 at 12:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Sesser with Pastor Jim Slone officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 Am until the time of the service at 12:00 Pm at the church. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Donald Ray Caraker, 95, of West Frankfort, passed away on February 26, 2023, at Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Marion, IL.

He was born on September 10, 1927, to Charles and Vivian (Ray) Caraker in Cobden, IL. Donald served in the United States Navy during WWII. He worked as a Brakeman for the IL Central Railroad for 43 years. Donald married the former Dorothy “Jean” Moore.

Donald was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather and brother. He enjoyed trout fishing, camping, gardening, bowling and traveling.

Donald is survived by his daughter, Cathy Ann Eldridge of West Frankfort, IL; son, John Charles Caraker of Fenton, MO; six granddaughters, Robin Lynn Reid of West Frankfort, IL, Amy Jo Grob of Benton, IL, Elizabeth Ann Lane of Sikeston, MO, Jennifer Lynne Eldridge of Benton, IL, Catherine Caraker of Fenton, MO, Coleen Queen of Fenton, MO; one grandson, Timothy Steven Eldridge of Troy, IL; six great-grandsons, Trevor Loren Owens of Herrin, IL, Cameron Wilson, Brandon Boner of Benton, IL, Dustin Boner of Benton, IL, Bret Hawkins of Sikeston, MO, Dillon Nave of Sokeston, MO; four great-granddaughters, Courtney Piercy, Lacey King of Sikeston, MO, Page Roger of Sikeston, MO, Morghan Taylor Eldridge, NC; two great-great-Grandsons, Bentley Patton of Sesser, IL, Austin Wright of Sesser, IL; one great-great-granddaughter, Courtney Patton of Sesser, IL; one sister, Joann Pontious of Vandalia, IL; and one niece, Jan Meyers; .

He was preceded in death by wife, Dorothy “Jean” Caraker; one daughter, Sharon Kay Piercy; one granddaughter, Wendy Kay Piercy; parents, Charles and Vivian Caraker, one brother, Kenneth Caraker, one great-grandson, Jacob Boner and one great-granddaughter, Cassandra Eldridge.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main St., Benton, IL.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL, with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the United States Navy Honors Team.

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