Annitta Dean McCormick, age 68, of West Frankfort, passed away at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the Herrin Hospital.

Annitta was born on June 11, 1954, in Herrin, the daughter of Loren Wayne LeVault and Deloris (Tittle) LeVault.
She was a former bookkeeper and hairdresser. While living in Scheller, Illinois, she owned and operated AMC Hair Repair Hair Salon and Tanning.

Annitta enjoyed traveling with her sisters, doing crafts, and making Christmas ornaments. She also enjoyed cake baking and decorating and collecting Coca-Cola items. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving are her three sons: Charles “Chuck” McCormick of St. Louis, Missouri, Robert McCormick and wife Leah of Rapid City, South Dakota, Cameron McCormick and wife Jennifer of North Smithfield, Rhode Island; seven grandchildren: Charlee K. McCormick, Hannah West and husband Eric, Elizabeth McCormick all of St. Louis, Missouri, Faith McCormick, Evan McCormick both of Rapid City, South Dakota, Stella McCormick, Abigail McCormick both of North Smithfield, Rhode Island; her father Wayne LeVault of West Frankfort, Illinois; two sisters: Janee Kash of West City, Illinois, Darla Sloan and husband Jim of West Frankfort, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Deloris LeVault ( October 29, 2012); and a brother Lloyd Wayne LeVault (December 31, 2016).
A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2022, with Pastor Kirk Packer officiating at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

Kay Francis Bullock, 79, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Wednesday December 14, 2022 at her home.

She was born October 29, 1943 in Akin, IL to Newman and Zelma (Whitlow) Haithcoat. She married John O. Bullock on June 30, 1989 and he survives of Mulkeytown.

She is also survived by her children Rodney Potts and special friend Carey of Carterville, John Thomas (Mary) Bullock of Royalton, Cindy (Greg) Webb of Mulkeytown, Pamela Bullock of Royalton and Sherry (Chad) Risley of Sesser; grandchildren Heather (Jamie) Anderson, Bridgette Ingersoll, Bryson (Alexa) Potts, Joshua Bullock, Sydney (Cole) Naseman, Samantha (Jacob) Polzin, Brianna (Josh) Wilson and Dalton Risley and several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and one brother Haskel Haithcoat of Akin.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother James Haithcoat.

A Memorial Service for Kay will be held on Saturday December 17, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the West Franklin Historical District and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Rebecca Lou Hutchcraft, 75, of Macedonia, IL passed away December 9, 2022 at the Herrin Hospital.

Rebecca was born in McLeansboro, IL on October 22, 1947 the daughter of Harold & Juanita (Boster) Robertson.

She married Donald Hutchcraft on December 16, 1967.

Mrs. Hutchcraft is survived by her:
Husband of 54 years: Donald Hutchcraft of Macedonia
Son: Robbie Hutchcraft of Macedonia
Mother: Juanita Robertson of McLeansboro
Sister: Linda Ritchason & husband Marvin of Round Rock, TX
Niece: Lynn Ann Linhart & husband Larry of Lexington, Missouri
Niece: Shelly Ritchason of Round Rock, TX
Nephew: Jeff Wilkerson & wife Kandi of Thompsonville, and their children-Austin, Liliana, Kylea & Sawyer
Brother-in-law & Sister-in-law: Paul & Phyllis Miller of Thompsonville, IL
Cousin: Sid Kramp & wife Linda of Riverton, IL
Adopted Family: Clint & Susan Mosby of McLeansboro, IL
Grankids: Kelly & Cole Mosby of McLeansboro, IL
Her cat: Scooby Doo

Mrs. Hutchcraft was preceded in death by her father, Harold Robertson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, December 13th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Jake Gray officiating. Burial will be in the Macedonia Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday and after 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Norma Lurline Gulley, 92, of Christopher, IL went to be with the lord on Thursday December 8, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on October 5, 1930 in Coello, IL to Pleas and Mary (Yates) Bullock. She married David L. Gulley on March 29, 1952 and he preceded her in death on October 7, 1978.

She is survived by her children David L. Gulley II of Chicago, Don (Joni) Gulley of Marion, Gene (Kristin) Gulley of Salem and Deanna Curry of Christopher; grandchildren Megan (Cameron) Krones, Kaitlin (Reid) Najvar, David Little, Gage Gulley and Greyson Gulley; great grandchildren Haleigh, Chynah, William, Dash and Karsyn and one sister-in-law Leona Bullock of DuQuoin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers Spruel Bullock and Lionel Bullock.

She was a seamstress and had attended the First Christian Church of Christopher.

Funeral services for Norma will be on Thursday December 15, 2022 at 5:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Thursday from 2:00 PM until the time of the service at 5:00 PM. A private family burial at Maple Hill Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First Christian Church of Christopher or to the Coello Fire Department, envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Dorothy Virginia Cockrum, 86, of Benton passed away Saturday afternoon Dec. 3, 2022 in Benton.

She was born in Benton, IL on April 5, 1936, the daughter of William G. and Birdie Lee (Roberts) Smith.
She worked out of the Laborers Local 529, which is now Local 773 for many years on numerous construction jobs. She was a lifetime member and the oldest member of the Benton Eagles.

Dorothy is survived by her:

3 Daughters: Sheila Taylor, Tina Horn and Gina Renee Lane and husband Roger
7 Grandchildren: Ryan Taylor, Brandon Taylor, Angie Boldrey, Joey Cesar, Amy Rich, James Rich and Matthew Rich
several great-grandchildren
2 Stepsons: Gordon Ross Cockrum and Charles Edward “Chuck” Cockrum
3 Brothers: Jim Smith and wife Virginia, Gene Smith and Gary “Joe” Smith
4 Sisters: Geneva Smith, Jeannette Tasky, Nita Adams & Judy Ward and husband Mike

Several nieces and nephews

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, by sisters- Eunice Connor, Mary Hobbie, Sharon Heinrich, Jody Fotheringhame and Belenda Sue, by brothers- Dale, John Charles “Jake”, Zeke and Bob, and by a stepdaughter-Diane Merchant.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, December 9, 2022 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Paul Keller officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Roberta Joyce Barnfield, age 73, of Benton, passed away at 2:50 a.m. Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Aperion Care of Fairfield, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Mrs. Barnfield was born on December 12, 1948, in Thompsonville, Illinois, the daughter of Roy R. Piercy and Margaret (Absher) Piercy. She married Kenneth Eugene Barnfield on April 5, 1966, and he survives.

She formerly worked as a CNA, fiberglass and body repair at many of our former boat manufacturers, and she worked at Maytag until its closure.

Roberta enjoyed camping, fishing, cross-stitch, knitting, and crocheting. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and going on picnics and hiking with them at Garden of the Gods.

She was a member of New Life Church of God in Benton, where she enjoyed worshipping with her church family.

Surviving is her loving husband of 56 years, Kenneth Eugene Barnfield, Sr.; three children: Michelle Elaine Shurtz of Marion, Illinois, Cindy Ann Schmechel of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Kenneth Eugene Barnfield, Jr. of McLeansboro, Illinois; two granddaughters: Taylor Lenae Koch of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Chelsea Renae Smith of McLeansboro, Illinois; five great-grandchildren: Rylen, Walker, Charli, Vedder and Presley; siblings: Roy Russell Piercy of Sikeston, Missouri, Randy Piercy and wife Margaret of Soperton, Georgia, Leslie Piercy and wife Barb of Marion, Illinois, Garry Piercy and wife Dianna of Benton, Illinois, Pam Barwick and husband John of Marion, Illinois; two sisters-in-law: Sharon Piercy of Benton, Diane Piercy of Marion, Illinois; several nieces and nephews.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter Brittani Nichole Shurtz; a brother Dennis Piercy; maternal grandmother Una Absher; paternal grandparents: Nathan and Dolly Piercy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Life Church of God and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

John Daniel Stelle, 74, of Waverly, OH, passed away on Tuesday November 29, 2022 at Chillicothe VA Medical Center.

He was born on January 29, 1948 in Christopher to Ben and Lenora (Armstrong) Stelle. He married Linda Stelle and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by his children Danielle Jean (Brian) Bailey of Evansville, IN and Steven (Traci) Stelle of Oklahoma; step-daughters Christina Williams of Johnston City, IL, Anna Carter of West Frankfort, IL and Sheila Clark of Benton; grandchildren Caden Bailey, Kirsten Bailey, Dakota Jones, Cage Stelle and Reven Stelle; one sister Betty (Donnie) Stroud of Waverly, OH and one brother Tom (Julie) Stelle of Mattoon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Susan Morgan and one sister Margaret Stelle.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday December 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

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

Gladys Eulene (Green) Wright, age 80
October 27, 1942 – November 29, 2022
Loving wife, mother, sister, Granny, and friend peacefully passed away at home after a long battle with cancer. She was born to Lester and Dora (Creech) Green in Blair, KY. She married James Wright on July 26, 1960 and shared 62 wonderful years of marriage.

Eulene loved all of God’s creation including the company of friends, being outside, and tending many gardens. She enjoyed being with her grandkids and great-grandchildren. She was the best Granny ever. She was a member of Ina Missionary Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband James Wright of Whittington, IL. Children Jennifer Bjorlin (Dugan) Becker, MN, James Lee Wright (Gina) Kalispell, MT, Cynthia Wright, Sesser, IL, Teresa Thompson, Whittington, IL.

Grandchildren Tiffany Baune (Jason), Samantha Swofford, Joshua Bjorlin (Dani), Tyler Thompson, Shane Swofford, Makala Bishop (Caleb). Step grandchildren Max, Alex, Nicholas, and Sophia Sulzbacher. Great grandchildren Nevaeh, Brynlee, and Nolan Baune, Noah Wright, Lucy and Leo Bjorlin, and Briggston Bishop.

Sister Betty Tackett (Arnold) Marion, OH
Brother-in-law Martin Wright Jr. Dearborn Heights, MI
Sister-in-law Vickie Moore (Birchell) Howe, IN
In-laws Judy Kirk (Charlie)
Many nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents Lester and Dora Green, brothers Tom Green, Jimmy Green, Eugene Green and baby brother Green.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 3rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday and from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com