Benton, IL – Ethel Carmen (Smith) Browning, age 86, July 16, 1936 – November 17, 2022. Loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend peacefully passed away at 9:50 PM in Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

She was born to Fred and Ethel (Morgan) Smith, Benton, IL. She was raised by her grandmother, Pairnasy Missouri (McCurry) Morgan. She married Barney Kirby Browning on June 18, 1960, and they shared 62 wonderful years of marriage. He preceded her in death on October 10, 2022.

Carmen and her brother Gordon were raised by their grandmother in a home on 7th Street in Benton, purchased by her Uncles, John and Dewey Morgan. She attended Douglas School and Webster Jr. High in the 1940’s and Benton High School in the early 1950’s. During her high school years, little did she know at the time that her high school English teacher would later become her husband, Kirby.
Carmen was a giving and caring soul. She was kindhearted and gave love and support to her family and friends. She was a lover of animals as she raised and rescued many dogs, cats, and a groundhog named Woody. Carmen worked at Simmons’s Drug Store on the Benton square and Lampley Electronics in the 1950’s. She worked in the court house for her father-in-law, Barney Browning, when he was the Franklin County Sheriff in the early 1970’s. She transported ladies to dialysis treatments, delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly, and taught many a child swimming lessons. She was a Christian, a Sunday school teacher, and she shared the love, beliefs, and devotion of God with her husband, children, grandchildren, family, and friends.

Carmen was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Carmen had a love for Kirby that was so special. She would give him a funny look when he told his tall-tales and half-truths to make everybody laugh, but she always believed everything he said. Carmen met Kirby on the Benton square in 1959 while cruising with her friend. Carmen told her grandmother that she had a date with the sheriff’s son. Her grandmother told her that he would be a “good catch” and was so thrilled that she helped Carmen dress for her first date, which was watching the Browning pond being dug on the family farm. Carmen and Kirby were married the next year at the First Christian Church in Benton, IL and they shared 62 wonderful years of marriage together.

Carmen shared her love of swimming with her children, Bryan and Lisa, and they would often be found at the Browning family pond, on a hot summer day, enjoying floating on rafts and swimming and diving from the dock. She was always up on the latest fashions. She loved to shop and took pride in helping her granddaughter to develop the skill. Carmen enjoyed her time with her children and grandchildren, introducing them to 50’s and 60’s music by playing albums on the record player and by telling many a ghost story. Carmen loved listening to her talented son and grandsons play and sing music to her. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren for their successes, and she looked forward to their visits.

Carmen is survived by her son Bryan Browning; daughter Lisa (Browning) Brown; six grandchildren: Kelsea (Cory) Peacock, Jonathan (Ashley) Brown, Brandtlee Brown, Matthew Browning, Elissa Brown, Will Browning; one great granddaughter: Lily Pigg; four sister-in-laws: Mary Lou Shelton, Carolyn Upchurch, Sue (Jim) Wells, Becky Mandrell; two brothers-in-laws: Donald Browning, Joe (Evelyn) Browning; a special cousin: Faye (Morgan) Huffman (C.E.); and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kirby Browning; her parents, Fred and Ethel (Morgan) Smith; her grandmother, Pairnasy Missouri (McCurry) Morgan; two brothers: Joseph Windham, Fred Gordon Smith; three brother-in-laws: Kenneth Browning, Jack Shelton, Brad Mandrell; three sister-in-laws: Joyce Smith, Nancy Browning, Jean Browning.
She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends who benefited from her kind heart and giving soul. Her faith and love in God, Jesus Christ, and her family were her strength.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Tuesday, November 22nd with funeral services following at 1:00 PM at First Christian Church, 302 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the First Christian Church, Benton, IL.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Darrell Gene Barlow, age 64, of Benton, passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at his home.

A Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 21, 2022, at the Jackson Grove Cemetery, with Pastor Phillip Kennedy officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Darrell was born on October 26, 1958 in Benton, Illinois; the son of Hubert Barlow and Juanita (Summers) Barlow.

He enjoyed hunting, watching the news on the television, drinking iced tea, hanging out with his friends; but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Darrell is survived by his loving mother Juanita Barlow of Thompsonville; two daughters: Tiffany Blankenship of Logan, Shannon Baker of Herrin; five grandchildren: Marshall Norris, Morgan Norris, Jamee Cole, Payton Blankenship, Cami Roberts; a brother Bennie Barlow of Benton; a niece Megan Spetter and husband Jordan of Ewing.

He was preceded in death by his father and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

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

Betty DuRietz, age 81, of Waltonville IL died Sunday morning November 13th 2022 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon Il.

Betty was born on December 17th 1940 in Elgin IL. She was the daughter of Alma and Joseph Neal. She was married to her husband, Henry George DuRietz, on August 23rd 1958. They enjoyed 49 years of marriage. Betty was a member of First Baptist Church of Sesser. Betty also retired from the Waltonville Postal Service.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents, her husband Henry, and her sister Carol Lee Smith.

Betty is survived by her sister Shirley Lohorn, brother Brian and wife Marilynn Neal; her children Linda Morgan and husband Tim, Dinah Tepovich and husband Randy, Luke DuRietz and wife Tammy; along with grandchildren Sierra Hanus, Justin Tepovich, Roger Schindelar, Malissa Piilani, Katie Bilodeau, Alex DuRietz, Jacob DuRietz; and 14 great grandchildren. Along with nieces and nephews.

Betty was well known for her cheerful whistle. She loved spending time with family, friends and her little dog, Emma. Going out to eat and visit with her dear friends was something she always looked forward to. Betty had a love for working in her flower beds and enjoying beautiful flowers.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday November 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Shane Piilani officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM.

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

Roy Max Merkel, 82, of Tamaroa, passed away on Sunday November 13, 2022 at the Pinckneyville Community Hospital.

He was born on February 17, 1940 in Sesser, IL to Russell James and Nighta Jewell (Murry) Merkel. He married Sharon (Hutton) Merkel on November 22, 1982.

He survived by his wife Sharon Merkel of Tamaroa; one son Chris Alan (Donna) Merkel of Janesville, IL; Granddaughter Bailee Mae Merkel of Pensacola, FL; daughter-in-law Emilie Wall of Altamont, IL; one sister Betty Jean Rawlish of Coal City, IL and one brother Lynn Ray (Myrthel) Merkel of Helena, Montana.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Clinton Lee Merkel, two sisters Hazel Plata and Linda Sue Merkel and one brother Russell Dwane Merkel.

Graveside services will be on Friday November 18, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Braceville-Gardner Cemetery in Braceville, IL. Visitation will be on Wednesday November 16, 2022 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser and on Friday November 18, 2022 at Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Coal City, IL.

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

Cynthia L. Aiken, 83, of Benton, passed away at 9:40 p.m., on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Creve Couer, MO.

She was born on November 19, 1938, to Harold and Veneta (Paige) Prowell in Evansville, IN. On February 23, 1957 she married Ronald D. Aiken, and he preceded her in death on October 18, 2007.

She was a member of the First Christian Church in Benton.

Cynthia was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She absolutely loved working in her yard and her dog companion, Lucy. She also enjoyed reading.

Cynthia is survived by her two daughters, Marsha Kay Whitaker and husband, Randle of Valley Park, MO and Lisa Lynn Turner of McKinney, TX; five grandchildren, Lisa Chesnut and her husband Charles, Rene’ Brinkman and her husband Travis, Joshua McCallum and his wife Krista, Ronni Whitaker and Danielle McAndrew and her significant other, Steve Dallas and seven great-grandchildren, Haley, Jackson, Sophia, Keaton, Chad, John and Hilary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Veneta Prowell, her husband, Ronald D. Aiken and her sister, Janice Simpson.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Pastor Charles Chesnut, officiating. Following the service, burial of ashes at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Fellowship Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Larry Keith Woodland, age 77, of Sesser, Illinois, passed away November 5, 2022, surrounded by family.

He graduated Benton High School in 1963. Soon after, he enlisted with the National Guard, followed by a 32-year career as a coal miner for Freeman Coal. During his coal mining career, he and his wife, Verna, opened Woodland’s Furniture and Paint in Sesser, and an HVAC service company.

He had many interests and was gifted with a vast array of knowledge and skills. Early in his life, he spent many hours in the garage learning and working with his dad on anything that had a motor. He later developed his expertise in welding, electricity, diesel engine repair, HVAC, fabrication, and woodworking. He was always eager to help, and his generosity knew no boundaries.

He will be missed by his wife Verna Mae, and children Renee (Eric) Volkmann, Leigh Anne (Scott) Bailey, Amanda (Chad Duckwiler/Mark Pace) Pace, Aaron Woodland; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, brothers Dan (Marianna) Woodland and Dave (Susan) Woodland. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Helen Woodland, and nephew Matthew Woodland.

Funeral services for Larry will be on Wednesday November 9, 2022 at 1 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Rev. Ernie Lewis officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Carolyn “Susie” Rogers, 87, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday November 5, 2022 at Fairview Nursing Home in DuQuoin.

She was born on October 30, 1935 in Jefferson County, IL to Marion and Helen (Hamilton) Newell. She married Buddy Earl Rogers on July 1, 1955 and he preceded her in death on May 14, 1997.

She is survived by one daughter Mary Jane (Terry) Witcher of Mulkeytown; two sons David (Diana) Rogers of Sesser and Mark (Meredith) Rogers of Sesser; grandchildren Ashley Rogers, Michelle (Witcher) (Thad) Snell, Allison Rogers and Cole Rogers; great grandchildren Jenesys Jackson, Jada Jackson, Chance Whitehead, Grady Snell and Lynlee Snell; two sisters Marianne Lovin of Mt Vernon and Areta Phillips of Arizona; one sister-in-law Patty Kerley of Marion and several nieces and nephews.

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

Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the joy of her life.

She farmed along with her husband till after his passing. She then spent many years traveling on tour buses meeting and making many new friends along the way. She was very proud of the fact she had traveled to every state except Alaska and Hawaii.

Funeral services for Susie will be on Tuesday November 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Shannon Bopp officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Horse Praire Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser Public Library and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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