Patricia Brown, 88, of Mulkeytown, passed away on August 28, 2022 at her home.

She was born on March 29, 1934 in Vincennes, IN to George Frank and Ruth Ann (Matheson) Duckworth. She married Arthur Brown on September 27, 1952 and he preceded her in death on August 19, 2020.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Nancy Brown on Poplar Grove, IL and one granddaughter Nicolette Musial of Rockford, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons Raymon Anthony Brown and Warren Douglas Brown and 14 brothers and sisters.

Her wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

Donna June Pitts, 82, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday August 27, 2022 at her home.

She was born on December 16, 1939 in Sesser, IL to Loren and Florence (Norris) Edwards. She married Homer Pitts and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Vickie (Martin) Lewis of Brookwood, AL and James (Denise) Wells of Waldorf, MD; grandchildren Jamie Winemiller, Crystal Edmondson, Derrick Lewis, Shannon Kelley, Shelby Wells and Skylar Wells.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Matthew Pitts and two brothers Bob Edwards and Beverly Edwards.

She was a beautician and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sesser.

Funeral services will be on Saturday September 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Friday September 2, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Brian Keith Taylor, age 60, of Whittington, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2022, at his home.

Brian was born on April 20, 1962, in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Kenneth Dale Taylor and Joyce Elaine (Kuykendall) Taylor.

He worked as a construction supervisor for Beck-Pollitzer, out of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Brian enjoyed working, the outdoors, riding his side-by-side and being on the water.
Surviving is his soulmate and companion of 15 years, Kathy Allen of Whittington, Illinois; two sons: Keith Taylor and girlfriend Crystal Dawson of Herrin, Illinois, Brian Adem Taylor of Kenai, Alaska; two grandchildren: Tay-Lyn Taylor and Keiara Taylor; a sister Beth Leber of Carbondale, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions, in memory of Brian, may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (https://mymsaa.org)
Mr. Taylor’s wishes are to be cremated.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Brian, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Larry Dean Flowers, of Thompsonville, Illinois passed away at his home, on August 22, 2022 from complications of cancer.

He was born May 23, 1962 to Gene and Jane Ellen Flowers of Christopher, and had a twin brother, Gary, who survives, as well as an older brother, David Flowers, and a sister, Paula Flowers Cox, all of Christopher, Illinois. Larry has two surviving children. Melody Kebodeaux Haller of Staunton, Illinois and Larry Flowers, Jr, of Christopher, Illinois and leaves six grandchildren, Layla, Jacoby, Lillieanne, Cash, Laney and Brody. He had two step-children, Devon Webb of Benton, Illinois and Corey Newcomb, of Whittington, Illinois, as well as six step-grandchildren.

He was married to Paula (Newcomb) Flowers, at the time of his passing, who survives, and also formerly married to Josie Dominick.
Larry was a correctional officer and a private investigator. He was an avid hunter, and loved being at his home at Rural Hill. He loved terriers, fried rabbit, Colt pistols and old westerns. He was a loyal and unshakeable friend to those he cared about.

Funeral services for Larry Dean Flowers will be held at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 1:30 P.M., with Pastor Jason Todd officiating with a visitation commencing at 11:00 A.M., with burial at Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery, in Benton, Illinois. A celebration dinner for Larry will be held at the Christopher Catholic Church Hall in Christopher, Illinois, after the service, and all are invited.

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

Mary Catherine Doty, age 69, of Benton, passed away at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Mary Catherine was born on January 22, 1953 in East St.Louis, Illinois; the daughter of Oliver Doty and Mary Elizabeth (Thies) Doty.
She was a retired LPN, last working for Monroe County Nursing Home in Waterloo, Illinois, and was a member of the United Church of Christ in Waterloo.

Mary enjoyed playing games on her phone and computer, attending her grandchildren’s events, playing cards, and spending time with her family.

Surviving is her loving daughter Sarah Miner and husband Kenneth of Benton, IL; six grandchildren: Devan Miner and wife Lindsey of Johnston City, IL, Seth Miner and Adam Baker of New Burn, NC, Tyler Butler of Oakland City, IN, Wesley Miles of Benton, IL, Madeleine Miles of Benton, IL, Addison Miles of Benton, IL; five great-grandchildren: Josie, Adrianna, Major, Ilanna, and Isaiah; a brother Louis “Butch” Doty and wife Beverly of Waterloo, IL, a brother-in-law Larry Kaburick of Carlinville, IL; her cat Sam; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Elizabeth Kaburick, a sister Ruth Brethauer and husband Michael.
Her wishes are to be cremated.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mary Catherine, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Robert Dennis Wiseman, age 78, of Benton, a former resident of Carrier Mills, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Monday, August 22, 2022, at the Benton Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Robert was born on July 29, 1944, in St. Louis, Missouri; the son of Robert Leslie Wiseman and Marie (Gorham) Wiseman. He married the former Jean Evelyn Phillips on November 6, 1965, and she survives.

Mr. Wiseman was a retired District Service Manager for several auto companies. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. And he was of the Catholic faith.

Bob enjoyed gardening, running, and being around animals, especially his show dogs.
Surviving is his loving wife of 56 years, Jean Evelyn Wiseman of Benton, IL; siblings: Terry Wiseman and wife Dorene of La Quinta, CA, Mike
Wiseman and life partner Barb, of St. Peters, MO, Karen Aulph and husband Donald of Melville, MO; and several nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Wiseman’s wishes are to be cremated.

Inurnment services with military honors, will be held at a future date at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Robert, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Scott Paul Osteen, age 59, of Thompsonville, passed away Thursday, August 18, 2022, at his home.

Scott was born on February 3, 1963, in Benton, Illinois, the son of James Paul Osteen and Barbara Ann (Dasher) Osteen.

He was a former machinist, having last worked for Special Mine Services of West Frankfort.

Scott enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving are two daughters: Kasey Nicole Woodrow and husband Josh of Akin, IL, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Hogue and husband Geoffrey of Washington D.C.; his parents: James Paul and Barbara Ann Osteen of West Frankfort, IL; three grandchildren: Nora Mae Osteen, Sawyer Owen Hogue, Clay Mitchell Hogue; two brothers: Brandon Lee Osteen and James Eric Osteen, both of Thompsonville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: James Noble and Nora Frances Osteen; and his maternal grandparents: Arthur and Leona Dasher.

Mr. Osteen’s wishes are to be cremated with no public services.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Scott, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com