Mary Denise Gobtop, 70, of McLeansboro, passed away on Saturday April 16, 2022.

She was born on April 12, 1952 in Pearl River, NY to James and Francis (Oisher) Alexander. She married Randall Joe Gobtop on May 17, 1975.

She is survived by her husband Randall Gobtop of McLeansboro; children Douglas (Stephanie) Suhr of Roscoe, IL, Jawn (Dwaine) Warren of Chaffee, MO and Laura (Carlos) Suarez of McLeansboro; grandchildren Hannah Suhr, Keegan Suhr, Catelyn Suhr, Aiden Suhr, Charles Wehnes, James Gobtop, Garrett Warren, Ronnie Suarez and Carlos Suarez; two great grandchildren and one sister Geneva Cramer of Ewing, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Starr Alexander, six brothers William Alexander, Robert Alexander, James Alexander, John Alexander, Gerald “Harry” Alexander and Thomas Alexander and two sisters Rita Reed and Karol Rand.

Funeral services will be on Saturday April 23, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Friday April 22, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

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

Timothy “Tim” Lee Curwick Sr., 57, of Benton, passed away at 5:29 p.m., on Wednesday, April 14, 2022, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on December 4, 1964, to Donald and Ilene (Howell) Curwick in Kankakee, IL. Tim worked in the construction industry as a roofer. He married Jacqueline Cutter and she survives.

Tim is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, three sons, Richard (Stephaine) Hammonds, Timothy Lee Curwick, Jr. and Donald (Brielle) Curwick; one daughter, Samantha (Scott) Montoya; a brother, Steven Vogler; four sisters, Leane Sizemore, Jill Braden, Beth Donavan and Christina Cook; many grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Sr. and Ilene Curwick, his first wife who was the love of his life, Tina Curwick, a brother, Donald Curwick and a sister, Mariane Key.

Tim enjoyed game night with his siblings. FaceTiming his Princess (Mckenzie). Family gatherings and bon fires. Spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home in Benton.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton with the Pastor Jesse Hinds, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials to be made to Pate Funeral Home to assist with funeral costs.

Wendell Ethan Bowlin, 98, of Sesser, passed away on Tuesday April 12, 2022 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

He was born on September 25, 1923 in Christopher to Alva and Sybil (Johnson) Bowlin. He married Doris (Evilsizer) on July 3, 1946 and she preceded him in death on August 10, 2003.

He is survived by his children Relda (Sam) Guthrie of Edgewood, Kenneth (Mary Lou) Bowlin of Sesser, Gary (Jaxine) Bowlin of Sesser and Brian (Malynda) Bowlin of Valier; one son-in-law Lee Ford of Columbia City, IN; 13 Grandchildren; 22 Great Grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one daughter Cheryl Ford, five sisters and six brothers.

He was the owner and operator of Bowlin’s Foodland in Sesser, he also loved to hunt, fish and trap. He was a member of the Apostolic Church in Sesser. He also served in the United States Air Force during World War II and was a Nose Gunner in a B-24 Airplane.

Funeral services will be on Friday April 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Ronald Dwight Huie, 87, of Christopher, passed away on April 6, 2022 at his home.

He was born on January 13, 1935 in Sesser, IL to Meredith and Mary (Jolley) Huie. He married Elaine (Slaviero) Huie on August 4, 1957.

He is survived by his wife Elaine Huie of Christopher; his children John (Jean) Huie of Benton and Ronnell (Mike) Karoski of West Frankfort; grandchildren Garrett Karoski of Chicago, Courtney (Bryan) Thomas of Mulkeytown and Tyler (Haley Ing) Huie of Christopher; great grandchildren Tripp Tyler Thomas and Teagan Grace Thomas; one sister Jean (Vic) Kretz of Christopher; sister-in-law Mary Ann Huie of Christopher and one brother-in-law Ronald (Vicki) Slaviero and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters Ilah Winn, Mable Page and Metzie Ward, two brothers James Huie and Charles Huie and his Father-in-law and Mother-in-law John and Olga Slaviero.

Funeral services will be on Monday April 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday April 10, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the donor’s choice. Envelopes will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Garey Dysart McKee, age 84, of Benton, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 3:36 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 11,2022 at the First Baptist Church of Benton, with Rev. Jim Jenkel officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Benton, Illinois.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Garey was born on April 27, 1937, in Columbia, Missouri; the son of Albert F. McKee and Helen (Shackleford) McKee. He first married the former Anita Cecilia Dickson on February 2, 1957, together they shared 34 years of marriage until she preceded him in death on March 13, 1991. He would later marry Dora McCalla in 1993 and she preceded him in death in 2001. On May 25, 2002, he married the former Sharon (West) Parkhill; together they were married for 18 years until her death on February 18, 2020.

Garey served his country in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1963, stationed in Baltimore, Maryland.
He completed his college education and received a master’s degree in history from the University of Delaware.
He retired from General Motors Company where he last worked as a purchasing agent in the Northeast United States. Garey was also a former Archeologist.

He was an active member, Deacon, and Sunday School Teacher at the First Baptist Church of Benton. He loved his church and church family.
Garey also enjoyed archeology, geology, genealogy, history, carpentry work, gardening and doing anything outdoors pertaining to yard work. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with family.

Surviving are his four children: Heathir McKee of Enumclaw, Washington, Dierdre McKee of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jason McKee of Townsend, Delaware, and Garey McKee of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Sherry’s two children: Danny Parkhill and wife Tammy of Benton, Jennifer Keener and husband Jeff of Benton; grandchildren: Jeffrey Donahe, Anita Donahe, Sean Moran, Nathan Davis, Dustin Parkhill, Brandy Trogolo, Andy Johnson; great-grandchildren: Serenity Parkhill, Adrien Parkhill, Kennedy Parkhill, Brecken Johnson, Forrest Johnson, Hattie Parkhill, Brooklyn Parkhill, Avey Parkhill, Carley Schmidt, Megan Davis and Tobias Davis; a step-brother Donald Cunningham of Booneville, Missouri.

Mr. McKee was preceded in death by his parents; three wives; and a sister Dorothy Tracy.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Benton, 201 South Main Street, Benton, Illinois 62812; and will be accepted at the services, or can be mailed to Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Garey, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Frank H. Wehmeyer, 78, of Thompsonville, passed away at 9:25 p.m., on Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Liberty Village of Marion, in Marion, IL, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on July 6, 1943, to Frank and Elanor (Boschert) Wehmeyer in St Charles, MO. Frank worked as a Coal Miner for Old Ben Coal Company, and he retirement from Arch Coal Company. He married Joan Ryan and she preceded him in death on July 25, 2018.

Frank is survived by his two sons, Frank D. Wehmeyer and Aaron Wehmeyer; two step-daughters, Michelle Manalang- Kahler and Karen Stark; two step-sons, Patrick Manalang and Kevin Manalang; four grandchildren, Cody Martin, Dylan Wehmeyer, Wyatt Martin and Samuel Wehmeyer; five step-grandchildren, Hayden Richardson, Landon Richardson, Remington Kahler, Wednesday Manalang and Case Manalang; three sisters, Marilyn Perkins, Christine Wehmeyer and Michelle Kaspari ; and one brother, Roger Wehmeyer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank F. and Elanor Wehmeyer, wife, Joan Wehmeyer and two sisters, Joanne McCarthy and Barbara Garde.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main St., Benton, IL.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, West Frankfort, IL., with Father Rev. Eusebius Mbidoaka, Ph.D., S.T.D., officiating services.

Burial will follow Services at St. John Catholic Cemetery, West Frankfort, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, West Frankfort, IL.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.