Vivian Laureta (Wilson) Lewis arrived on this earth December 19, 1932 and died February 8, 2022 at Greentree of Mt. Vernon, Illinois surrounded by her family.

Born to the late Laura (nee Neibel) and Howard Wilson, she was the second of four children She grew up in Rural Bonnie, Illinois. Kenneth Lewis and she were married in Arkansas in 1950. They celebrated 71 years of marriage last June 18.

Vivian loved Jesus and her family. Having accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when she was 18, she was a long time member of Valier First Baptist Church. Often she could be found in the church nursery where she served for many years, loving other babies, as well as her own. A faithful member of the choir, she loved singing. She also enjoyed leading Bible studies. She and Kenny faithfully entertained the senior each fall with a wiener roast.

Her working career included the garment factories of DuQuoin, Pinckneyville, and Sesser where she served a term as a union official. After she retired, she worked at Wal-Mart in Benton, Illinois for 10 years.

Vivian is survived by her husband, Kenneth, as well as her sons; Roger (Frances) of Ozark, Missouri; Steve (Tricia) of Pinckneyville, Illinois; Terry (Cheryl) of Sesser, Illinois, and David (Debi) of DuQuoin, Illinois. She is also survived by her grandchildren Angela Hester, Becky Halloran, Crystal Jones, Jennifer Norris, Brian Lewis, Laura Alte, Kelly Marden, Alison Wiswasser, Kristi Dinges, Kenneth (Kent) Lewis, Nathan Dinges, Tarah Davis, and Adam Lewis. She is survived by 30 great-grandchildren. Two brothers, Art (Pat) Wilson of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and Edward Wilson, Sr. (Jane) of Rootstown, Ohio, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Doris Rigby, and one son Kendall Lewis.

Friends and family may call Friday, February 11, 2022 from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Valier First Baptist Church, with service to follow immediately at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Horse Prairie Cemetery, Sesser, Illinois. Memorials may be sent to Valier First Baptist Church, 212 W. Main St., Valier, IL 62891.

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

Tracy Ann Brooks, age 52, of Carbondale, passed away at 11:10 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022, at her home.
Tracy’s wishes are to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Tracy Ann Brooks was born on December 7, 1969, in Champaign, Illinois; the daughter of Carl Chapman and Ann (Tucker) Chapman.

She formerly worked as a secretary with Terminix.

Tracy enjoyed traveling and going to Disney World, walking her dog, watching television, and surfing the internet.
Surviving is her son Josh Brooks of Ewing, Illinois; a grandson Josh Brooks, Jr. of Ewing, Illinois; a brother James K. Chapman of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Bill Chapman.
Memorial contributions in memory of Tracy Ann Brooks, may be made to her grandson Josh Brooks, Jr. and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

Mary Lou Thomas, age 77, of Benton, IL gained her heavenly wings on February 5, 2022, peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family holding the hand of her daughter, Tera Keller, son, Todd Thomas, husband, Terry Thomas and sister, Sandra Long.

She was born June 9, 1944, in Benton to Hazel (Rea) and Troy Chance. She married her childhood love, Terry Thomas in March of 1963.

Mary Lou was the most beautiful, loving, genuine and caring person and she will be dearly missed by all. She was a dedicated mother, first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as Nana. She loved spending time, especially outdoors, with her five grandchildren and attending their many sporting events. She also had a love for fishing, picnics, horseback riding and golfing.

Mary Lou’s hands were always busy, whether it was planting flowers, quilting, making delicious pies, sewing, home decorating, cooking for her family, friends and church or doing general home repairs. She was a master at everything she touched.

She was a member of the Benton Garden Club and the Franklin County Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed her monthly “Cards Club” group through the years who played few cards but loved to visit and eat well. She became a licensed cosmetologist from Mt. Vernon Beauty School in 1963, and she and her mother ran a beauty shop in her mother’s home for several years. She worked as a teller at Benton Community Bank, a secretary for the Superintendent at Benton Consolidated High School and a clerk at Jackie’s General Store in Benton.

She was an active member at Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton and always enjoyed her many friends and her beloved Sunday school class, the Son-Shine class. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all her heart. Her life was a living example of a favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 — “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

She loved vacationing with her family and her dear friend, Gloria. Her annual trip to Door County, Wisconsin with husband, Terry and sister, Sandra was very special, as she loved to pick cherries on each visit. Her grandchildren wanted Nana along on all trips, which included Montana, Cape Cod, Florida and South Carolina.

She is survived by her mother, Hazel Price, of Benton, her loving spouse of 58 years, Terry, her daughter, Tera Keller, son-in-law, Ryan, granddaughters, Courtney, Caroline and Carlianne Keller; her son, Todd Thomas and daughter-in-law, Michele, grandsons, Chase and Kyle Thomas; her sister, Sandra Long of Marion and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her father, Troy Chance, father and mother-in-law, Frank and Hazel Thomas, sister-in-law, Glenda Stiebel, brothers-in-law, Val Thomas, Gary Thomas, Jack Stiebel and Earl Long.

Mary Lou’s family would like to thank Immanuel Baptist Church and her Sunday School Son-Shine class and the many friends that brought food to their home. Also, a very special thanks to the very caring nurses at Hospice for the excellent care and compassion they provided during this difficult time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton at 516 N. Main St., Benton, IL.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., with the Reverend Ryan Casey officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton and to Benton High School Athletics.

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

Bobby Donald Dyel, 88, of Du Quoin, went to his Lord and Savior at 3:48 P.M., Saturday, February 5, 2022 at the SIH Herrin Hospital.

Bob, as he was known by everyone, was born on January 17, 1934 at Mt. Vernon, IL, the son of Otto and Inez (Severen) Dyel.

He married the love of his life, Carolyn Gardner on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1953 at Mt. Vernon, IL and she survives.

Bob worked in the grocery business his entire working career. Starting at Bracy’s in Mt. Vernon, while still a teenager, Bob worked in nearly every aspect of the grocery business. He worked as a salesman for Du Quoin Packing Company, a delivery man for Wonder Bread and as a meat cutter for Big Star in Mt. Vernon. In 1964, Bob’s life changed as he became a supervisor for the grocery store chain, Big John’s, headquartered in Carmi, IL. During his time with Big John’s, Bob was respected by employees and ownership both. Bob and Carolyn briefly owned and operated Dyel’s Red and White in Christopher, IL before selling and going to work for the Food Park grocery chain. The desire to own and operate his own store never left Bob and he returned to private ownership in 1984 by purchasing the Food Park in Du Quoin. Bob was joined in this venture by his wife Carolyn, son Mark and daughter Kristy. The family worked together for 18 years eventually owning stores in Benton and Vienna also. Working with his family on a daily basis was the highlight of Bob’s working career. In retirement, Bob stayed active serving as President of the Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce, President of the Optimist Club, and President of the Rotary Club. He served on the church council and personnel committee of the Du Quoin First United Methodist Church. His passion in his later years was working with the church’s Weekend Warrior Program, providing food for deserving school children on the weekend.

During Bob and Carolyn’s married life, they had the opportunity to travel extensively, visiting foreign countries Germany, Russia, Greece, Canada, Switzerland, China and Italy. Two of their special trips were to Finland and Spain, where they visited Mervi Bremmes and Itsey Haubek, two exchange students they hosted while those girls attended Du Quoin High School. Bob and Carolyn were avid SIU basketball fans, holding season tickets for over 30 years. Bob enjoyed fishing and gardening as well as working in his workshop. Never idle, Bob always had a project going.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years – Carolyn, son – Mark Dyel (Sheri), daughter – Kristy McMurray (Ronnie), grandchildren – Kasey Shurtz, Lesley Meadows, Shane Dyel, and Reid Dyel, great grandchildren – Paxton, Abram, and Sadie Shurtz, and Logan Meadows, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Bob in death were his parents and five siblings – Ann Marie, Carl, Max, Harry, and Mildred.
The family would like to thank the staff at Marshall Browning Hospital and Herrin Hospital for the love and care they showed during Bob’s illness and passing. They will never know how much they were appreciated for their kindness.

Memorial services will be at Noon, Friday, February 11, 2022 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. April Turner, Rev. Joe Wagner and Rev. Jim Endsley officiating.
Friends may call from 10 A.M. until the time of service on Friday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Please use social distancing guidelines. Everyone in attendance is required to wear a mask.
Friends may make memorials to the First United Methodist Church Weekend Warriors and will be accepted at the funeral home.

SERVICES

Rose Mary Millikan, age 56, of Benton, passed away at 5:22 p.m. Thursday, February 3, 2022, at the St. Louis University Hospital.
Rose Mary’s wishes are to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Rose Mary Millikan was born on November 26, 1965, in West Frankfort, Illinois; the daughter of Walter Armes and Margaret Ann (Mutchek) Armes.

She was a self-employed scrapper, and when she could, she attended the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton.
Rose Mary loved scrapping and helping people; but most of all, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Surviving are nine children: Nathan Alan Armes of West Frankfort, IL, Dustin Michael Millikan of Benton, Kevin Lee Millikan, Jr. and girlfriend Amelia Stegall of Bonne Terre, MO, Kane Lee Millikan and wife Brittany of Benton, IL, Brenton Cole Millikan and wife Sarah of Benton, IL, Shawna Ann Lane and husband Curtis of Benton, IL, Sadie Cheyenne Hite of Benton, IL, Heavenly Angel Hite of Benton, IL, Minnkota Presley Hite of Benton, IL; 21 grandchildren; her mother Margaret Ann Armes of Benton, IL; a brother Tony Ray Armes and wife Amanda of Washington, IN; her friend and companion Charles “Chuck” Wampler of Benton, IL; special close friend Veronica Younger and husband Danny of Benton, IL.

She was preceded in death by her father Walter Armes and a daughter Ashley Dawn Armes.
Memorial contributions in memory of Rose Mary, may be made to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, to assist the family with cremation expenses.

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