Betty Jo Furlow, 84, of Benton, IL gained her Heavenly Wings on Thursday, January 27, 2022, peacefully at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL, holding the hands of her loving son Adam and daughter-in-law Lisa.

Betty Jo was born June 25, 1937, to Maude and Gus Adams.

She was the most elegant, beautiful, classy woman with a heart of gold and will be dearly missed by all.

Betty Jo was married to Raymond Furlow for 62 wonderful years, and together, owned Raymond Furlow Excavating Business for over 50 years. She also took pride in her role as Benton City Treasurer for over 20 years. While raising her two boys, Betty returned to College at SIU and earned a degree in Social Welfare.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Benton. Where she played the organ for 50 years. She was also a member of the choir and praised God with her beautiful voice. Betty Jo was always helping those in need at the church or in the community.

Betty Jo and her family loved to take many road trips in the RV all around the US.

She is survived by her son Adam Furlow, daughter in law, Lisa Furlow, step grandson Quinten Bowen and his wife Jessica; her sister-in law Thelma Creamer nephews, Mike Arnold and Pat Arnold, nieces Debbie (Arnold) Hanson and Bonnie Arnold along with many great nieces and nephews.

Betty Jo was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Furlow and son Michael Furlow; sister Beverly Arnold and brother-in-law Jack Arnold, brother-in-law Mike Creamer.

Betty Jo’s family would like to thank the staff at SSM Health for the excellent care and compassion during her stay. Thank you to the two special angels Dawn and Abby for going above and beyond expectations during this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, 203 West Church Street, Benton, IL.

Funeral Services will follow the visitation at 1 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Jesse Hinds officiating services. Burial will follow funeral services at the Harrison Cemetery, Buckner, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Benton, IL, and the American Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences maybe expressed at www.patefh.com

Norma Jean Fleming, age 86, of Marion, Illinois, passed away Monday, January 24, 2022 at The Anchor in Marion, Illinois.

Norma was born November 10, 1935 in Thompsonville, Illinois, a daughter of Jeffie and Noma (Marvel) Biggs. She married Lindberg “Lindy” James Fleming on August 26, 1954 in Chester, IL. He preceded her in death October 30, 2015.

Norma grew up in Chester, Illinois and graduated Chester High School. She attended Rend Lake College and achieved a Nursing Degree. She worked as a Registered Nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Marion, and at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. She most recently worked at Bi-County Health Dept. in Home Health. Norma loved to sing and play the piano and put puzzles together. Her life revolved around her family and her faith. She loved her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She had been a member of Community Faith Church in Marion for 30 years.

She is survived by her two children, Teri L. (John) Murrow of Marion, IL and Kevin J. (Lanette) Fleming of West Frankfort, IL; and her nine Grandchildren, and fourteen Great Grandchildren. She is preceded in death by spouse Lindberg “Lindy” James Fleming, one daughter, Judy G. Summers; her parents, Jeffie and Noma Biggs; and one sister, Glenda Sue Garcia.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, from 6 PM – 7 PM at Whiteash Freewill Baptist in Whiteash, Illinois. Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 7 PM at Whiteash Freewill Baptist Church with Reverend Todd Greiner officiating. Inurnment will be at Mound City National Cemetery, in Mound City, Illinois at a later date. Blue Funeral Home in Marion is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Shawnee Alliance.

James William Kirkpatrick, 94, of Christopher, passed away on Thursday January 27, 2022 at Franklin Hospital in Benton.

He was born on July 17, 1927 in Christopher to Roy and Cecil (Horton) Kirkpatrick. He married Phyllis (Rowland) Kirkpatrick on December 2, 1951 and she preceded him in death on August 12, 2015.

He is survived by his children Debbie Kretz of Christopher, Mark Kirkpatrick of Jeffersonville, IN and Lisa Kirkpatrick of Grand Rapids, MI; grandchildren Wade Kretz, Kyle (Kim) Kretz, Merideth (Mark) Rodgers and Nick Sheridan; great grandchildren Tyson Kretz, Aiden Kretz, Kaylee Kretz, Jack Kretz, Sam Kretz and Cole Rodgers.

He was a member of the Valier First Baptist Church and was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He was also an avid St Louis Cardinals fan and was owner of Kirk’s Pharmacy in Christopher for 68 years.

Graveside services will be on Monday January 31, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Masonic & IOOF Cemetery in Benton with Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Burial will be at the Masonic & IOOF Cemetery in Benton.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Valier First Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available at the Cemetery or can be sent to the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

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

Randy Gutzler, 70, of Sesser, formerly of Mt Vernon, passed away on Thursday January 27, 2022 at his home.

He was born on November 14, 1951 in Mt Vernon to Walter and Norva (Balsober) Gutzler.

He is survived by his children Shane (Emily) Gutzler of Mt Vernon and Heath (Paula) Gutzler of Woodlawn; three grandchildren; and two sisters Jackie Chambliss of Bluford and Donna Dudley of Centralia.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Marilyn Bushong.

He was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the United States Army and was a carpenter by trade.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services. Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is assisting the family with arrangements.

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

Ronald Dean Newcomb, 87, of Ewing, IL passed away on Tuesday afternoon January 25, 2022 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Mr. Newcomb was born in Ina, IL on October 17, 1934, the son of Steve & Ortis (Page) Newcomb.
He married Evelyn (Sneed) Newcomb on October 28, 1955, and she preceded him in death on December 30, 2004.

Mr. Newcomb drove a truck all of his life, starting with a farm truck when he was young. He was a longtime member of Whittington Church and served as a Deacon for 34 years. Mr. Newcomb served 3 years in the U. S Army. He was an avid Christian, he loved his church and was the friendliest person you would ever meet.

Mr. Newcomb is survived by his:

4 Children:
Jeff Newcomb & his daughter Elizabeth
Brian Newcomb & wife Jo Ellen of Marion
Stephen Newcomb & wife Crystal of Benton
Ronda Yung & husband Mark of Tamaroa
Companion & Friend: Bonnie Marshall and her family

7 Grandchilden:
Devon Webb & Jerod Corn
Corey Newcomb & Dana Rone
Stephen Richmond
Alexis Newcomb
Aubrey Newcomb
Gavin Hartley
Ayden Newcomb

7 Great-Grandchildren

Mr. Newcomb was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 1 daughter, Donna Picklesimer, grandson-Dakota, 1 brother & sister-in-law-Walter & Rudell Newcomb and 1 niece-Patti Gilbreath.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, January 31st at the Whittington Church with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial with Military Rites will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday evening and from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Monday at the church.

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

Mary Alice Sims, age 79, of Benton; passed away at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, January 23, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Whittington.
Celebration of Life Services will be held, at a future date.

Cremation arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mary Alice was born on October 12, 1942, the daughter of Herman Jones and Ada Pearl (Kelley) Jones. She married Henry Edwin “Sunny” Sims on
September 2, 1962, and he preceded her in death on June 17, 2011.

She was well known throughout the community. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Having worked as a schoolteacher with Christopher Elementary School, a substitute teacher at Benton High School and Benton Grade School, Librarian at Rend Lake College, and formerly worked as a supervisor for homes with the Developedly Disabled.

Mary Alice enjoyed people, and this was shown through her dedication and involvement with the local Girl Scouts. She was a Gold Member of the Girl Scouts, and through dedication and involvement as a Girl Scout volunteer; she received the Girl Scouts Life-Time Achievement Award; of which she was immensely proud.

Before her health declined, she attended the Palestine Baptist Church, was an active member of the Franklin County Historical Society, former Board Member with the Benton Public Library.

Mary Alice enjoyed going to Celtic Festivals, Astrology, Genealogy, attending Active Day in Marion, and enjoyed flower gardening.
She is survived by a daughter Jennifer Sims and husband Jeff George of Whittington; a son Kelley Sims and wife Ginger Farmer-Sims of Christopher; two grandsons: Joshua George and Justin Wagoner; a brother G.W. Jones of Benton; and a niece Chy Ann Jones of Carterville.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a brother Paul Jones.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mary Alice Sims, may be made to the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.

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

Helen Starasta Mallory, 94, of Christopher, IL passed away on Sunday January 23, 2022.

She was born September 6, 1927, in Zeigler, Illinois, to Michael and Julia (Rapach) Starasta.

Mrs. Mallory was the 1945 Homecoming Queen of Christopher Community High School.

She had worked for the U.S. Treasury Department and was retired from the Christopher Public Library. She enjoyed reading, her state fair prize-winning crewel work, her flower garden and her rag doll collection.

She married Samuel Edgar “Red” Mallory on September 18, 1948. He preceded her in death on January 7, 1964.

She is survived by two daughters, Judith Mallory Carter of Christopher and Leah Joy (David G.) Stallman of Mulkeytown. She was the proud grandmother of Ryan Thomas (Amanda) Carter, Eric David (Bobbie) Stallman and Matthew Joseph (Stephanie) Stallman and great-grandmother of Catherine Joy Stallman and Ian Douglas Stallman.

Mrs. Mallory was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband, sisters Margaret Michalcik, Elizabeth Rebeschini and brother George Starasta.

There will be no public service per her wishes. Interment will be in Smith Cemetery in Buckner, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

Estelle Marie Radjenovich, age 89, passed away at 1:03 p.m. Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at the Westside Rehab Care Center of West Frankfort, IL.

Mrs. Radjenovich’s wishes are to be cremated.

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

Cremation arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Estelle was born on October 2, 1932, in Lemont, Illinois; the daughter of Floyd Radomski and Stella (Kwanski) Radomski. She married Robert Radjenovich in 1952, together they shared 47 years of marriage until his death in 1999.

She was a retired retail salesclerk, and President of AARP in Lockport, IL; and she was of the Catholic faith.

Estelle enjoyed crafts, painting sweatshirts, walking, exercising, shopping, and reading. She especially loved her many cats.

Surviving are three sisters: Carol Brown of Zeigler, IL, Sharon Bertram of Wisconsin, Diane Kochel of Cape Coral, FL; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother Eugene Radomski; a sister Mary Ann Chappele.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Franklin County Animal Control, P.O. Box 210, Christopher, IL 62822-0210; or visit www.petsneedhomes.org

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

David Alan Clark, 57, of Sesser, passed away on Thursday January 20, 2022 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

He was born on April 21, 1964 in Benton, IL to Kenneth and Mary Ellen (Cockrum) Clark.

He is survived by his son David (Nikki Ramey) Clark II of Sesser; granddaughter Marley Clark of Sesser; three sisters Teresa (Donald) Studt of Evansville, Debi Bradley of Sesser and Tammy (Nathan) Colvin of Sesser.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was a truck driver and loved to make his family laugh with his sense of humor.

His wishes were to be cremated with a Celebration of Life at a later date.

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