Ione Yvonne Beaty, 91, of Ewing, IL passed away Saturday morning, Dec. 25, 2021 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.

She was born in Benton, IL on May 10, 1930, the daughter of William & Flossie (Rice) Mundell.
She married Howard Beaty on June 19, 1948, and he preceded her in death on May 14, 1996.
Mrs. Beaty was a devoted Mother and Grandmother. She loved to draw and do puzzles. Mrs. Beaty was loved by all.

She is survived by her:

3 Daughters: Linda Howard and husband Larry of Mt. Vernon
Delenise Sneed and husband Dennis of Ewing
Debra Burzynski and husband Russell of Paducah, KY

Daughter-in-law: Cheri Beaty of Benton
Grandchildren:
Benjamin Howard of Murphysboro
Samuel Howard and wife Windy of Mt. Vernon
Christopher Howard and wife Megan of Murphysboro
Tracy Norris and husband Brian of Benton
Wesley Beaty and wife Jessica of Christopher
Nathan Beaty and wife Katrina of Ewing
Jennifer Abbott and Dan Estep of Benton
Jamie Mosley and husband Cary of Fenton, MO
Aaron Burzynski and wife Meagan of Nashville, TN
Joshua Burzynski and wife Lauren of Paducah, KY
David Burzynski and wife Jennifer of Cape Girardeau, MO
20 GreatGrandchildren
1 GreatGreatGrandson
3 Nephews:
Charles Neal and wife Barb
David Martin
Greg Martin
1 Niece: Brenda Neal
Mrs. Beaty was preceded in death by her Parents, by her Husband, by a Son-Larry Beaty, by a Grandson-Adam Beaty and by a Sister-Betty Hatten.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Louis “Tick” Zumberac, 83, of Sesser, passed away on Thursday December 23, 2021 at Fairview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in DuQuoin.

He was born on July 5, 1938 in Sesser to Luka and Germaine (Modava) Zumberac. He married Shirley (Winemiller) Zumberac on October 25, 1938.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Zumberac of Sesser and one brother-in-law Jack Winemiller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two Sisters Ribella Palada and Mone Pratili and two Brothers Lino Cassenalli and Gino Cassenalli.

Graveside service will be held on Wednesday December 29, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook.

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

Dorothy Fay Fitch, age 86, of Thompsonville; passed away at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at her home surrounded by family, to her Heavenly reward with her Savior Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 23, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Ken Petty officiating. Burial will follow in the East Fork Cemetery of West Frankfort. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Dorothy was born on February 7, 1935, in West Frankfort, IL; the daughter of Cecil Arview and Eva (Jordan) Arview. She married Rev. Kenneth Fitch on December 17, 1949, together they shared 63 years of marriage until his passing on April 22, 2012.

Mrs. Fitch was a member of the First Baptist Church of Thompsonville. She was a pastor’s wife and a loving mother to her six children.

Dorothy enjoyed sewing and cake decorating. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving are six children: Marlene Dale and husband Jerry of Logan, IL, Rita Graskewicz and husband John of Thompsonville, IL, Marilyn McClure and husband John of Jeffersonville, IN, Barry Fitch and wife Phyllis of Thompsonville, IL, Dennis “Cord” Fitch and wife Stacey of Thompsonville, IL, Mark Fitch and wife Tonya of Thompsonville, IL; fourteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; six brothers: Ted Arview and wife Shirley, Bud Arview and wife Shirley, Joe Arview and wife Ruby, Rob Arview and wife Yvetta, John Arview and wife Rosemary, Elva “Toot”Arview and wife Mary; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; a brother Cecil Arview; and a granddaughter Jennifer Riley.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dorothy Fitch, to Residential Hospice, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Gene Ramon Alexander, more affectionately known as “Mr. A”, passed peacefully into God’s presence at 86 years of age on December 8, 2021,at 9:17 PM in Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana after suffering a stroke at his home. He was the son of Delbert R. and Helen Teaney Alexander and grew up in Zeigler, Illinois.

Known throughout southern Illinois as an educator, volunteer, and generous philanthropist,

Mr. A touched many lives through his giving spirit and compassion for others. He filled the needs of young people and adults alike with his scholarships and daily trips to provide for the food pantry, and his support of fundraisers, youth activities, church, and school. His goal was always to please God and, as he said, “store up treasures in heaven”.

Not only did he give financially to others, he also inspired young people and made memories for others by sharing a quarter if they said “Say no to drugs”. His question, “Are you huggable” always preceded his free hugs as many will remember, and his “Pay It Forward” $20 bill given out each Christmas season was helpful to many. He provided programs for his teachers and students at schools and Rend Lake College, swept parking lots very early in the morning at various businesses, and at the same time had perfect attendance as a volunteer to read daily to students at Benton Grade School and Head Start. He willingly painted over 700 classrooms and was well known for painting 352 US maps on the playgrounds at various schools in Illinois, 3 in KY, and 3 in MO. Over 200 books have been donated to the Benton Public Library as birthday gifts to friends and colleagues through the years. A modest man, Mr. A never wanted notoriety for his many good deeds.

Mr. A was a proud veteran of the United States Army having served from 1954-1956 during which time he completed a year of college. Upon his return to Benton, he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree and began teaching at Webster Jr. High in Benton. His teaching career also included various grades at Logan, Lincoln, and Grant School. Students remember his English Card Game, Great Swammie awards, Queen for a Day for his teachers all of which inspired his protégés to always do their best. In addition, Mr. A was a coach and later a principal until his retirement in 1990. Among the many honors bestowed on Mr. A, he was chosen as Citizen of the Year and a proclamation was made for a special Mr. A Day on November 25, 2015. A bronze plaque hanging at the Gene R. Alexander Learning Resource Center at Benton Grade School notes his true character with the inscription as being a true gentleman, educator, motivator, character builder, memory maker.

A man of God, Gene Alexander was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Benton where he served as an active deacon for 52 years, a Sunday School teacher, and an active participant in men’s groups. He always looked forward to the day he had finished God’s purpose on earth and could meet Him face to face.

Gene Alexander is survived by his sister, Linda Alexander Heise of Benton, two brothers Dan Alexander and wife, Mary Francis of Mahomet, IL, Donald Alexander of Benton, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Delbert Alexander and wife Mary Jane, sister-in-law Jean Marie Alexander and niece Ellen Heise.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 30, 2022, from 1:00-3:00 PM with service beginning at 3:00 with Rev. Kurt Sanders officiating. Immediately after the service, the dedication of a new bronze bench with a statue of his likeness will be held in the Doug Collins and John Malkovich Event Center located at the Benton Grade School Complex in Benton.

In life Mr. A was an inspiring educator, a Christian, and an unsurpassed giver of time and effort to others. With his body being donated to science, in death he continues to be a useful teacher of medical students at St. Louis University School of Medicine.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. A has specifically requested that donations be made to the Mr. A Memorial Fund Rend Lake College Foundation, Benton Ministerial Alliance, First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, or the SICF (Mr. A Fund). Marty Leffler at Leffler Funeral Home in Benton will accept and direct all donations.

Celebration of Life Services are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Allen Dewayne Pinkham, 75, of Mulkeytown, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday December 10, 2021 at 5:40 PM.

Allen was born on May 31, 1946 at home at Rt2 Mulkeytown, he was the 5th born of 6 children and son of Elbert and Helen Mae (Bacon) Pinkham. He married Heather Jane (Naylor) Pinkham on May 21, 1966 in Christopher and she survives.

He was retired coalminer of 35 years from Inland Steel/Consol Mine. He was a longtime member of the Fraternal Society of Miners also known as the Italian Club. Allen loved spending time with his grandchildren, watching NASCAR races, riding around the country on their side x side or jeep and watching his daughter and son-in-law farm. Allen and Heather enjoyed traveling and vacationing in Florida, spending time with his nephew and family boating and going to yard sales.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years Heather Pinkham of Mulkeytown one daughter Dawn (Kevin) Brown of Mulkeytown, one brother Marion (Karen) Pinkham of Galesburg; three sisters Evelyn Swisher of Coello, Wilma (Larry) Hammel of DuQuoin and Jane (Lou) Pivarski of Christopher; four grandchildren Dustin Pinkham, Maddy Pinkham, Noah Brown and Kirsten Brown; two great grandchildren Bronson Pinkham and Raegan Sample and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Dale Allen Pinkham, one grandson Brayden Pinkham and one brother and sister-in-law Carl and Deloris Pinkham.

Memorial service will be held on Wednesday December 15, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Greenwood United Methodist Church in Mulkeytown with Pastor Bill Wiggs officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 PM at the church.

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

Lindell R. Reese, 61, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Sunday December 5, 2021 at Marshall Browning Hospital in DuQuoin.

He was born on August 29, 1960 in DuQuoin, IL to Lloyd and Rebecca Maude (Bullock) Reese. He is survived by a brother William (Cathy) Reese of Mulkeytown. He was a graduate of Christopher Community High School Class of 1978 and he was a former member of the Christopher Jaycees.

Funeral services for Lindell will be on Thursday December 9, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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