Norma Jeane Copeland, a long-time Sesser resident, passed away on Monday August 12, 2024 at Helia Healthcare of Benton. She was born on January 6, 1928 in Dieterich, IL to Albert F. and Rosa (Strong) White. She married Leo Copeland on June 30, 1948 and he preceded her in death on December 19, 1989.

Norma taught elementary school for over 35 years, retiring from Christopher Elementary School, in retirement she did individual tutoring.

Norma is survived by one son Rev. Paul (Diane) Copeland of Kewanee, IL, 16 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 4 nieces and 2 nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son Robert Copeland, one grandson Joshua Copeland, two brothers Albert R. White and Harold E. White and one sister Lenora Poehler.

A Celebration of Life will be on Friday August 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Sesser Methodist Church. Visitation will be held on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the church. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

Memorial donations can be given to Sesser Methodist Church, Sesser Library or to Spero Family Services in Mt Vernon.

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

Ella Ruth Sentel Matyi, 72, of Benton, IL, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2024, at 8:56: a.m., with family at Helia Healthcare of Benton, IL.

Ella Ruth was born in Sullivan, IL on April 26, 1952, to Kenneth Dean and Virginia Faye Sentel. Preceding her in death were both her parents, her oldest sister, Virginia Lynn and her husband, Donnie Johnson. Their surviving children are Kerri and Corrie Hendren and Mark and Macy Johnson. Both live in Missouri and have three children each. Also preceding Ruth in death is Joshua Boyd Sentel, first son of Kenneth and Roberta Sentel.

Ruth was the matriarch of the Sentel family. A loving aunt and great-aunt to all her nieces and nephews. Each and every one were made to feel special. She worked and cared for many as an RN at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon and Helia Healthcare in Benton. She was a true Giver, both in her professional and personal life and was well loved by all who knew her.

In her spare time she liked to sew, quilt and hunt for Vintage and Antique treasures, but her true joy was spending time with her family.

Ruth is survived by Robert Clark Sentel and Nancy and Darrel Launius. Their children, John and Tammy Launius, Christy and Susan Launius-Rensing, Amy and Jim Reith; William Walter and Julie Sentel and children, Marcy Faye and Adam Clark, Sarah Ann and Donnie Millenbine and Alison Page and Jason Woodrow; Kenneth Dale and Roberta Sentel and children, Jessica Elaine and Andrew Salmo and Elijah D. Braden Sentel and a total of 24 great-nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Ella Ruth, being a very private person, chose to be cremated with a family celebration of life to be determined later.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Cecil (Sonny) Sullivan, of Herrin, IL, went to be with Jesus, the one he has preached about, witnessed about and taught about for 55 years, on Wednesday evening, August 7, 2024. Cecil had several loving family and friends at his bedside at the evening of his passing! He had been battleing Parkinson’s disease and liver cancer for several years. For the past month he had been under the amazing care of the Community Living Center, a facility of the V.A. in Marion, IL.

He was quite a character, jovial, a country boy, a “people” person for sure, never meeting a stranger. In 1964 he married Carolyn Hall of Benton. Together they have 4 awesome children: Wade Sullivan, Angela (Curt) Willis, Shane (Denise) Sullivan, & Amber (Jason) Todd.

Cecil was preceded in death by his father, Howard Sullivan & step-mom, Bertha and also his mother, Betty & step-father, Fred Crisp. Also, a brother preceded him in death, Marvin W. Sullivan.

He graduated from Benton Con. High School before joining the U.S Navy and was aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal and also the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk supercarriers with two combat tours in Viet Nam from 1964 – 1968. He was definitely a patriot and loved serving his country! He was adamant about having a American flag in his front yard!

Later, after becoming a Christian in 1968 he was voted in (as a very young pastor) at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler, Il. That church grew and was the apple of his eye! Life began to get even more adventurous. After pastoring at Zeigler for 17 years and overseeing the construction of a beautiful new building he felt his missionary calling to the Philippine Islands. He had been stationed there while in the Navy and then the day to return to tell them of his experience with the Lord. He loved the Philippine people and still has many Filipino friends. To make a long story short for your reading, he and Carolyn, plus two of their younger children, Shane & Amber ministered overseas for another 17 years! After this he returned to the States and became the pastor of the Lick Creek, Il. Pentecostal Church and was there with that congregation for 12 wonderful years! Cecil preached many crusades in many places! He has traveled to 36 countries! As said earlier, he loves people.

Cecil (Sonny) leaves behind his wife of 59 years and his 4 children, as well as 8 siblings being, Melvin Sullivan, Bert Sullivan, Brenda Houseworth, Debbie King, Sandy Bright, Lora Loucks, Leslie Ann Murphy and Fred Crisp. He also leaves these grandchildren of whom he is SO proud of!!! Autumn (Doug) Filkins, Jaden Ford, Cory Ford, Afftyn Sullivan, Austyn Valentine, Austin Sullivan, Kameron Sullivan, and his little (punk’in heads) Jaselyn Shea Todd, Jaylin Willis, Chamnis Filkins & Caroline Brooke Filkins.

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

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler, 309 Church Street, Ziegler, IL. and from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the church.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler.
Burial will follow services at Brady Cemetery in Akin, Il.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Apostolic Church of Zeigler in loving memory of Cecil (Sonny) Sullivan.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Carson Charles Thuilliez passed away on August 6, 2024.

He was born on June 20, 2024 in Carbondale to Tyler Ray and Kayla Michelle (Sadler) Thuilliez.

His survived by his parents Tyler and Kayle Thuilliez of Christopher; one brother Grayson Dean Thuilliez and one sister Kelsea Rose Thuilliez; grandparents Mike and Sarah Thuilliez of Christopher, Alice Sadler of Zeigler and Jeff and Julie Sadler of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his brother Hudson Tyler Thuilliez.

His favorite things were cuddling with mommy, watching the kids run around and playing, walking around with daddy, playing with jungle gym, he always had hiccups and he was so strong with keeping his head up for like 8 minutes just looking at mommy. He would always just like to look at you with his big blue eyes. He LOVED the bath, it was his favorite, he was the most relaxed there and he hated getting out of it. He loved to hold your hand when he was drinking a bottle or sleeping. He would always grab onto me anywhere he could. He was the best cuddler. He would coo here and there and it was the sweetest sound. He was just very loved by many, many people, he was special and was a perfect baby, with so much hair. We will miss him every single day of our lives.

Graveside services will be held on Monday August 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Smith Cemetery in Buckner, IL with Brother Mark Minor officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Bruce Alan Rogers went home to be with the Lord on the evening of August 6, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Bruce was born in Christopher, IL on September 13, 1949 the son of Hosea & Vella (Allen) Rogers.

He married Sharon (Burzynski) on October 29, 1982.

Bruce began his career working at Mark Twain, then was co-owner of Franklin Auto. He also founded and operated Bruce’s Bit Service. He spent the majority of his career at Continental Tire, retiring after 23 years.

Bruce had a life-long love of animals. He owned several race horses with a special one named Geraldine Honey. He also loved dogs and could be frequently seen in McDonalds drive thru with them in tow.

Bruce gave his life to Christ in 2016 and was a proud member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

Bruce is survived by his:
Wife: Sharon Rogers
Children:
Ashlee Tirevold & husband Scott
Michael Harper & wife Brandi
Bridgette Dunagan (Jimmy)
Grandchildren: Tasha, Hayden, Landon, MIkey, Paupiann, Thomas, Giselle, Luke, Jude & Aliyah
1 Great-Granddaughter: Paisleigh
1 Brother: Joe Rogers & wife Judy
Niece: Jodi (Bob)
Nephew: Stephen (Sue)
Beloved dog: Cody
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 11th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Bro. Larry Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Jackson Grove Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.
For those who wish Memorials may be made to the Franklin County Animal Control.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Judith “Miss Judi” Furlow, 83, of Mulkeytown, passed away on August 3, 2024 at Heart to Heart Hospice in Evansville, IN.

She was born on December 7, 1940 in Fulton, IL to Garrett and Katherine (Decker) Medema. She married James Furlow and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Danny (Brenda) Anglese of Mulkeytown and Debi (Jerry) Griffith of Melbourne, FL; grandchildren Missy (Bryan) Furlow and Jessica Griffith and one great granddaughter Macie Furlow.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Bryon Furlow and one granddaughter Ali Anglese.

Her wishes were to be cremated. A graveside service will be held at a later date.

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

Linda Lou Roberson, age 79, Benton, IL, passed away at 1:00 PM, Friday August 2, 2024, at her home in Benton, IL.

Mrs. Roberson was born July 11, 1945, in Benton IL to Ezra Q Wilkerson and Naomi M Dawson Wilkerson. Mrs. Roberson married Michael Brian Roberson on Jan 26, 1963, in Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, 6,2024, from 9:00AM until 11:00AM, with funeral services immediately following at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL. Burial will follow at Masonic Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, IL. Pastor Kurt Sanders of First Christian church will officiate.

Mrs. Roberson was preceded in death by her father, Ezra Wilkerson; mother, Naomi Wilkerson; husband, Michael Roberson.
Surviving are her two children Brian D Roberson (Shasta) of Laurel MS and Bret A Roberson of Benton, IL; brother, Michael Q Wilkerson (Terri) of Benton, IL; three grandchildren, Luke A Roberson (Samantha) of Olton TX; Kotie Cardwell of Benton, IL; Courtney B Roberson of Laurel, MS; three great-grandchildren, Izabella Tittle of Benton, IL, Emmy and Laney Roberson of Olton, TX.

Pallbearers will be Michael Wilkerson, Brian Roberson, Bret Roberson, Luke Roberson, Terry Dawson, and Loyd Tittle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First Christian Church, 302 S. Main St. Benton, IL 62812 or Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, 320 S. Main St. Benton, IL 62812.

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

Jesse Dwayne Davis, age 35, of Mulkeytown, IL, along with his brother Michael Paul Worley, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Buckner, IL.

Jesse was born on February 19, 1989, in Mt. Vernon, IL, the son of Walter Sonny Davis and Linda Sue (McCormick) Worley.
Jesse enjoyed fishing and hanging out with his brothers and friends.

Surviving are three children: Jaylynn Leigh Davis, Jesse Jon Davis and Kadin James Davis; siblings: Elwyn Worley and wife Melody of Benton, IL, Ronald Worley and wife Melissa of Benton, IL, Donald Worley of Mulkeytown, IL, Shwana Hart and husband David of Makanda, IL, Helen Braden and significant other Bruce Booker of Benton, IL, Bonnie Cluck of West Frankfort, IL, Angie Miller and husband Chris of Christopher, IL; several nieces, nephews and extended family. Also surviving is a special friend Al Goodman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandparents.

Cremation services have been entrusted to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL.

A Family Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.
The family prefers memorial contributions be made to assist with the cremation expenses, payable to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Jesse; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Michael Paul Worley, age 44, of Mulkeytown, IL, along with his brother Jesse Dwayne Davis, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Buckner, IL.

Michael was born on October 16, 1979, in Mt. Vernon, IL, the son of Elwin Worley, Sr. and Linda Sue (McCormick) Worley.
Mikey enjoyed cooking and being outdoors.

Surviving is a daughter Brianna Worley of Chicago, IL; siblings: Elwyn Worley and wife Melody of Benton, IL, Ronald Worley and wife Melissa of Benton, IL, Donald Worley of Mulkeytown, IL, Shawna Hart and husband David of Makanda, IL, Helen Braden and significant other Bruce Booker of Benton, IL, Bonnie Cluck of West Frankfort, IL, Angie Miller and husband Chris of Christopher, IL; several nieces, nephews and extended family. Also surviving is a special friend Al Goodman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandparents.

Cremation services have been entrusted to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL.

A Family Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.
The family prefers memorial contributions be made to assist with the cremation expenses, payable to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mikey; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Marjorie “Joan” (Sample) Earnheart, 91, of Sesser, passed away on Monday July 29, 2024 at 11:21 AM at her daughter’s home in Mt Vernon, IL.

She was born on November 6, 1932 in Sesser, IL to Mitchell and Irene (Kirkpatrick) Sample. She married Billy Earnheart on December 2, 1967. They shared just shy of 38 years together upon his death on September 19, 2005.

After a career doing secretarial work in Chicago, IL and St Louis, MO and at SIU Carbondale, she retired after her marriage.

Joan was very active throughout her long life. She participated in numerous years of women’s league bowling in Benton and West Frankfort. She was a huge participant in her children’s activities. She served as a Boy Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout leader and softball coach to name a few. She enjoyed painting sweatshirts, gourds, and various wood decretive items, that her husband had made for her. She was also a member of the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.

She is survived by her children, one son Mitchell (Teresa) Earnheart of Dacula, GA; one daughter Christa Rexing of Mt Vernon, IL; grandchildren Ryan (Abbie) Earnheart, Matthew Earnheart, Rebecca Rexing, Rachel Rexing and Ross Rexing; great grandchildren Lyla Earnheart, Elijah Earnheart and Logan Earnheart; two brothers Larry (Mona) Sample of Sesser and Danny (Sharon) Sample of Sesser and two sisters-in-law Joan Sample of Elgin, Il and Barbara Price of Mt Venron and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers Roy Sample and Bill Sample, one sister Martha Hargis, two sisters-in-law Evelyn Hill and Marie Sample and three brothers-in-law Danny Hargis, Farrell Hill and Karl Price.

As per her wishes, she will be cremated, a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday August 3, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial of the ashes will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to SSM Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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