James Ronald “Jim” Heifner, age 83, of Thompsonville, passed away at 10:48 a.m. Thursday, January 20, 2022, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 23, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Elder Willie Huffine officiating. Burial with Military Honors provided by the Thompsonville American Legion Post #1194 and the Army National Guard, will be in the Brady Cemetery East of Akin. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
James Ronald Heifner was born in Hamilton County, Illinois on July 17, 1938; the son of William Martin Heifner and Ida Mae (Poynor) Heifner.

He married Patricia Ann Flannigan on June 17, 1967, at Plasters Grove Free Will Baptist Church, and she survives. They had two children, Cynthia Ann Heifner Biggs and James Martin Heifner, both of Akin. He also leaves behind three cherished granddaughters Payeton Heifner, Harley Heifner, and Brooke Biggs. He was also blessed with one great-grandson Dramir Haskins.
Jim is survived by a sister, Darlene Roberts of Dale, Illinois; and was preceded in death by a brother Charles, who died as an infant; a sister Barbara Wyant; brothers John Heifner, and Carlton Heifner. He was very close to his siblings who lived near most of his life. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was a member of Plasters Grove Free Will Baptist Church for 47 years, where he became a Trustee and Deacon.
Jim made a living as a coal miner and working in the oil fields and construction.

He was a member of the Thompsonville American Legion Post #1194 and the Akin Masonic Lodge # 749 of Thompsonville. He was also a Caretaker and on the Board of Trustees for Brady Cemetery, and at one time Eastern Township Trustee and Republican Precinct Committeeman.
He enjoyed collecting antiques and “trading” with friends. Most of all he loved visiting with family and friends whether it was drinking coffee in Thompsonville, fellowship at his church or just at home. He will be remembered as a devoted family man and good friend to many.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Plasters Grove Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Jim, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Due to the mandate issued on August 26, 2021, by Gov. J.B Pritzker, and the recent Omicron surge, masks are recommended at all times while inside the funeral home.

Marietta Kolisek, 90, of Benton, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was born in West Frankfort, IL, on November 30, 1931, to John C. and Nell F. (Troutt) Wall.

Marietta retired as a receptionist from Old Ben Coal Company. She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Benton. She was married to Fred Kolisek, who preceded her in death in 2008.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Jan A. Melvin of Benton, IL; sister, Winnie Bergeson of Joliet, IL; sisters-in-law, Janet Kolisek and Margaret Rice of Benton, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Marietta was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Maxine Jackson and Kay C. Wall; brothers, Ralph L. Wall and Jack Wall.

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

Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m., on Monday, January 24, 2022, at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, with the Reverend Jim Jenkel officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 201 South Main St., Benton, IL, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Condolences may be given at www.patefh.com

Jack L. Townley of Ewing, IL passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2022 at home with his wife by his side. He was 84 years of age.

Jack was born on November 9, 1937 in Ewing to Jack C. and Pauline (Whittington) Townley. On his 20 birthday of November 9, 1957 he married Helen Marie (Adams) Townley and to this union were born three sons Larry, Jack Kevin and Jeffery.

In his teenage years Jack worked for his dad at the Home Ice & Coal Company. He had several other jobs but the one he liked best was as manager/operator of Platolene 500 Service Station on West Main Street in Benton. He loved talking to the customers and meeting new people.

Jack is survived by his wife of 64 years Helen, son Jack Kevin (Jill) of Ewing, daughter-in-law Debbie Townley Webb of Ewing, grandchildren Stephanie (Chris) Nunez of Yuma, AZ, Jesse (Kristina) Townley of Yuma, AZ, Damien Townley of Ewing, Libby Townley of St. Louis, Ben Townley of Marion. Great-granddaughters Samantha, Chloe and Allison Townley of Yuma, AZ, Hailey McIntosh of Ewing, sister Mary Brock of Logan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sons Larry and Jeffery, sister Ida (Townley) Campbell.

Funeral arrangements are Friday, January 21st at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to time of funeral at 2:00 P.M. Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington.

Doris Gilbreath, 95, of Benton, passed away on January 18, 2022 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

She was born on May 22, 1926 in Benton, IL to Raymond and Nina (Jones) Miller. She married William Gilbreath on March 28, 1942 and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children William “Bill” Gilbreath of Benton and Janet (Joel) Flatt of Rochester, IL; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; four sisters Karen (Jim) Morrison of Benton, Ruthann Patin of Louisiana, Ailene Liebman of St Louis and Billie (Ben) Hessleberg of St Louis and James Miller of Macedonia, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister Lida Rusher and one grandson Will Gilbreath.

She was a member of the Rend City Baptist Church.

Funeral services for Doris will be on Saturday January 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Rend City Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

David Lee Rogers, age 68, of Benton, passed away at 8:56 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2022, at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

Private family-only Graveside Services will be held.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

David was born on October 9, 1953, in Christopher, Illinois; the son of Virgil Rogers and Verdeen (Crabtree) Rogers.
He worked as a laborer with the Browning Township Highway Department. He also formerly worked as a coal miner; and later worked at the Benton Elks, Hey Carl’s, and the Benton Boccie Ball Club as a bartender.
He was of the Baptist faith.

David enjoyed Chicago Cubs baseball, playing golf, competition cooking events; and especially loved his nephew David Hunt and spending time with him.

He is survived by his brother Carl Hunt of Benton; two nephews David Hunt and fiancée Desiree Casey of Benton; Brad Giles and wife Charlotte of Denton, TX; special close friends Fred and Carolyn West of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his father Virgil Rogers; his mother Verdeen Hunt; his step-father Carlton Hunt; a half-sister Phyllis Giles; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Memorial contributions in memory of David, may be made to the Elks Crippled Children’s Fund, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of David, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Lonnie Gaylor, 56, of Sesser, passed away on Thursday January 13, 2022 at his home.

He was born on December 27, 1965 in Tiptonville, TN to Glenn Mathis and Joyce (Lawrence) Connell.

He is survived by his sister Katherine Clawson of Herrin; best friend Luke McGill; one niece April and three nephews Phillip, Shawn and Hiram and several cousins, great nieces and great nephews.

Lonnie was a very kindhearted and simple person and loved to collect comic books, action figures and movies. He was also a freelance artist.

His wishes were to be cremated with a private service at a later date.

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

Deloris L. Beyreis, 63, of Thompsonville, passed away at 11:15 p.m., on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at her residence, with her loving family by her side.

She was born on July 23, 1958, to Clifford and Hildred (Sanders) Obrecht in West City, IL. Deloris worked as a social worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Deloris was a loving mother, grandmother and a devoted housekeeper. She enjoyed canning and sewing. After having her four children, she went back to school and earned her Master’s Degree in social working, specializing in children and family violence and started helping Veterans suffering from PTSD.

She was a member of Whittington Baptist Church.

Deloris is survived by her children, Michelle Clark, Melissa Wilkerson, Mitchell Clark and Marshal (Nadine) Clark; seven grandchildren, Shae Ogroski, Macy Clark, Madison Cox, Nathan Wilkerson, Noah Wilkerson, Cash Clark and Colt Clark; three great-grandchildren, Liam, Margaux and Rutledge; one brother, Robert “Bob” Obrecht; and one sister, Blanche Jolly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Hildred Obrecht; adopted parents, Wilma and Halcy Buntin; her husband, Larry Townley, two brothers, Frank “Scottie” Obrecht and James “Jim” Isaacs and a sister, Nancy Kay Rhine.

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

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, with the Reverend Mark Minor, officiating. Following the service, burial will take place in the Mt. Etna Cemetery in Thompsonville.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Glenn Russell Pinkham, 57, of Valier, passed away on Tuesday January 11, 2022 at his home.

He was born on February 17, 1964 in Christopher, IL to Carl Gene and Dolores (Williamson) Pinkham. He married Susan (Furlow) Pinkham and she preceded him in death.

He is survived by step-son and friend Corey Cavinder of Mulkeytown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one brother Michael Pinkham.

Glenn’s wishes were to be cremated with a private celebration of life service at a later date.

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