Linda G. Summers, 75, of Benton, passed away at 6:35 a.m. on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at Herrin Hospital.

She was born on May 4, 1946, to Troy and Vevia (Threewitt) Knight in Benton, IL.

Linda was an active member of the West City Church of God.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend to many. Linda enjoyed singing, collecting figurines, reading, spending time with her family, and decorating for the holidays.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Troy and Vevia Knight; four sisters, Kathy Gulley, Shirley Summers, Marilyn Knight, and Audrey Gilliam; two brothers, Donnie Knight and Eddie Knight; husband, Ronald Summers; and grandson Oliver Hutchinson.

She is survived by her five loving children Kim, Tim, Kevin, Kristie and Heather; four grandchildren Andrew, Olivia, Lucus and Sydney; two great-grandchildren, Bentley and Lily; two sisters, Joyce and Judy; and many loving nieces and nephews.

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

Visitation will be on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held following the visitation at 3:00 p.m., at the funeral home with the Reverend Harol Whitlock, officiating services.

Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.

Memorial Contributions may be made to West City Church of God, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.patefh.com

Patricia Rose Rodgers, 74, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Sunday November 8, 2021 at her home.

She was born on April 22, 1947 to Lawrence and Rosemary Peila. She married Steve Rodgers on April 8, 1968.

She is survived by her husband Steve Rodgers of Mulkeytown; children Stephen Rodgers of Mulkeytown, Brian (Stacey) Rodgers of Fort Myers, FL and Ciara (Nick) Minor of Mulkeytown; grandchildren Tre Rodgers, Hailee Rodgers, Paige (Jailon) Rush and Alysha Rodgers; great grandchildren Kylan, Lawson, Kannon, Adeline and Quincy and one brother Lawrence Peila of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Angie Rodgers and one son Anthony Rodgers.

There will be a private family service at the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

Gwendolyn Sue McGill, age 71, of Benton, passed away at 2:31 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2021, at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 4, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Sue was born on September 17, 1950, in Benton, the daughter of Homer Spain and Anna (Harold) Spain. She married Gary Edward McGill on May 7, 1993, and he survives.

She worked as a laundry aide at the Franklin Hospital of Benton; and was a member of the Eakin Grove Free Will Baptist Church.

Sue enjoyed decorating her home, cooking, and working crossword puzzles.

Surviving is her loving husband of 28 years, Gary E. McGill of Benton; two sons: George Pulliam and wife Lisa of Mt. Vernon, KY, Randy Pulliam of Benton; two step-children: Bryan McGill and wife Melinda of Ewing, Cindy Ward and husband Darren of New Berlin, IL; seven grandchildren: Misty Sullivan, Nora Pulliam, John Pulliam and wife Kaitlynn, Jacob Norris, Murphy Ward, Lenox Ward and Rogan Ward; four great-grandchildren; siblings: Helen and husband George “Itchy” Davis of Benton, Linda Taylor of Junction, IL, Charles Spain of Benton, Louise and husband Alan Minton of Christopher; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son John Pulliam; four brothers: Kenneth Lavern Spain, Paul Eugene Spain, Robert Lee “Butch” Spain; a sister Gladys Louise Spain; and her two fur babies: Zelda Mae and Foxy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Ernest W. (Zeke) Smith, 79, of Benton passed away at 12:00 noon on Monday, November 1, 2021 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Mr. Smith was born in Benton, IL on December 14, 1941, the son of William G. & Birdie (Roberts) Smith.

Mr. Smith was an excellent horse trainer, and worked road construction. He loved hunting, fishing & animals but the most important thing to him was his family.

He leaves behind:
1 Son: Carl Smith & wife Nancy of Caseyville
Loving Companion: Mary Jane Tasky of Benton
Daughter: Crystal Balota of Benton
5 Grandchildren:
Miranda Frailey
Caylie Smith
Ashley
Nikki
Brandon
Great-Granddaughter: Stella Frailey
Mary Jane’s children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren
3 Brothers:
Jim Smith & wife Virginia
Gene Smith
Gary Smith
6 Sisters:
Judy & MIke Ward
Edna Fotheringhame
Nita Adams
Geneva Smith
Jeannette Tasky
Dorothy Cockrum
Several Nieces & Nephews to numerous to mention
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his mother & father Bill & Birdie Smith, Granddaughter-Carly Smith, brothers- Robert, Dale, John C., sisters-Eunice Conner, Mary Hobbie & Sharon Heinrich.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, November 5th at the Morton & Johnston Funneral Home in Benton with Rev. Don Colson officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Melissa Mae Storey, age 44, of Ewing, passed away at 2:20 p.m. Friday, October 29, 2021 at her home with her loving family by her side.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Melissa Mae Storey was born on November 25, 1976 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the daughter of Larry Storey and Brenda (Johns) Storey.

She graduated from the Benton Middle School and later Christopher High School.

Missy was always happy and would make those around her smile. She enjoyed watching Professional Wrestling, watching television, loved food and always enjoyed her trips to McDonalds.

Surviving is her mother and step-father: Brenda and Steve Doxsie of Ewing; her father Larry Storey of Benton; a sister Christina Cooper and husband Tony of Ewing; a brother Michael Storey of Benton; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents: James and Dorothy Storey; maternal grandparents: Bill and Loma Johns; and a special aunt Charlotte Leonard.

The family would like to say “Thank You” to Hospice of Southern Illinois, and to family and friends for their care and compassion.

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

Alexander James Barclay Jr., 64, of Christopher, passed away on Saturday October 30, 2021 at his home.

He was born on April 10, 1957 in Germany to Alexander James and Mary Catherine (Donelson) Barclay Sr.

He is survived by the love of his life for 43 years Gail Barclay of Christopher; his father Alexander James Barclay Sr. of Royalton; two daughters Amanda (Brian) Gant of Christopher and Nichole Thorpe of Christopher; grandchildren Brittni, Dakota, Bianca, Junior, Hunter and Harley; one great grandchild Kahmara; brothers and sisters Starlene Underwood of Oklahoma, Michael Barclay of Nashville, IL, Steve (Cindy) Barclay of DuQuoin and Linda (Michael) Murphy of Johnston City.

He was preceded in death by his mother and one sister Cheryl Lynn Smillie.

He was a diehard Cubs fan.

A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday November 3, 2021 at 6:30 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Donald Schluter officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:30 PM until the time of the service at 6:30 PM.

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