Leida Ellen (Bates) Downen, 98, of Sesser, passed away on Friday February 19, 2021 at Helia Healthcare in Benton, IL.

She was born on July 19, 1922 to Edmond and Sybil (Harrison) Bates.

She is survived by her three sons Jimmy (Glenda) Downen of Ina, Ernie (Vicki) Downen of Scheller and Steve Downen of Sesser; one daughter Susie Miller of Sesser; 9 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Freddie Downen, one daughter Patsy Eubanks, grandson Kent Eubanks, brothers Harry, Elmer, Dale and Howard Bates. Sisters Arcada Prior, Edna Hamilton, Juanita Dilliner and Mary Lou Hoofer.

She was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She retired from the dietary department of the Franklin Hospital.

Graveside services will be on Wednesday February 24, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Mark Wells officiating.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

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

George McIntosh, 79, of Benton, IL passed away Friday morning, February 19, 2021.

He was born in Hamilton County, IL on April 7, 1941, the son of Wesley & Thelma (McLaren) McIntosh.

Mr. McIntosh was an entertainer.

Mr. McIntosh is survived by his wife, Susan McIntosh of Benton, two sons, Laren McIntosh, of Edwardsville, IL and Mark McIntosh, of West City, IL; his grandchildren; three brothers, Dennis Richardson, of Christopher, Eddie Richardson, and wife Laura, of Benton and Gary Richardson, and wife DeRonda, of Benton.

Mr. McIntosh was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 12 noon on Tuesday at the funeral home.
We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time, and masks are recommended.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Olen Howard Page, age 92, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2021 at his home in Sesser, Illinois, where he lived most of his life.

He was born on July 26, 1928 to Raleigh and Edith (Hill) Page. On February 15, 1949, Olen married Alberta Roberson and later had one daughter, Signa (Page) Miller.

Olen was the epitome of the greatest generation. At age 17, displaying the type of honorable selflessness that would characterize his life, Olen hitchhiked the roughly 100 miles from Sesser to St. Louis so that he could join the military. After enlisting in the Marines, he joined the 82nd Airborne and served courageously as a ground trooper in the Korean conflict. After Olen completed his military service, he began a career as a correctional officer at the Marion Federal Prison until his retirement. After retirement from the prison, Olen worked for the U.S. Marshalls office as a guard at the Benton, Illinois Federal Courthouse.

Olen was a tireless worker, and his idea of relaxing and recharging was to work. He loved being outside and his meticulous nature was a perfect fit for his hobbies of gardening and carpentry. Olen’s gardens looked like a work of art and there was not so much as a blade of grass out of place or errant leaf lying anywhere in Olen’s well-manicured lawn. He loved watching his grandsons race on Saturday nights and truly cherished spending time with friends and family above all else. His friends and family will remember his signature wave that he used when greeting someone or passing someone on the road. He was as good of man as God ever made and will be remembered as such.

Olen is survived by his daughter Signa (Page) Miller, granddaughter Carrie Miller, grandson Lane Miller and his wife Joanna, great-granddaughter Jordan (Miller) and her husband Brandon Evrard, great-grandsons Keaton and Brantley Miller, and great-great-granddaughter Madalyn Evrard. He is also survived by his sister Dona Reynolds, his sister-in-law Hazel Page and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Raleigh and Edith Page, wife Alberta Page, son-in-law Roy Miller, grandson Russell Miller, brother Evan Page, sister Anna Mae Chapman, brother-in-law Jonas Chapman, nephew Dan Page, nephew Russell Roberson, and niece Marcella Fowler.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sesser VFW. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery.

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

Thomas David Winn, 67, of Buckner, passed away on February 17, 2021 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on July 6, 1953 in Herrin, IL. He married Melissa (Harrison) Winn on October 17, 1981.

He is survived by his wife Melissa Winn of Buckner; brother-in-law Donald (Florie) Harrison of Salem; cousins Marion (Mollie) Veach of Valier and their children Dixie Miller and Jim Veach.

Thomas worked for PJR and Associates and was a member of the Iron Workers Local # 782, he was also a Vietnam Veteran serving in the United States Marine Corp. and a lifetime member of the Sesser VFW. He loved to shoot trap, work in his garden, riding his side by side, camping, hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard “Tuffy” and Lorene (Stewart) Winn and a brother Richard Winn.

Funeral services will be on Saturday February 27, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher 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 will be at the Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all the DaVita Dialysis Heroes in Benton, Dr. Kevin Chen, Angelito Tacderas NP, Dr. Rodney Miller, Dr. Al-Zoubaidi, Dr. Michelle Jenkins, Lisa Jones, Dr. Haroon, all the ICU nurses at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Sherry Palmer and the Gilbert Funeral Home for all of their care and compassion during Tom’s journey.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Honor Flight of Southern Illinois, Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry or Franklin County Animal Control. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Tomorrow is not promised, Live, Laugh and Love Today.

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

Marlene Edwards, 81 of Benton, IL passed away Tuesday evening February 16, 2021 at the Franklin Hospital.

Marlene was born in Franklin County, IL on August 11, 1939 the daughter of Ralph and Ruby (Tharp) Edwards.

She worked for the Bank of Benton for several years. She then worked as a secretary at Benton High School for many years. She was a bookkeeper at heart. She enjoyed greeting people at her nephews store-Edwards Antique & Jewelry on the square in Benton, she loved helping the customers there.

Marlene is survived by one brother, Melvin Edwards and wife Carol of Ewing, IL; nephews and nieces, Kevin Edwards, of Benton, IL, Janet Langa of Mt. Vernon, IL, Debbie Brown of Mt. Vernon, Mike Anderson of Mt. Vernon, Donna Conway of Mt. Vernon.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by a half brother, Russell Anderson.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home with Pastor Phillip Kennedy officiating. Entombment will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.

We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time.

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

Karen Kay Hargis, 83, of O’Fallon, MO formerly of Christopher, IL passed away on Wednesday February 17, 2021.

She was born on August 16, 1937 in West Frankfort, IL to Rupert L. and Freda (Crawford) Cook. She married Ronald W. Hargis on October 11, 1956. Loving wife and mother of three daughters, she loved spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, cooking and crocheting.

She is survived by her husband Ronald Hargis; three children Kathy Hamilton (Jimmy Woods) of O’Fallon, MO, Christy Meyer (Steve Watkins) of Wentzville, MO and Roni Kay (Jason) Solimando of Wentzville, MO; grandchildren Kyle (Yvonne) Hamilton, Kristopher Hamilton, Nicholas (Rachel) Meyer, Reese Diesel, Ashton Diesel, Joey Solimando and Alyson Solimando; great grandchildren William Hamilton, Colton Hamilton, Benjamin Hamilton, Samantha Hamilton and George Meyer.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother James Cook.

Funeral services for Karen will be on Saturday February 20, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton.

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

Charles Edward Helton (Eddie) passed away at home on January 31, 2021 at the age of 83.

Charles was predeceased by his wife the love of his life, Norma Jean (Sullivan), his brother, Albert Helton, and his parents, Marion and Lovina (Thompson) Helton.

Charles is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Donna Sue Helton Davis (Greg) of White House, Tennessee. The grand children and great-grandchildren Celeste Davis (Kara Morris), Caleb Davis (Virginia) Natalee Crunk, Addison and Hazlee. Christian Davis (Emily) Kaiya and Tennison. Charles is also lovingly remembered by his son, Charles Travis Helton (Bobbi), Charles Matthew Helton, Courtney Helton Overturf (Jared), and Mitzi (Tristan) Jay-Lynn, William (Ashley) Luke, David, and Nicolas of Valier, Illinois.

Charles was born May 24, 1937 in Carbondale, IL to Marion Tracy and Lovina Thompson Helton in a Hostess Cake Truck on the way to the hospital.

His education was all at Southern Illinois University from K-12 and 2 years of college.

He married Norma Jean Sullivan on November 26, 1960. She went to Heaven on August 1, 2016. She was a teacher at Sesser-Valier School District for 30 years.

Charles worked 30 years for the U. S. Forest Service and was a Security Guard until he got his Private Investigator License.
Charles served in the Army Reserves and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class E-7 in the first 7 years of service. He was High Gunner with the 30-caliber machine gun. He was very proud to have served his country.

He was a Lifetime member of the Goode Masonic Lodge #774. He was a past Master and Treasurer for 30 years. He was awarded the Outstanding Mason Award in 1990.

His final wishes were to be cremated and his ashes inurnment at Mt. Etna Cemetery. The graveside memorial will be held on February 21, 2021, at 3:00 p. m. at Mt. Etna Cemetery in Akin, Illinois.

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

Rhonda Skurat, 71, of Christopher, passed away on February 15, 2021 at the Herrin Hospital.

She was born on March 8, 1949 in Christopher to Stanley and Betty (Snider) Gossett.

She is survived by her two sons Davis (Kim) Skurat of Dieterich, IL and Jodie (Stephanie) Skurat of Sesser; three grandchildren Bryton Musgrave, Hannah Skurat and Zachary Avery and one sister Sandra Gossett of Carbondale;

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Debra Gossett and one brother Jerry Gossett.

Her wishes were to be cremated with a memorial service at a later date.

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

Leon Edgar Delaval, 88, of Christopher, passed away on February 12, 2021 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born on March 12, 1932 in Christopher to Leon and Hortense (Lenglin) Delaval. He was united in marriage on January 7, 1974 to Mathel (Gordon) Reed. She preceded him in death on October 17, 2014.

He is survived by his daughter Trudi Boldrey (Steve House) and step-children Beverly (Carl) Smith, Gary (Marilyn) Reed, Brenda (Bruce) Armstrong, Bill (Cheryl) Reed, Ralph (Michelle) Reed, James (Ashley) Reed, Janet (Richard) Buckmaster and Ida (Roger) Murry; one brother Edgar (Donna) Delaval; one sister Sandy (Joe) Mucinski and several grandchildren and great grandchildren that he loved dearly.

Leon took pride in his community service as an assistant fire chief for the Coello Fire Department. He received a plaque for 50 years of service. He was a genuine person and was loved by many. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mathel, daughter Rita Lynn and a brother Joe Delaval.

Funeral services for Leon will be on Wednesday February 17, 2021 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Steve House officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

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