Shirley Jane Katz, 89, passed away on June 4, 2021 at GreenTree at Mt Vernon, IL.

She was born on November 29, 1931 in Springfield, IL to Edward and Frieda (Kornack) Courtwright. She married Alan Katz in 1973 and he preceded her in death on October 27, 1988.

She moved to Sesser in 2002. She retired from Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Springfield. She is survived by her son Rodney (Janice) Reynolds of Sesser, twelve grandchildren and many great grandchildren and one sister Clarice Jean Livingston of Springfield, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son David Reynolds and one brother Floyd Courtwright.

Graveside services will be on Friday June 11, 2021 at 12:00 PM at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating.

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

James Sneddon, 79, of Buckner, passed away on June 5, 2021 at his home.

He was born on August 7, 1941 in West Frankfort, IL to Josiah and Uneeda (Barbieu) Sneddon. He married Mikkell (Brockovich) Sneddon on September 16, 1964 and she preceded him in death on December 7, 2016.

He is survived by his children Amy Sneddon of Buckner and Andrew Sneddon of Centralia; grandchildren Douglas Sneddon of Lafayette, IN, Bryce Sneddon and Misty Upton of Benton, IL and Trevor Sneddon of Johnston City, IL and special family members Charles Newell and Haylee Bates; great grandchildren Wyatt Upton, Cheyenne Upton, Ava Sneddon and Cassius Sneddon and one sister Jane (Lyman) Benns of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday June 13, 2021 at 4:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00 PM until the time of the service at 4:00 PM.

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

Wanda Dreon-Zinzilieta, 74, of Benton, IL passed away Friday, June 4, 2021 at 5:45 a.m. in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Zinzilieta was born September 7, 1946 in Benton, Illinois. The daughter of Della and Mario Dreon. She married Dr. Joseph Zinzilieta in 1971.

Mrs. Zinzilieta worked along side her husband, Dr. Joseph Zinzilieta, of Zinzilieta Chiropractic for more than 40 years. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benton. Wanda had great passion for life and lived to take care of others; including her two spoiled house dogs Lulu and Abbie. Wanda enjoyed reading, cooking, and traveling.

Mrs. Zinzilieta is survived by her children: Scott (Neva) Zinzilieta of Benton, Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington of Carmi, John (Shanon) Zinzilieta of Benton. Grandchildren include: David (Melissa) Zinzilieta of Great Falls, Montana, Bethany Zinzilieta of Benton, Ashley Zinzilieta of Benton, Nicholas Zinzilieta of Benton, Taylor (Andrew) Jones of Carmi. Great-Grandchildren include: Zeppelin and Cannon Jones of Carmi, Evalyn Zinzilieta of Benton, Isabelle Zinzilieta of Montana, Aurora Zinzilieta of Montana, Gracie Hakes of Indiana.

Mrs. Zinzilieta was preceded in death by her parents, sister-Sylvia Summers and husband Joseph Zinzilieta.

The family would like to recognize special caregivers: nieces Angela Summers-Nicholson, Gina Summers-Spiller and sister-in-law-Marie Monteggia and close friends David and Cathy Garavalia.
Per Mrs. Zinzilieta’s wishes, no formal services will be held.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance, 302 South Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Winifred Louise (Atchison) Van Horn, better known as Mom Winnie, Winnie Lou, Winnie Woo, Winifred LouBellous, Mom, and Mother, passed away at the age of 88 on Wednesday morning, June 2, 2021, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Winnie was born in Whittington, Illinois, October 15, 1932, the daughter of William (Willie) and Louise (House) Atchison.

Winnie was a devoted daughter, a loving wife, a patient mother, and a movie star glam “ma”. She was known by others to be genuine, gracious, classy, stylish and could out-shop the best of them. Family was everything to her. On any given day, you could find her sitting with family and friends at what the family would call “the round table” with a cup of coffee and enjoying life.
She and her husband, Wilbur Van Horn, owned and operated Biebel Roofing Company in Benton, Illinois, for more than 43 years where Winnie managed the office and the “Biebel Boys”. When not at work, Winnie and Wilbur spent time enjoying their farm in Vienna, Illinois, with family and friends.

Winnie was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi, a community service organization, and the Rinky Dinks Club. She and her husband, Wilbur, were avid supporters of Benton Rangers basketball and rarely missed a game throughout the years.

Winnie was preceded in death by her parents, William and Louise Atchison; and her brother, Jim Atchison.

Winnie is survived by her husband Wilbur Van Horn of 69 years and three children; daughter, Lynette (Van Horn) Ing, and husband Weldon, daughter, Alecia (Van Horn) Moore and husband Hugh, and son, Brian Van Horn and wife Nina; six grandchildren Wesley Ing and wife Kristin, Lyndsey Moore, Whitney (Ing) Swift and husband Rob, Lauren (Moore) Johnson and husband Brent, Will Van Horn, and Ella Van Horn; seven great grandchildren, Westin Ing, Lyric Johnson, Grant Swift, Wynnstin Ing, Winnie Swift, Karaline Ing, and Landry Johnson.

Visitation and funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Morton & Johnston Funeral Home at 410 South Main Street Benton, Illinois.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 7, 2021, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 7, 2021, at 1:00PM. Burial services will immediately follow funeral services at Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington, Illinois.

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

Mr. Mack Wright Wynn, age 77, of Benton, passed away at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2021; at the St. Mary’s SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021; at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; with Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Mack Wright Wynn was born on April 4, 1944; in Amarillo, Texas; the son of Gwen Wynn and Mollie (Stanisha) Wynn. He married the former Juva Lynn Stringer on June 18, 1966; and she survives.
Mr. Wynn was a retired Biology Teacher at Benton Consolidated High School District 103. He was the first teacher to introduce Horticulture to the students at Benton High School, and with his love of plants and nature, helped create much of the landscaping and beautiful plants found surrounding Benton High School. He had a love for nature and the students, with that love he helped develop the greenhouse that is utilized by the Biology department at BCHS. His family said he loved teaching and was enthusiastic about his job and sharing his love of nature with the students he taught.

His love for students was shown through he and Juva running the “Teen Town” from 1985-1990; a place where students could come and enjoy spending time together in a fun and safe environment.
He was a “caretaker of nature” and this can also be seen throughout the Benton Park. Mack helped plant many of the trees and beautiful plants that can still be enjoyed, even today.
Mack’s love for nature can be witnessed at his property around his home. Beautiful plants and landscaping can be found all around his home. He not only planted and cared for the plants, but he was concerned for the health of each plant, tree, and flower that he cared for.

His family said that he continued to give his all to explain and learn about anything that was important to he and to others; and that he had an independent photographic memory. He loved to hunt and fish; through his love of hunting and fishing he became a renowned woodcarver of songbirds and ducks. Through his love for Ducks, he formerly was a member of Ducks Unlimited and taught the importance of helping an organization that took care of God’s creation. He introduced many young men throughout his teaching career to hunting and fishing.

Mr. Wynn; was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton; and when he was young, he grew up in the First Baptist Church of Benton.
He was a loving, loyal, faithful, honest, good provider, and husband to his wife of almost 55 years; Juva Lynn Wynn of Benton; a great dad and mentor in being a teacher to; Matt Wynn and wife Trudee of Benton; a loving grandfather to: Dr. Bailey Johnston and husband Adam of Benton, and Gehrig Wynn of Benton. He is also survived by his mother-in-law June Riley of Flora, IL; a brother-in-law Jerry Stringer and wife Nancy of Flora, IL; a nephew Stephen Stringer and wife Amy; a niece Carrie Jennings and husband Jim; several great-nieces and nephews.

Mack was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son Mark Wynn; and his father-in-law Eugene Stringer.

Memorial contributions are preferred; and may be made to the Benton High School Horticulture Department; or to the Benton Park District for up-keep of the landscaping and plants; and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mack, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Betty Lou Whaley, 84, of Benton, passed away at 1:04 a.m., on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, IL.

She was born on February 25, 1937, to Lawrence and Chloe (Strickland) Wilkerson in Benton, IL. On July 19, 1957, Betty married Donald Whaley and he survives.

Betty was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and tending to her flowers. She loved taking her grandchildren to Surplus City.

She is survived by her loving spouse of 64 years, Donald Whaley, one daughter, Cindy Lynn Livesay of Benton, IL; one son, Ronald (Julle) Dale Whaley of Benton, IL; one sister, Evelyn Chloe Smith of Benton, IL; four granddaughters, Dawn (Timothy) Renee Vandom, Stacy Lynn Mclauglin, Megan (Ian) Marlow, Molly (Mark) Uhles; three great-granddaughters, Whitney Chloe Whaley, Sophia June Marlow and Ellie Mae Uhles; four great-grandsons, Ty Michael Miller, Austin Dale Miller, Brett Nathaniel Merkel and Lucus Scott Marlow; and two great-great-grandsons, Phoenix Tyler Beal and Maverick James Vallow.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Chloe Wilkerson, and seven siblings.

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

Visitation will be held Friday, June 4, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 4, 2021, at 12:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, with the Reverend Lance Thackery officiating.

Burial will follow services at the Franklin Cemetery, Whittington, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Franklin County Animal Control and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

On Sunday, May 30th, 2021, William Joseph Shileny, loving husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, and friend to many passed away at the age of 72.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie (Schoenecke) Shileny, children Jonathan and Jennifer Shileny, granddaughter Jeniah Tate, sisters Betty Lou (Dennis) Northland and Becky Boots, brothers Daniel (Pamela) Vaclav and David (Gale) Schoenecke, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Veronica Shileny and brothers Stephen Reese and David (Doris) Vaclav.

Bill was born on December 8, 1948 to Veronica (Vaclav) and Francis Shileny in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After losing his own father at a young age, Bill took on the role of protector of his two sisters and beloved mother. He moved to Illinois with his uncle, Daniel Vaclav Sr. and Teta Carol as a young rebellious teenager. This is when he met the love of his life, Bonnie (Schoenecke) at Tinley Park High School. Theirs was a love story for the ages. Though her mom was not too happy with her selection at the time, he would win her over just as he did everyone that took the time to get through his tough exterior and see the amazing person he was inside. Bill proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1967 to 1970 fighting on an 8-inch Howitzer in Vietnam. And as he always used to say, “We were winning when I left.” He was a proud veteran and enjoyed many memorable Veterans Day weekends with his fellow soldiers. After returning home, he and Bonnie wed on August 28th, 1971. He was looking so forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this summer, and commented on one of his last days that she should “wear a crown” for putting up with him for all of those years.

1978 brought the birth of his twins, Jonathan and Jennifer, and he took to the role of father like he had trained for it his entire life. He was at every sporting event and dance recital; he was the car-pool dad and the one that took the neighborhood kids trick-or-treating (in full costume of course!) He brought color to the skies (and kept his kids off the streets) with many years as a hot-air balloon pilot, travelling the country flying high in Rainbow Thunder. He made many lifelong friends along the way and even organized an event to support farmers through ballooning. His crew captain, Bonnie, was always there heading up the chase team and supporting him through all of his crazy ideas and dreams – she truly was his biggest ally and teammate for every single one of those nearly 50 years – and that was not an easy task on some days! Bill was an avid Harley Davidson rider and loved to “hear the music” through his signature long hair. In 2006, Bill retired as the outside maintenance foreman of Orland Square Mall where he worked for over 25 years. Bill and Bonnie found true happiness in retirement at their little piece of paradise in Southern Illinois and made many dear friends there.

Bill was the life of the party and knew how to tell a story (mostly true) that would captivate the room. From his real-life Big Foot encounters to “running frogs,” he was the most charismatic and interesting person you could have the privilege to meet. He entertained his family and friends for many years with his annual non-traditional Christmas letters. He was not one to mince words, was as honest and loyal as they come, and always told it like it was. You always knew where you stood with him, and he would not back down from his convictions no matter whom it offended, but he did respect everyone’s opinions even if he thought they were wrong. He was respected by all that met him.

In 2013 Bill became a Papa to his only granddaughter, Jeniah. She made the ever-present twinkle in his eye even brighter. He loved her with his whole heart and would do anything to make her laugh or smile. From the moment she was born, his only wish was to “be around long enough for Jeniah to remember him when he was gone” and there is no question the place in her heart that he will always hold – she ADORED him.

Bill would be the first to tell you that he had more fun than 100 people and he never expected to make it past 50 – so these last 22 years have just been icing on the cake. He truly lived each day to the fullest, and left the world exactly as he would have wanted – still making the nurses laugh up until his last minutes. He will be forever missed and loved, but that twinkle in his eye will live on in Bonnie, Jon, Jenny, Jeniah, and all that knew and loved him. We can all be comforted knowing that he will be there to greet us when our time comes, probably with a beer and a shot of tequila, and a good story to tell – as he would say, “catch ya on the flip side.”

A big party celebrating his amazing life will be held on Saturday, July 3rd at their place in Mulkeytown, IL. If you cannot attend the “Bill Bash” please light a firework or two and have a drink in his honor.

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

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com

Donald Dean Cockrum died on Saturday, May 29, 2021 in Herrin Hospital after an extended illness.

Don was born in Sesser on December 31, 1927 to Bert and Viva (Harrison) Cockrum. Oldest of 9 children, he grew up planting and harvesting and tending farm animals. He served in Germany and Korea with the U.S. Army and returned home to work side by side with his Dad, eventually buying a farm of their own. Donald enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, planting and harvesting, raising livestock. He loved Jesus and was a lifelong member of Horse Prairie Baptist Church. He was known for helping out friends, neighbors, his community, his Church. He never knew a stranger and loved telling stories all the days of his life.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, and four brothers Jerry, Dale, Frank and Burl. He is survived by three sisters and one brother, Phyllis Stroup, Rosa Lee Plunkett, Leon Cockrum, and Judy Gurley. Generations of Cockrum Cousins, young and old alike, are proud and privileged to call him Uncle. He will be dearly missed by all.

There will be a visitation at 11am Friday, June 4 2021 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser prior to the funeral at 1pm with burial to follow at Horse Prairie Baptist Church and Cemetery immediately after.

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