Deborah Sue Heern, age 60, of Thompsonville, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 11:57 p.m. Thursday, June 24,2021 at her home.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 28,2021 at the First Baptist Church of Thompsonville with Rev. Greg Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery of Makanda. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Thompsonville.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Deborah was born on September 28,1960 in Carbondale, Illinois; the daughter of Kenneth L. Cowan and Glenda L. (Stewart) Cowan. On February 10,1979 she married Kenneth Lee Heern and together they shared 42 years of marriage.

She worked at the Thompsonville School District as the head cook for the past 25 plus years; and she also was a bus driver for the school district since 2010.

Deborah attended the Bethel Community Church of Benton; and was the Special Occasion Senior Saints Choir Director for Thompsonville First Baptist Church.

She enjoyed serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, taking care of the kids at Thompsonville Schools; and she was a volunteer raising money for St. Jude Children’s Hospitals. Her family said she was always willing to help others.
She loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and the rest of her family. She was always the biggest supporter and number one fan of her children and grandchildren.

Surviving is her loving husband of 42 years Kenneth L. Heern of Thompsonville; her parents Kenneth and Glenda Cowan of Cobden; two children: Kendra Lee Jones and husband David of Thompsonville, Ross William Heern and wife Bethany of Mulkeytown; five grandchildren: Kenzie Lee Jones, Wyatt Allen Jones, Violet Mae Jones, Penelope Grace Heern, and Cade Ira Heern; a sister Kimra L. Brand and husband James of Herrin; a brother Kenneth W. Cowan of Carbondale; mother-in-law Verna Mae Heern of Carbondale; brother-in-law Terry G. Heern and wife Elaine of Carbondale; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents; her father-in-law Ira Lee Heern; and a brother-in-law Johnny B. Heern.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the services, or can be mailed to Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Keith Neal, 67, of Macedonia, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday Evening, June 23, 2021.

Mr. Neal was born in Franklin County, IL on November 1, 1953, the son of Glen and Ethel (House) Neal.

Keith married Judy Kearney on June 30, 1973, and she survives.
He answered the call to preach in 1992. Keith began pastoring at Williams Chapel Baptist Church, from there he went to Olive Branch in Wayne City, and for the past 17 years he has served as pastor at the Opdyke Missionary Baptist Church.

Keith and Judy owned and operated the Macedonia Game Preserve for the past 22 years, and he farmed his entire adult life.

Mr. Neal is survived by his wife, Judy, of Macedonia; sons Bryon Neal, and wife April, of Sedalia, MO and Brady Neal, of Macedonia; grandchildren Kylie, Barrett and Blane Neal; nephews Bryce and Blake Kearney.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, William Glen Neal and by a brother, Dennis.

Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. on Saturday, June 26th at the Opdyke Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in Liberty-Ridlin Cemetery in Macedonia. Visitation will be from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to the Opdyke Missionary Baptist Church or to Liberty Baptist Church.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Roger Louis Brown, 73, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Wednesday June 23, 2021 at his home.

He was born on November 12, 1947 in Christopher, IL to Louie and Helen (O’Dell) Brown. He married Janice (Stewart) Brown on April 1, 1983.

He is survived by his wife Janice Brown of Mulkeytown; three children Lisa Brown of Mulkeytown, Steven (Lisa) Brown of Marion and Chad (Kendra) Woodland of Valier; two grandchildren Clayton and Gavin Woodland; two sisters Donna Stritzel of Hillsboro, IL and Brenda Brown of Millstadt, IL.

Roger was a coalminer and a member of the UMWA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Matthew Woodland and one brother Norman Brown.

A Memorial Service will be on Wednesday June 30, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.

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

April Nicole Sims, 43, formerly of Sesser, passed away June 19, 2021.

She was born on April 4, 1978 in Mt Vernon.

She is survived by her parents Rick and Debi (Cockrum) Sims of Sesser; three children David Lee Sims of Sesser, Thomas Alva Overton of Desoto and Debra Faye Overton of DuQuoin; one brother Ricky (Natasha) Sims West Frankfort; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and one grandmother Donna Cockrum and a very special fur baby “Miss Kitty”.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Guy Sims Sr. (Pappy Sims), Joyce Sims, great grandparents Richard and Mildred Williams, maternal grandparents Robert Cockrum and Eva Horn, great grandparents Ray Bob Cockrum, Lessie Cockrum, Norman and George Spencer, two uncles Robbie Cockrum and Spencer Gilbert and one cousin Justin Markle.

She will be cremated with a Memorial Service on Friday June 25, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:30 AM until 12:00 PM for immediate family only and from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM for the public.

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

Pauline Regis, 99, of Christopher, passed away on Monday June 21, 2021 at Delmar Gardens South in St Louis, MO.

She was born on April 13, 1922 in Royalton to Andrew and Anna (Adamisin) Varga. She married Batiste John Regis on November 15, 1947 and he preceded her in death on November 19, 2016.

She is survived by her two daughters Paula Ann (Ron) Ryan of Mt Olive, IL and Janet Regis (Kerry) Sprimont of St Louis, MO; grandchildren Kristin (Carl) Crawford, Eric (Nicky) Ryan and Megan Regis Sprimont; great grandchildren Catherine, Corinna, Alyssa, Ethan, Addison, Kyrsten, Julia and Jeremy and one sister Clara Varga of Benton, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and nine brothers and sisters Andrew Varga, Emrick Varga, Dorothy Rentfro, Anna Zazzara, Michael Varga, Joseph Varga, Julia Varga, Margaret Varga and Irene Varga.

Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday June 29, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher, IL with Father Eusebius Mbidoaka officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the Church. Burial will be at St Aloysius Catholic Cemetery in Royalton, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St Aloysius Catholic Cemetery or to Brightfocus Foundation, a foundation for Alzheimer’s disease and Macular Degeneration at www.brightfocus.org.

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

SESSER – Brian Howard Lewis, 45, of Sesser, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 20, 2021.

Surviving is his loving wife of 21 years, Alyssa Lewis of Sesser, IL; one daughter: Sydney Lewis of Sesser, IL; one brother Terry Lewis of Ina, IL; parents Tim and Phyllis (Blackwell) Lewis of Ina, IL; father-in-law and mother-in-law David and Karen Harrison of Sesser, IL.

Brian was a devoted husband, father, and friend and was a faithful member of Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser, where he served as a Trustee and Sunday School Superintendent.

He was preceded in death by his infant sister Kelly Michelle Lewis and his grandparents Howard and Betty Lewis and Marlin and Pearl Blackwell.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 P.M. Wednesday, June 23 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 24 Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Bro. Curtis Smith officiating. Burial will be at Paradise Cemetery in Tamaroa, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church for International and North American Missions and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Fayretta L. McPheron, 81, of Valier, passed away on Friday June 18, 2021 at Hartland regional Medical Center in Marion.

She was born on October 26, 1939 in Indiana to Rev. Ralph and Cleo (Holt) Underwood. She married Bobby McPheron and he survives of Valier.

She is also survived by two sons Aaron R. McPheron of Christopher and Jason L. (Keri) McPheron of Cleveland, TN; five grandchildren Billie Fox, Kristi Hampton, Jayln McPheron, Lily McPheron and Daisy McPheron; one great granddaughter Isabella and one brother Ralphie (Carolyn) Underwood of Coldwater, MI and numerous cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Robyn Fay Fox and two brothers Fred Underwood and Bill Underwood.

She retired in 1995 after 35 years of marketing service for South Central Bell Telephone Company. Fay was a wonderful apostolic woman, she assisted her husband pastor for twelve years in Kentucky and Michigan. She was an outstanding piano player and was an anointed singer with a voice that would pull you into the very presence of God. Her home church was God’s House Pentecostal Church in Tilden, IL, where Rev. Phillip Easton pastors.

Funeral services for Fay will be on Wednesday June 23, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Rev Phillip Easton officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday June 22, 2021 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Nancy Elaine “Shorty” Tasky, age 78, of Benton; passed away at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the Benton Healthcare and Rehab Center of Benton.

Her wishes were to be cremated.

Public services will be held at a future date.

Cremation services are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Nancy was born on February 25, 1943, in Franklin County, Illinois; the daughter of Virgil Moore and Fern (Cashen) Moore. She married Bill E. Tasky on September 6, 1958; and he survives.
Mrs. Tasky was a former waitress having worked at Engert’s Café, Circle Drive and the Holiday Inn. She also formerly worked as a beautician. Later she became an LPN and worked for almost 30 years as a nurse. She retired from the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.

Shorty loved shopping, especially for shoes, watches, and purses. She collected Tiffany lamps; and loved to supervise Bill in their garden.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton.

Surviving is her ex-husband Bill Tasky of Benton; two daughters: Kim Mandrell and husband Mike of Benton, Christine Richardson of Benton; a son William David Tasky of Virginia; grandchildren: Heather Young and husband Keith of Benton, John Tasky and wife Heather of West Frankfort, Lacey Cooksey and husband Andrew of Thompsonville, Michael David Tasky of Virginia, Sabrina Tasky of Virginia, Damian Parker and wife Amanda of Murfreesboro, TN; great-grandchildren: Alex, Jace, Grayson, Dexter and Adylynne; a brother David Cummings of Benton; a half-sister Rebecca Robinson of Zeigler..

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter Terry Lynn Tasky; a son Bruce Allen Tasky; and a son-in-law D.T. Richardson.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Nancy Tasky, to the Franklin County Animal Shelter 13163 Oddfellow Lane, Benton, Illinois 62812.

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

Deborah “Debbie” Kay Pribble, 68, of Thompsonville, passed away at 6:41 p.m., on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at her home in Thompsonville.

She was born on September 6, 1952, to Marvin and Freda (Foster) Hobbs at Peoria, IL. She married Tim Pribble and he survives.

Debbie was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed taking pictures, making crafts and watching animals while spending time on her porch. She was very positive and inspiring and one word to describe Debbie would be faithful. She was always looking on the good side of any situation.

Deborah is survived by her mother, Freda Hobbs of Benton, IL; her loving spouse, Tim Pribble; children, Jeremiah (Dana) Pribble of Goreville, IL, Amanda (Kris) Mayberry of Norris City, IL, Josh (Stacy) Pribble of Thompsonville, IL and Jacob Pribble; eight grandchildren, Loren Pribble, Shelby Pribble, Blaire Mayberry, Marissa Mayberry, Brayden Mayberry, Alan Pribble, Casey Pribble, Courtney Pribble and her brother, Charles Hobbs.

he was preceded in death by father, Marvin Hobbs.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.

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

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