Travis Wade Todd, 43, of Murphysboro, passed away on Monday, June 14, 2021, at the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, IL.

He was born on February 17, 1978, to Ralph and Donna (Essary) Todd in Benton, IL. Travis worked as a Relief Operator for Continental General Tire.

Travis was a member of Rescue Freewill Baptist Church, Whittington, IL. He loved spending time with family, hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. Travis enjoyed sharing his passion of the outdoors with his family and friends.

Travis is survived by his one daughter, Alysha Walker of Sesser; two sons, Hunter Wade Todd of Sesser and Ryker Vance Todd of Murphysboro; one brother, Brandon Wayne Todd of Benton; two grandchildren, Arbor Walker and Paxton Walker both of Sesser; former wife, Angel Marie Todd; and girlfriend, Brandie Jean Phillips-Perez.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Dwayne Todd.

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

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home with Brother Bryant Harris, officiating.
Memorials may be made to Brandie Jean Phillips-Perez for Ryker Vance Todd, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Lois Jean Shepherd, 83, of Thompsonville, passed away at 8:36 a.m., on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at her home in Thompsonville, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on June 9, 1938, to Clarence and Elma (Gibbs) Williams in Benton, IL. On December 31, 1955, she married Charles Shepherd and he preceded her in death on March 6, 2003.

She was a proud member of New Life Church of God Church in Benton. She had a passion for serving at the church and being involved as much as possible.

Lois was a loving mother, grandmother and friend to many. She enjoyed crafting, cooking and playing with her grandchildren.

Lois is survived by her two sons, Charles E. Shepherd, Jr. and Rex (Tammy) Allen Shepherd; one daughter, Jean (Keith) Harbour: a special daughter, Fawn Lorenz; 12 grandchildren, Chad (Lana) Shepherd, Nick Shepherd, Chaise (Reese) Woolsey, Caylee Woolsey, Ashley (Matt) Coe, Misty Ruiz, Kristen (Michael) Rubio, Ryan (Katie) Harris, Jeremy (Brandy) Harbour, Carrie (Josh) Dix, Dylan Lorenz andDalton Thompson; and 22 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Elma Williams; her husband, Charles Shepherd; son, Billy Gene Shepherd; sister, Lorine Bird; and a granddaughter, Cami Jo Shepherd.

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

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. at the New Life Church of God, 707 N. DuQuoin St., Benton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to New Life Church of God.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

William S. Richardson, 90, passed away on June 12, 2021, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital, Mt. Vernon, IL, surrounded by his family.

William was born to Frank and Ethel (Bolen) Bain Richardson on October 19, 1930, on Terrapin Hill in rural Franklin County, Illinois. He was a second-generation lifelong farmer and resident of Northern Township in rural Franklin County, and often marveled at the fact when the leaves were off the trees, he could look out his back window and see the home place where he was born. After he retired from farming and even later after he and his wife moved into Benton, his favorite pastime was driving around to look at the crops and other happenings in all, of Northern Township.

William was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton and was a member of Frisco Missionary Baptist Church for several years before it dissolved.

He and his loving wife Jane were married for over 71 years, and she survives. He is also survived by one son, William K. Richardson and his wife Amy; one daughter, Sherri Wilson and her husband Dale; three grandsons, Clayton Richardson and fianceé Zina Smith, Joshua (Brianna) Wilson, Colton Richardson and girlfriend Alexandria Cairel; one granddaughter, Sidney Wilson; two beautiful great-granddaughters, Hadley and Arya; three sisters-in-law, Ava (Dale) Denault, Barb Zinke, and Carolyn (Bob) Higgins; a very special niece, Mary Belle Sweetin; several other nieces and nephews; and his Richardson cousins, Kenny and Dale.
He was preceded in death by his parents; half-brothers Oris Bain, Ellis Bain, Lewis Bain, and Royal Bain; infant sister, Norma Richardson; half-sister Lorene Richardson Kern; and brother-in-law, Elmer Zinke.
William was the grandson of a Civil War veteran. He was drafted into the Army in 1952 during the Korean War era, stationed in occupied Germany, and honorably discharged. In the early years of their marriage Jane followed him to basic training and they lived in Alexandria, Virginia before he was deployed to Europe.

William was an active member of the Democrat party, having served as Northern Township Precinct Committeeman over 50 years, Northern Township Trustee for over 16 years, Franklin County Democrat Party Treasurer, and actively worked on the campaigns for several national, state, and local elections, including those of Harry S. Truman, Paul Simon, Glen Poshard, and David Phelps.

William was an active member of the community and accomplished much in his 90 years on earth. He was a 4-H leader before and after military service and coached a 4-H softball team all the way to the state tournament. His contributions to Franklin County, Southern Illinois, and the State of Illinois include serving on the Franklin County Farm Bureau as President and Vice President, Land of Lincoln Soybean Board, Illinois Farm Development Board of Directors, Franklin County Extension Council, Franklin County Soil & Water Board, Franklin County Zoning & Planning Commission, Akin Water District Board as Chairman, Southern Illinois Production Credit Association as President, Illinois Finance Authority Board, and 43 years on the board of Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative, being elected Chairman four times.

William was a devoted husband and proud father and grandfather, having rarely missed any events of his grandchildren. He was generous with his time and resources and had the ability to carry on a conversation with anyone at any time or place, thus why politics and community service came so naturally to him. He will be deeply missed by his family and all those whose lives he touched.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the Immanuel Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Kern and Rev. Richard Lance officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, Benton V.F.W. Post #2671, and the Army National Guard will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Ewing. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church and will be accepted at the church on the day of the services or may be sent to the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of William S. Richardson, go to www.lpfuneralhome.com

Juanita M. Cook, 85, of Sesser, passed away on June 10, 2021 at Deaconess Midtown in Evansville, IN.

She was born on November 20, 1935 in Johnston City, IL to Rolla and Nina (Martin) Jones. She married Leon Cook on November 7, 1954 and he survives of Sesser.

She is also survived by her son Jeff (Cindy) Cook of Zionsville, IN; one granddaughter Alexandra (Steven) Coleman of Irvington, IL and one great-grandson Easton Coleman; two brothers Kenny (Jenny) Jones of Energy and Larry (Len) Jones of Sesser and two sisters Frieda McQuen, of Joliet, IL and Doris Johnson, of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She was part owner of Sesser Concrete for many years.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday June 15, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Chad Jeremy Robertson, 44, of Benton, IL passed away Friday, June 4, 2021 in Benton.

He was born in Crawfordsville, IN on November 16, 1976, the son of Dennis and Deborah (Hoffa) Robertson.

He married Trisha (Yadloski) Robertson on June 10, 2016 in Destin, FL.

Chad, taking after his father, grandfather and great-grandfather was a 5th generation Teamster Car Hauler for most of his life and loved his career. He was a proud father and loved his children with everything he had. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, boating, cooking, traveling, and working around the yard. Chad believed in living life to its fullest.
Mr. Robertson is survived by his wife, Trisha (Yadloski) Robertson, of Benton, IL; children Carly, Kayla, Kamryn and Colton Robertson, of Benton, IL; father, Dennis Robertson, of Crawfordsville, IN; sister, Kerrie (Robertson) French, of New Market, IN.

Mr. Robertson was preceded in death by his mother.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Hunt & Son Funeral Home in Crawfordsville, IN with Rev. Wallie Nichols officiating. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Hunt & Son Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Freedom Cemetery in Montgomery County, IN.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfunerlhome.com

Wesley Victor Morse, 55, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Sunday June 6, 2021 at Herrin Hospital.

He was born on January 7, 1966 in Marion, IL to Claude Murry and Phyllis (Grant) Morse. He married Mary (Vaughn) Morse on August 21, 1999.

He is survived by his wife Mary Morse of Mulkeytown; one daughter Hannah Mae Morse; mother Phyllis (Herman) Jenkins of Buncombe; one brother Zandle (Lisa) Morse of Buncombe and their children Tyler Morse and Chloe Morse and one step-sister Katrina (Scotty) Jitter.

He was preceded in death by his father, grandparents Charles and Anna Grant and Cecil and Ada Morse.

Funeral services will be on Thursday June 10, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Ken Perry officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Mulkeytown cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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