Norman Ernest Brown, 78, of Marion, passed away on Saturday September 5, 2020 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

He was born on March 14, 1942 in Mulkeytown to Louie and Helen (O’Dell) Brown. He married Sheila (Atchison) Brown on November 29, 1963 and she survives of Marion.

He is also survived by his children Pamela Sue Quinn of Barnhart, MO, Debra Kay Wilson of Johnston City, IL and Sherry Don Campbell of Marion; grandchildren Melissa (Chris) Bourque, James (Summer) Quinn, Stephanie (Jake) Page, Sammie Wilson, Ashleigh Rea Campbell, Jobi Ray Hart and Norman Jacob Campbell; great grandchildren Jersey, Journey, Jakson, McKenna, Nico and James; two sisters Donna Stritzel of Hillsboro, IL, Brenda Brown of Millstadt; one brother Roger (Jan) Brown of Mulkeytown.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law Daniel Stritzel.

He was a United States Army Veteran and President of the National Mine Electrical Group. He was also a Deacon of the Heartland Christian Church in Marion.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening and especially spending time with his family and friends.

Graveside services will be on Thursday September 10, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery with Pastor Greg Gibbs officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday September 9, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Burial will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Heartland Christian Church in Marion. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Danny Gene Partin, 69, of Zeigler, passed away on September 2, 2020 at his home.

He was born on June 7, 1951 in Marion to Doug and Helen (Hiller) Partin.

He is survived by his daughter Twila Ann (Jeff) Wyskiver-Cooper of Marion, IL; one sister Denise Horton of Carbondale, IL and one nephew Andrew Horton of Chicago, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Dennis Partin.

He was a Coal Miner and had worked at Inland Steel and Old Ben Coal companies and had worked at Maytag for many years until his retirement. He was also a Veteran of the United States Navy and served during the Korean War.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

Eugene Michael Kathalynas gained his wings and entered the gates of Heaven on September 2, 2020 at 3:42 PM surrounded by his loving family. Gene was born on May 13, 1936 to Edward & Helen Kathalynas in West Frankfort, IL. He married Sue Stacey on January 12, 1957.

He was the owner and founder of Kathalynas Construction. At the age of 80 he hung up his overalls and laid down his hammer and fully retired. He passed on his construction knowledge to his children and grandchildren. His work can be seen all over Southern Illinois in many homes and businesses. He loved hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed the company of his close friends and family frying fish and having a good time.

He is survived by his two sons, Mike (Linda) Kathalynas of West Frankfort, Marty (Rhonda) of Benton, and one daughter Melissa (Jeff) Perry of West Frankfort; grandchildren, Mike, Ryan (Allyson), Tim (Abby), Marty (Rachael) Kathalynas, Stacey (Josh Petro) DeRossett, Tony (Andi) Bowers, Steven (Sean) Frey, & Steve Doll; great-grandchildren, Raelyn, Alivia, Kade, Jace, Harlyn & Brynn Kathalynas. Giovanni & Bentley DeRossett, Sloane Bowers, Brody Petro, & Alyssa & McKayla Perry.

He is also survived by his sisters-in-laws Joyce Baumert, Brenda Kay (Bill) Whittington, Marilyn Stacey and several nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his wife Sue of 60 years, Granddaughter Felecia Doll, his parents Ed and Helen, Brother Ed, sisters Sylvia Miller, Ann Johnson, Helen (Ken) Limstrom. Father & Mother-in-law Buck & Eva Alverta Stacey, Brother & sister-in-law Esther (Jewel) King, Oma (Homer) Peek, Bob (Thea) Stacey, Bill Stacey & Jerry Baumert.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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

Online condolences maybe left at www.patefh.com

Roy John Kretz, 61, passed away Saturday, August 29 at Lavender Ridge in Mt. Vernon after a long illness.

He was born on September 27, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Roy Peter Kretz and Mary Helen Kretz (Chizmadia). He is survived by his son RJ Kretz (Mynette) of Champaign, two grandchildren Addie and Mason; one brother Robert (Lisa) Kretz of Bluford and his daughter Shannon Kretz and two sisters, Catherine Kretz of Bloomington and her children Kali (Chris) Poulard, Charles (Michelle) Boaz and Todd (Lauren) Boaz and Cindy Kretz (Dave Stark) of Mulkeytown. He was proceeded in death by his parents.

Roy was a graduate of Illinois State University and he worked for the Illinois Department of Revenue as an auditor his entire career. He liked gardening, hiking and outdoor activities and was a member of the Audubon society, which complemented his many outdoor adventures. He was an enthusiastic comic collector with Superman being his main hero character and he attended numerous comic conventions.

He enjoyed spending time with family and you would regularly find him in many Euchre card games. Roy enjoyed the variety of Southern Illinois vineyards and he would always find some new offerings to add to his taste of wines. He was a member of the St. Andrews Catholic Church Knights of Columbus.

Visitation will be on Tuesday September 1, 2020 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and on Wednesday 8:00 AM until 9:30 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday September 2, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the St. Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to the Knights of Columbus. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Roy was loved by his many friend’s and family. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the compassionate care provided to Roy at Lavender Ridge Memory Care and through SSM Hospice.

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

Joyce G. Joplin, age 88, formerly of Benton, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of 08/12/20 at the Creekwood Nursing Home in Russellville, Kentucky. She had just celebrated her 88th birthday on July 23rd.

She was born and raised in Marion, Kentucky; was married to Ransom (Earl) Joplin, who preceded her in death, and they had four children, Terena Joplin of Blaine, Minnesota; Anita (Eric) Joplin-Johnson of Russellville, Kentucky; Marc Joplin of Belleville, Illinois; and Gary Joplin of Freiburg, Germany. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, step grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Her parents and two sisters preceded her in death.

She resided in Benton, Illinois, where her children were raised, she was a member of New Life Church of God, and she with her husband managed Derby (Coastal) service station (formerly on West Main Street in Benton) for twenty years prior to his passing. She relocated to Cambridge House Assisted Living in O’Fallon, Illinois nine years ago and spent her final two years in a specialized unit for dementia patients at Creekwood Nursing Home in Russellville, Kentucky. Her strength declined over the past few months and yet her passing still came as a shock. Due to current travel and contact restrictions, the family had decided to forego a funeral service and instead only have a private visitation for immediate family, which was held on 08/15/20 at the funeral home.

Her prearrangements were tended to by Morton and Johnston Funeral Home and she was laid to rest at Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery of Benton, Illinois, next to her long awaited husband.

The family is planning to meet next summer to celebrate her life. As there was no service, there is no need for flowers, so if you would like to make a donation in her memory to any organization doing good in the world, please do so, even if that means buying some flowers for the nurses at your local hospital.

Condolences can be mailed to the Family of Joyce Joplin, c/o 1425 Peace Drive, Belleville, Illinois 62220.

Jerry Fitzpatrick age 67 of Benton passed away on August 21, 2020 at the Marion V.A. Medical Center in Marion.

Jerry was born January 9, 1953 to Sonia (Hammers) & Jack Fitzpatrick. Jerry married Donna Woodrow in 1972. Together they had 3 children. The marriage ended after 33 years, but they had a lifelong friendship.

Jerry joined the Military in October of 1971. He served his country proudly for 3 years. After discharge from the Army Jerry was employed at Freeman #3 & #6 and Peabody Coal Mines. He later became a Federal Coal Mine Inspector.
Jerry is of the Baptist Faith giving his life to the Lord 30 years ago.
Jerry was a jack of all trades. There was nothing he couldn’t fix.

Jerry’s hobbies were working on cars, playing guitars, fishing with his good buddy Tom, joke between them was Jerry could always out fish Tom if only by one small one. Jerry liked putting out a small garden. Jerry also loved to study the Bible with his friend Jim. On most Spring & Fall evenings you could find Jerry in his back yard sitting around a fire, as he would say “I’m just a pondering.” Jerry loved his family dearly and will be greatly missed.

Jerry is survived by 2 Sons-Scott Fitzpatrick & Brandon Fitzpatrick, 1 Daughter-Ashlee Eubanks & husband Jared; 8 Grandchildren-Stormee Chamberlain & husband Doyle, Harley Staton, Tatumn Fitzpatrick, Ireland & Ellyana Fitzpatrick, Jentry, Wynter & Truly Eubanks and Riley Atkins; 2 Great-Grandkids-Robby & Alexa Chamberlain; 5 Brothers-Mike & wife Peggy, Jackson & wife Bridgett, Norman, Elvis and Ronnie; 1 Sister-Yolonda Patton & husband Scott.

Jerry was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Parents & Mother-in-law-Opal Woodrow.

Jerry is also survived by his best friends: Donna & Tom McClearin and Jim & Rene Williams, by his dog Odis and his little buddy Winnie.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 26th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Jim Williams officiating. Burial with Military RItes conducted by Sesser American Legion & VFW Posts and the Army Honor Guard will be in the Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

We ask everyone attending the services to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time, and everyone attending is encouraged to wear a mask.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Deloris Bazzoni, 79, of Christopher, passed away on Saturday August 22, 2020 at her home.

She was born on September 23, 1940 in Franklin County, IL to Wilford Ode and Francis (Connor) Day. She married Albino “Al” Bazzoni and he preceded her in death on May 11, 1992.

She is survived by her son James Van Hon of Christopher, one niece Cheryl and two nephews Greg and Ode.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers Lee Connor and James Day.

Graveside services will be on Tuesday August 25, 2020 at 2:00 PM at the St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher with Pastor Tony Price officiating. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic cemetery in Christopher.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

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