On Friday, August 7, 2020, Gene Andrew Mitchell, 77, of Benton, Illinois, passed from this life to his heavenly home to be with the Lord he loved and served. He fought a long, brave battle with cancer and was surrounded by his loving family upon his passing.

Gene was born in West Frankfort, Illinois, on May 13, 1943, to Gene and Gladys Mitchell. He married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Farmer, on September 3, 1961.

He proudly served his country in the United States Navy as an electrician and instructor at the only mine warfare school that existed in the world at the time. His service included involvement in the Cuban Missile Crisis and sweeping mines in the Vietnam War. He retired from Rend Lake College in 1999 where he taught electricity, electronics, and federal mining certification classes. Many students were impacted by his instruction and influence. Gene was active in his church, New Life Church of God. He lived his life as a testimony to the Lord, who turned his life around. He loved spending time with his family, his dog Toby, studying scripture, reading, and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Bill and Jeff Mitchell. He is survived by his loving wife, Juanita, and his three loving children and their spouses, Lisa (Mike) Manis, Stephanie (Jeff) Moake, and Gene (Kendra) Mitchell II. His grandchildren also surviving are Michael (Heather) Manis, Nicole (Michael) Strickler, Brandon (Katherine) Moake, Jared (Mikayla) Moake, Abigail Mitchell, and Christian Mitchell. His seven precious great grandchildren, Hunter (13), Joshua (10), Benjamin (4), Sam (6), Will (6), Millie (2), and Warren (9 months) were a joy to his heart. His Dear Brother Scott Mitchell.

A visitation will be held from 12 – 2 pm on Monday, August 10, 2020, at New Life Church of God in Benton, Illinois. The funeral will follow the visitation at 2 pm with Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be at Masonic Oddfellow Cemetery in Benton, Illinois, with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion and VFW Posts. Social distancing should be observed and all CDC and local health requirements should be adhered to.

Special thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Fisher House in St. Louis, Missouri, and to Dr. Tanios and the nursing staff at SIH Cancer Institute in Carterville, Illinois. We would also like to thank friends and family for their prayers and kind support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Life Church of God or the Fisher House.

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

Beatrice Kay Price, 78, of Benton, passed away at 11:46 p.m., on Thursday, August 6, 2020, at Mt. Vernon Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Kay was born on August 5, 1942, to Dallas and Mabel (Taylor) Wynn in West Frankfort, IL. She married Wilfred Price and he preceded her in death.

Kay was a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed being outdoors, bowling, traveling or just take a road trip.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Jo Linda (Dan) Swafford, Rebecca (Jim) Poole and Gayla (John) Edwards; three sisters, Wanda Shaw, Marilyn Kirkman, Beaulah Mae (Ferral) Avery; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dallas and Mabel Wynn, her husband, Wilfred Price and one brother, Dallas Dean Wynn.

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

Services will be privately held.

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

David C. Biggs, 78, of Mulkeytown, passed away on August 4, 2020.

He was born on February 10, 1942 in Mulkeytown, IL to Clyde and Sylvia Marie (Brown) Biggs.

He was married to Carolyn (Journey) Biggs and she survives of Mulkeytown.
is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, one sister Betty Rice and two brothers Roy Howard Biggs and Billy Ray Biggs. He was a coalminer and a member of the UMWA. He also served in the United States Marine Corp. during the Vietnam War.

Graveside services will be on Monday August 10, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Shirley Mae Yon, 82, of Benton passed away Monday afternoon August 3, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

She was born in Chicago, IL on April 17, 1938, the daughter of Jerry & Mae Yon.

She was married to George Ray Bouer, and he preceded her in death on October 4, 2012.

Shirley is survived by:

A Nephew, a Cousin and her Church Family who she dearly loved
Shirley was a faithful member of the Faith Baptist Church in Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 8th at the Faith Baptist Church in Benton with Pastor Steven Flach officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemtery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the Church.
In lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made to the Faith Baptist Church.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Beverly Jean Berner, 82, of Mulkeytown, passed away on Wednesday July 29, 2020 at her home.

She was born on April 4, 1938 in Christopher, IL to Roy and Violet (Hastings) Moyers. She married Carl Edward Berner on September 13, 1958 and he survives of Mulkeytown.

She is also survived by her daughter Shari (Mike) Carpenter of Mulkeytown; two grandsons Matt (Allison) Carpenter of Effingham, IL and Todd (Loryn) Carpenter of Scheller; great grandchildren Adalyn, Zayden, Cole and Cain; one sister Elaine (Steve) Furlow of Mulkeytown; three brothers Jim (Mary) Moyers of Mulkeytown, Wayne (Sue Ann) Moyers of Mulkeytown and Bob (Shelley) Moyers of Coello.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Shirley Donelson.
She was a homemaker and a member of the Mulkeytown Christian Church.

Funeral services will be on Saturday August 1, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Preacher Kurt Jensen officiating. Visitation will be on Friday July 31, 2020 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the West Franklin Historical District or to the Mulkeytown Christian Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Marie Valentina Sapinski, 98, of Christopher, passed away on Monday July 27, 2020 at her home.

She was born on February 14, 1922 to Don and Constance (Mordini) Cima. She married Mike Sapinski and he preceded her in death on September 18, 1974.

She is survived by one daughter Cheri Sapinski of Christopher; one granddaughter Tasha Sapinski of Christopher; three great grandchildren Krystal Sapinski, Jonathan Sapinski and Calista Stangle; one great great grandson Khalil Brown and one very special friend Sam Aiello.

Marie was a very loving person and was a member of the First Christian Church of Christopher and was a former member of the Eagles Auxiliary and the Christopher Senior Citizens.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Russell Wayne Sapinski; one granddaughter Crystal Lea Sapinski and one sister.

Funeral services will be on Friday July 31, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Masonic and IOOF cemetery in Benton.

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