Kevin David Fornear, 47, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday March 26, 2017 at 8:58 PM at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. Kevin was born on July 4, 1969 in Carbondale to Adam and Lynda (Ray) Fornear. He is survived by his parents Adam and Lynda Fornear of Sesser.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday March 29, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill cemetery in Sesser with Bob White officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brayfield-Gilbert funeral home in Sesser.  For more information or to share a memory, please visit their website gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Leonard Chwarczinski, 65, of Christopher  passed away on Saturday March 25, 2017 at 11:05 AM at the Herrin Hospital.

Leonard was born on November 2, 1951 in Christopher, to Joseph and Anna (Krolikowski) Chwarczinski.

He is survived by his children George and Julie Chwarczinski of St Louis, Mo, Joseph and Jeanine Chwarczinski of Boonville, IN, and Amanda Fraley of Herrin; grandchildren Mikayla Chwarczinski, Aaron Chwarczinski, Ava Chwarczinski, Jonathon Chwarczinski, Izaiah Fraley, Jolene Fraley, and Harley Hardin; four brothers Robert Chwarczinski, David Chwarczinski, James Chwarczinski, and Paul Chwarczinski.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial Service will be on Thursday March 30, 2017 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home.  Visitation will be on Thursday March 30, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

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

Darline F. McNeil 87, of Sesser IL, went to be with the Lord on March 25, 2017.

She was born May 3, 1929 in Sesser, IL to Eddie and Marie (Clapp) Bunton and they precede her in death.

After attending the one room Bear Point School and graduating Sesser high school, Darline attended Alton Memorial Nursing School, graduating in 1950.  This began a lifelong career as a Registered Nurse.  Darline worked at Miner’s Hospital in Christopher, IL and dedicated nearly 40 years of care giving at Franklin Hospital in Benton, IL.

In 1958, she married Harry J. McNeil of Herrin, devoting 19 years of love and compassion, caring for him until his death in 1977.

Darline was a lifelong member of Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.  She was the pianist / organist for over 30 years at Bear Point and played for an untold number of weddings and funerals throughout the Sesser area.  In years gone by, she was the leader of the Bear Point Youth Group where she was affectionately referred to as “The Warden.”

Darline lead a full and very self-sufficient life caring for her family and those in the community and always tried to answer those “Nurse” questions that people came to her with.

Her brother and sister-in- law survive, W. A. “Sonny” and Marjorie Bunton of Sesser, and a special Aunt, Ms. Marie Clapp of Christopher.  “Her Kids,” nephew Ralph Bunton (Cathy), nieces Virginia McCann and Mona Lappin (Mark) all of Sesser also survive.

Aunt Dar / Ami, is also survived by her great nephews and nieces, Rachel Bunton-West, Ross Bunton (Liz), Matthew Lappin (Brittany), Jared Blaylock, Josh Bunton (Jenny), Marcus Lappin (Reed), JB McCann (Sara), Meagan Bunton and Jake McCann,  as well as many great-great, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services will be Wednesday March 29, 2017at 1:00 P.M., at Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser, with Rev. Larry Cook officiating.  Interment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brayfield-Gilbert funeral home in Sesser.  For more information, or to share a memory, please visit their website at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Bear Point Church Youth Group or a worthy charity of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to thank, Hospice of Southern Illinois, the physicians and especially the nursing staff at Herrin Hospital for their care and thoughtfulness.

 

 

Glenford Leon “Bud” Berrong, age 79, of Benton, passed away at 6:48 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.

Glenford Leon Berrong was born on November 22, 1937 in Hamilton County, IL, the son of Jake V. Berrong and Cecil Marie (Halliday) Berrong. He married the former Sharon J. Hill on August 30, 1957 in Palacios, TX, and she survives.

Bud worked as a carpenter for over 20 years. He previously worked as a coal miner, where he worked for eleven years at Freeman #4, and he was a member of the UMWA.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Berrong is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Sharon Berrong of Benton; a son Bradley Berrong and wife Nickey of Benton; grandsons: Shawn Blades and wife Penny of Benton, Billy Blades and wife Alisha of Harrisburg; five great-grandchildren; two sisters: Glendeen Chaney, Jeanie Smoot and husband John, all of Benton; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, where Military Rites will be honored by the Benton American Legion Post #280, the V.F.W. Post #2671 and the U.S. Air Force. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Feed the Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0036, and will be accepted at the visitation and graveside services.

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

Richard E. “Mac” McFadden, 69, of Benton IL, passed away at 1:26 a.m., on Monday, March 20, 2017, at the Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO

He was born on September 3, 1947, to Lester and Ruby (Lyday) McFadden in Herrin, IL. He was a 1965 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School and  then graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  Richard served in the United States Army National Guard.

Richard worked as a Plumber and Pipefitter.  He was the owner of McFadden Plumbing.   Richard retired from the State of Illinois as a Plumbing Inspector.

He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, the Elks, Plumber & Pipefitters Union, the Democratic Party, and served on the School Board for the Marion and Benton High School.

Richard is survived by his two daughters, Amber Tieffel and husband Jason of Benton, IL, Jennifer Brooke Holderfield and Husband Lonnie of Marion, IL; a sister, Sue Dirks and husband Ken of Benton, IL; two nieces, Robin Frailey and husband Hugh of Benton, IL and Kelly Bain and husband Greg of Benton, IL; a granddaughter, Peyton Tieffel of Benton, IL; a grandson, Mason Tieffel of Benton, IL; his loving pet dog, Sadie; and two family friends, Mary Jane Kimmel and Lyn Higgins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Ruby McFadden; wife, Kathy McFadden; maternal grandfather, Harley Britton; maternal grandmother, Blanche Britton; paternal grandfather, Vincent McFadden; paternal grandmother, Molly McFadden; and a brother-in-law, Clyde Hefner.

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

Funeral services will be held on Friday March 24, at 11:00 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home, with Pastor Sammy Simmons and Eddie Paul Davis officiating, with the eulogy given by Jim Muir.

Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL., with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the National Guard Honors Team.

Memorials may be made in Richard’s honor to the American Cancer Society.

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

 

 

 

Mary Helen Holman, 73, of Ewing, IL, passed away Sunday, March 19, 2017 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was born in Anna, IL, on July 31, 1943, the daughter of Van and Lodema (Eddleman) McCommons.

Mary married Stanley K. Holman on December 22, 1962, and he preceded her in death on October 28, 2003.

Mary was a school bus driver for Ewing-Northern Grade School for more than 37 years.

She attended Potter’s Way Church, in Frisco.

Mary is survived by three children, David Holman and wife Rhonda, of Ewing, Sally McClenahan and husband Chris, of Rosiclare, IL and Michael Holman and wife Jacqueline, of Ewing; five grandchildren, Curtis Lane, Desiree Moulton, Olivia Holman, Lucas Holman and Carly Holman; five great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Jessie, Brylee, Galus and Zarla; one sister Judy Dixon and husband Bill, of Benton; two brothers George McCommons, of Dongola, IL and Wesley McCommons and wife Lois, of Olathe, KS; sister-in-law Salinda McCommons, of Benton and brother-in-law Louie Neve, of Macomb, IL.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother, Steve McCommons, a sister Vanita Neve and a sister-in-law Marcella McCommons.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Potter’s Way Church, 17162 Frisco Road, Ewing, IL. A memorial service will be held at the church at 7 p.m. with Pastor Roger Webb officiating.

For those who wish memorial contributions can be made to Potter’s Way Church Children’s Fund.

The Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.