Jacob Wesley Sanchez, 28, of Peoria, IL, passed away on January 30, 2023, in Nashville, TN. He was born October 11, 1994, in Carbondale, IL, to Rodrigo and Christy (Cockrum) Sanchez. He graduated from Dunlap High School in 2013 and worked in IT at Genesco, Inc. in Nashville.

Jacob is survived by his girlfriend, Nikki Lepretre and their son, Jayce Hunter Sanchez, both of Metamora, IL; his parents, Rodrigo and Christy Sanchez of Peoria, IL; his sister Ashley, brother Tristen, and paternal grandmother DeEtta Sanchez.

He is survived by his aunts and uncles – Staci (Jim) Hood, Valier, IL; Wendy (John) Kirkpatrick, Madison, AL; Annette (Alexander) Loya, Cancun, Mexico; Rafael (Rocio) Sanchez, Mexico City, Mexico; as well as cousins, Derek and Courtney Hood, Kensi, Kade, and Kylie Kirkpatrick, Alejandra and Rodrigo Loya, DeEtta, Christian, and Andrea Sanchez, and Nichole and Ian Langevin.

Jacob was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Billy and Linda Cockrum, and his paternal grandfather, Rafael Sanchez.

Being loved by Jacob was an amazing gift. His infectious laugh, uncanny sense of humor, tender heart, and presence will be missed greatly by all who loved and knew him. He treasured the time spent with his two-year-old son. He referred to Jayce as, “the best thing he ever did,” and often bragged that his son was, “the epitome of perfection.”

Visitation will be held at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL, on Saturday, February 11th from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 PM with Brother Larry Cook officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association (HOIDSA). Please designate in the notes section that your donation is “In Memory of Jacob Sanchez.” HOIDSA Donation Link
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Melody Lynn Hays, 64, of Christopher, passed away on Friday February 3, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

She was born on February 25, 1958 in Melrose Park, IL to Arthur and Dimple (Overturf) Kerley. She married Rick Hays on June 15, 1974 and he survives of Christopher.

She is also survived by her children Rick (Sara) Hays of Opdyke, Nik Hays of St Louis and Amanda (Ryan) Petrea of Salem; Grandchildren Brylin Hays, Ahnalynn Hays, Kirstie (Michael) Allison, Mataya Petrea, Zyan Petrea, Kollyn Petrea and Mak Petrea; one sister Debi (Joe) Shovan of Valier and one brother Lindell Kerley of Christopher.

Melody was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws and grandson, Jaxon. Melody was a loving Christian wife, mother, and grandma. She had a talent for singing and she loved to use that talent to worship her Lord and Savior. She opened her arms and home to many people throughout the years and was always willing to give love, hugs, and an open ear to anyone in need. Melody‘s pride and joy were her three children and her grandchildren. She loved supporting them in all they did. She was an example for all in what living a Christian life meant. She and Rick were meant to be and were each other‘s best friends and soulmates, having been married for 48 years. Melody will be greatly missed here on earth, but we know she is rejoicing in heaven with her loved ones, and we will see her again.

Funeral services will be on Thursday February 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with her son Pastor Rick Hays officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday February 8, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Cole Shelton, 75, of Sullivan, passed away at 10:13 a.m. Thursday, February 2, 2023 at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield with his family by his side.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. Monday at the St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Reed Funeral Home. Burial with military rites conducted by the Sesser VFW will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Union Primitive Baptist Cemetery, Waltonville, Illinois. Memorials are suggested to The St. Mary’s House, 320 N. 21st Street, Mattoon, Illinois 91938. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Cole was born on April 17, 1947 in DuQuoin, Illinois, the son of Frank and Juana (McCutchen) Shelton. He was a U. S. Navy veteran. Cole married Joyce Pelczynski on May 8, 1982 in Sesser, Illinois.

Survivors include his wife Joyce; son Travis (Andrea) Shelton of Edwardsville; granddaughters Kathryn and Madelyn; grandson Andrew; sister Barbara (Jeff) Emil of Tampa, Florida; mother-in-law Rose Pelczynski of Sullivan; sister-in-law Judy (Alan) Middendorf of St. Louis, Missouri and a nephew Ben (Krissi) Emil of Palm City, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cole learned his work ethic from his family’s business, Shelton Farm Supply is Sesser, IL. He served his years in the U. S. Navy and then returned home to run the family business until 1994. After that, he pursued his interest in education through teaching Industrial Arts at Herrin High School. They then moved up to Central, IL and Cole continued this at Bethany High School. From there, Cole wrapped up his full time career driving flatbed trucks cross country. Once he had grandkids, he wanted to stay close to home and worked part time at the Ace Hardware store.

Cole would light up whenever he was given the opportunity to talk about cars, racing and his grandkids to anyone that would listen. His McDonald’s breakfast crew understood this all too well, which was a welcome break from the political conversations. Travis, Joyce and Cole spent their favorite years traveling around the country with Travis’ Jr Dragster. Cole was ridiculously proud to switch his racing energies to his son. Most recently, Cole loved getting to watch his grandkids learn their love for speed as they learned how to drive 4 wheelers themselves.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Cole Shelton, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

Lennyx Ray Mann, 2-month-old son of Alexys Rayleigh Mann; went to be with our Lord in Heaven on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

Lennyx came into this world premature on December 1, 2022 at the Missouri Baptist Hospital of St. Louis. There he would stay for the first month of his life and become known as a “NIICU Warrior”.

His mother said that “Chicken Lenny” loved to snuggle with his momma, loved staring at the ceiling fan and had discovered that chewing on his hands was a great thing.
Baby Lennyx is survived by his loving mother Alexys Rayleigh Mann; a grandmother Valerye Mann; great-grandfather Donald Grear; aunts: Jayda and Olyvia Anderson, all of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania; aunt and uncle Amy and David Fry of West Frankfort, Illinois; and a cousin Alyiah Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother Robyn Grear.

Cremation services are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
To leave online condolences to the family, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Ruth Ann Crocker, 91, of Sesser, passed away on February 1, 2023 at Countryside Manor in Mt Vernon.

She was born on December 13, 1931 in Benton, IL to Lavern and Lorene (Tennison) Summers. She married William “Bill” Crocker and he preceded her in death on April 18, 2009.

She is survived by her children Susan (Mike) Summers of Scheller, Michael (Joanna) Eubanks of Bourbonnais, IL, William “Bill” (Lisa) Crocker of O’Fallon, IL and Jeffrey Crocker of Sesser; daughter-in-law Kathy Crocker of Scheller; ten grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons Carl Crocker and Ritchie Eubanks and one brother Donald Summers.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday February 7, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Monday February 6, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be given to the Shriners Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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