Thurman D. Williams

MT. VERNON — Thurman D. Williams, age 86, of Bonnie, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.

Born Jan. 18, 1924, in Bonnie, he was the son of the late John and Mae (Campbell) Williams.

Mr. Williams is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geraldine Williams; one daughter, Paula Sherwood and husband Larry, also of Bonnie; granddaughter, Lori Sorbello and husband Ryan of St. Louis; granddaughter, Lindsay Sherwood and special friend Brice Leasure of Louisville, Ky.; special adopted granddaughter, Tracy Marlin, also of Bonnie; brother, Bill Williams and wife Jacque of Bonnie; sisters-in-law, Roxie Williams of Trenton, Freda Williams of Bonnie and Freida Schmidt of Woodlawn; special niece and nephews, Roger Williams, Brad Williams, Sherry Williams, Mike Williams and his French Bulldog, “Babe.”

Mr. Williams was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in World War II and a recipient of the Purple Heart. He retired from Freedom No. 6 Coal Mine in Waltonville. He enjoyed gardening and was an avid Duke and Illinois basketball fan. In previous years, he was also a Rams basketball fan, especially when his great-nephew, Kent Williams, was playing. He was also better known for his festive Christmas lights which lit up the west side of Bonnie every year for so many years until his declining health.

He was a member of the Ina Free Will Baptist Church and prior to that attended Bonnie Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher and superintendent.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Robert Williams, Marvin Williams, Fred Shurtz and Glen Shurtz.

Visitation will be held at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be held at the Ina Free Will Baptist Church in Ina Saturday at 11 a.m. with Brother Brad Ryan officiating.

There will be visitation at 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour Saturday at the church.

The burial service will be held at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn. Military rites will be conducted.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ina Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, to the American Cancer Society or Bonnie Baptist Church.

Bonnie Afton Jones, 88, of Ina died Friday, April 16, 2010, at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

She was born in Bonnie on June 15, 1921, the daughter of Albert and Josephine (Dale) Hughey.

On July 26, 1941, she married Kenneth E. Jones in Charleston, Mo.. He preceded her in death on April 26, 2005.

She was a member of the New Hope Free Will Baptist Church. She loved to cook and be around her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by son Gary W. Jones and wife Bonnie of Houma, La.; daughter Norma Davis and husband Darrell of Ina; four grandchildren, Thomas Jones, Michelle Jones, Jesse Davis and Brandi Brown; great granddaughter  Kelsey Jones; great grandson Treager Brown; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; four sisters, Leota Oathout, Pansy Pierce, Alene Wills and Clara Crawford; three brothers, Frank, Omar and Earl Hughey. 

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina with Rev. Raymond Capps officiating. Burial will follow in Kirk Cemetery in Ina. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

James Darryl Dees, age 75, of Waltonville, died at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Darryl was born May 27, 1934, in Waltonville, the son of Hollie C. and Eudene (Braden) Dees. He married Norma Panzier on Feb. 5, 1960, in Waltonville; she survives in Waltonville.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville with the Rev. Raymond Capps  officiating.

Visitation will be held tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville.

Darryl was a member of the Waltonville Freewill Baptist Church. He served his country in the United States Army. He owned and operated Dees Timber. Darryl was a longtime fan of the Waltonville Spartans.

Darryl  is survived by his wife Norma of Waltonville; two sons, Randy Dees and wife Elaine of Waltonville and Jason Dees and wife Michele of Belle Rive; six grandsons, Eric Dees and wife Dana, Justin Dees, Jeffrey Dees and Jessica, Brayden Dees, Avery Dees and Blake Remington Dees; two granddaughters, Sara Dees and Jacie Renee Dees; two great-granddaughters, Gracie Dees and Jayla Dees; two great-grandsons, Jaxton Dees and Paciey Dees; mother-in-law, Mary Panzier of Waltonville; and also several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Craig Dees; one brother, Hollis Dean Dees; one sister, Betty Waldman and husband Ernie; and also father-in-law, Ernest Panzier.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Waltonville Freewill Baptist Church or the Knob Prairie Cemetery and will be accepted at the Newell Funeral Home or may be mailed to Newell Funeral Home, 505 East Main St., Waltonville, IL.

Floyd Arthur Wilderman, 89, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

He was born in Mt. Vernon on Monday, April 26, 1920, the son of Lewis Logan and Carrie Elsie (Derington) Wilderman. He married Mildred Rosalee Shaffer in Clayton, Mo., on June 26, 1941, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 6, 2003.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Bakerville Free Will Baptist Church in Bonnie with the Rev. Tom Skinner and the Rev. David Milburn officiating. Interment will follow at Cubb Prairie Cemetery in Jefferson County. Members of the Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141 will conduct full military honors at the cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the church and from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. service time Sunday at the church.

Mr. Wilderman is survived by two sons, Jerry Wilderman and wife Sheryl of Bonnie and Leroy Wilderman and wife Debbie of Belleville; four daughters, Jeanne Culli of Mt. Vernon, Pat Neal of Mt. Vernon, Linda Skinner and husband the Rev. Tom Skinner of Charleston and Terri Mielke of Mt. Vernon; 17 grandchildren, Steven Price and wife Lisa of Hawaii, Daniel Price, Kathy Scott and husband Alan all of Mt. Vernon, Brent Wilderman and wife Dawn of Bonnie, Mindy Gauger of Waltonville, Chad Wilderman and wife Kelli of Centralia, Phillip Neal and friend Robert of Florida, Patrick Neal of Laverne, Tenn., Tammy McLintock and husband Lee of Mulkeytown, Leslie Bryson and husband Eddie, Vicky Summers and husband Brian, all of Mt. Vernon, Leigh Ann Keefer and husband David of Charleston, Treva Lea Grimes and husband Justin of Oakland, Thomas Alan Skinner and wife Rebecca of St. Louis, Bryan Skinner of Atlanta, Ga., Brandon Wilderman of California and Jace Wilderman and wife Amanda of Belleville; 32 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents; his wife; two brothers, Logan and Otis Wilderman; two sisters, Vivian Wilson and Freda Milliner; one grandson, Duane Culli; and three sons-in-law, Lester Neal, Gary Culli and Bill Price, preceded him in death.

Floyd was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II who served in Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbor as an Aviation Radio Technician Third Class. He was an appliance repair technician for Sears and other companies and was a member and the eldest living deacon of Bakerville Free Will Baptist Church.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Bakerville Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home, or from the online obituary at www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com, or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences.

From Mt. Vernon Register-News

http://www.register-news.com/obituaries/local_story_042200524.html

Hazel Lewis, 89, of Sesser died at 1:45 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at the Shawnee Christian Nursing Home in Herrin.

A funeral service is set for 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at the Hazel Dell Freewill Baptist Church in Sesser, officiated by the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis and Brother Gene Outland. Burial will be in the Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. Sunday at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home and from 1 p.m. Monday until the time of the service at 2 p.m. at the church.

Hazel was born on July 16, 1920, in Franklin County, the daughter of William McKinley Klinker and Rosie Mae (Whitlow) Klinker.

She was married to Everett Lewis, and he preceded her in death on July 22, 1976.

Mrs. Lewis was a cook at the Franklin Hospital in Benton. She was a member of the Sunshine Girls at Hazel Dell Freewill Baptist Church in Sesser, where she was also a member of the church.

She is survived by her children, Verna and Larry Woodland of Sesser, Bill and Kathleen Lewis of Sesser, Enola and Mark Joplin of Shelbyville, Ind., and Ernie and Suzanne Lewis of Cisne; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one stepsister, Dixie Klinker of Sesser.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; stepmother, Thelma Klinker; one sister, Pansy Galloway; and two brothers.

From Benton News:

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/obituaries/x503199570/HAZEL-LEWIS

Mike E. Lemons, 60, of Mt. Vernon, died at 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, at his home.He was born Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1949, in Mt. Vernon, the son of John and Marge (Colgrave) Lemons. He was married to Beth Taylor.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m Sunday at First Free Will Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon with the Rev. David Shores officiating.Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m Saturday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.Interment will be at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn.

Mr. Lemons is survived by his parents; son, Michael Lemons and wife Elizabeth of Nashville, Tenn.; three daughters, Amanda Lemons of Nashville, Tenn., Courtney Lemons of Mt. Vernon and Breanna Lemons of Mt. Vernon; granddaughter, Ramaya White of Nashville, Tenn.; two brothers, Harold Lemons and wife Norma Jean of Ina and William Lemons and special friend Janet of Mt. Vernon; and a sister, Doris Poole of Mt. Vernon. Several nieces and nephews also survive.He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Mike was a computer draftsman for Joy Mining Machinery in Mt. Vernon and was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon.For those who wish, memorials may be given to the First Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home, or from the online obituary at www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com, or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences.

We are all saddened by the passing of Olive Ann Gregory this week.

Olive Ann is the wife of Marvin Gregory, a deacon at Blue Point Church. She
has been suffering from liver cancer for a few months, but she went home to
be with the Lord on Thursday, December 3rd.

Her funeral will be at Blue Point Church on Sunday at 2:30pm. Visitation
will precede the service from 12:30-2:30.

Reverend George E. Ritter

MARION – the Reverend George E. Ritter, 86, went to his eternal heavenly home at 12:43 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, in Heartland Regional Medical Center.

The Rev. Ritter, known to some as “Uncle Red,” was born July 21, 1923, in Johnston City, the son of George E. and Alice A. (Shelton) Ritter.

He married Reba Horton on June 23, 1946, and they have been blessed with more than 63 years of marriage.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from April 1943 to January 1949.

He began pastoring in August 1950, serving churches in southern and north Illinois, Arkansas and Alabama. He continued until ill health forced his retirement in February 1993. Following several months of convalescence, he was able to do pulpit supply in area churches. The Rev. Ritter was a member of Scottsboro Baptist Church and former owner of Ritter’s Custom Cabinets.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister in law, Audrey Ritter of Johnston City; nephew, Bruce Ritter of Johnston City and his children, Denel Morris and husband, Jeff, of Herrin and Brian Ritter and wife, Gabrielle, of St. Louis; nephew, James Ritter and his wife, Brenda, of Johnston City and their children, Jarrod Ritter and wife, Cindy, of Marion, Jeremy Ritter and wife, Wendi, of Goreville, Jennifer Pribble and husband, Richard, of Herrin and Joy Ritter of Herrin; great-great nieces and nephews, Brent, Kylie, Taylor, Zoey, Alyssa, Madison, Haley, Abigail and Kelley Jo; Reba’s cousin, Marvin B. Horton of Harrisburg, who has always been more like a brother to George and Reba and his children, Melissa Belt and husband, Brian, of Harrisburg and Brad Horton and wife, Kandie, of Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gilbert Ritter; and two infant sisters.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ivan Ryan officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg, with military rites performed by Marion’s VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and National Guard Flag Detail Unit. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

For those who prefer, memorials may be made to Scottsboro Baptist Church Building Fund. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL 62959.

JOHNSTON CITY – Gilbert E. Fletcher, 97, formerly of Johnston City, passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday, November 4, 2009, in Antioch, Tennessee. Continue Reading

The Reverend George W. Waggoner – A Faithful Servant. Continue Reading