​James Michael Dycus, 69, of Woodlawn, Illinois passed away Friday, November 2, 2018 at the Marion VA Community Living Center, after a long battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer. Jim was born on September 30, 1949 to Donald Walker and Frances Jean (Keil) Dycus. He grew up and graduated high school in Waltonville, IL. He married Margaret Ann Robinson on November 18, 1972. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Donald R. Dycus and his sister Karen Throgmorton.  He is survived by Margaret, his wife of 46 years, his two daughters; Elizabeth (Ross) Bunton and Jennifer (John) Lewis, and five grandchildren Phoebe, Alexander, Reagan, Kennedy and Michael.  He is also survived by two sisters Tracey (Elic) Adams of Bonnie and Polly Molnar of Springfield

​Jim was a Vietnam Veteran, serving in U.S. Army before going to work for Old Ben Coal Company at Mine #21 as coal miner for 14 years. Later, Jim started his own company, Rend Lake Lodging & Development, and perused a number of construction and housing related endeavors.

Jim was a long-time member at Ina Free Will Baptist Church in Ina, Illinois. He also co-founded, with his partner Gary Curry from Ada, Oklahoma, a non-profit organization called Bridge Builders for the Cross dedicated to bridging the gap between oceans and people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bridge Builder’s primary efforts are directed toward providing humanitarian aid while applying and sharing the teachings of the Bible. Jim has traveled, worked and ministered in several countries across the globe with great compassion, but he has a special relationship with those he worked alongside in the country of Cuba. With an abundantly generous heart and compassionate burden to help in areas large and small, Jim has left a deep and lasting impression on the lives of countless people around the world. 

Our Illinois State Treasurer and Coordinator of the Illinois Disaster Response Unit went to be with the Lord Saturday, April 22, 2017

Timothy Ernest Hayes was born on March 5, 1953 to Billy R and Naomi (Head) Hayes of Ina, IL. He grew up on his family's farm in rural Ina with and was a member of the Ina Free Will Baptist Church until the family was forced to move due to the creation of Rend Lake. The Hayes family moved to rural Kell in southern Marion County in 1969 and Tim attended Salem High School where he graduated in 1971. He was a member of the Pleasant View Free Will Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher. Tim attended Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN for one year but then returned to Illinois to pursue his true love, farming. In 1974 he married Kathy Kagy of Salem and the couple farmed side by side for the next 43 years. 

Tim and Kathy have three children, Crystal and her husband Brian Grove of Greenville, IL, Jill and her husband Rob Tilley of Pevely, MO and Eric and wife Kari of Louisville, KY and 12 grandchildren that were the joy of his life. Ryker, Cainan and Kinley Grove, Claire, Gracie, Kate and Ben Tilley, and Kira, Eli, Ella, Kenna and Eliza Hayes. Tim is also survived by sisters Susan Burgess and husband David of Walnut Hill and Amy Mathena and husband Billy of Kell; and a brother Shannon Hayes and wife Paula of Kell. But Tim's family doesn't stop there. His church family and those that he has met and served with over the years were important parts of his life as well. 

Funeral services for Tim Hayes will be held on Thursday April 27, 2017 at 10:00am at the Calvary Free Will Baptist Church in Salem. Travis Penn will officiate the services. There will be a visitation on Wednesday at the church from 4:00- 9:00 pm. Memorials may be made to Camp Hope in Ewing, IL and may be left at Rogers- Atkins Funeral Home who is in charge of arrangements.

Aileen Waggoner, 91, died at 12:40 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2016, in Countryside Manor in Mount Vernon.
Aileen was born Feb. 26, 1925, in Benton, the daughter of Ray and Nola Bain. She married her life’s companion, the Rev. George W. Waggoner, on June 1, 1944, in Mount Vernon, and they shared 65 years of marriage.

Survivors include two sons, Mark Waggoner of Mount Vernon and Van (Shirley) Waggoner of Dubuque, Iowa; two daughters, Jan Waggoner of Carbondale and Linda (Doug) McMahan of Mount Vernon; six grandchildren, Amanda Gillen (Jessie) of Dubuque, Ashley Snow (Charlie) of Bluford, Adam Waggoner of Dubuque, Rachael Larsen (Nate) of Ankeny, Iowa, Melissa Voss (Jason) of Carbondale and Stephanie Waggoner, also of Carbondale; and six great-grandchildren, Aaliyah Waggoner, Gabriella and Sophia Gillen, Kylie and Brett Snow and Calvin Larson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. George W. Waggoner; and her parents.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, in First Free Will Baptist Church in Mount Vernon with the Rev. David Shores officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Mount Vernon. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at the church

Beatrice Elizabeth Flota, 95, of Jacksonville, Florida and formerly of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away on February 16, 2016 at her home in Jacksonville, Florida.

Beatrice was born on Wednesday, December 20, 1920 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the daughter of the late Jesse Alfred and Sarah Ida (Patoma) Skinner. She married Howard Flota on November 23, 1939 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois and just celebrated their 76th Wedding Anniversary.

Surviving family members include her husband: Howard S. Flota of Jacksonville, Florida; Twins: Daughter: Ida Sue Robinson and husband Ronald of Jacksonville, Florida; Son: Bobby Flota of Lake Wales, Florida; Grandson: Scott Flota and wife Tracy of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Granddaughter: Stephanie Post and husband Mike of Newburgh, Indiana; Granddaughter: Teresa Hahn and husband Karl of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Granddaughter: Susan Everage and husband Ricky of Bethalto, Illinois; Grandson: Rob Robinson and wife Celeste of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Thirteen (13) Great-Grand Children; Six (6) Great-Great- Grand Children

Beatrice was preceded in death by Brother: Vance Skinner of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Sister: Flosse May Skinner of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Beatrice had many accomplishments in her life, such as being a Pastor’s Wife for 60+ years; church pianist/organist; cake baker/decorator; seamstress; and quilter.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, February 19, 2016 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois with Pastor Tom Skinner officiating.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at First Free Will Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois

Interment will follow at Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Shriners Hospital for Children and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mount Vernon, Illinois 62864.

Rev. Clifford Leon Hicks age 87 of Waltonville passed away 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at his home in Waltonville.Clifford was born in Waltonville, Illinois on January 17, 1928 the son of Traves and Sadie (Dees) Hicks. He married Wilma Maxine (Young) on March 24, 1948 at the home of Rev. Tracy Dees in Waltonville and she survives in Waltonville.

Clifford Served his Country in the United States Navy during WWII. He worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, Vernois Stove Foundry in Mt. Vernon, Freeman Coal Mine # 3 in Waltonville, and then last for Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

During this time Rev. Clifford Hicks was serving as pastor for various Free Will Baptist Churches in Jefferson, Franklin, and Wayne Counties. He served as Illinois State Treasurer and on the Executive Board for the Illinois State Association of Free Will Baptist. He was a member of the Waltonville Free Will Baptist Church where served as pastor on two separate occasions. He was loved greatly by his wife, children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed.

Clifford is survived by his wife, Maxine Hicks of Waltonville; son, Michael Hicks of Waltonville; daughter, Connie and husband Robert “Butch” Spain of Waltonville; five grandchildren, Bob Spain of Waltonville, Penny Wright and husband Jeremy of Lancaster, Kentucky, Jonathan Hicks and wife Lezlie of Texico, Jason Hicks and wife Kylie of Ina, and Katie Williams and husband Lance of Bonnie; sixteen great-grandchildren; and also several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Ila Mae Nadolski-Maragni; three brothers, Robert, Jimmy, and Sam Hicks; and one infant brother, Franklin D. Hicks.

Funeral services for Rev. Clifford Hicks will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2015, at the Waltonville Free Will Baptist Church in Waltonville with Rev. Ivan Ryan and Rev. Curtis Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville, Illinois. Visitation will be at the Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville from 5-8 p.m. on Friday.

For those who wish memorials may be made to the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information you may call Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville at 618-279-7272

Billy Gene Outland of Nashville, Tennessee died Saturday, May 9 at St. Thomas West Hospital; he was 80 years old. Brother Outland pastored the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser, Illinois for many years.

Rev. Outland was preceded in death by his parents Billy and Lillian Waddell Outland; wife Peggy Outland; and sister Ernestine Hulett. He is survived by his daughter Angela Trotter (Mark); granddaughter Audrey Jordan (Blake) and brother John Outland (Shirley).

Visitation for Mr. Outland will be Friday, May 15th from 12:00 Noon thru 2:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life beginning at 2:00 p.m.; all at the Harpeth Hills Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Welch College, 3606 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee, 37205.

Robert Fred Hamilton, 96, of Mt. Vernon and a former resident of Waltonville, passed away 11:27 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at White Oak Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon.

Robert was born April 17, 1918, in Jefferson County, the son of Harry and Ina (Fred) Hamilton. On Sept. 4, 1942, in Miami, he married Dorothy V. Jones and she preceded him on death Feb. 27, 2014.

Mr. Hamilton was member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon. Robert was a devoted Christian. He was a truck driver for Standard Oil Mt. Vernon and later worked for Sesser Monument Company. Mr. Hamilton served his country in the United Sates Army during WWII. He loved spending time with Dorothy working in the garden.

Robert is survived by his two sons, Robert F. Hamilton Jr. and wife Nancy of Fleming Island, Fla., and Mike Hamilton and wife Taffy of The Villages, Fla. and a former resident of Marion; one sister, Berdine Neal; two grandsons, Jeff Hamilton and wife Sheila of Calendonia, Ohio, and Quent Hamilton and wife Michelle of Marion; two granddaughters, Rebecca Powell and husband David of Middleburg, Fla., and Angela Hamilton Stoecklin and husband Tony of Hamel; and also ten great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy and one sister, Margaret Roberson.

Funeral services for Robert Hamilton were held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with the Rev. David Shores officiating. Burial followed at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville.

Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Naomi E. Hayes, 84, died Friday, January 16, 2015, at her son’s home in Kell, Illinois, after a long illness.

She was born August 26, 1930, at Rend City, Illinois. She was the daughter of Robert B. and Berenice E. (Johnson) Head. She married Billy R. Hayes June 2, 1948, at Ina, Illinois. He preceded her in death on December 15, 2007.

She was a retired registered nurse having worked at Good Samaritan Hospital, Crossroads Hospital and White Oak Health Care Center in Mt. Vernon and VNA in Salem, IL. She was also an employee of Bryan-Bennett Library at Salem and a decorator of wedding cakes. For many years she took opinion polls for Prairie Farmer Magazine. She was past regent of the Isaac Hull Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and a 4-H Club leader for 30 years.

She is survived by 2 sons Timothy E. Hayes and wife Kathy of Iuka and Shannon D. Hayes and wife Paula of Kell. She is survived by 2 daughters, Susan K. Burgess and husband David of Salem and Amy C. Mathena and husband William J. of Kell. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Wendolyn Penn and husband Rev. Travis of Noblesville, IN; Crystal Grove and husband Brian of Greenville, IL; Jill Tilley and husband Dr. Robert of Pevely, MO; Eric Hayes and wife Kari of Defiance, MO; Kirk Hayes, Holly Hayes, Brad Hayes and Blake Hayes of Kell, IL; Christina Carlson and husband Jacob of Bethalto, IL; Caitlin Burroughs and husband Todd of Iuka, IL; and Branton Mathena and Callah Mathena of Kell, IL. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren Brooklyn and Isaiah Penn of Noblesville, IN; Ryker, Cainan and Kinley Grove of Greenville, IL; Claire, Anna Grace, Kate Naomi and Benjamin Hayes Tilley of Pevely, MO; and Kira, Timothy Elias, Ella and Kenna Hayes of Defiance, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother James Robert Head; three sisters, Christina Head, Mary Etta Lawson, and Carol Martin Henley; and one daughter Sally Kay Hayes.

She was a member of Ina Free Will Baptist Church, Ina, IL and attended Pleasant View Free Will Baptist Church, Walnut Hill, IL for many years.

Visitation will be at Johnston Funeral Home, Ina on Sunday, January 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at Johnston Funeral Home in Ina on Monday, January 19, with visitation from 10 a.m. to funeral time at 11 a.m.

Everett L. “Bud” Pierce 1946-2014Posted on 11 November 2014 by david.burgess

Everett L. “Bud” Pierce, 90, of Ina, passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 9, 2014, at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon.

He was born in Jefferson County on July 6, 1924, the son of John and Drusie (Kelley) Pierce and was raised by his stepfather, Albert Hawkins.
Mr. Pierce married Mary E. Settle on Dec. 21, 1946, in Mayfield, Ky., and she survives.

He was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Pierce was a retired coal miner, retiring from Inland 1. He was a member of the Ina Free Will Baptist Church. Mr. Pierce was a hard worker and loved and cared for his family.

He is survived by his wife, Mary E. Pierce of Ina; four children, Dennis Pierce and wife Gladys of Gilbertsville, Ky., Patsy Morgan and husband Rob of Ina, Nina Clinton and husband Jerry of Woodlawn and Kent Pierce of Ina; six grandchildren, Rachel Morgan, Melinda Henn and husband Larry, Holly Payne and husband Keith, Jeremy Clinton and wife Jessica, Ryan Clinton and wife Morgan and Kyle Clinton and fiancee` Amanda Davenport; four great-grandchildren, Kenzi Henn, Jordan Henn, Kaden Payne and Morgan Payne; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joyce Harpole and husband Jerry, Janet Bennett, Lynn Settle and wife Lana, Ed Settle and wife Linda and Bob Oslager.

Mr. Pierce was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather; granddaughter, Monica Pierce; sister, Aline Owens; two brothers, James Hawkins and Fred Hawkins; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Albert Owens, June Hawkins, Millie Oslager, Martha Hawkins Oslager, Marvin and Barbara Settle and Farrel Bennett.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ina Free Will Baptist Church with Bro. Brad Ryan and Bro. David Shores officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post 141 of Mt. Vernon will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina.

Visitation will be after 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

The Johnston Funeral Home in Ina is in charge of arrangements.