Obituaries

Mar 2, 2025

William (Bill) Wyatt Mitchem Sr., a man of immeasurable talent, unwavering integrity, and a heart as big as the songs he played, passed away at 6:35 pm on March 2, 2025, in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

Born on August 17, 1943, in Granite City, Illinois, to John Wyatt Mitchem and Glenda (Hicks) Mitchem, Bill was a man who walked his own path,...

Mar 2, 2025

December 20, 1936-March 2, 2025, James Darrell Arnold, age 88, of Creal Springs, Illinois, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Marion, Illinois VA Medical Center CLC facility. James was born December 20, 1936, in Leachville, Arkansas, the son of the late Bert Thomas Arnold and the late Savannah Belle Arnold....

Feb 28, 2025

Fredric L. Baker, 81, of Marion, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on February 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Carbondale, Illinois, on November 12, 1943, Fred lived a life full of hard work, love, and a little bit of mischief.

On March 17, 1972, he married the love of his life, Dianna Heyde Baker, and together they...

Feb 23, 2025

Guindoline Neely Walters 

On August 11,1932 George Neely wrote in his diary, “a baby girl was born to Guinn (Neely) and Euline (Beasley Neely) early this morning” This was Guindoline Neely. She was born in Dykersburg, Illinois. She attended Black school at the age of four. When she was in middle school, she and her family moved to Marion, Illinois where...

Feb 23, 2025

Joan C. Filkins, 82, passed away at home on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Joan was born on December 29, 1942, to Ervin F. and Ardis (Reason) Wagner in Watertown, WI. She married Myron Filkins on April 16, 1971, in Rochelle, IL. She enjoyed her work as a residential supervisor at Rendleman House Group home, assisting adults with developmental disabilities...

Feb 18, 2025

Georgia L. Wright passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025, with family by her side. She was born on Aug 17, 1950, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Richard Wright Sr. and Margie (White) Wright. Georgia retired from Reaco Battery in 2016 after 25 years of dedicated service.   In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, feeding any animal in...

Feb 15, 2025

Richard L “Rick” Nemeth, age 69 of Marion passed away on February 15, 2025, at his home. Rick was born to Robert L and Shirley Nemeth on November 18, 1955, in Marion, Illinois.  He worked in his early years as a carpenter at Inland Steel and retired from Southern Illinois Power Plant.

He leaves behind his wife...

Feb 15, 2025

Antoinette Furlow passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 12 AM, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on August 17, 1930. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Binkley-Ross Funeral Home.  Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. in Blairsville Cemetery, with Brother Darrell Wimberly officiating. Family and friends...

Feb 14, 2025

Mollie R. (Watkins) Puckett, 75 of Marion, IL passed away February 14, 2025. She was born on August 2, 1949, to parents Harvey Watkins and Delitha (Brown) Watkins in Tremble, Tennessee. She was joined together in marriage to her loving husband Robert Bell on April 19, 2014. 

Survivors of Mollie include her husband Robert Bell; son Paul Steven Pucket II; daughter...

Feb 13, 2025

Annie Mae Hawes, 73 of Jonesboro, Illinois returned to the Lord on February 15, 2025. 

Annie was born a fighter; she was the life of the party. She was born with a heart condition that she battled with all the way up until her passing but it made her strong. She was also a dialysis patient; she inspired so many others...

Feb 13, 2025

 Henry Lee Ballard, known to many as Howlin Hank, the sixth child of Sadie Mae and Howard Ballard was born on March 17,1952 in East St. Louis, Illinois. He resided in West Frankfort, IL. 

Henry Lee attended Johnson Elementary and graduated from East St. Louis High School in 1971. He played football and wrestled. He later went on to SIU Edwardsville,...

Feb 12, 2025

Feb 7, 2025

Lillian Bernice McBride, born on January 21, 1951, in Columbus Ohio, passed away peacefully at her home near Carbondale, Illinois on February 7, 2025, at the age of 74. Lili was a loving mother, devoted grandmother, caring friend, and a cherished member of her community. She was a faithful Christian whose love for God guided her throughout her life. She...

Feb 5, 2025

Gloria Mae Cato, age 87, of Pensacola Florida, peacefully passed away on February 5, 2025. Born Dec. 8, 1937, in Marion, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Harvey and Mabel Bloodworth.

Gloria married the love of her life, James Cato, on Dec.28, 1957. Her life as the wife of an Airforce Veteran took her to many places, but she...

Feb 5, 2025

James “Butch” Harvey McNew, 76 of Herrin, IL passed away on February 5, 2025, and was born on September 8, 1948, to James Harry McNew and Gloria (Bourland) McNew.

He was joined together in marriage to Jacqueline (Walker) McNew on May 6, 1983, In Herrin, IL, in which they were able to share many wonderful years together...

Feb 5, 2025

Irma Dianne Parks of Marion passed away February 5, 2025, in Herrin, Illinois.  Dianne was born in Herrin, Illinois on February 12, 1943, to the late Robert Leon Parks and Irma Grace (Odum) Parks.  Dianne was a graduate of Marion High School.  After graduation she attended SIU.  She found her passion working with numbers as a bookkeeper for several...

Feb 1, 2025

Robert Lee Plumlee, 48 years old, passed away on February 1, 2025, at Touchette Hospital. Robert was formerly of Franklin County Illinois. Robert was born on January 20, 1977, in Benton Illinois to Michael Motsinger and Roberta (Laws) Plumlee. In October of 1977 Robert was adopted by Lincoln Charles Plumlee.

 Robert is survived by 5 children, Robert Lee Plumlee Jr., Nathaniel...

Jan 30, 2025

Roy Dean Stinson Jr., 49 of Marion, Illinois, formerly of Benton, Illinois was born February 20, 1975, in Benton to Roy Dean Stinson Sr. and Paula Kay (Broadway) Stinson. His wishes were to be cremated. 

 Roy is survived by two children, son Colten Scott Sloan, whom he shared with Amanda Worley of Benton, daughter Deanna Kay (Stinson) Yocum (Jonathan) of West...

Jan 29, 2025

Wanda P. Mandrell peacefully passed away January 29, 2025. Wanda was born in Hickman, KY on February 1, 1938. In February 1958, she met the love of her life. On their first date, the weather was icy, she lost her shoe, and it slid down the icy driveway. That was the day their love story began. They married on August...

Jan 28, 2025

 Mary Helen Gough Landes became whole again on January 28, 2025. 

Mary Helen was born to Charles and Mildred (Currey) Gough on June 13, 1943, which (according to Mom) made Grandma happy, because the family got more war rations and could buy sugar. Mary spent her idyllic childhood in Kansas, IL, (population 800) with her siblings, John and Vesta Jane (both...