Obituaries

Mar 6, 2025

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Barry S. Crabtree on March 6th 2025. Barry was born in Brooklyn NY to father Walter Crabtree and mother Miriam Crabtree. He was 71 years of age.

He is survived by his loving daughter J.B. Howard, his grandson, and 2 granddaughters as well as his partner of 13 years (S.Thurber.)...

Mar 6, 2025

John D. James passed away from this world to be with his Lord and Savior on March 6, 2025, with his family and friends by his side. John was born November 14, 1939, in Grassy Township and was raised in Carterville, Illinois.

John met and married the love of his life, Brenda Harris, on June 30, 1961.

As a result of the...

Mar 4, 2025

Darrell Lee Duncan, age 68, of Marion, Illinois passed away March 4, 2025. He was born on August 16,1956 in Carbondale, Illinois. He was the son of Kenneth and Myrtle (Susie) Duncan of Marion. He was married to Joyce Glasco Duncan on August 21, 1976. Together they shared one daughter, Khani Duncan.

During Darrell’s early childhood years, he grew up and...

Mar 2, 2025

Herman Stockman peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025. He was 73 years old, born in South Carolina and had lived in multiple different states as well as in Europe growing up. He had a passion for all styles of music, was an avid reader with various interests, and was a lover of animals and Nature.

Herman will be lovingly...

Mar 2, 2025

William “Billy” A. Fisher Jr. left us suddenly on March 2, 2025. Billy was born to William A Fisher Sr. and Cynthia A. Fisher on July 5, 1965, in Chicago, IL and grew up in Southern Illinois.

He is survived by his sister Sheri L. Fisher of Olney, IL, his niece and her husband Ashley and Austin Wyatt, great niece and...

Mar 2, 2025

William "Peanut" Campbell Jr was born December 28, 1963, and on Sunday March 2, at 9:01 p.m. his mom Jeannie Campbell and father William Campbell Sr walked with him hand in hand into heaven! Also waiting on him was the only man I ever knew my dad to look up to, honor, respect and love to the level that he...

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...