Obituaries

Betty Lou (Irvin) Trotter, 92, of Belle Rive, IL passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro, IL.  Betty was born August 18, 1932, the daughter of Albert & Ruth Irvin. 

 Erik Damion Griffith, 46, of Eldorado, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025. He was born on December 31, 1978, in Marion, Illinois, the son of Dennis and Amber (Smith) Griffith. Erik graduated from Herrin High School in 1997. He played football and basketball during his time in school. He was a member of the Hurricane Memorial Baptist Church in Herrin, Illinois. Erik was an avid sports fan and loved playing video games and watching historical documentaries.

  Dorothy May Jones, 81, of Carmi, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025. She was born on July 11, 1943, in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, the daughter of Earl and Lenora (Smith) Cowan. Dorothy married John W. Russell, and preceded her in death on November 16, 1978. She later married Richard Jones on April 11, 1992, and he survives. Dorothy worked for 13 years until retiring from the Wabash Coal Mine in Keensburg. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Dorothy enjoyed quilting, gardening, reading and playing bingo. She loved to travel with Richard.

Timothy Deane Kiefer, 70, of Grayville, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at home. He was born on Tuesday, June 8, 1954 in Evansville, IN, the son of Earnie Deane and Mabel Elizabeth (Lindsay) Kiefer.

Brennan Marlow, age 21, of Marion, IL. passed away much too soon on January 15, 2025 due to a traffic accident while on his way to work Wednesday morning.
Brennan was born on March 4, 2003 to the happy couple and doting parents Jason and Monica (Burns) Marlow in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Donald Ray Welch age 90, a resident of McLeansboro, IL. passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Don was born March 19, 1934 in Carmi, IL. to Donald Eugene Welch and Mary Virginia (Sheppard) Welch.

Tommy Gene Lemmons, 77, of McLeansboro, IL passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro.  Tommy was born on March 8, 1947 in Kennett, MO to Arthur & Rosie Lemmons. 

Travis C. Wake, age 79, of Centerville, Indiana, and formerly of Crossville, Illinois, died peacefully at his home during the early hours of Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Ray Ellis Bishop, 91, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, died peacefully in Dayton, Ohio, surrounded by his daughters, Mindy and Kendra, and his beloved dog, Ella, on January 14, 2025.

     Mary Lou Huffer-McBrayer, 98, of Henderson, Kentucky, formerly of Carmi, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Redbanks Nursing Home in Henderson, Kentucky. She was born on September 1, 1926, in Oklahoma, the daughter of Roy and Mary Magdaline "Maggie" (Simmons) Matthews. Mary married Oscar Earl McBrayer and he preceded her in death on March 31, 2000. Mary worked as a waitress at the Carmi Elks, the Coffee Shop as well as the Carmi Steakhouse. She was a member of the Eastern Star and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, and playing golf when she was younger.