Obituaries

     Samuel Eugene Porter, of Norris City, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, after a long journey with congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by the love and comfort of his family and friends in his final days. Sam was born May 31, 1931, the youngest son of Plenna and Vakel Porter of Norris City, IL. He was united in marriage to Mabel Cozart of Harrisburg, Illinois on July 11, 1952, in El Paso, Texas. After his time of service in the military, they returned to Norris City to raise their family and work on the family farm. Sam and Mabel were married 70 years.

Daniel Ray “Danny” Johnson, 82, of McLeansboro, IL passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at his home.  Danny was born on November 19, 1942 in Eldorado, IL to John Leslie “Pete” Johnson & Thelma Jewel (Satterfield) Johnson.

       Ronald Lee Maurer, 78, of Carmi, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025. He was born on September 25, 1946, in Carmi, Illinois, the son of Raymond George and Moudine Elizabeth (Bloodworth) Maurer. Ronald proudly served his country in the United States Army. He worked various jobs throughout his life, including working and helping out with his family farm.

       Jenepher Driggers, 70, of Norris City, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Wabash Senior Living in Carmi. She was born on January 18, 1955, in Carmi, the daughter of Elmer Frederick and Edith "Faye" (Frashier) Driggers. Jenepher married Ray Eugene Kingery on March 5, 1972, and he survives. She worked in accounting. Jenepher enjoyed gardening and canning fruits and vegetables.

Earl Henry Wellen, 81, of Belle Prairie City, IL passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at his home.  Earl was born on August 16, 1943 in Piopolis, IL to Henry & Mary Wellen.

William F. "Bill" Cates, 93, of Carmi passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025 at Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion, IL. He was born in Mill Shoals, IL on November 22, 1931 the son of Joseph and Nola (Davis) Cates. Bill married Minnie Kathryn Headlee and she preceded him in death on November 7, 1997. He had worked various jobs in the oil field. Bill was a faithful member of First Church of God in Maunie where he loved being the song leader. He enjoyed woodworking, visiting and singing at the nursing home and fishing, but his greatest joy was being with his family and grandchildren.

Camela Bolton Cleveland, 32, of Bone Gap, Illinois, passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at her grandparents’ home.

Pauline Ruth (Hanlon) Vaughn, 91, of Centralia, IL, formerly of McLeansboro, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, IN.  Pauline was born on June 28, 1933 in London, England to John & Leonora Hanlon.  She married Edwin Woodrow Counts in 1960, and divorced in 1967.  In 1989, she married Thomas William Vaughn who preceded her in death in 2013.

Stanford Lee Hunt, 65, of Carmi, passed away on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. He was born on Thursday, May 25, 1961, in Evansville, Indiana, the daughter of Billie and Patricia (Martin) Hunt.

James Robert Layton, 90, of Crossville, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Wabash Senior Living and Rehabilitation . He was born on Friday, June 8, 1934, in Fairfield, the son of James S. and Flora E. (Skelton) Layton. He first married Patsy Irene Burris on July 3, 1959, in Carmi and together they shared 12 years of marriage before her passing on July 8, 1971. He then married Martha Sue (Hargrave) Wilson on May 11, 1973, in Crossville and they have shared over 52 years of marriage.