Obituaries

Bradford Smith

Bradford Smith

Apr 22, 2026

Bradford Smith, age 68, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. Born in Springfield, Missouri, to Wendell and Paula (Downey) Smith, Brad was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend whose steady presence and strong work ethic deeply impacted all who knew him.

Brad is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Ronda (Covington) Smith;...

Alan Muldoon Gulley

Alan Muldoon Gulley

Mar 25, 2026

Alan "Muldoon" Gulley, a cherished son of Herrin, slipped quietly from this world on March 25, 2026, in the comfort of his home. Born on August 31, 1953, to Thomas and Helen (Cox) Gulley, Alan’s life was deeply rooted in the community that watched him grow. He is lovingly remembered by his two sisters, Marilyn Ingram of Waterloo, Illinois, and...

John Thomas Williams

John Thomas Williams

Mar 16, 2026

John Thomas (Tom) Williams, age 83, of Herrin, Illinois, passed away on March 16, 2026, at Herrin Hospital. Born on June 28, 1942, in Herrin to Harry G. and Ruth (Garrison) Williams, Tom lived a life marked by dedication to education, community, and faith.

An Eagle Scout and proud alumnus of Southern Illinois University (SIU), Tom earned a Bachelor of Science...

Scott Nicks

Scott Nicks

Mar 10, 2026

Scott Nicks, a cherished son, devoted husband, and loving father, passed away on March 10, 2026, at the St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro, Illinois, at the age of 50. Born in Herrin to Jerry and Janet (Emery) Nicks, who survive him, Scott's life was a testament to love, strength, and family.

He and his ex wife, Danielle Kluge of Benton,...

Leo Everett Mattingly

Leo Everett Mattingly

Feb 23, 2026

Leo (Sonny) E Mattingly, Jr, a cherished father, grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully at Herrin Hospital on February 23rd, 2026, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born in DuQuoin Illinois, on October 27th, 1948, to his loving parents Leo and Betty (Robinson)Mattingly. Leo's life was a testament to love, resilience, and community spirit.He is lovingly remembered by...

Fredrick O. Ice

Fredrick O. Ice

Jan 30, 2026

Fredrick O. Ice, affectionately known as Fred, "The Battler" of Herrin, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, at Herrin Hospital. He was born on September 2, 1934, in Herrin to John Quincy and Lucy (Long) Ice.

Fred is survived by his loving daughter, Luana Nicks of Herrin, and his son, Daryl Ice of Benton. He was a proud grandfather to...

Morris Boren

Morris Boren

Dec 21, 2025

Morris Gene Boren, 87, of Fort Smith, Ark., passed away in Little Rock, Ark., on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. He was born in Herrin, Ill., on April 29, 1938, to Thomas M. and Ollie N. (Stover) Boren and was always and affectionately known as “Chick” to his family and many friends and colleagues, a nickname given to him at an...

Christie Schultz

Christie Schultz

Dec 15, 2025

Christie Schultz,  passed away peacefully at home in Marion on December 15, 2025. Born in Jasper, Alabama, on December 15, 1969, she was the cherished daughter of Robert Reece Jr. and Sarah Bookwalter.

Christie is lovingly remembered by her mother and stepfather, Larry and Sarah Bookwalter of Marion, Illinois, and her two sons, Ryan Sasso and Cody Graves. She was preceded...

George Payne

George Payne

Dec 15, 2025

George H. Payne Jr., age 89, of Herrin, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love and dedication. Born to George H. Payne Sr. and Pearl Payne, March 7, 1936, both of whom preceded him in death, George was a devoted husband to Linda Gene Driemeyer, whom he married on May 17, 1958. Together, they celebrated 67 beautiful years of...

Linda Payne

Linda Payne

Dec 14, 2025

Linda Gene Payne 87, born in Herrin to Evans "Red" and Violet Marie (Loftus) Driemeyer, who have since passed, lived a life rich in love and connection. She entered this world with a kind spirit and continued to share that warmth with all she met.

On May 17, 1958, she married the love of her life, George H. Payne, with whom...

Joyce Beltz

Joyce Beltz

Dec 10, 2025

**In Loving Memory of Joyce Beltz**

Joyce Beltz, a beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend, peacefully departed this life on December 10, 2025, at her home in Herrin, surrounded by the warmth of cherished memories. Born on February 14, 1944, in Herrin to Kenneth and Florence (Tolbert) Beltz, Joyce embodied the spirit of love and kindness from her earliest days. She...

Steve Ray Hastings

Steve Ray Hastings

Nov 16, 2025

Steve Hastings, a resident of Freeman Spur, Illinois, passed away at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 16, 2025, at 4:00 AM.He was  born on September 17, 1964, in Carbondale, Illinois, he was the son of Claude and Linda (Ingersol) Hastings.

Steve is survived by his three children, Breanna Hastings and her fiancé Jared Craig, and Steven Hastings...

Mary A. Rodgers

Mary A. Rodgers

Oct 17, 2025

It is with profound love and sorrow that we share the news of the passing of Mary Ann Rodgers. She peacefully left this world on October 17, 2025 at the age of 85.Mary Ann was born on February 24, 1940. She was the daughter of George L. and Beulah Roberts of Sturgis Kentucky.After graduating from high school in Sturgis Kentucky,...

Judy McMurray

Judy McMurray

Oct 12, 2025

Judy McMurray, a beloved member of the Herrin community, peacefully passed away at her home on Sunday, October 12, 202. Born on August 20, 1948, in Rosebud, Illinois, she was the cherished daughter of Gene and Beulah (Wright) Pribble.

A talented hairdresser for many years, Judy touched the lives of countless clients with her skill and warm spirit. She was not...

Shirley Ann Perotta

Shirley Ann Perotta

Oct 5, 2025

It is with profound love and sorrow that we share the news of Shirley Perotta's passing. She peacefully left this world on October 5, 2025, at the age of 91, surrounded by the affection of her family.

Shirley's journey began on July 17, 1934, in St. Louis, where she was born to Fred and Marie Hirth. Throughout her life, Shirley exemplified...

David Mattingly

David Mattingly

Oct 5, 2025

David Mattingly, a devoted community pharmacist and beloved business owner in Herrin, passed away on October 5, 2025, at the age of 68. As the owner of Herrin Drug, David served his community with compassion, integrity, and a ready smile for everyone who walked through his doors.

Born in Herrin to Leo and Betty Mattingly, David pursued a career in pharmacy...

Dolores Cornell

Dolores Cornell

Sep 24, 2025

Dolores Cornell, a cherished matriarch, gently departed this world on September 24, 2025, at the age of 95, at Helia Healthcare of Energy. Born in Herrin to the loving parents Loy and Alice (Bush) Maxey, Dolores led a life filled with love and devotion to her family.

She is lovingly remembered by her son, Curtis, and his wife, Deanna Cornell, who...

Donald Stanley

Donald Stanley

Sep 12, 2025

**Obituary for Donald Stanley**

Donald Stanley, age 80, of Shawnee, Illinois, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2025, at the Shawnee Senior Living Center. He was born on September 9, 1945, in North Carolina to Paul and Vera (Taylor) Stanley.

Donald is survived by his two sisters, Janet Zarecki and Brenda Green. A dedicated electrician, he made significant contributions through his work...

William C. Wheeler

William C. Wheeler

Sep 4, 2025

**In Loving Memory of William C. "Bill" Wheeler**

William C. "Bill" Wheeler, aged 83, a cherished husband and devoted father, peacefully departed this life on September 4, 2025. He is lovingly remembered as the beloved husband of the late Rosemarie (nee Ceglinski) and as a caring father to his two children, Scott (Erika) and Gail Wheeler.

Born a passionate supporter of his...

Max Hal Butler

Max Hal Butler

Aug 31, 2025

Max Butler, born November 18, 1954, to Max W. Butler and Patsy (Cole) Butler, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and family devotion.

Max had a big heart, and nothing brought him more joy than being with his family—especially his grandchildren, who were truly the light of his life. He was their biggest supporter, cheerleader, and friend.

He is...