Obituaries

     Marie Mitchell, 85, of Enfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday morning, January 10, 2024. She was born to Louis and Rose (Zilch) Kohl in Ridgway, Illinois, on August 1, 1938. Marie married Bernard Mitchell on August 28, 1956, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ridgway, having celebrated 67 years of marriage last August. She was a devoted farm wife, loving mother and proud grandma and great-grandma. Marie was a selfless and compassionate woman, who loved to serve her family, her St. Patrick's Church family and the Enfield and McLeansboro communities.

George Nicholas Bougas, 73, of Enfield passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024 in Enfield, IL.  He was born on September 13, 1950 in Greece, the son of Nicolas George and Eleftheria Bougas. George married Monica Zytnowski on November 6, 1983.  He spent most of his life in the Chicago area and had worked as a cook and worked his way up to restaurant manager. George later went into Real Estate, starting as an agent and later as a broker before retiring as an appraiser.

     Billy Dale Sampson, 65. of McLeansboro, Illinois, passed away on Monday, January 8. 2024, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. He was born on February 20, 1958, in Evansville, Indiana, the son of Leamuel Thomas and Elsie Mae (Pemberton) Sampson. Billy worked in construction, as well as the oil field and also worked with various carnivals and could work on or fix anything that came his way. The joy of his life was riding his Harley Davidson that he owned for over 20 years.

 Ryan James McGhee, 24, of Carmi, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024. He was born on January 3, 2000, in Hanford, California, the son of Patricia Escovar. Ryan worked at Walmart as well as Pizza Hut in Carmi. He enjoyed sketching, drawing, cooking, gaming, working out and reading.

  Sharon J. Gwaltney, 74, of Carmi passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Eldorado Rehab and Health Care.  She was born in Eldorado, IL on October 30, 1949 the daughter of Frieda (Kanady) Roe and Raymond Stanley. Sharon married Edward Hon on August 15, 1969 and during their 26 years of marriage, they were blessed with a daughter, Andrea.  She later married Stephen Gwaltney on August 6, 2002 and he preceded her in death on March 21, 2010. Sharon enjoyed going to church and had attended First Baptist Church in Carmi, later she would attend New Beginnings Church of God with Stephen and in recent years attended the Crossville Church of Christ with her daughter.  She loved watching Disney movies, spending time with her grandchildren and calling and visiting with her friends.

Elizabeth “Liz” Barbre went to her heavenly home on January 6, 2024. She was born on January 30, 1926 in Enfield, Illinois to Leonard Daniel Apple and Flora Elsie Espy. She married Paul Kenneth Barbre on November 20,1943 and he preceded her in death on November 19, 1999.    

Virginia Yvonne (Springer) Preston, 82, of Mill Shoals, IL passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro, IL.  Virginia was born on March 24, 1941 to Rural & Ruby (Etienne) Springer.

Scott Lee Kittinger, 59, of Carmi, Illinois, died Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana, surrounded by his family and several of his friends. He was born December 12, 1964, in Benton, Illinois, the son of Donald Lee Kittinger and Connie Lou (Parrish) Kittinger. He was married to Melissa (Blake) Kittinger and she survives.

  Betty Walker, 76, of Enfield, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024. She was born on July 19, 1947, in Tyronza, Arkansas, the daughter of J.B. and Estelle (Smithey) Hall. Betty married Phillip Edward Walker on July 16, 1966, and he survives. She enjoyed country western dancing, and listening to all kinds of music. Most of all, Betty enjoyed caring for her children and granddaughter.

Robert “Bob” Leathers Jr, went Home to be with The Lord on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at his home. Bob was born in August 11, 1943, in Durham, North Carolina, to Robert and Lena (Mason) Leathers Sr. Bob married Betty Hollan on September 16, 1962, and the two have shared sixty-one years together. Through the good and the bad, they have never left one another’s sides.