U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
EMILY THOMAS
Jackson, Michigan - Emily (Barber) Thomas, 95, a former Sesser resident, died May 13, 2002, in Jackson, Mich. She was preceded in death by husband, Walter Thomas, son, Fred Wright, granddaughter, Amy Wright, brother, Fred Barber, sister, Nancy Bolstead, parents, Frederick and Anna (Clayton) Barber.
She is survived by a sister, Elizabeth (Bettie) Bruce of Jackson, Mich. ; daughter-in-law, Marguerite Wright of Belmont, Mich.; sister-in-law Freda Barber of Sesser; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Thomas was a member of Eastern Star, and Jackson Area U.A.W. retirees. She retired from I. T. T. Hancock in 1969. She had spent her winters in Panama City Beach, Fl. since 1971.
A memorial service was held at Mount Calvary Cemetery, and cremated remains were interred on May 25, 2002, in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Weatherly Funeral Home of Jackson, Mich. was in charge of arrangements.
FRANK KOLISEK JR.
Kansas City, Kansas - Frank Kolisek Jr., 73, formerly of Zeigler and Benton, died on Wednesday, June 5, 2002, in the KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 14 at the First Christian Church in Benton with the Rev. Dale Carson officiating. Burial will be in the Zeigler Cemetery, Zeigler.
Frank was born in Zeigler on Nov. 22, 1928, the son of Frank and Julia (Fizel) Kolisek. His mother survives in Benton.
He was retired. A veteran of World War II, he served as a corporal in the USAF and was a turret gunner.
In addition to his mother, Julia, he is survived by two brothers, Fred and wife Marietta Kolisek, John and Janet Kolisek, all of Benton; five sisters, Rose Ann and husband Mike Kosor of Albuquerque, N.M., Kay and husband Dick Ellis of Ft. Worth, Texas, Wilma Nangle of Logan, Margaret Rice, Portland Ore., and Beverly Jo Kolisek of Benton; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Kolisek was preceded in death by his father, one brother, James Robert Kolisek and one sister, Irma Canning.
Funeral arrangements were made by Poulson Funeral Home.
JOHN DALE REDFERN
Mt. Vernon - John Dale Redfern, 65, died at 1 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at his home in Mt. Vernon.
Arrangements are pending at Irwin Chapel in Granite City.
Mr. Redfern was born on Sept. 8, 1936, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of John and Velma (Marler) Redfern. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958. He worked as an engineer for Union Pacific Railroad until he retired in 1998. He moved to Mt. Vernon upon retirement.
Mr. Redfern is survived by his wife, Loretta Redfern of Mt. Vernon; one brother, Larry and wife Fannie Redfern of Granite City; four daughters, Armettia Peach of Granite City, Belinda and husband Steve Vardell of Benton, Juanita (Pickett) Redfern of Granite City, Sherry and husband Dennis McKee of Granite City; two sons, Robert and wife Lisa Redfern of Arnold, Mo., William and wife Linda Redfern of Benton; two stepdaughters, Neva Rivkin of Granite City, Laura and husband Bryan Eikmann of St. Charles, Mo., and one stepson Larry Shadow of Mo.; eleven grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren and one stepgreat-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a stepson, William Nelson and one grandson, Stephen Vardell.
NORMA BOSWELL SCOTT GRAY
Sesser - Norma Boswell Scott Gray, 61, died at 20"45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11. 2002, in St. Mary's/Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 14, in the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, Sesser. Visitation will be Thursday, June 13, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mrs. Gray was born on April 15, 1941, in Sesser, the daughter of Warren and Thelma Boswell. She married Julius Russell Gray on Jan. 11, 1980, in Sesser.
Survivors include her husband, two sons, Michael Scott and wife Charlotte, Kendall Scott and wife Lesa; daughter Cindy Bejma and husband Brian, all of Du Bois; three stepsons, Russell Gray and family, Chatham, Brett Gray and family, of Benton.
Other survivors include her mother, Thelma Jones and one sister, Zella Bates of Sesser; one brother, Warren Gayle and wife Ruby of Tampa, Fla; one uncle, Jesse Boswell of Sesser; six grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; two nephews; two nieces; one great niece; five great nephews; three great-great-nephews; one great niece; several cousins and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, one sister and grandparents.
PAUL THOMAS BASTAS
Kessler Park, Texas - Paul Thomas Bastas, former Benton resident died June 9, 2002, at the Dallas Memorial Hospital.
Services were held at noon Wednesday at the Kessler Park Methodist Church. He was married to the former Dana Cantrell.
MARILYN JEANETTE COOK
Benton - Marilyn Jeanette Cook, 65, died at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002, at Franklin Hospital in Benton.
Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington, with the Rev. Roger Ellsworth officiating. The Johnston Funeral Home in Whittington is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Cook was born in West Frankfort, on Aug. 3, 1937, the daughter of Vallie and Jessie (Downey) Cook.
She was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church and had worked at the dress factory until it closed.
She is survived by one daughter, Becky Jo Owens; three grandchildren; and one sister, Betty Smorczeski of Herrin.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and by two brothers, Charles Melvin Cook and L. Loyde Wayne Cook.
HELEN MANKER
Sesser - Helen Manker, 86, died on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002, at the Pinckneyville Skilled Care Facility.
Services will be held Friday, Dec. 6, at the First United Methodist Church in Sesser, wih the Revs. David Morgan and Jack Wolfe officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Thursday to the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until time of service Friday at the Church.
Mrs. Manker was born on Aug. 16, 1916, at Cornerville, in Hamilton County, the daughter of William (Willie) Walter and Della Mae (Duckworth) Tate. She was married to James Edward Manker, who died May 3, 1986.
A hard working homemaker and mother, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sesser, and the Galatia Eastern Star.
Survivors include one daughter, Janice, and husband Thomas Seals of Sparta; two sons, Dan and wife Jackie Manker of Springfield, and Larry and Carolyn Manker of Sesser; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Manker was also preceded in death by two brothers, Noel and Olen, and two sisters, Verna and Clyda.
ANTHONY MARK MITCHELL
Zeigler - Anthony Mark "Mitch" Mitchell, 94, Zeigler, died at 2:55 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002, at the Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin.
Mitch was born Jan. 12, 1908, in Pittsburgh, Penn. to Charles and Mary (Archy) Mitchell.
He married Della Sakovich March 20, 1937, in Detroit, Mich. She survives in Zeigler.
Other survivors include a daughter, Judy Mitchell of Zeigler; a son and daughter-in-law, Judson and Mary Kay Mitchell of Simpsonville, South Carolina; three grandchildren, Jana Berram of Zeigler, Anthony Mitchell of Albany, New York and Matthew Mitchell of Troy, Ohio; four great grandchildren; a sister, Helen Matiski of Royalton and two nephews, John Lazasky of Florida and Bobby Mitchell of West Frankfort.
His parents, three sisters, Mary Lazasky, Elsie Rustic, Jewel Mitchell and a brother, Charles Mitchell preceded him in death.
Mitch was of the Catholic Faith. He was the former owner/operator, with his wife Della, of "Mitch's Tavern" in Zeigler. He was a member of the Zeigler Eagles Lodge. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman, and loved hunting nuts and mushrooms.
Funeral services for Mr. Mitchell will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Vantrease Funeral Home in Zeigler with Father Joseph Schrage officiating. Burial will be at St. Aloysius Cemetery east of Royalton. Visiting hours are from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.
PEARL F. GILLIAM
Benton - Pearl F. Gilliam, 92, died at home at 10:05 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, in the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, Sesser, with Brother Woody Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service Sunday to the funeral home.
Mrs Gilliam was born on Nov. 17, 1910, in Buckner, the daughter of Louis M. and Mary P. (Casey) Furlow. She married Hosea D. Gilliam in Sesser, on Oct. 12, 1931. He died Dec. 23, 1985.
She was a homemaker and of the Protestant faith.
Survivors include a niece, Paula Hopkins of Benton, who took care of her for many years; a sister, Doris J. Leek of Coello; several nieces and nephews.
Her parents, husband and one sister, Edith Mae Chapman, preceded her in death.
INTHA WEEKS
Ewing - Intha Weeks, 89, Ewing, died at 8:55 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003 at the Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon. Arrangements are incomplete at Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home in Benton.
RANDALL L. BRUCE
Benton - Randall L. Bruce, 68, died Tuesday evening April 1, 2003, at the VA Medical Center in Marion.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, Beneton, with the Rev. Ron Trout officiating. Burial, with military rites by the Bentn American Legion and VFW Posts will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Friends may call from noon on Friday until time of service to the funeral home.
Mr. Bruce was born in Benton, on March 17, 1935, the son of John and Ival (Morris) Bruce.
He married Betty (Pratt) Bruce on Oct. 13, 1956. She survives.
He was an auto mechanic and an Army veteran, serving in Korea, from Jan. 27, 1953, to Jan. 26, 1956.
Survivors include his wife Betty of Benton; four children, Larry Bruce and wife Marilyn of Benton, Jerry Bruce and wife Vera, also of Benton, Pamela Pittman and husband Rick of Galatia, Steven Bruce and wife Samantha of Odin; grandchildren, Melissa and Larry Bruce, Christy and Brian Pittman, Stacia and Amy Bruce, Matthew Bruce; step-grandchildren, Kelly Dillion, Emilee Hodge, Andy Hodge; two sisters, Monalee Snyder of Benton, Aline Bruce of Chicago; one brother, Warren Bruce and wife Barbara of West Frankfort; several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Addie Gant, and by four brothers, J. R., William, Othel and Thomas.
BEATRICE OLDFIELD BOHLANDER
Guymon, Oklahoma - Beatrice Oldfield Bohlander, formerly of Rend City and Benton, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2000 in Dunaway Manor, in Guymon.
Services will be held Thursday, at 11 a.m. in the Henson-Novak Chapel, Guymon, and graveside services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in graveside block 0 in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton.
The Poulson Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of local arrangements.
Mrs. Bohlander was born on Dec. 6, 1908 in Beamish, England, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Oldfield. The family came to the United States in 1915, settling in Rend City.
She married Henry Fred Bohlander in 1927 and lived in Benton. He preceded her in death in 1951.
She was an LPN at Miners Hospital in Christopher from 1952 until retirement in 1968 and then moved to Guymon to be near her son in 1974. She was active in her church choir while health permitted, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Guymon.
Survivors include her son, Dr. Rick Bohlander and wife Barbara of Guymon; three granddaughters, Sarah Lujan and husband Patrick of Amarillo, Texas, Laura Bohlander of Denver, Col. and Linda Liles of Las Vegas, Nev.; two nieces, Ellyn Messersmith and husband Gary of Benton and Dorthea Sneed of Benton.
Her parents, husband and one daughter, Lorraine Liles, preceded her in death.
Memorials may be made to the Beatrice Bohlander Memorial First Baptist Church Building Fund, Box 1306 Guymon, Okla, 73942.
