Darrell D. Yates, age 85, of Salem, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Centralia Manor in Centralia, Illinois. Darrell was born on June 12, 1940, the son of Edwin "Jack" Harold Yates and Irene (Wilkerson) Yates. He married Mona M. (Tabor) Yates on September 25, 1959, in Kinmundy. Together they shared many years of marriage until her passing on July 8, 2014. Darrell worked for many years at North American Lighting in Salem and retired from World Color Press. He was a faithfu...

Betty J. Strode, 97, formerly of Centralia, IL, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2026, at La Bella of Freeburg, IL. She was born on June 11, 1928, in Poplar Bluff, MO, the daughter of Clyde and Ruth (Holt) Hogg. She married John Acre and he preceded her in death. Survivors include her son, Tom Acre of O'Fallon, IL; her daughter, Ann Murray and husband Tony O'Fallon, MO; three grandchildren, Jodi Armstrong and husband Mike, Drew Murray, and Dustin Acre; three great-grandchildren, Ace Armstrong, J...

Dennis Philip Soger, 92, of Texico, Illinois, passed away at 7:08 a.m., Thursday, May 21, 2026, at his home. He was born April 22, 1934, at home in Marion County, Illinois, the son of Audrey Hassel "Cap" and Jessie Louisa (Simmons) Soger. On February 12, 1955, at Central Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, he married Norma Jean Timmons, and she preceded him in death. Mr. Soger attended Old Donoho Prairie One Room School, and Hickory Hill School, and graduated from Salem Commu...

Darren Michael Venters, age 59 of Odin, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at his home. Darren was born on July 22, 1966, in Geneva, Illinois, the son of Charles James Venters and Dorothy Alice (Bumgarner) Venters. He was united in marriage to Teresa Gail (Carney) Venters, and together they shared many years of marriage. Darren worked for many years in maintenance and roofing before his retirement. He will be remembered for his hardworking nature and the love he had for his family. He is...

Dale P. Lowery, 85, of Bluford, Illinois, passed away at 11:15 p.m., May 15, 2026, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. He was born September 29, 1940, in Bluford, Illinois, to the late Denzil and Priscilla (McElravy) Lowery, Sr. Dale married Carolyn (Eiler) Lowery on July 16, 1960, and she preceded him in death on September 3, 2025. Dale is survived by his sons, Kevin Lowery and wife, Lisa of Bluford, Illinois and Larry Lowery and wife, Julie of Bradenton, Florida; grandchildren, Er...

Janice Ann Donaldson, age 83, passed away at Cedarhurst of Breese on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Janice was born in Breese on June 29, 1942, a daughter of the late William "Goody" and Virginia (Hammel) Goldsmith. She married Charles Edward Donaldson on December 7, 1963, and he preceded her in death on February 12, 2002. Janice devoted much of her life to teaching and caring for others. She began her career in Aviston before teaching in Pensacola, Florida, Greenville, South Carolina, and...

Donald l. Maschhoff, age 80 of Hoyleton, passed away at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis on Monday, May 18, 2026. Donald was born in Centralia, Illinois on July 2, 1945, a son of the late Leonard and Alma Maschhoff. He married Ruth Ann Twenhafel on July 5, 1969, and she preceded him in death on January 24, 2015. Mr. Maschhoff is survived by his two daughters, Sara (Joe) Lombardo and Dora (Dale) Diekemper; his grandchildren, Nicholas and Harper Lombardo, and Henry and Marlowe Diekemper; tw...

Gary Benjamin, a beloved resident of Salem, IL, formerly Centralia, passed away in his home on Friday, May 8th, 2026, at the age of 64. Born on December 30th, 1961, Gary is the son of Donald Benjamin and Mary Ann (Huggins) Benjamin. On December 13, 1986 he married the love of his life, Kathleen Claar, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia. They shared 45 wonderful years together. Gary is survived by his devoted wife, Kathleen Benjamin of Salem, and his loving son, Nicholas Benjamin, alo...