Ed Hungate – Benton

Robert Edward Hungate, age 53, of Benton, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Burton Wills and Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Ed was born on January 3, 1964 in Benton, the son of Kenneth Wayne Hungate and Elva Mae (Lindsey) Hungate.

Ed was baptized at age 10 at the East Benton Baptist Church.

Ed was a Benton High School graduate of the Class of 1982.  He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1987 with a B.F.A. specializing in Art History, and Special Populations Art. He would later further his education and receive his M.A. in 1990 from the University of Illinois Art Education, specializing in Photography, Painting and Drawing.

While at the University of Illinois, Ed played football for The Fighting Illini. In his Freshmen season in 1982 he was a part of the Illini team that played in the Liberty Bowl game. In his Sophomore season in 1983, the Illini would win the Big Ten Championship. His Junior season would be successful too, as the Fighting Illini would make it to the Rose Bowl game versus U.C.L.A. And his final season in his Senior year in 1985, Ed was Football Team Captain and would go on to play in the Peach Bowl.

Football played a huge part of Ed’s career in education. He would coach as both a head coach and assistant at many schools including, West Frankfort High School, Orange County Schools in Orlando, FL, Urbana High School, Sarasota High School, Anna-Jonesboro High School, South Lake High School, and Waterloo High School.

He loved teaching and shared his love of Art at the following schools, Orange County, FL, University of Illinois, Sarasota, FL, Anna-Jonesboro High School, South Lake School in Clermont, FL, Benton School District #47, Waterloo CUSD 5, and Rend Lake College.

Ed enjoyed painting, playing guitar, photography, poetry, song writing, literature, art history, physical fitness, travel, historic sites, and Elvis Presley.

He is survived by his daughter Madison Rae Duke and husband Dillon James Duke of Clermont, FL, a son Robert Austin Hungate of Benton; two grandsons Derek Wayne Duke and Darren .

James Duke; his parents Ken and Elva Hungate of Benton; a brother David Wayne Hungate of Hixson, TN.

He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Ed, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.