James Anthony “Tony” Denham — West Frankfort, IL

James Anthony “Tony” Denham, age 71, of West Frankfort, passed away at 6:13 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2019 at the VA Medical Center in Marion.


Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Joe Zbinden officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and the Army National Guard, will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to the funeral hour on Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. Denham was born on January 29, 1948 in Benton, Illinois, the son of Ira Jay Denham and Esther Lorene (Smith) Denham. He was first married to the former Lou Ellen Summers, after their divorce we would marry the former Nancy Kathleen Dunmyer on February 21, 2000, and after fifteen years of marriage, she preceded him in death on November 3, 2015.

James, or known to many as Tony, served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He worked as a handyman, and for many years tended to and cared for horses on Kenny Hutchens’ farm.

He also enjoyed fishing, all Elvis music, and loved visiting with his family and friends,

James is survived by a daughter Linda Lou Houseworth and husband Charles of Ewing, IL; three grandchildren Steven Houseworth of Indiana, Jeffrey Houseworth of Carbondale, IL, Christine Lopez and husband Luis of Carterville, IL; four great-grandchildren: William, Antonio, Ayden and Adrian, all of Carterville; two brothers: Dennis Denham and wife Nola of West Frankfort, IL, Gordon Denham and wife Paula of Cambria, IL; Nancy’s children and their families: Carrie Griffin and husband Bart, Larry Hackleman, Betty Hackleman, Lois Osinga and husband Doug, Kay Robey and husband Todd; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Nancy; and a daughter Teresa Reed.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the VA Medical Center in Marion to assist Veterans and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

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