Charles Paul Blades, age 77, of Benton, passed away at his home on April 2, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on June 10, 1947, in Eldorado, Illinois, Charles was a graduate of McLeansboro High School, Class of 1965. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and later a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Administration and Services from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1983. Charles dedicated many years of his life to public service, retiring in 2003 as the Regional Supervisor for the Department of Human Services, where he made a lasting impact on the community.

Charles was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Rebecca, with whom he shared 50 wonderful years of marriage, a loving father to his four children, and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather.

An avid outdoorsman, Charles found joy in hunting, fishing, and immersing himself in nature. He was also a ham radio operator, known by his call sign KT9D, which connected him with friends and fellow enthusiasts. He was a devoted member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benton. Additionally, he was proud to be associated with the fraternal orders of the Elk’s and the Eagles in McLeansboro.
Charles was preceded in death by his first spouse, Deborah (Dean) Blades; his father, Charles W. Blades and stepmother, Charlene; his mother, Elsie Geneva (Knight) Sneed; his two sisters, Sylvia Sutphin and Linda Rubenacker; and his brother-in-law, Linus Rubenacker.

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Wolf) Blades; son, John Bradley Blades and his wife, Paula; son, Timothy Blades and his wife, Misty; son, Brian Blades and his wife, Sarah; and daughter, Amanda (Blades) Burton and her fiancé, Josh Stockinger; his grandchildren, Brittni Blades, Kaitlin Rubenacker, Logan Blades, Emily Braden, Alison Blades, Breanna Blades, Kaden Blades, Alexa Blades, and Korie Blades; and his great-grandchildren, Chloe James, Corbin Peterson, Leland Paul Rubenacker, Blakely Rubenacker, Otto Rubenacker, Paisley Blades, Landon Blades, and Charles Axel Race Blades.
He is remembered as a beloved spouse, father, grandfather, and friend, who touched the lives of many. Charles will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Benton, with Father Urban Osuji officiating.

Following a dinner for family and friends, Charles will be interred at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery in Piopolis.

Services are under the direction of the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

The family prefers in lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to St. Jude – Children’s Research Hospital.

May Charles Paul Blades rest in eternal peace, surrounded by the love he so generously shared throughout his life.
To leave condolences online to the family, or to share memories of Charles, go to www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Penni Dunford, age 64, of Benton, grasped the hand of her Lord and Savior at 6:57 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025; surrounded by her husband and sons, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Her wishes were to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Harmony Free Will Baptist Church of West Frankfort, Illinois, with Rev. Kent Dunford officiating. A Fellowship Luncheon will follow the service.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.
Penni was born on August 18, 1960, in Herrin, Illinois, the daughter of Gene Jent and Vicki (Gantz) Jent. On August 28, 1981, she married Jeff Dunford, and together they shared 43 years of marriage.

She formerly worked as a clerk at the Franklin Hospital of Benton and was a homemaker.
Penni enjoyed going to Rend Lake, taking Sunday drives, going on family trips, watching the Andy Griffith show, and decorating her home for the holidays.
Penni is survived by her loving husband Jeff Dunford of Benton, Illinois; two sons Cameron Dunford of Benton, Illinois and Chason Dunford of Carterville, Illinois; a brother Dennis Jent and wife Sandra of West Frankfort, Illinois; and several kids that spent time in her home that she treated as her own.
She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the 3200 crew and the Palliative care team at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Memorial contributions in memory of Penni Dunford, may be made to the Finding Forever Animal Rescue, 1117 East Main Street, Marion, Illinois 62959; @ffanimalrescue
To leave condolences online to the family, or to share memories of Penni, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Larry Wayne Wilson, 75, of Christopher passed away Friday morning March 28, 2025 at the VA Medical Center in Marion.

He was born in Benton, IL on December 28, 1949.

He married Brenda (Key), and she preceded him in death.

Larry was a Veteran serving in the Army as a mechanic working in the motor pool. He loved deer hunting, fishing and Bingo. He was very passionate about the Lord, a Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball. He loved his sons dearly. He was a member of the UMWA where he worked Mine Construction.

Mr. WIlson is survived by his:
2 Sons:
Eric Wayne Wilson of Eldorado
Mathew Wilson of DuQuoin
Granddaughter: Erica
1 Sister: Loretta Bandy & husband Lonnie of Logan
2 Brothers:
Tadeusz “Teddy Jr.” Czuprynski & wife Debra of Reno, NV
Robert Czuprynski & wife Michelle of Benton
Several Nieces & Nephews and Great Nieces & Great Nephews
Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his Parents, Tadeusz (Ted) & Pansy (Conner) Czuprynski, his wife Brenda and several Aunts & Uncles.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M on Saturday, April 5th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial with Militaty Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion, VFW Posts and the Army Honors Team will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.
For those who wish Memorials may be made to the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses or to the Marion VA Medical Community Living Center (CLC).
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Judith E. Rose, 84, of Sesser, passed away Friday, March 28th, 2025, at 9:15 am
at Herrin Hospital, Herrin, Illinois.

Judy was born on August 24th, 1940, to Clyde and Louise (Tedrow) McGuire.

She graduated from Benton High School in 1959 and was a devoted stay-at-home
mother for twenty-five years. After her kids were out of the house, she enjoyed watching
her granddaughters at any chance.

She married Dale Vernon Rose on April 9th, 1960. Together they had a son,
Jeffrey, and a daughter, Pamela. Her husband, Dale, preceded her death on December
1st, 2023.

Judy loved spending time with her family and taking weekend trips with her
granddaughters.

Judy is survived by her son Jeff (Tricia) Rose, daughter Pamela (Kevin
deLatour), granddaughters Elizabeth (Zach) Harwell, Janie (Cole Rector) McMurray,
and Kimber McMurray, great-granddaughter Emersyn Harwell, and several nieces and
nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, ten siblings, and grandson
Grant Rose.

Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Friday, April 4th at the Morton &
Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Service will follow the visitation officiated by Pastor
Dr. Kurt Sanders. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Kathy Jean (Poole) Olson, 74, of Benton passed away peacefully in her home on March 26, 2025 with the love of her life Gordon by her side.
She was born on December 31, 1950 in Christopher, Illinois. She was Owner of ABC Payroll (EZ Accounting) and GMaw’s Bakery & Deli before retiring in 2017.

In her spare time she enjoyed baking, planting flowers and feeding and watching the birds and squirrels.

She was an adventurer who also loved dirt track racing in Mt. Vernon and was well known as Mom 1.

Kathy is survived by her husband Gordon, sons Byron Olson (Maryann), Jimmy Bebout (Michelle) and daughter Karla Olson, as well as her sisters, Sue Poole (Carm), Terri Poole (Diane), Kathy Sledge (Dan), 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, an uncle and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her paternal & maternal grandparents, father Gene Poole and wife Delphia, mother Totsy Harrop and husband John, sisters Ralee Poole & Tammy Poole and grandson Andrue Olson.

Services will be on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with services starting at 1:00 P.M. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Chelsea Ann Johnson, age 34, of Morris, Illinois; passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025, at her home.

Chelsea was born on October 31, 1990, in Herrin, Illinois, the daughter of Blake Sullivan and Melissa Conner. She married Matthew Jacob Johnson on October 7, 2023, and he survives.

She worked as a Customer Development Manager with Ryder Systems, Incorporated.

Chelsea enjoyed traveling and especially looked forward to trying new restaurants and traveling to the ocean and her time on the beach.

More than anything, she enjoyed her cats. Ozzie, Billy, Stormie (stinky), and Diesel. They were her children.

Surviving is her loving husband Matt Johnson of Morris, Illinois; her mother Melissa “Missy” Conner of Sesser, Illinois; two step-children: Liliana Johnson and Avery Johnson both of Montgomery, Illinois; two sisters: Paige Sullivan of Royalton, Illinois, Peighton Sullivan of Benton, Illinois; her paternal grandparents: Pam Tippitt and husband John of Bonnie, Illinois, Melvin Sullivan and wife Linda of West City, Illinois; maternal grandmother Sheila Cross of Christopher, Illinois; brother-in-law Mark Johnson and wife Janice of Cheyenne, Wyoming, sister-in-law Jackie Gonzalez and husband Robert of Cheyenne, Wyoming, mother-in-law Tina Manley of Cheyenne, Wyoming; special niece Hadley Blake Sullivan; and several other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Blake Sullivan.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Brady Cemetery of Macedonia, Illinois. Public visitation services will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chelsea Johnson, please visit our floral store.

Linda Ann Holland, age 54, of Elkville, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025, at the St. Louis University Hospital.

Linda was born on January 10, 1971, in Franklin County, Illinois.

She married John Edward Holland on June 10, 2010, and together they shared 14 years and 9 months in marriage.

She formerly worked as worked as a laborer in a factory; and formerly worked as a home health assistant with Addus Healthcare.

Linda enjoyed the outdoors. She loved fishing and cookouts, watching movies, and loved animals. She especially loved horses and dolphins. She loved taking car rides with her husband, spending time with her family, and looking forward to her weekly coffee time with Sheila. Her family said she also enjoyed talking with family and friends daily on her phone.

Surviving is her loving husband John Holland of Elkville, IL; her children: David Ray Endicott (Michelle Mollett) of Fenton, MO, Herman Alvin Schanda of Olney, IL, Paula Marie Schanda of Clay City, IL, Christine McVay of Royalton, IL; her five month old grandson Alex Ray Endicott; and two sisters: Stephanie Faith Smith of Herrin, IL, and Sheila Wininger (Travis Bush) of West Frankfort, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and adopted parents, and a brother Bill Martin.

Her wishes are to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

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

Steven Louis Meno, age 60, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at home surround with love on Thursday, March 19, 2025 after facing pancreatic cancer with remarkable grace and optimism.

Born on April 22, 1964, in Midland, Michigan, to Gerald Meno and Janice Vanmeter, Steve lived a life defined by love, kindness, and unwavering dedication to his family.
Steve married the love of his life, Lisa, on October 18, 2014. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa who touched the lives of everyone around him with his vigor for life, unending optimism, and boundless patience and kindness. To know him was to love him.

Among his many joys in life, being a grandpa topped the list—and by all accounts, he was the absolute best one out there. He took great pride in maintaining his yard in tip-top shape, planting flowers, and watching them grow. Last year, he was particularly proud of growing his first successful tomato plant. He was a huge Benton Ranger football fan, probably the loudest cowbell in the stadium. Steve also loved to travel, cook and enjoyed an eclectic taste in music. His faith in Jehovah guided his life and was reflected in his natural caregiving spirit. His wonderful sense of humor brought light and laughter to everyone fortunate enough to know him.

In 2007, Steve graduated from West Kentucky Community & Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, receiving his degree with High Distinction and the Outstanding Electrical Award. He continued his education at Madisonville Community College, earning another Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in 2011, along with certifications in industrial refrigeration and air conditioning.

Steve is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Meno, and his brother, Jeffrey Meno.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Meno of Benton, IL; his mother, Janice Meno of Midland, MI; and his children and their families:
Caitlin Wallace and husband Clint Wallace of Benton, IL, and grandson Everett Wallace; Dawn Petrak and her husband Martin Petrak of Columbia, TN, and grandson Jake Petrak; Deanna Meno of Columbia, TN; Heather Clark and her husband Grant Clark of Petoskey, MI; Johnathan Meno and his partner, Casey Guerin of Owosso, MI; Megan Skaggs and husband Nick Skaggs of Mt. Vernon, IL, and grandsons Nicholas Skaggs and Harrison Baughman; Scott Meno and his partner, Miranda Madden of Columbia, TN, and grandson, Hoyt Meno; Sylvia Fuller and husband Jonathan Fuller of Gilbertsville, KY, and granddaughter Logan Fuller.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL. 62812.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the funeral home.

In lieu of Memorial gifts or flowers donations can be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation: https://www.npcf.us/ways-to-donate/ or Hospice of Southern Illinois: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E11847&id=2.
Steve’s legacy of love, kindness, and optimism will continue to live on through his family and all who were blessed to know him.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Mary Rosalle (Laird) Newbury, 97, of Sesser, went home to be with her savior and Lord on Friday March 21, 2025 surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 21, 1927 in Benton, IL to Joe Fred and Mary Ann (Clark) Laird. She married Thomas Logan Newbury on August 21, 1948 and he preceded her in death on October 11, 2010.

She is survived by one son Tom D. (Kay) Newbury of Sesser and two daughters Janice (Robert) Page of Benton and Janine (Larry) Kelley of Akin. Mary was blessed with nine grandchildren Andy Joe (Marrianne) Gee, Knox (Natasha) Gee, Tommy A. Newbury, Matthew (Malori) Newbury, Benjamin (Terri) Newbury, Sarah (Justin) Tepovich, Brandon Page, Ashley (Travis) Kern and Erin Page; 15 great grandchildren and two great great grandsons; three sisters Fannie May Carter of Paducah, KY, Mitzie Jo Harris of Florissant and Wanda Newbury of Sesser.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 62 years, one daughter Mary Jane Gee, one son-in-law Terry Gee and one brother James Fred Laird.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday March 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Mary F. Davis, 71, of Zeigler, passed away at 2:15 a.m., on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at her home in Zeigler, surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 29, 195,3 to Kenneth and Opal (Gurley) Higgibotham in Carbondale, IL. Mary worked as a Hairdresser for many years. In 1996 she married Charles M. Davis and he survives.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in West Frankfort, IL.

Mary was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was always willing to help others in need. She enjoyed playing Bingo, playing pool and especially loved cutting and styling her customers hair.

Mary is survived by her loving spouse, Charles, her daughters, Melissa (Tim) Flatt and Monica Charmness; her son, Sean (Erin) Rice; her brother, Charlie; two sisters, Levita and Mersea; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Opal Higgibotham and two sisters, Paula and Faye.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Per Mary’s wishes, cremation will take place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.