Mary Hartman Slankard, who was the very definition of a lady full of love and grace, passed away on December 29, 2020. She was 91 years old.

Born to David and Carrie (Stalker) Hartman on October 7, 1929, in Metropolis, IL. The family moved to Carbondale, IL where Mary attended grade school through graduation from Carbondale High School. She went on to attend Southern Illinois University and graduated early, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She taught in the Sesser school system, where she met her soon to be husband, George Slankard, while they were teaching in the elementary school. Mary later taught English at Sesser High School, where she was revered as “one of the best English teachers” many students ever had. Numerous students went on to earn their college degree in education and teach, because of the influence that Mary Slankard had in their life.

George and Mary Slankard expanded Slankard Publishing in the 1960’s. While still teaching, Mary was the proofreader of all content for the three periodicals (magazines) that were published; “Cooner”, “Cars and Parts”, as well as “Hunter’s Horn”. Upon retirement from education, Mary worked alongside George, fulltime, until their retirement from the publishing business.

Mary and George enjoyed a fulfilling life together and were married for nearly 70 years, before his passing in March 2020.

Mary was an avid learner and enjoyed reading, cooking, English and French design, and horticulture.

Mary had numerous nieces, nephews and friends who regarded her as a beloved aunt and mother. She will forever be in their hearts.

A celebration of life will be held in the summer, contingent upon Covid 19 guidelines.

Memorial contributions, in memory of Mary, may be made to the Sesser United Methodist Church, P O Box 428, Sesser, IL 62884.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Richard Lee Murphy, age 60, of Benton; passed away at 10:14 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at the Herrin Hospital.

Mr. Murphy’s wishes were to be cremated A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

He was born on September 1, 1960 in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Roy and Ruby Murphy.

Richard was a former cook at the Franklin Hospital.

He enjoyed going to yard sales, and he was a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan. He was so happy to see his Chiefs win the Super Bowl this past season.

Mr. Murphy is survived by his son Matt Murphy and fiancee Becca Brock of Zeigler; his longtime companion and friend Clara Lewis; two grandsons: Hunter Bagley of Benton and Tucker Brock of Zeigler; six brothers and sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Memorial contributions In Memory of Richard to assist his family with the cremation expenses, may be sent in care of Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812

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

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Charles Richard Webster, 76, of Benton passed away Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 at Stonebridge Nursing & Rehab in Benton.

Charles was born in Colorado Springs, CO on March 15, 1944, the son of Byford and Marjorie (Cook) Webster.
He married Sondra (Powell) on August 9, 1963 at the Herrin First Methodist Church.

Mr. Webster was co-owner of Flowers by Dave in Benton. He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Benton, and had served for years at the church in numerous capacities. Mr. Webster in his younger years had served as a volunteer fireman, had served as finance commissioner for the City of Benton, and had served on the Fire & Police Commission. He graduated from Automotive Technology at SIU-VTI and had a lifelong love for sharp cars.

He was passionate about his family, church and community.

Mr. Webster is survived by his wife, Sondra Webster, of Benton; son Kevin Webster, and wife Jennifer, of Macedonia; daughter Kerri Cottle, and husband Jim, of Benton; grandchildren Brad Cottle, Alison Webster, Emma Webster, Bethany Cottle and Ryan Webster and great-grandchildren Braxton Cottle, Kalib and Addison Mayberry. He is also survived by brother David Webster and wife Sharon, of Benton; sister Laurie Webster, of West Frankfort; brother Brett Webster, and wife Traci, of West Frankfort; sister-in-law Joyce Mathers and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Webster was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Benton with the Rev. Don Jamerson officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Church.

Masks are strongly recommended, and will be available, and social distancing should be practiced.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Cynthia Marie McGuire, age 93, of Benton; passed away at 9:50 a.m. on Christmas Day surrounded by the love of her family.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2021 at the Brady Cemetery East of Akin, with Rev. Bill Hottensen officiating.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Phase 3 of the Coronavirus Mitigation suggests no more than ten people, social distancing and wearing a mask is required. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Cynthia was born on November 16, 1927 in Bessie; the daughter of Jim Branson and Essie (Dial) Branson. She married Jack D. McGuire and he preceded her in death on January 31, 1993.

Her working career consisted of working in the laundry department at the Franklin Hospital for 20 plus years, as a seamstress with the Joan Claire Dress Factory, a former laborer at the Olin Ammunition Plant at Crab Orchard, and she also formerly worked at Mark Twain Boat Factory of West Frankfort.

She was a member of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Benton.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, attending ballgames, especially softball and basketball games. She looked forward to and enjoyed her daily trip to McDonald’s, and she liked playing BINGO and going dancing.

Surviving are four children: Larry McGuire(Bertha) of Mulberry, FL, Michael McGuire (Vicki) of Benton, Terry McGuire(Debbie) of Benton, Jane Millikan of Benton; eight grandchildren: Tracie Adler(Brian), Kelly Bennett (Jamie), Michael McGuire(Suzanne) Tyler McGuire, Derrick McGuire(Mendy), Timothy McGuire(Laci), Lindsay McGuire(Jennifer), Eric Millikan(Mary); great-grandchildren: Mark Malesky(Samantha), Sarah Rosendal(Justin), Jamison Bennett, Kelsie Bennett, Madison Hungate(Grante), Landyn McGuire, Haighdyn McGuire, Parker McGuire, Taylor McGuire, Molly McGuire, Rebekah Wintz, Thomas Wintz, Michael Spiller, Hunter Spiller, Taylor Ray, Kaden Millikan, Levi Millikan; great-great-grandson Caleb Nation; several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. McGuire was preceded in death by her parents, husband; a son-in-law Clarence Millikan; a brother George Branson; and a sister Madge Carney.

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

Richard E. Herrin was born in West Liberty, IL to Florence Ellen (Heckler) and Homer Ralph Herrin on April 6, 1933. Being the son of a Methodist minister, Rich’s family lived in a number of small towns in southeastern Illinois, Flat Rock, Friendsville, Cisne, and Bridgeport. Rich had one sibling, his beloved big brother, Ron, whom he idolized and adored. They grew up in a home whose activities mostly involved church and basketball. Besides their families, basketball was the center of both Rich and Ron’s lives until the end.

On December 21, 1957, Rich wed Martha Sue Cooksey of Marion, IL whom he met accidentally at an SIU football game in the fall of 1956. From this union, four wonderful children were born, Dr. Rodney Jay Herrin of Springfield, IL, Randal Todd Herrin (David Elliott) of Greenfield, WI, Kyle Clifton Herrin (Tina) of Carterville, IL and Kristy Lynn Allardyce (Shawn) of Carterville, IL. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Britton Kyle Herrin, Madison Elizabeth Allardyce, Reese Kylee Herrin, Jake Randal Herrin, Kate Kristin Herrin, Rachel Ann Herrin, McKenzie Pfister (Matt), Mallory Clark (Kyle Brown), Hunter Clark (Rachel) and three great grandchildren, Drew, Gage, and Parker. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Jennie Lee Zilmer of Bloomington, IL, Linda Lou Richey of Dallas, TX and Mary Lou Herrin of Benton, IL and brother-in-law Stephen Benjamin Cooksey of Houston, TX. Rich also left behind many beloved nieces, nephews, friends and former players as well as his best buddy, Dolly. Rich was preceeded in death by his parents, brother Ron, mother and father-in-law, Elizabeth and Ben Cooksey, and brothers-in-law Glen Zilmer and Jack Richey, niece Tara (Zilmer) Kaiser and great nephew, Cameron Herrin Vennard.

Rich attended several grade schools and graduated in 1951 from Bridgeport High School and from McKendree University in Lebanon, IL in 1956. While at McKendree he earned 11 varsity letters in basketball, track, golf and baseball. He received his Master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the summer of 1962.

Rich’s career began in the small community of Okawville, IL in the fall of 1956. He taught and coached the “Rockets” for four years, where he had great success with a team of talented and dedicated young men. Rich, Sue and Rodney moved to Benton, IL in the summer of 1960. This began a 25-year span of exciting and successful teaching and coaching, compiling an astonishing record number of wins that led to 21 regional tournament wins and 5 trips to the state tournament. In 1982, the Benton High School gymnasium was named the Rich Herrin Gymnasium. Rich began his college coaching career at SIU in 1985 leading the Salukis for 13 years. During this time, he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1990. He also led the Salukis to the first and only “3-peat” by winning the MVC Tournament three times in a row, which allowed the Salukis to play in the NCAA tournament three times in 1993, 1994 and 1995. In 2002, Rich began coaching for the Marion Wildcats for five years. Rich finalized his 52 year coaching career at Morthland College in West Frankfort, IL, coaching five more years, where he won the Christian College National Invitational Tournament Championship in 2016. By the end of his career, Rich had amassed an amazing total of 981 victories. Many of his players earned college scholarships and a numerous number of his players became basketball coaches. Several of his players went on to play in the NBA. Besides his loving family, the impact he had on so many young lives is one of Rich’s greatest legacies.

Rich received many honors during his illustrious career. He was honored to be inducted into several hall of fames; McKendree University, SIU, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, Missouri Valley Conference, and the Southern Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame.

A private family service will be held at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL on Wednesday, December 30th. Immediately following at 1:00 pm, a graveside service will be held at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, IL for those who wish to attend. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Ron Herrin and Homer R. Herrin Memorial Scholarship. Memorials can be mailed to McKendree University, Attn: Office of Development, Alumni and Parent Relations, 701 College Road, Lebanon, IL 62254, Re: Ron Herrin and Homer R. Herrin Memorial Scholarship Fund or to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc. 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959.

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