Shirley Ann Taake Chester, of Benton, IL., departed this life on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the Franklin Hospital, Benton, IL. She was 89 years old at her time of passing and had recently been in poor health.

Shirley was born in Zeigler, IL., on September 23, 1930, the second child of Howard and Clara (Will) Taake. Her sister, Billie Cover-Chamblin and her brother, Frederick Taake preceded her in death. Her sister, Mary Beckemeier, survives. She was married to Tom (Walter T.) Chester, now deceased. They were parents of six children, all surviving, Marcia (Larry) Hoffman of Centralia, IL., Betty (Jerry) DeCoursey of Energy, IL., Debbie (Bryan) Cadle-Foster of Evansville, IN., Brenda (Rick) Stroer of Jackson, MO., Philip Chester of Centralia, IL., and John (Carol) Chester of Marion, IL. She had seventeen grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was a loyal and devoted daughter, sister, aunt and cousin. This family was her joy.

She graduated from Christopher High School, a member of the Class of 1984, and until recent years, faithfully kept the scrapbooks and attended their annual class reunion. She attended Southern Illinois University and was a member of the University Orchestra. She became a Christian at an early age and was most recently a member of Marion Third Baptist Church. She was a member of the Order of the Easter Star for more than sixty years.

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

According to her wishes, Shirley’s remains were cremated. Interment will be at the Masonic and Oddfellow’s Cemetery in Benton, IL. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society, and can be mailed to the funeral home.

The family thanks the caregivers at Helia Healthcare of Benton, Ambulance and Emergency Room Personnel at Franklin Hospital, and Pate Funeral Home, for their compassion and care.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Alberto Valenzuela passed into the arms of Jesus on March 28 at his home in Conway, South Carolina surrounded by family who loved him after a long and courageous battle with Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia. Born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico on December 3, 1954, Alberto was the son of the late Aldelberto and Monica Dominguez Valenzuela.

He is survived by his care giver, Dr. Barbara J. Valenzuela, whom he married on December 30, 1982 in El Paso, Texas, three step-children Dale and Richard (Kim) Kirk of Gaston County, North Carolina, a step-daughter Karla Kirk Ridling and two step grandsons, Dmitry and Andrey Ridling all of Rock Hill, South Carolina. He leaves a brother, Hector (Dot) of Bristol, Rhode Island, sisters Leticia and Olivia and brother Manuel all of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. He also leaves his little Pomeranian, Penny.

In 1983, Beto came to the United States as a legal resident. He immediately began working any job he could find, first in the drill bits, then the orchards, a nursing home, and finally a good position at Wayne State University in Detroit where he put his wife through a Ph.D. program. From there, he transferred to Penn State University where he remained until his retirement 20 years later due to declining health. He learned to speak English by watching television and taking classes at the Detroit Institute of Arts. He studied diligently and on September 16, 2011, took his oath and became a citizen of the United States. People often referred to his sweet smile as he always had a smile on his face.

Beto was saved and baptized at the First Latin American Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan in November of 1988. He was never one to be out in front as a leader but he loved to serve in the church behind the scenes whether it was cleaning carpets or setting up and tearing down tables and chairs. He attended church in Erie, PA until declining health prevented him from going. He loved music, especially the old hymns and the Mexican corridos. Amazing Grace was his favorite. He gave cheerfully and graciously, giving far more than he received during his lifetime on this earth.

Beto was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, a brother and two sisters as well as five Pomeranians, Cinnamon, Abigail, Peanut, Mocha, and Nutmeg.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, Illinois.

A private service for the family will be held at the Pate Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois. Burial will follow in Shiloh Cemetery, Wittington, Illinois.

Memorial contributions in Alberto’s name may be made to, The East Lake Road Alliance Church in Erie, PA, Franklin Graham/Samaritan’s Purse, or a no-kill doggie rescue of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be at www.patefh.com

Theodore Lee Shaw, Sr., age 76, of Benton, IL passed away at 10:15 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2020 at his home.

Mr. Shaw’s wishes were to be cremated, and a Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the arrangements.

Theodore Lee Shaw was born on October 8, 1943 in Salem, Illinois; the son of Cecil Everett Shaw and Marie (Waggoner) Shaw. He would marry the former Lilymae (Wormley) Marsh on August 18, 1981, and she survives.

He worked as a stock clerk for Dyel’s IGA, and later worked as a self-employed delivery driver, delivering mail to the rural small-town post offices throughout our region.

Ted enjoyed playing BINGO and slot machines. He enjoyed traveling; and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

He was of the Baptist faith.

Mr. Shaw is survived by, his loving wife of 38 years, Lilymae Shaw of Benton; four children: Theodore Lee Shaw, Jr. and wife Cathy of Salem, IL, David Shaw and wife Michelle of Salem, IL, Tracy Shaw of Effingham, IL,

Lowell Christopher Shaw and wife Jeannie of Salem, IL; three grandchildren: Michael Shaw, Stephanie Shaw and Siera Shaw; a great-granddaughter Lilyann; a sister Lola Fay Sipes of Shreveport, LA; a step-son Alan Marsh of Benton; a step-daughter Natalie Hall of Florida; a step-grandson Skylar Hall of Indianapolis, IN; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and nine siblings: Madelene, John, Kenneth, Fred, Jack, Delores, Betty, Emma, and Clyde.

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

Luther L. Phillips, 62, of Coello, IL, passed away on March 29, 2020 at the Herrin Hospital.

He was born on January 6, 1958 in Coello, IL to Luther and Margaret (Swofford) Phillips Sr. He is survived by his brothers and sisters Debbie (Alan) Chapman of Coello, Abby (Danny) Hampton of Mulkeytown, Cindy (John) Monari of Buckner, Steve (Christina) Phillips and Marty Phillips of Mulkeytown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Rosie Spears and Ruby Williams and one brother Jeffrey Phillips. He was a Veteran of the United States Army. His wishes were to be cremated.

Bettie Mary Lee Stephenson, age 82, of Almo, Kentucky, died on Monday, March 23, 2020, at her home, due to natural causes.

Mrs. Stephenson was born in Christopher, Illinois on July 7, 1937. Mrs. Stephenson before retiring was employed at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, more recently she worked at Jakel in Murray. She was of the Lutheran Faith.

Mrs. Stephenson was preceded in death by her father, Oscar Walker; her mother, Frances (Smith) Walker Bateman; her husband, James H. Stephenson, who died in 1971; and by one brother, Ray Walker. Mrs. Stephenson is survived by one son, Harold Stephenson and wife Vicky of Almo, Kentucky; one sister, Carol King and husband Kenny of Zeigler, Illinois; one brother, Gene Walker and wife Dina of Chillicothe, Illinois; two grandchildren, Harry Stephenson and Nicole Parker and husband Justin all of Murray; as well as one great – grandchild, Lola Parker of Murray; as well as a sister-in-law, Connie Walker of Murray; also several nieces and nephews.

Due to the current events surrounding the viral pandemic of the coronavirus, the Stephenson family will have a private visitation and graveside service to respect the government guidelines.