Arnold Nadler, 92 of Benton, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Our extended family has lost our role model, who was a dedicated, affectionate and steadfast rock and haven for all of us. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren with all his heart and soul. He will be sorely missed as the patriarch of our family and our core and our source of goodness, honesty, advice and trust. Every family should be as lucky as we were to have this wonderful man in all or our lives.

Arnold started his life in Wilsonville, Illinois, Macoupin County, born April (1928) to Elsie (Bourlard) and William “Bill” Nadler. He had a fun, resourceful and loving family growing up in a small supportive Italian community where his father worked in Coal Mine #4. Arnold distinguished himself early, played in a big band, tended bar at “the Club,” provided carpenter services and co-owned the area’s first bowling alley.

Arnold served with distinction in the Korean War (1950-1952) Company C, 17th Regiment Combat Team, 7th Division North Korea. Upon returning home he attended the newly formed vocational education program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU-C) obtaining first a BS and then a MS in vocational education. While attending school, he met the love of his life and soul mate Rosalie Whitecotton.

Arnold and Rosalie built their first house in Herrin, Illinois while he oversaw the Building trades program at Royalton high school. They were blessed with the arrival of their children Richard, Susan, and Valerie while living in Herrin. Rosalie and Arnold then moved to Sesser where he continued teaching building trades at Sesser High School. Sesser was a great place for the new family and many, many friends were established. Long summer afternoons were spent with fellow teachers and friends on porches while all of the children were playing games in vacant lots. Arnold built a new home in Sesser as well as many building trade homes on South Broadway in Sesser. As the family continued to grow a second home was built in Sesser and their fourth child, Joel, was born. From Sesser they moved to Benton again for Arnold to teach the Building Trades program at Benton High School. Throughout all his teaching he also worked as a master carpenter and built and remodeled many homes in southern Illinois. He often oversaw the entire building process from creating the original architectural plans to final finishing of the houses he built. The impact of the number of houses he built in Benton, Illinois, resulted in being honored with his own street, Nadler Drive, in Benton. The children moved on to homes of their own; however Benton, a great community with many great friends, remained “home” for all the family.

Arnold’s passions included family history, gardening and fishing. He researched the family history extensively and was a source of information for all who shared his passion for their families past. He also provided the entire family and community with produce from his garden. The grandkids all wanted to go fishing with grandpa.

Rosalie his wife and partner was the love of his life serving him gourmet meals, taking care of the children and house in an extraordinary way, and loving him as only she could. Susan married Bob Blaylock and currently lives in Huron, Ohio and has 2 children, Doug and Richard. Valerie married Scott Newberry and lives in Marion, Illinois and also has 2 children, Angie and Greg. Joel married Lisa Mix and has one son, Raymond. Joel is now married to Meghan Lowery and currently lives in Indianapolis. Both Valerie and Joel attended and received PhD degrees from SIU-C and became teachers, just like Dad. There are five grandchildren, Doug and wife Heidi Blaylock of O’Fallon, Illinois; Angie and husband Tim Belford of Marion, Illinois; Richard Blaylock and wife Besse Rawitsch of Wilmington, North Carolina; Greg and wife Jennifer Newberry of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada; and Raymond Nadler of Carbondale, Illinois. There are seven great grandchildren; Jared and Travis Blaylock, Sherri and husband Trenton Pulley, Aidan Belford, and Gregory, Savannah, and Jonathan Newberry. There is a great-great grandchild, Natalie Jo Pulley.

Arnold was preceded in death by his beloved son Richard Dale Nadler. There will be a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.patefh.com.

Nancy Ann Hodack, age 88, of Benton, passed away at 4:08 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the Herrin Hospital.

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, and the public gatherings of no more than 10 people and observing social distancing; Services will be family only and private. Entombment will be private at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. The Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, is in charge of arrangements.

Nancy Ann Hodack was born on September 4, 1931 in Benton, the daughter of Roy McCarty and Julia (Craddock) McCarty. She was married to Robert Hodack in 1975, and he preceded her in death in 1992.

She worked with Memorial Hospital in Springfield, IL, where she worked with the Gold Club, assisting Seniors with their Medicare and Medicare Supplement Insurance claims.

Nancy enjoyed traveling, reading, cooking, playing pinochle, watching the Cubs, and daily viewing of Jeopardy and most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving is: sister-in-law Marjorie McCarty of Logan; Martha Carlton of Lake Benton among other beloved cousins; her daughter Jo Carol Smith and husband Doug of Murray, KY; Crystal Glover wife of step-brother George Glover (deceased) of Dunedin, FL ; step-sister Rosemary Glover Glidewell wife of Jess Glidewell (deceased) of Pekin; two step-children: Luanne Nelch and husband Rob of Springfield, IL, Jo Ellen Jones and husband Mike of Reno, Nevada; eight grandchildren; several nieces and nephews: Mary Blondi and husband Bobby of Benton, Laura Weger of Champaign, Sarah Williams of Euless, TX, , Julia Furlong of Benton, Holly McCord and husband David of West Frankfort, Judy McCarty-Anderson and husband Craig of Dunnellon, FL, Kathryn McCarty-Schwab and husband Rich of Concord, CA, Michael McCarty and wife Terri of Orient, Susan McCarty wife of Rick McCarty(deceased) of Benton; and several great-nieces and great-nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother Pearl Glover McCarty; two husbands; three brothers: Mike McCarty, Ike McCarty, Joe McCarty; two sisters: Evelyn Weger and Martha Williams.

Memorial contributions, In Memory of Nancy Ann Hodack, may be made to the American Cancer Society, and may be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Jack Ray Phillips, 76, of Sesser, passed away on April 17, 2020 at his home.

He was born on February 28, 1944 in Pinckneyville, IL.
He is survived by four children: Heather Dorr and husband Erik, of Scottsdale, AZ; April Phillips and her daughter Ava Grace, of St. Louis, MO; Chase Phillips and partner Joyce Chen, and their son, August, of San Francisco, CA; and Breck Phillips of St. Louis, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John “Junior” and Geraldine “Jerri” (Miller) Phillips, and Aunt Eva Basso.

He was the owner and operator of the Sesser Monument Company in Sesser, IL.

Private family services will be held at a later date at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Sesser, IL.

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

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

David E. Bonsack, age 86, of Ewing, IL, passed away at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2020 at the Herrin Hospital.

Due to the limitations in groups of more than 10 people, and suggested private family only services, all due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic; the family chose to cremate. There will be a Memorial Celebration of Life Service with burial at a later date in Wisconsin.

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

David Eugene Bonsack was born on October 20, 1933 in Burus Township, Wisconsin, the son of Loyd Edward Bonsack and Lila Lucille (Lave) Bonsack. He married the former June Lois Dahms, in Milwaukee, WI, on July 23, 1955, and she survives.

David was a retired truck driver, having worked for Wimmy Ready Mix in Wisconsin.

He enjoyed hunting, mowing, gardening, tinkering as a mechanic, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Mr. Bonsack is survived by his loving wife of almost 65 years, June Bonsack of Ewing, IL; five children: Keith Bonsack of Stevens Point, WI, Robin Parlow of LaCrosse, WI, David B. Bonsack and wife Cheryl of Bancroft, WI, Kevin Bonsack and wife Sheila of Ewing, Christel Bonsack of Plover, WI; sixteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister Lina Parr of Kansas City, KS; a brother Earl Bonsack and wife Elaine of LaCrosse, WI; a brother-in-law John Dahms and wife Marlynn of Madison, WI; a sister-in-law Anita Kolanowski and husband Fred of New Berlin, WI; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Danny Bonsack; a daughter Sheila Konkol; a brother Loyd Bonsack; two sisters Edna Andregg, and Eddie Bonsack; a grandson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1301 Bailey Lane, Benton, IL 62812

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mr. David E. Bonsack, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com