Phyllis Ann Gusentine – Macedonia, Illinois

Phyllis Ann Gusentine, age 77, of Macedonia, IL, passed away at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at the McLeansboro Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the family chose to cremate, and there will be no planned public services.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the arrangements.
Phyllis was born on January 19, 1943 in Franklin County, IL, the daughter of Raymond Payne and Marcella (Waggoner) Payne.

She formerly worked in the deck rigging department at Mark Twain Boat Factory of West Frankfort; and in later years she was a healthcare attendant sitting with the sick and elderly.

Phyllis enjoyed fishing, cooking, crocheting and knitting.

She was a member of the Webb’s Prairie Free Will Baptist Church, Ewing, IL.
Phyllis is survived by her son: Jesse Ed Herndon of Macedonia, IL; two grandsons: Tyler Herndon and wife Jennifer of Knoxville, TN, and Eric Herndon of Bloomington, IN; a sister-in-law: Mary Lou Payne of Macedonia, IL; two nephews: Doug Payne and Chuck Payne.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother Kenneth Raymond Payne.

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

Richard Ronald Foltz — West Frankfort, Illinois

Richard Ronald Foltz, age 83 of West Frankfort, IL, passed away at 11:17 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at his home in West Frankfort.

Mr. Foltz’s wishes were to be cremated. 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.
Richard was born on March 29, 1936 in Washington, DC, the son of Zelzbur Lawrence Foltz and Margaret Cecelia (Becker) Foltz. He married the former Joyce Pugh in 1968, and she survives.

Richard was a veteran of the United States Navy.

He was a self-made handy man, and worked at various jobs throughout his life.
Mr. Foltz was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Tallahassee, FL; and enjoyed worshiping and fellowshipping with his church family.
He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Joyce Foltz of West Frankfort, IL; a daughter Tammy Wemmer and husband Bradley of West Frankfort, IL; a grandson Richard Adam Traylor and wife Kirstin of Lincoln, IL; ten great-grandchildren including, Savanah, Matthew, Cloe, Oliver, Kylie, William, Saphire, Aierel, Hunter, and Logan; five brothers: Arthur Foltz, Stan Foltz, Russell Foltz, David Foltz, Paul Wayne Foltz; a sister Joyce Foltz; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Vernon Foltz and Eugene Foltz; a sister Irene Foltz; and a great-grandchild Raven.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Richard, visit lpfuneralhome.com

Patricia Ann Anderson — Benton, Illinois

Patricia Ann Anderson, age 61, of Benton, passed away at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2020 at the Benton Rehabilitation and Health Care Benton.

Private Family Graveside Services will be held Sunday, March 29, 2020 at the Jackson Grove Cemetery with Pastor Don Bullard officiating. Visitation services are Private Family only. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

Patricia was born on August 4, 1958 in Benton, IL, the daughter of James William Booker and Wilma Fay (Summers) Booker. She married Dennis Rich on August 7, 1976 and he preceded her in death on November 17, 1998. On September 26, 2003 she married Clay William Anderson, and he survives.

She was a longtime housekeeper with Severin Intermediate Care Nursing Home (Stonebridge) of Benton, and she was a member of the West City Baptist Church.

Patty enjoyed music, especially Gospel music; working in her garden; traveling; and spending time with her family.

Surviving is her loving husband Clay Anderson of Benton; two children: Kevin Rich and wife Firlyn of Collinsville, IL, and Amanda Rusher and husband Alex of Copperas Cove, TX; her mother Wilma Fay Booker of Benton, IL; two brothers: James B. Booker of Benton, IL, and David W. Booker and wife Mona of West Frankfort, IL; a grandchild Rowan Rich; two step-children: Matthew Anderson and wife Veronica of Oklahoma City, OK, and Tara Stubblefield and husband Gabriel of Apex, NC; five step-grandchildren: Evan Stubblefield, Ava Stubblefield, Reagan Anderson, Grant Anderson, and Lincoln Anderson; father and mother-in-law: William E. and Carolyn Anderson; Clay’s siblings: Terry Anderson, Catherine Tinsley and husband Eddie, and Timothy Anderson; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father.

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

Robert “Butch” Spain – Waltonville, IL

Robert “Butch” Spain, 73, of Waltonville, IL passed away Thursday morning, March 26, 2020 at his home.

Mr. Spain was born in Franklin County, IL on October 2, 1946, the son of Homer & Mary Ann (Harrell) Spain. His foster parents were Harold and Louise Braden.

He married Connie R. (Hicks) on June 19, 1971.

Mr. Spain was a member of the UMWA & the Mt. Vernon Free Will Baptist Church. He was blessed with a bilateral lung transplant on June 17, 2006.

Mr. Spain is survived by his wife, Connie Spain, of Waltonville, one son, Robert “Bob” Spain, Jr. and Erica Huntman, of Waltonville; one daughter, Penny Wright, and husband Jeremy, Granite City, IL; five grandchildren, Maranda Spain, Austin Spain, Andrew Wright, Jackson Wright and Ahna Wright; great-grandson, Weston Spain-Avants; four sisters, Helen Davis, and husband, Richard, of Benton, IL, Sue McGill, and husband Gary, of Benton, Linda Taylor, of Junction, IL and Louise Minton, and husband Alan, of Christopher, IL; one brother, Charles Spain, of Benton; sister-in-law Jan Spain, of Du Quoin, IL; aunt Jenny Lee Braden, of Benton, mother-in-law Maxine Hicks, of Waltonville; brother-in-law Mike Hicks, of Waltonville; several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Spain was preceded in death by his parents, foster parents, two brothers and one sister in infancy; one brother, Paul Spain, and by his father-in-law-the Rev. Clifford Hicks.

Private Services will be held.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Spain family.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

Bettie Mary Lee Stephenson-Almo, KY

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.

Virginia Browning Genisio Stoffel – Benton, IL

Virginia Browning Genisio Stoffel, 93, of Benton passed away on March 22, 2020 in Benton.

She was born in Valier, IL on September 20, 1926, the daughter of H. L. & Hazel M. (Mackey) Browning.

She married Barnie Genisio on April 29, 1945 and he preceded her in death on January 5, 1994. She then married James “Calvin” Stoffel on October 22, 1994 and he survives.

Virginia was a member of the Order of Eastern Star LeRoy A. Chapter #350 in Marion, IL. Virgina was also a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton.

Virginia is survived by her husband, James “Calvin” Stoffel; son Stephen Genisio, and wife Karla, of Benton; daughter-in-law Judy West, and husband Richard, of Benton; step-daughter Nancy Schultz Vitangeli, and husband Scott, of Portland, OR; grandchildren Amie Monteggia, and husband Joe of Coello, Chad Genisio, and wife Heather, of Benton, Stephanie Stayton, and fiancé Matt Stubblefield, of Elkville, Nathan Genisio, and wife Jenna, of Benton, Danielle Schultz, of Oregon, Alexander Schultz, and wife Zoe, of New York; 11 great-grandchildren, Shae Moore & husband Matt of Tennessee, Korben Monteggia, of Coello, Kylie, Braden and Brody Genisio, of Benton, Gavin, Jaxon and Kayson Genisio, of Benton, Ashlyn Stayton, of Elkville and Gunner and Kynsleigh Stubblefield, of Elkville; two great-grandsons, Leo and Levi Moore, of Tennessee, several nieces and nephews, lifelong friends Larry and Alda McIntyre.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, a son, Paul Genisio, grandson, Eric Paul Genisio, brother and sister-in-law-Lee & Jane Browning and step-son-Dennis Stoffel.

Private Family services will be held.

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

Raymond Oral Furlow – Benton, IL

Raymond Oral Furlow, 84, of Benton, passed away at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2020, at the Mt. Vernon Health Care Center.

He was born on August 26, 1935, to Melvon and Nora May (Flatt) Furlow in Christopher, IL. Mr. Furlow was a United States Army Veteran. Raymond was the owner and operator of Furlow Excavating for 35 years. On June 27, 1958, he married Betty Adams and she survives.

Mr. Furlow was a member of the First Methodist Church in Benton. Raymond was a loving husband and father. He loved traveling in their motor home.

Raymond is survived by his loving spouse, Betty, one son, Adam Furlow; one sister, Thelma Creamer; sister-in-law, Beverly Arnold; and four nieces & nephews, Debbie Hanson, Bonnie Arnold, Pat Arnold and Mike Arnold.

He was preceded in death by parents, Melvon and Nora May Furlow, one son, Michael R. Furlow, and two brother-in-laws, Michael Creamer and Jack Arnold.

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

Burial will take place at Harrison Cemetery, Buckner, IL. Services are private.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and mailed to the funeral home.

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

Agnes Whiting Leffler — Benton, IL

Agnes Whiting Leffler, age 82, of Benton, passed away at 12:55 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020 at her residence.

Her wishes were to be cremated. A Memorial Graveside Service will be held at a future date.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.
Agnes was born on September 18, 1937 in Valier, Illinois, the daughter of Jacob Raubach and Ruth (Craddock) Raubach. She first would marry Bobby Whiting in 1956, and he passed away in December of 1967. Years later she would marry Glen Maxwell Leffler and he preceded her in death in April of 1997.

She worked at the West Frankfort Post Office from 1978 to 1992, before being a pharmacy tech in Denver, Co.

Agnes enjoyed playing Bingo, going to horse races, reading, working crossword puzzles, playing cards, jig-saw puzzles, and gambling.

Surviving are two children: Larry Whiting of Benton, and Jane Whiting and husband Donald Olson of Palatine; grandchildren: Megan Whiting, Josh Whiting, Lauren Kemp, J.D. Whiting, Deanna Whiting, Logan Olson, Alexandra Olson, and Lance White; great-grandchildren: Lily Whiting, Savannah Whiting, Emily Kemp, Jackson Whiting, Anthony Jack Kemp, and Chris Zigler; three sisters: Charlotte Cienki of Hazelton, PA, Shirley Finney of Herrin, Marguerite McFarland of ElPaso, TX, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; a son: Doug Whiting; great-grandchild C.J. Kemp; a sister: Barbara Batts; four brothers: Fred Raubach, Junior Raubach, Kenny Keller, and Karl Keller.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National COPD Action Plan; or to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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

Clifford Wayne Loucks-Benton, IL (formerly of Sesser, IL)

Clifford Wayne Loucks, 78, of Benton formerly of Sesser, passed away on March 20, 2020 at his home.

He was born on December 29, 1941 in Jefferson County, IL to Emro and Clara Helen (Mowbray) Loucks. He married Nancy Lee (Hass) Loucks on January 5, 1963 and she survives of Benton.

He is also survived by his children Marie (Todd) Martin of Wayne City, IL, Michael (Julie) Loucks of Scheller, IL, Marc (Lisa) Loucks of Sesser and Martin (Hassi) Loucks of Pittsburg, IL; nine grandchildren Ashley White, Dylan Loucks, Joey Hattendorf, Ellie Hattendorf, Austin Loucks, Aszure Loucks, Brent Ullman, Leo Loucks and Marci Loucks; twelve great grandchildren and one brother Harold Dean (Barb) Loucks of Sesser.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nine brothers and sisters.
A private family services will be held at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Wanda Sue Darr – West City, IL

Wanda Sue Darr, 71, of West City, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2020, at the home of her daughter in rural Carbondale, Illinois, surrounded by her loving family.

Sue was born on December 1, 1948 in Christopher, Illinois to Stanley and Lillie Lee (Wilson) Teffertiller. Sue married James Douglas (JD) Darr on September 10, 1983.

Sue is survived by her devoted husband, JD, of West City; her mother Lillie Sapino of West City; daughters: Christina (Steven) White of Elgin, Jan (Lynn) Bush of Carbondale and Tara (Darren) Myers of Savoy; son: Ryan (Stephanie) Darr of Carlyle; grandchildren: Shelby Bush of Normal, Leyton (Jessica) Bush of Carbondale, Marc White and Lauren White of Elgin, Caleb Darr and Riley Darr of Carlyle, Andrew Myers, Jacob Myers and Jackson Myers of Savoy; great-granddaughter: Charlotte Bush of Carbondale; brother: Wayne (Patsy) Teffertiller of Tamaroa and several nieces and nephews.

Sue was preceded in death by her father: Stanley Teffertiller, step-father: Joseph Sapino and sister: Joy Rohde.

Sue was a nurturing and caring soul, and worked as a registered nurse for more than 30 years. She retired in 2010 after working at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL for many years. Sue also worked as a coal miner at the Freeman United Coal Mining Company, at both Orient No. 3 and Orient No. 6 mines in Waltonville, IL.

Sue loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter, Charlie. She and JD also cherished the bonds of friendship made through their affiliation with the Stormriders MC for 40 years.

A private family visitation service will be held with burial immediately following, with services entrusted to Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News