Karen Rogers Crowe, 63, of West Frankfort departed this life at 10:40 A.M. on Monday, February 17, 2020 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Karen was born January 29, 1957 in West Frankfort, the daughter of Robert G. Rogers, Sr. and Shirley (Bell) Rogers.

She was of the Baptist Faith, a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed time visiting with family and friends, and she loved her dog Zoie.

Survivors include three daughters, Jamie(Wilson) Robertson of St. Louis, Jennifer(Wilson) Coleman of Benton and Randi Burns of Carbondale, a son, Charles(Bobby) Burns, Jr. of Royalton; 8 grandchildren, a sister, Debbie(Rogers) Hare of Indiana and a brother, Robert G. Rogers, Jr. of West Frankfort.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Shelia and Robin Rogers. Visitation services will be held on Friday, February 28th from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL.

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

Rosaline Louise Crofford, 97, of Thompsonville, IL, passed away at 1:19 p.m., on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Stonebridge Senior Living Center, Benton, IL, surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 11, 1922, to Edward and Minnie (Anderson) Alexander in Poplar Bluff, MO. Rosaline was a homemaker . On October 6, 1945, she married Leonard Crofford in Hammond, IN, to this union they had five children. Rosaline and Leonard lived in Thompsonville, IL.

Rosaline was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Her family meant the world to her and she enjoyed cooking them cookies. She loved playing board games and cards and was very competitive. She enjoyed fishing and big table puzzles.

She is survived by her loving spouse of 75 years, Leonard Crofford; four children, Ronnie Crofford of West City, IL, Diane Lenz and husband Larry of Galesburg, IL, Leonard Crofford and wife Gail of Lake Village, IN, and Sharon Wright and husband Ron of Bailey, CO; twelve grandchildren, Ronnie Crofford and wife Uney, Mark Crofford and wife Pat, Scott Crofford, Jamie Marlow and wife Annette, Michelle Early, Josh Marlow and wife Misty, Derrek Crofford and wife Christie, Jonathan Crofford and wife Tina, Brandon Wright, Ashley Murphy and husband Shawn, Bradly Wright, Kaily Wright; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Luhman.

Rosaline was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Minnie Alexander; one daughter, Connie Watson; one grandson, Rod Watson; and 11 brothers and sisters.

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

Visitation will be held Friday, February 28, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020, 10:00 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home, with Rev. Howard Johnson, officiating. Burial will follow services at Denning Cemetery, West Frankfort, IL.

Memorials contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Roger Lee Rone, 63, of Akin, IL, passed away at 2:20 p.m., on Sunday, February 23, 2020, Helia Health Care of Benton.

He was born on August 4, 1956, to Robert and Shirley (Thomas) Rone in Chicago, IL. Roger was a retired welder. On October 3, 1975, he married Janet Darnell in Benton, IL.

Roger was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed singing and playing his guitar, fishing, and spending time with his two sons go-cart racing.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 45 years, Janet Rone; two sons, Jason Rone and wife Amanda of Benton, KY, and Travis Rone of Akin, IL; granddaughter, Emma Rone; sister, Roberta Bayless and husband Jimmie; brother, Robert Wayne Rone; mother-in-law, Melba Darnell; sister-in-law, Debbie Link and husband Dave; brother-in-law, Keith Darnell and wife Bobbi; and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by parents, Robert Lee and Shirley Ann Rone; granddaughter, Addyson Rone; 3 brothers, Ricky Rone, Ronnie Rone, and Roy Rone; father-in-law, Carl Dean Darnell; and sister-in-law, Amy Rone.

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

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, with Pastor Roger Webb, officiating. Burial will take place in the Brady Cemetery.

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

Roy Howard Biggs Sr, 92 of East Peoria passed away at 6:20am Monday morning, Feb. 24, 2020 at Unity Point Hospital. Family was at his side when he took his last breath.

Roy was born Feb 21, 1928 in Mulkeytown, Illinois to Clyde and Sylvia Biggs. Roy married Iona Faye Essex Feb 22, 1950. She passed away Jan 16, 2011. Roy is survived by two sons; Stan (Linda) Biggs and Roy (Linda) Biggs both of Creve Coeur, Illinois; 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother David Biggs from Mulkeytown, Illinois. Roy loved spending time with family and friends, especially the younger great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, Feb 29, at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM. Roy will be laid to rest next to his wife Iona in the Mulkeytown Cemetary.

Roy served in the Army and was a Korean Veteran. Roy received 2 Purple Hearts, 3 Bronze Stars, The Combat Infantry Badge, Special Medallion from the President of South Korea, United Nations Medallion and the Korean Campaign with 2 Battle Stars.

Roy retired from Ivex Specialty Paper after 34 years in 1992. He stayed active in his later years with his family and special friend Jean Elam. They were members of the East Side Silver Sneakers looking forward to each day spent with all his friends.
Roy was a wonderful father, brother, grandfather and a friend to anyone. He will be greatly missed by everyone.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the East Peoria Fire and Rescue, 201 W. Washington Street, East Peoria, IL 61610.

Goodbye Roy, we all love you very much.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Margaret S. Tennant, age 95, of Benton, Illinois entered into eternal rest peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Fifth Season Residential in Benton. She was born on April 2, 1924 in Dakota, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Semancik) Blazek.

Margaret married Richard A. (Pete) Tennant on July 5, 1947 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Fairmont, West Virginia. They celebrated 64 years of marriage. Pete preceded her in death, passing away on Valentine’s Day 2012.

Their union was blessed with five children: Richard Jr. (Pamela) of Crestview, FL; Deborah Clark of Benton, IL; Terry (Wesla) of Benton, IL;
Dan (Kristine) of Carmel, IN; and Doug of Benton, IL.

She is survived by six grandchildren: Janae Tennant, Keri Tennant, Rebekah Tennant, Leigh Ann (Matt) Thomas, Christopher (Chelsie) Clark, and Elizabeth Clark (Ido) Melamed.

She was especially proud of her six great grandchildren: Evan, Ryleigh, and Lela Thomas; Cole and Cohen Clark; and Tomer Melamed.

Margaret will be remembered by family and friends as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was an excellent cook, an expert gardener, and a lover of birds. She anxiously awaited each spring for the return of her hummingbirds. She also loved to document her family, flowers, and birds with an untold number of photographs that she took throughout the years.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Hawkins, and four brothers Joseph Blazek, Jr., Tom Blazek, Edward Blazek, and Frank Blazek. She is survived by a sister, Barbara (Harold) Adams of Fairmont, WV, a brother Alfred (Rita) Blazek of Cleveland, OH and a sister-in-law Joy Blazek of Vienna, WV.

The family would like to thank the staff at Franklin Hospital and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their outstanding care and concern for their Mother.
The family also wishes to thank Margaret’s good friend and companion, Wanda Zinzilieta, for helping with her care.

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

The family will receive friends at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton, IL on Saturday, February 29 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. A mass of Christian Burial will follow in the church at 10:00 am with Father Urban Osuji as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Akin, IL.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions to the St. Joseph Building Fund or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com

Jeffrey Dean Whitlow, 60, of Benton, passed away on Saturday February 22, 2020.

He was born on February 11, 1960 in Christopher to Noble Boyd and Betty Louis (Gilbreath) Whitlow. He married Mary Ingram (Sartor) Whitlow on August 12, 1979 and she survives of Benton.

He is also survived by his children Chase Logan (Amber) Whitlow of Peoria Heights, IL and Drake Thomas Whitlow of Royalton; three grandchildren Ryan Logan Whitlow, Jeralynn Brooke Whitlow of Benton and Koby Cross Shipp of Benton; one sister Melody (Frank) Mercer of Valier and one brother Noble (Melissa) Whitlow of Christopher.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Brenda (Whitlow) Crews and Pat (Whitlow) Thompson.

Private graveside services will be held at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

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

Robert James Howe, 75, of Thompsonville, passed away at 2:43 a.m., on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on November 11, 1944, to Robert and Jean (Hutchinson) Howe in Chicago, IL. On July 10, 1965, he married Sherry Griffin and she survives.

Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, building and being outdoors.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 54 years, Sherry Howe, one son, Brett (Yolanda) Howe; one daughter, Laura Howe; three grandchildren, Mandy, Robert & Mikey; one brother, David Howe; and two sisters, Susan (Vernon) Sterchele and Jeanne (Bob) Barnes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Alexander and Jean Olive Howe, one daughter, Tricia Howe and one brother, Gary Howe.

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

Per Robert’s wishes cremation will take place.

Memorial may be made to Debra.org and will be accepted at the funeral home or mail directly to 75 Broad St., Suite 300, New York, NY 10004, or at www.Debra.org

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