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

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, 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.

James Ray Bellamey, 88, of Christopher, passed away on March 13, 2020 at his home.

He was born on August 24, 1931 in Grayville, IL to James Edward and Lydia (Handley) Bellamey. He married Flora Allis (Simpson) Bellamey on December 18, 1971 and she survives of Christopher.

He is also survived by his children Angie (Thomas) Armstrong of Tucson, AZ, Terri (Dave) Green of Indianapolis, IN, Kevin Bellamey of Indianapolis, IN, Gordon (Carol) Bellamey of Georgetown, IN, Dan Bellamey of Christopher and Dallis Bellamey of Zeigler; 22 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Johnnie Ray Phillips, one sister Ellen Strassman and two brothers Donald Bellamey and Robert Bellamey.
James was an Army Veteran serving during the Korean War and had worked for the Indianapolis Police Department for many years.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday March 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL. Visitation will be on Tuesday March 17, 2020 from 5:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday March 18, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Little Zion Cemetery in Enfield, IL.

The family requests no flowers and that memorials can be made to the Southern Illinois Honor Flight, 10400 Terminal Drive, Suite 200, Marion, IL 62959. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Rev. John David Elko, Jr, age 77 of Benton, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bill Hottensen officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and the U.S. Marine Corps will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. (Currently CDC Guidelines recommend that funeral directors adhere to limit public events to 50 or fewer people. And if you are sick, please stay at home.)

John was born on April 9, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of John and Betty (Tindall) Elko; and raised by his stepmother Mary Elko. He married the former Lucille Roberts on November 21, 1973, and she survives.
John was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged on February 22, 1967.

John was ordained as a Southern Baptist Preacher on August 26, 1979. He pastored several churches and led many to the Lord. He attended New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Benton, Illinois.

Surviving is his loving wife of 43 years, Lucille Elko of Benton; his son Kevin Elko and wife Casey of West Frankfort; his daughter Amanda and husband Ben Mikutis of Benton.

John was the proud papa/grandpa to 3 grandchildren that meant the world to him, Logan Elko, Tyson Elko and Fallyn Bradley.

He is also survived by one brother, Dave and wife Lynn Elko; sisters-in-law Jane Stowers and Carolyn McLearin and husband Lonnie; brother-in-law Vernon Roberts; several nieces and nephews; and three close cousins: Tom Swigonski, Don Swigonski and Judy Evans.

Mr. Elko was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother; a grandchild; an infant sister; and Uncle Max and Aunt Sophia Swigonski; brothers-in-law: Larry Stowers, William Roberts, and Eddie Frost; sisters-in-law: Linda Roberts and Wanda Frost.

The family would prefer Memorial contributions be made to the family of Rev. John David Elko, Jr; to assist with funeral expenses. Memorials may be sent to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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