Afton Aleta (Cockrum) Lampley, 92, of Benton, died Sunday, January 12, 2020, at the Mt. Vernon Health Care Center. She was born February 1, 1927 in Franklin County Illinois, the daughter of Lemuel Franklin and Bertha Leona (Rich) Cockrum.

Afton was much beloved by her family and friends. She spent many years as a nurse at Franklin County Hospital and is remembered as a kind and caring individual. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Afton was preceded in death by her very good friend Wayne Gunter; a grandchild Lisa (Carney) McClintock; sisters Nancy May, Margaret Fay, and Nelly Rosemary Smith; brothers Frank and Coy Cockrum; half sisters Dorothy Conner and Rada Reynolds; four half brothers Clyde, Loren, Edgar, and Virgil Griffin.

Afton is survived by her son Billy P Wilkerson and wife Cheryl, of Gulf Shores, AL; daughter Leona Faye Carney of Elberta, AL. Grandchildren Brandie (Davey) Gibbs of Benton; Heather (James) Brackin of Elberta, AL; Ryan (Marla) Wilkerson of Riva, MD; great grandchildren, Sean McClintock, and Katlin Brackin. Sisters Erma Lee Conner, Mazie Hamilton and friend Larry Overturf. As well as, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 17th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Franklin Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home.

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

Joan (Aaron) Stone, 81, of Benton, IL passed away on Monday, January 13, 2020 at her home.
Joan was born in Benton, IL on March 4, 1938, the daughter of Rex & Della (Knapper) Aaron.

Mrs. Stone took care of the elderly and she worked in restaurants.

Mrs. Stone is survived by her children, Lana Carlton, Benton, IL, Jolynn Mayberry, and husband David, of Mt. Vernon, IL, Kathy Swofford, and husband Mike Orawe, of Florida, Patty Hammond, of Benton and Randy Swofford, of Texas; grandchildren Beth Ray, Bria Ray, Paul Ray, Elizabeth Carney, Richard Dale Willett, Krystal Mills, Jennifer Swofford, Joey Swofford, Breanna Mayberry and John David Mayberry; 16 great-grandchildren; a niece Lynn Aaron Ramsey; special friend Eugene Mezo, of Benton; special homemakers Melody Franklin, of Benton and Pam Eubanks, of Christopher; wonderful neighbor Arletta Shadowen, of Benton.
Mrs. Stone was preceded in death by her mother, Della Elliott, father, Rex Aaron, by a son-Rex Swofford, by a brother-Jerry Aaron and by her husbands Gerald Swofford & Paul Stone.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 18th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery in Akin. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

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

Elizabeth Augusta Carter, age 86, of West Frankfort, passed away at 10:01 a.m. Sunday, January 12, 2020 at the Westside Care Center of West Frankfort.

Mrs. Carter will be cremated. There will be no public services at this time.
Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.
Elizabeth was born on February 5, 1933 in Benton, the daughter of Cecil Cavins and Hattie (Launius) Cavins.

She formerly worked as a Hotel Housekeeper with the Barlow Hotel.
Mrs. Carter was a member of the Trinity Full Gospel Church of West Frankfort, where she enjoyed attending church and worshipping her Lord with her church family.

Elizabeth enjoyed playing BINGO, doing word search puzzles, eating out, visiting with family; but most of all enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren.

Surviving are her children: Barbara Ramsey of San Diego, California, Ralph Ramsey and wife Donna of West City, Delores Fowler and husband John of Galatia, IL, Clara Allen of Christopher, IL, James “Shorty” Carter and wife Anna of West Frankfort, Lavern Cecil “Butch” Carter of Benton, and Lester “Poncho” Carter of Danville; twenty grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Carter was preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Hattie Cavins; a son: Willard Lee Allen; and a brother: Leroy Cavins.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Mrs. Elizabeth Carter to assist with her cremation services; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Earl William Giacomo, 89, of Mulkeytown, passed away on January 12, 2020 at his home.

He was born on November 3, 1930 in Pinckneyville, IL to George and Mary (Ritter) Giacomo. He married Virginia Maxine (Rogers) Giacomo on August 18, 1951 and she survives of Mulkeytown.

He is also survived by his daughter Ella (Charles) Culver of Christopher; one son Robert “Bob” (Mary) Giacomo; grandchildren Jordan (Alyssa) Culver of Little Rock, AR, Ashton Culver of Christopher, Joshua (Beth) Giacomo of Pinckneyville, IL, Sarah Shasteen of Pinckneyville, IL, Laura (Mike) Dreas of Radom, IL, Joseph (Kait) Giacomo of Pinckneyville, IL; great grandchildren Logan Shasteen, George Dreas, Aubrey Culver and baby Giacomo due in July; two sisters Celeste Epplin of Florissant, MO and Doris (Robert) Valette of Mulkeytown and one brother Gene (Judy) Giacomo of Mulkeytown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one granddaughter Megan Culver.

Funeral mass will be on Thursday January 16, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Rev. Augustine Ibezimako officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday January 16, 2020 from 9:00 AM until the time of the mass at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the Church.

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

Dorothy Siddens 80, of Cape Girardeau, Mo passed away Friday December 20th 2019

She was born in Logan, Illinois August 14 1939 to Johnny and Ethel Smothers and one sister Phyllis L McPherson. All preceded her in death.

Dorothy is survived and celebrated by her children Paul Filinovich, and wife Connie of Conway, South Carolina and Stanley Wicks,and wife Debbie of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Lisa Lambert. She is also survived by five granddaughters and three great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be after 11:00 a.m. Monday January 13th with Memorial Service at 1:00pm
For more information or to send condolences visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Kenneth “Kenny” Ray Aiken, 81, of Benton,IL passed away at 7:55 p.m., on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at the StoneBridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Benton.

He was born on June 19, 1938, to Terry and Tina (Thompson) Aiken in Benton, IL. Kenneth married Linda Kay Kerley and she survives.

Kenny was a loving husband. He enjoyed gardening, bird hunting and playing golf. He also played softball and was an avid Cardinals fan.

Kenny is survived by his loving spouse, Linda Aiken, a sister, Doris (Jim) McLaren of Benton, IL; two special nieces, Diane (Scott) Simpson of Benton, IL and Buffy (Shad) Welch of Tompkinsville, KY.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Terry and Tina Aiken and a brother, Curtis Aiken.

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

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020, at 12:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, with Brad Odum, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Second Chance Rescue of Franklin County and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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