Betty Jayne Taylor, age 70, of Benton, passed away at 9:20 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2019 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room of Benton.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church of Benton with Rev. Lee Lovett officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery of Whittington. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Betty Jayne Taylor was born on March 30, 1949 in Christopher, IL, the daughter of Robert D. Blondi and Christine “Teeny” (Marlow) Blondi. She married Bill Taylor on December 28, 1967 and he survives.

Betty was a retired teacher from Ewing Grade School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Benton, where she was an active singer in the church choir, until her health did not allow her to attend.

She absolutely loved being a teacher! She enjoyed quilting, embroidery, and spending time with friends and family.

Betty is survived by her husband Bill Taylor of Whittington; a son Heath Taylor of Whittington; a daughter Chrissy Miller and husband Bryan of Sesser; two grandchildren: Ty Taylor and Dempsey Jayne Miller; a sister Pam Finley of Carterville, brother Tom Blondi and wife Barbara of Scottsdale, AZ, twin brother Bobby Blondi and wife Mary of Benton; sister-in-law Carole Rea and husband David of Benton; sister-in-law Sandra Taylor of Whittington; nieces and nephews: Jason Finley of Nashville, TN, Jeremy Finley and wife Rebecca of Nashville, TN, Rob Blondi and wife Summer of Valier, Brett Blondi and wife Kortni of Benton, Andrea and husband Josh Cleaver of Newton, Jayme and husband Chris Robinson of Redondo Beach, CA, Tyler Blondi and wife Dawn of Azusa, CA, Kim Sanders and husband Scott of Benton, Diana Ing and husband Keith of Benton; numerous great-nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother-in-law Kenneth and Edith Taylor; brother-in-law John Finley; brother-in-law Kenneth Dale Taylor; nephew Monte Rea.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the First United Methodist Church, 203 West Church Street, Benton, IL 62812, and will be accepted at the church on Sunday.

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

The family wanted to share how Blessed Betty was to have so many faithful, loving friends. They also wanted to extend their gratitude for the loving care Betty received during her stay at Benton Healthcare.

Gearld L. Hamilton, 94, of Benton passed away Monday morning, December 2, 2019 at his home.

He was born in Whittington, IL on October 14, 1925, the son of Jesse & Essie (Burton) Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton was a World War II Army Veteran. He co-owned and operated North Main Motors on South Main for many years.

Mr. Hamilton is survived by his:
2 Sons:
Kim Wendell Hamilton & fiancee` Lois Shadoan of Frostproof, FL
Kelvin Dale Hamilton & fiancee` Bobbie Madden of Benton, IL

Kim & Kelvin’s Mother: Mazie Hamilton of Benton

2 Grandchildren:

Bryan Hamilton & wife Georganna of Benton

Mindy Foreman & husband Todd of Atlanta, GA

Great-Grandchildren:
Jacob Hamilton
Mason Foreman
Bryson Hamilton
Zander Hamilton

Great-Great-Grandchildren: Penelope & Lucy
Mr. Hamilton was preceded in death by his Parents and by Siblings-Wendell, Lester, Harry, Billy Donald, Glenna Jean, Harry & Larry.

Graveside Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Saturday, December 7th at the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington with Pastor Curtis Smith officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts. Burial will follow. Therer will be No Visitation, those attending the service are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Pearl VanHoorebeke, 79, of Benton, formerly of Christopher, passed away on November 29, 2019.

She was born on March 29, 1940 in Christopher, IL to Odie and Cynthia (Davis) Shaw. She married Frank VanHoorebeke and he preceded her in death on January 1, 2005.

She is survived by her children Earelen Zeboski of Sesser, Sherry (Mike) Boling of DuQuoin, Gary (Rhonda) Keller of Benton, Randy Keller of Florida, Cynthia Keller of Benton, George Keller of Benton, Georgia Chrostoski of Benton, Steven Keller of South Carolina and Shay Doty of Benton; step children Betty Lou Hopkins of Missouri, Clarence VanHoorebeke of DuQuoin, Shirley Worrle of Oklahoma, Charles VanHoorebeke of Benton, Sharon Plasters of Mississippi, Mary Jo Murry of Waltonville, Elmer VanHoorebeke of Texas, David VanHoorebeke of Texas, Loren VanHoorebeke of Mt Vernon and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter Alice Patterson, one step-son Randy VanHoorebeke and six brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday December 3, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

James Michael Thompson, 57, of West Frankfort, formerly of Sesser, passed away on Monday November 18, 2019.

He was born on September 22, 1962 in DuQuoin, IL to James Monroe and Joyce (Sink) Thompson. He married Pamela (Fisher) Thompson on December 28, 1991.

He is survived by his wife Pamela Thompson of West Frankfort; Mother and Father James and Joyce Thompson of Sesser; his children Jennie Burke of California, Brandi Thompson of West Frankfort, Travis Thompson of West Frankfort, Dillon Thompson of Sesser; one great granddaughter Kenna Thompson; three brothers Mark Thompson, Scott Thompson and Bob Thompson.

Military rites will be given by the Sesser VFW on Saturday November 30, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Maple Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of Michael’s life will be on Saturday November 30, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is assisting the family with arrangements.

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

Stephen Matthew “Beaver” Hensgen, age 62, of Mulkeytown, passed away at Friday, November 22, 2019 at his home.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be planned for a future date.

Cremation arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Stephen Matthew Hensgen was born on May 30, 1957 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Wilbur J. Hensgen and Eunice (Sheldon) Hensgen.
He formerly worked with Pepsi Mid-America as a bottle filler. Prior to working with Pepsi, he worked at Maytag.

Beaver enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, camping, and going to the “country house”. He was a good storyteller, and song writer. His family said that he could write lyrics to a song about anything. He loved family events and spending time with family, but most of all, he loved being with his grandkids.

He is survived by his three daughters: Amber (Hensgen) Koloroutis and husband Adam of Kileen, TX, Ashley (Hensgen) Turner and husband Scott of West Frankfort, Chelsea Hensgen of Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Nolan Koloroutis, Brynlee Koloroutis, William Turner, Tyler Craft, Jordan Turner, Jadelynn Turner, Paisley Hensgen; a sister Patricia Wilson of Marion, IL; a brother James Hensgen and wife Carla of Carterville, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents; a brother-in-law Dale Wilson; and a nephew Eric Hensgen.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Stephen Matthew Hensgen, to the family to assist with the cremation expenses, 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 Beaver, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Dorothy Mae Brooks, 92, born October 15, 1927, in West City, IL, passed away at 5:36 p.m., on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Stonebridge Senior Living Center, Benton, IL.

She married Bill Brooks, who served in the United States Army during active military war time of the Korean Conflict. The couple moved from Illinois to Oklahoma where Mr. Brooks was employed by NOMECO and Haliburton Oil companies over the next two decades. Dorothy moved to Branson, MO after the passing of her spouse in 1997, and enjoyed her leisure years entertaining friends and family on Lake Tanycomo in Branson.

Dorothy is survived by her brother, David Kearney of Austin, TX; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Delmar and Della (Johnson) Kearney; husband, William C. Brooks; infant son, William Roy Brooks; three brothers, Vernon Kearney, Carl Kearney and Leonard Kearney.

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

Per Dorothy’s wishes cremation will take place. Burial will follow at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences may be given at www.patefh.com

Jacob L. Eriks, 66, of West Frankfort passed away peacefully at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO. On Tuesday evening, Nov. 12, 2019.

He was born in Hammond, IN on April 24, 1953. He loved NASCAR racing, and loved watching his westerns.

Mr. Eriks is survived by his:
Partner: Jane Gallardo of West Frankfort
Daughter: Crystal Babcock of Chesterton, IN
Daughter: Melissa Spiegel of CA
Son: Jeremy Eriks & wife Therese of CA
7 Grandsons: Merrick, Braden, Hunter, Aiden, Joshua, Kale & Evan
Stepdaughter: Pamela Gallardo
2 StepGranddaughters: Giana & Gabby
Sister: Cindy Brown & husband Donald of Guyton, GA
Sister: Jackie Slinker of Tallahassee, FL
Brother: John David
Brother: Danny Dykhuizen of Gary, IN
Brother: John Dykhuizen & wife Michelle of MO.
Sisters: Bonnie Middleborn, Tina Demmon, Kim & Keith Powell, Betty & Charlotte

Mr. Eriks was preceded in death by his Parents.

Memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com