Gina Marie Foulk, age 55, of McLeansboro, Illinois, passed away from her life on earth, to her new life in heaven, at 8:32 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2020 at the Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Rev. Greg Shelton officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Gina was born on April 28, 1964 in Benton, the daughter of Richard Foulk and Virginia (Knight) Foulk.

She enjoyed music, loved to dance, color, swing, and play basketball.

Surviving are her parents Richard and Virginia Foulk of Alabama; three sisters: Lisa Edwards and husband Jaime of Palm Coast, FL, Paula Foulk of Trinity, TX, Sara Dailey and husband Greg of Makanda, IL; a brother Garry Foulk and companion Jackie Higgerson of Benton; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Illinois Special Olympics and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Donald R. Bennett, 82, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday morning, February 15, 2020 at his home.

He was born in Whittington, IL on September 12, 1937, the son of Raymond & Ruth (Veach) Bennett.

He married Elda (Casagrande) in 1955, and she passed away in 1975.

Mr. Bennett married Sarah (Wagoner) on September 12, 1994, and she survives.
Mr. Bennett enjoyed camping and horseback riding. He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for several years, while also farming. He and his wife Sarah owned & Operated Bennett’s Cafe in Thompsonville & Benton for several years.

Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife, Sarah Bennett, of Benton; son Gene Bennett, and wife Karen, of Benton, daughter Trish Bennett-Minor, of Mt. Vernon and Charlie Followell, of Mulkeytown, IL; stepson John Smith, of Centralia, IL; grandchildren Justin Bennett, Cristy Shultz, Shane Bennett, and wife Leanna, Nick Minor, and wife Ciara, Leah Deaton, and husband Scott; great-grandchildren Anthony, Lucas, Ethan and Lawson; sister Wanda Storey, of Benton.

Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by his parents, by his first wife, Elda Bennett, by a son, Dale Bennett and a brother, Ferrel.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 19t, 2020 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

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

Susan Renee Phillips-Rizor, 47, of Santa Fe, NM, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2020, in Tulsa, OK, from injuries sustained due to an automobile accident.

She was born on January 29, 1973, to Maurice and Carol (Runnels) Phillips in Benton, IL. Susan married J Scott Rizor and he survives.

Susan was a loving daughter, sister, mother and wife. She was an amazing Artist specializing in abstract paintings. Susan loved interior design, world travel and fine dining. She enjoyed being in the company of family and good friends.

She is survived by her loving spouse, J Scott Rizor, two sons, Reagan Hall and Jackson Hall; two daughters, Kenzie Rizor and Kassidy Rizor; two brothers, Tom (Leo Leonardo) Phillips and Jerry (Mendi) Phillips; one sister, Elizabeth (Todd) Grounds; one brother-in-law, Robb (Jamiey) Rizor; father and mother-in-law, Joe and Claudia Rizor; special friends, Terri McCarty, Sharmin Cawood, and Susan Budlong; and her beloved companion, Buddy.

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

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 15, 2020, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at 12:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton IL with Pastor Kurt Sanders, officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Second Chance Rescue of Franklin County, 602 Joplin Street, Benton, IL. 62812 or Shriners Hospital at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org and will also be accepted at the funeral home.

Susan’s family would like to express their appreciation for all the support and prayers they have received from family and friends during this difficult time.

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

On the morning of Monday, February 3, 2020, William “Bill” Todd, loving partner and father of one, passed away peacefully in his bed at the age of 61. Bill was born on June 11, 1958 in Benton, Illinois to Charles Kenneth Todd and Laura Joyce (Filkins) Todd.

Bill had worked at Continental Tire in Mt. Vernon, Illinois for the past fourteen years and was formerly employed with Maytag in Herrin, Illinois. He was an avid sports fan and loved golf, basketball, and spending time with the special people in his life. If you couldn’t find Bill, you could count on him being at the golf course getting a round in whenever he could. He will be deeply missed by his son, who accompanied him on many of those rounds.

“While I write this I am reminded of the love my Dad gave to me my entire life. As with everyone, there were times of strain between the two of us, but through everything I knew how much he loved me. Over the last fifteen years our relationship grew more than I could have ever imagined. I will miss him so much for the rest of my life and I hope he really knows how special he was to me.”

Bill was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Mary Ellen Williams. He is survived by his long-time partner Therese Cline (and her children Bryan Cline and Kaylee Cox) who will always remember Bill as “my best friend and a wonderful father figure to my children.”, his son Jeremy (Kelly) Todd, and his brother Les (Lisa) Todd along with several loved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the Todd Family in care of Jeremy Todd.

Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.

Richard “Rick” James Tygett, 75, of Sesser, passed away on February 7, 2020 at the Franklin Hospital.

He was born on March 3, 1944 in West Frankfort, IL to James and Viva (Mabry) Tygett. He married Mary (Eurgil) Tygett on December 22, 1967 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children Michele (Ed) Epplin of Troy, IL, Jennifer (Craig) Zinzilieta of Benton, Tim (Allison) Tygett of Palos Hills, IL, and Michael Tygett of Sesser; grandchildren Luke Epplin, Alexis Epplin, Lauren Zinzilieta, Jake Zinzilieta, Emma Zinzilieta, Timothy Tygett and Zachary Tygett.
He was an avid car guy and loved his family. He was an Army Veteran and was a Federal Mediator.

Funeral services will be on Thursday February 13, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Rev. Monsignor Daniel Jurek officiating.

Visitation will be on Wednesday February 12, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Geneva Hall, 95, of Peoria, IL, formerly of Benton, IL, passed away at 10:46 a.m., on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at the OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL.

She was born on July 12, 1924, to Walter and Idella (Curry) Hubbard in Coleman, TX. Geneva worked as a School Attendant for Grant Grade School. On August 12, 1944, in San Angelo, TX, she married Oris Ray Hall, and he proceeded her in death on May 21, 1992.

Geneva was a former member of North Benton Baptist Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Geneva enjoyed fishing, dancing and gardening.

Geneva is survived by her two children, Sharon Rae Gulley and husband Dr. Roy Michael Gulley, of Peoria, IL., and Brett Hubbard Hall and wife Lisa Mitchler Hall, of West Frankfort, IL; three grandchildren, Dr. Joshua Gulley and wife Patricia Gulley, Tessa (Gulley) Hunt and husband Jake Hunt, and Danielle Hall; five great-grandchildren, Olivia Gulley, Ethan Gulley, Elliot Gulley, Brayden Hunt, and Sydney Hunt; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Idella Hubbard; husband, Oris Ray Hall; two brothers, Lavert Hubbard and James Hubbard; three sisters, Ozell Foster, Gertrude Boyd and Marcella Walker.

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

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Pate Funeral Home, with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating.

Burial will follow services at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Foundation for Fighting Blindness and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Betty Noraine Dial, 86, of Christopher, went to be with Jesus on February 3, 2020 at 11:52 AM at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born on July 12, 1933 in Christopher.

Betty is survived by her children Robin Lenard of Christopher, Tamela and her husband Rick Grammer of Christopher and Carlo and his wife Carrie Dial of Christopher; 76 total grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Cook, husband John Connor Sr, husband Carlo Dial Sr., four sons Rocky Connor, John Connor Jr., Delmar Tindall Sr. and Edward Connor, one grandson Blake Anthony Holland and two brothers Ronald Tindall and Robert Tindall.

Betty was a member of the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler for many years. She loved being with family and going to church. She had worked at the Benton Evening News for over 20 years.

Funeral services will be on Saturday February 8, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the First Apostolic Church of Zeigler with Rev. Cecil Sullivan and Pastor Jason Todd officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the church.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family to help with expenses. Envelopes will be available at the church.

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

Thomas E. Baine Jr., 80, of Mulkeytown, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 1, 2020.

He was born on February 20, 1939 in Jonesboro, AR to Thomas Elbert and Thelma (Yopp) Baine SR. He married Phyllis Carol (Cole) on July 29, 1959 and she survives of Mulkeytown.
He is also survived by his children Thomas E. (Deborah Ann) Baine III of Valier, Donald (Shelly) Baine of Mulkeytown and Bobby (Jennifer Marie) Baine of St Louis, MO; Grandchildren Thomas E. (Lori) Baine IV, Christina C. (Jason) Snyder, Jaramie R. Pinkham, Heather G. (Michael) Abercrombie, Katelynn L. Baine, Madison M. Baine, Shalisha A. (Sam) Baine and Celestia N. Baine; Great Grandchildren Mackensie, Catrina, Luke, Hannah, Paul, and Mia; Siblings John T. Baine of Sesser, Ray (Carol) Baine of West Frankfort, Bennie Baine of Plumfield and Carolyn Thompson who Thomas thought of as his sister.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister-in-law Jane Baine.

Thomas was a graduate of West Frankfort High School where he was a cross country runner on the Field and Track Team, and he also served in the National Guard, and worked as a tire builder at General Tire, but his love and passion was working the land and farming. He was a member and Deacon of the Mulkeytown Baptist Church where he loved to sing hymns with his wife, he also loved Butter Pecan ice cream and Dr. Pepper.

With each healthcare stay, the continuing stream of visitors evidenced Tom’s love and influence. The norm was switching to larger rooms to accommodate the vast amount of visitors.

Tom was a loving husband and father who believed in hard work and dedication. Together with Phyllis, Tom raised three sons to love and respect their family and community.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday February 5, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Bill Bowers, Brother Jerry King and Brother Ernie Clifford officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday February 4, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and on Wednesday from 8:00 AM until the time of the funeral at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.
In lieu of flowers donations can be given to Phyllis Baine and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Linda Sue Worley, age 68, of Benton,IL passed away at 2:32 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room of Benton.

Linda Sue was born on August 31, 1951 in Golconda, IL, the daughter of William Bransfor McCormick and Alma (Smothers) McCormick.

She was a homemaker, having raised nine children.

Linda enjoyed spending time with her grandkids.

Surviving are her nine children: Shwana Hart and husband David of Makanda, IL, Helen Braden and significant other James Booker of Benton, Elwyn Worley, Jr and wife Melony of Benton, Bonnie Cluck and husband Cody of Mt. Vernon, IL, Angie Miller and husband Christopher of Christopher, Michael Worley of Benton, Donald Worley and wife Ericia of Benton, Ronald Worley of Hillsboro, IL, and Jesse Davis of Benton; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings: Delbert McCormick, Dianna Booker of Benton, Paula Hill of Mt. Vernon, IL, Mary Turner of Golconda, Paul McCormick of Mt. Vernon, IL, Dwight McCormick of Mt. Vernon, IL.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: David Lee McCormick and Donald McCormick; and a great-granddaughter: Payton Joplin.

Cremation services have been entrusted to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with the cremation services; and can 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 Linda Sue Worley, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com