Rick L. Thomas, 67, of Logan, passed away on August 13, 2019.

He was born on August 9, 1952, to Chester and Viola (Kirk) Thomas in Herrin, IL. Rick was the owner of T & T Carbide, Inc. On July 11, 1971, he married Nancy Pope. To this union they had two children. Rick and Nancy lived in Logan, IL.

Rick was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many in which he will be dearly missed by many. He loved to work outside, playing with his grandkids and grand babies.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 48 years Nancy Thomas; one daughter, Audra Thomas; one son, Adam Thomas and wife Jane; ten grandchildren, Kailey McCain and husband Dave, Mikah Nance and husband Asa, Shay Vick, Addyson Morgan, Remington Thomas, Lincoln Thomas, Sawyer Thomas, Ellie Price, Matilda Thomas, Witten Thomas; seven great-grandchildren, Lil Dave, Keegan, Zaedyn, Roxzyn, Lynlee, Titus and Kipling; three brothers, Garry Thomas and wife Sharon, Tim Thomas and wife Annette, Alan Thomas and wife Beth; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Kearney and husband Gary; one brother-in-law, Ferrell Winemiller and wife Kathy; his special puppies, Rocky and Shiloh; and also survived by many more family and friends.

He was preceded in death his parents, Chester L. and Viola Marie Thomas; a nephew, Travis Thomas.

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

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 7:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Mark Minor, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Franklin County Second Chance Animal Rescue, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Charles “Charlie” D. Goff, 66, of Benton, passed away at 9:12 a.m., on Thursday, August 15, 2019, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital, Mt. Vernon, IL.

He was born on July 25, 1953, to Charles and Martha (Hatchett) Goff in Taylorville, IL. On December 8, 1978, he married Dennecia Burgess. Charles was a United State Air Force Veteran serving during the Vietnam War.

Charlie was a member of the American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the Benton Eagles. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. Charlie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and loved playing golf.

Charles is survived by his loving spouse of 40 years, Dennecia Goff; three children, Deena (Bryson) Shepard, Chad (Jessica) Hutchinson and Clinton (Sara) Goff; nine grandchildren, Seth (Kari) Arnett, Amber (Josh) Farris, Kacie (Bryan) Koker, Lexie Hopkins, Hailey Shepard, Lane Hutchinson, Mercedes Goff, Sebastian Goff, Harrison Goff; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and two sisters, Kaye Mullins and Rebecca (Mark) Mueller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. and Martha Lee Goff: and one brother, Lawrence E. Goff.

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

Visitation will be held Monday, August 19, 2019, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 pm.m, on Monday, August 19, 2019, at the funeral home, Benton, IL, with the Rev. Kent Dunford, officiating. Military rites will be performed by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the United States Air Force Honor Team.

Memorials may be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital or to the Wounded Warrior Project, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Nick Kniffen, 85, of Whittington passed away Thursday morning, Aug. 15, 2019 at the Mt. Vernon Health Care Center.

He was born in Spring Garden, IL on Feb. 7, 1934, the son of Ray & Mary Ellen (Friar) Kniffen. He married Mary Lou (Harmon), and she preceded him in death on June 25, 2012.

Mr. Kniffen was a lifetime resident of the area. He loved working in timber and fishing. Mr. Kniffen is survived by his children, Terald Kniffen, and wife Deborah, Bill Kniffen, and wife Susan, Michael Kniffen, and wife Janice and Debbie Walls, and husband Jerry; grandchildren Cody Kniffen, and wife Jessi, Michael Kniffen, and wife Stacy, Michelle Featherstun, and husband Sean, Daniel Kniffen, Jennifer Burnett, JoAnn Atkins, and husband Tommy, Julie Vaupel, and husband Keith, Jackie Kniffen, Colt Walls, Makayla Walls, Billie Walls; great-grandchildren Nathaniel, Josie, Ezra, Seth, Hunter, Seth, Jessica, Andrew, Daniel, Christian, Samuel, Isabella and Hayden; great-great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Vivian and Marcus and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kniffen was preceded in death by his parents, wife, by a son-Jeffery Glenn, by a brother, Harold Kniffen & by a sister, Thelma Maxine.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Aug. 17th at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina with Bro. Mike Kniffen officiating. Burial will be in the Hams Grove Cemetery, in Belle Rive. Visitation will be after 11 A.M. Saturday at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

Daniel “Dan” Lee Lynch, 56, of Benton, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at his residence.

He was born on March 14, 1963, to Ronald and Carolyn (Sneed) Lynch in Berwyn, IL. Dan was a United States Army Veteran. On April 2, 2011, he married Susan Lea (Tate) Joy.

Dan was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed music and fishing. His passion for music started at a very young age playing the drums, to being a lead singer in a band to most recently learning how to play the bass guitar.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 8 years, Susan Lea Lynch; five children, Dustin (Tori) Lynch, Kassie Lynch, Brook Cecil, Alex (Brandon) Mandrell and Caitlin Joy; five grandchildren, Cyrus, Raymond, Harper, David and Coraline; one brother, Craig (Shari) Lynch; and many dear family members and friends.

Mr. Lynch was preceded in death his parents, Ronald Lee and Carolyn Gail Lynch.

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

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Rev. Stacy Tate, officiating. Military rites will be performed by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the United States Army.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com

Leroy Thomas Spotanski, 93, of Sesser passed away on August 6, 2019. He was born on September 20, 1925 in St. Louis, MO to George Michael and Anna Rose (Kurgenski) Spotanski.

He married Elaine (Harmon) Spotanski on June 26, 1948 and she preceded him in death on December 21, 2014. He is survived by his children Vicki (Joe) Kloepper of Mulkeytown and David (Anita) Spotanski of Waltonville; grandchildren Amy (Kirk) Tipton, Matt (Dawn) Spotanski, Todd Spotanski, Dennis Harris and fiancé Sonya Gunter, Tricia (Barry) Higgins, Doug (Tricia) Harris, Mandy (Brian) Carson, Kristi (Jason) Carter, Jessie (Max) Dicus; 15 great grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and one brother George M. Spotanski of Scheller. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one son Dennis “Tiny” Spotanski.

Leroy was a TEC Sargent 5 in the United States Army serving during WWII and Korea. He was an active and lifetime member of the VFW Sesser Cox Post 4753 and American Legion Post 0560 Bates in Sesser. He always volunteered for the military funerals and military functions. He was the Sesser Goode Township Supervisor for 23 years and served on the Sesser Police Commission Board for 23 years. He also served on the Franklin County Board for over 20 years. He worked at the Rend Lake College as Director of the Physical Plant until his retirement in 1987. He loved to fish and play golf. He had four hole-in-ones on the Pinckneyville Golf Course. He has been a member of the Roman Catholic Church in Sesser for 78 years and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus in Christopher.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday August 10, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sesser with Father John Iffert officiating. Visitation will be on Friday August 9, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Southern Illinois Honor Flight and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Chris Paul Reed of Clearwater, Florida, formerly of Benton, went home to be with the Lord on August 3.

He was born in Eldorado to Fred and Lena (Mosley) Reed on March 21, 1924.

He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Britton and husband Larry of Florida, son Gary Reed and wife Debbi of Colorado, grandson Jonathon Stewart and wife Jennifer of Florida, granddaughters Michelle Rogers and husband Curtis of Montana and Amanda Palmer and husband Bill of Texas. He has seven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bettye Dykes Reed, son Jimmy Chris Reed and son David Paul Reed. Also preceding him were his sister Evelyn Lipsey, sister Imogene Burzynski, and brother Billie F. Reed.
He was a member of East Benton Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years.

He was the former owner of Reed Heating and Air Conditioning in Benton. He belonged to Benton Masonic Lodge #64 and served as Past Master, Benton chapter of Eastern Star and was a Past Worthy Patron, and a member of the American Legion Post 280 after having been in the Army.
Donations may be made to any charity instead of flowers.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday, Aug. 8th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastors Mark Joplin & Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be at the Masonic & Oddfellows cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday and after 10 A.M. Thursday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Masonic Rites will be conducted at 7 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Amos Herman Mitchell, Sesser, Illinois passed away at Helia Healthcare of Benton, Illinois with his loving family at his bedside, 10:00 pm, August 2, 2019 at the age of 100 years and 165 days. Mr Amos, or Billy Goat was greatly admired and professionally cared for by the staff at Helia.

Amos is predeceased by his loving wife Rosemary, by his parents Herman Omar and Nella (Pulliam) Mitchell, brothers Lowell (Jennie) Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, Cecil Mitchell, sisters Neva Furlow, Clorine (Melville) Straub, Wilma (Tom) Uttley, and Agnus Mitchell.

Amos is survived by his loving sons, Ned Mitchell of Sesser and Randy Lowell (Renee) Mitchell of Collinsville. Amos also leaves behind to mourn his passing and cherish his memory grandchildren Justin Jon (Brittany) Mitchell, Jonna June L Mitchell and (friend Jan Paul Miller), Carrigan Aleta Mitchell, Ty Matthew Mitchell and Alexa Marie Mitchell.

Amos was also blessed to have known and be known by his great grandchildren; Johnel Maria Eubanks (fiancé Johnny Vercellino), John Charles (Sierra) Eubanks, Jr., Christian Mitchell Rolla, Cobin Dane Rolla, Kingston Lane, Kaylor Belle Lane, Kambria Noelle Mitchell, Kennasyn Joelle Mitchell, great great granddaughter Violet Sky Eubanks. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Amos was born February 18, 1919 in Zeigler, Illinois. He attended one year of high school before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps to help support his widowed mother and her family. He later earned his GED and insisted that his two sons, Ned and Randy attend and complete a college degree. Amos entered the Army in 1941 and honorably served his country in WWII in the Americal 23rd Infantry Division in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Burma, and New Guinea. He was a decorated war veteran earning two Bronze Battle Stars, American Defense Service Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon and 5 Overseas Service Bars.

Amos was the oldest member and faithful Christian of the Sesser First United Methodist Church. He was a living witness to all who knew him. He was married to the love of his life Rosemary White Mitchell on January 20, 1945 by Methodist minister R. A. Lippman. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage.
Amos was a retired coal miner, last employed at Freeman United Coal, Waltonville #3. He was a long time member of Local Union 1545 of the United Mine Workers of America. He was an avid bird hunter and was widely known for his expertise in training bird dogs, both English Setters and Pointers. He was an excellent gardener and enjoyed maintaining his home and lawn.

The visitation will be Friday, August 9th, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Sesser from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. A funeral service of Christian burial will be at 1:00 pm, August 9, 2019 at the church. Jim Slone will officiate. Internment with military rites will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, Sesser, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice or the Sesser First United Methodist Church.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to the Newell Funeral Home, Waltonville, Illinois.