Merwin Henry Eaton, age 92, of Thompsonville, passed away at 11:49 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at VA Community Living Center of Marion.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, June 8, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery of DuQuoin. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, where Masonic Rites will be observed at 11:00 a.m.

Mr. Eaton was born on October 5, 1926 in DuQuoin, Illinois, the son of Irl Eaton and Celia (Wheeler) Eaton. He married the former Marilyn Zoe Margenthaler on August 29, 1951, and she survives.

He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II; and was a member of the Benton American Legion Post #280 and the Benton V.F.W. Post #2671.

Merwin was a farmer and a retired coal miner. His coal mining career was with the Freeman United Coal Company, where he worked at Freeman #11 in DuQuoin. He was a member of the U.M.W.A.

Mr. Eaton was also a member of the DuQuoin Masonic Lodge# 234 A.F. and A.M. of DuQuoin; the Franklin County Shrine, Ainad Temple of the Shrine; Scottish Rites Body of Southern Illinois; and was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church of Thompsonville until it closed.

He enjoyed hunting; which he did all of his life. He especially enjoyed training Beagle Hounds; and participated and won many Field Trials. He also enjoyed hunting quail and squirrels. He also enjoyed raising cattle.

Most of all he was proud of his grandson and loved to spend time with him.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years: Marilyn Eaton of Thompsonville; two sons: David Allen Eaton and friend Linda Paris of DuQuoin, James Lee Eaton and wife Linda of Thompsonville; a grandson Charles Jacob Eaton and wife Haley of Oregon, OH; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Eaton was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters: Wanda Lows, Ruth Wright, Ann Wright, and Helen Taylor; and a brother Irl Wilson Eaton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Franklin County Shrine Club or the Benton American Legion and V.F.W. Honor Squad; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Jay A. Cavender, 59, of Sesser, passed away at 10:31 a.m., on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at his residence.

He was born on July 29, 1959, to Thomas and Juanita (Mitchell) Cavender in Washington, IN. Jay had worked as a Service Manager for Goodyear Tires.

Jay enjoyed fishing and watching sports on ESPN.

He is survived by his brother, John Kelly Cavender and wife Tina of Sesser, IL; two nieces, Lacye Renee Phelps and husband Rodney, and Courtnye J.S. Cavender and husband Dalton; and a nephew, John Kelly Cavender and wife Reanna.

Jay was preceded in death by parents, Thomas Waldo and Juanita Sue Cavender.

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

Jay’s wishes was for cremation to take place.

Memorials contributions may be made to the donor’s choice, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Calvin “Kim” Bigham, 74, of Benton passed away on May 22, 2019.

Mr. Bigham was born on January 10, 1945, the son of Ernie Leeman & Betty (Iunerich) Bigham.
Calvin was a Day Foreman with Freeman United Coal Company.

Mr. Bigham is survived by his wife Connie Bigham, of Benton; three children, Chris Bigham, and wife Sandy, of Bradenton, FL, Cassy Chapman, and husband Jay, of St. Peter, IL and Kerrie Smith, and special friend James Hopkins, of Benton, IL; grandchildren Nick, Megan, Erik, Natalie and husband Ethan, Emily and fiance’ Lane and Jesse and fiance’ Alli.

Mr. Bigham was preceded in death by his parents and by one daughter, Jamie Brown.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 31st at the First Christian Church 302 South Main Street in Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Church doors will open at 10:30 A.M.
Memorial may be made to First Christian Church Fellowship Center Building Fund or Food Pantry.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Marsha Darlene Niehoff, 69, was born on January 16, 1950, in Gibson City, Illinois, and flew away to begin her new journey on May 27, 2019.

She was a daughter, a sister, and a fierce friend. Above all else, she was a devoted mother. When Marsha turned 18, she moved to Oklahoma. She married soon after and began raising a family upon the birth of her first son in 1972. She gave birth to her second son in 1978. She met her best friend, Wanda, in 1979 and they shared forty years of friendship and laughter together. In 1988, she took on the role of single parent after giving birth to a third son. She could be seen effortlessly balancing jobs as a waitress and a CNA as well as babysitting neighborhood children to make ends meet, often going without so her children wouldn’t have to. She will be remembered for her quiet strength and thunderous laugh that could light up a room. Her body may be gone but she is not. A mother’s love never dies. It sticks for eternity.

Our mother leaves behind her three sons; Paul Niehoff and wife Stephanie, Kevin Niehoff and wife Jennifer, and Kristopher Niehoff as well as one adopted daughter, Amanda Wilson and husband Cody.

She also leaves behind three sisters; Linda Van Zandt, Barbara Creveline, and Sheila Ecker as well as one brother, Randall Roy and several nieces and nephews.

She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as extended family members, Rhonda and Red Singleton; close friends Tammy and Dave Schoolcraft; and friend, Tony Leone, who was by her side when she left this world for the next.

She flies to the stars to join those who went before her: her mother and father, Marjorie J. and Avery F. Roy; one sister, Carolyn Creech; and best friend of 40 years, Wanda Lackey and husband Kenneth.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2019 at the Elkville First Baptist Church, with Pastor Scott Slone officiating.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

LaVeda Lucille Warren, age 82, of Benton, passed away at 2:50 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019, at the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab Center of Benton.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

LaVeda was born on October 24, 1936 in Benton, IL, the daughter of Raymond Roscoe Smith and Rachel Eva (Hicks) Smith. She married Raymond Monroe Warren on June 18, 1955, and he preceded her in death on March 25, 1993.

Mrs. Warren worked for 30 years as a Guidance Secretary at Benton Consolidated High School.

She was a member of the Logan Church of God.

LaVeda enjoyed sewing and quilting, camping and cooking. But her favorite thing she enjoyed to do was spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters: Janice Dudek of Marion, IL, and Lisa Smothers and husband Allen of Benton; six grandchildren: Melissa Dudek, Kyle Dudek, Jennifer Dudek, Joshua Dudek, Raymond Smothers, and Warren Smothers; two great-grandchildren: Maddix Dudek and Laythan Bowling.

Mrs. Warren was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son Ray Warren; two great-grandchildren: Alayna Rachel Dudek and Wesson Anthony Ken Dudek.

The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff of the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab Center for giving their care and love to LaVeda. To show their gratitude, memorial contributions may be made to the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab Center; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Reba Mae Hilty, 75, of Christopher, passed away on May 21, 2019.

She was born on July 28, 1943 in Mulkeytown to Robert and Ruth (Bacon) Edmonds. She married David Hilty and he preceded her in death on February 8, 2019.

She is survived by her children Denise Slater and David W. Hilty; three grandchildren; one sister Nancy Rice and one brother Roy Edmonds.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one brother Robert Edmonds.

Graveside services will be on Friday May 24, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Zeigler Cemetery with Brother Ivan Ryan officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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