Marjorie Lee McCarty, age 87, of Logan, passed away at 2:40 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Marjorie was born on March 23, 1937, in East Peoria, Illinois; the daughter of Henry Madison Moore and Mildred Lorine (Roberts) Moore. After her father passed away her mother would later marry Dale Jamerson. Marjorie married James R. “Ike” McCarty on February 23, 1957, and he preceded her in death on June 8, 2000.

She formerly worked with Crosswalk Community Action Agency for 26 years. Prior to that she was employed by the Joan Claire Dress Factory and the Circle Drive Restaurant. She was a member of the Forrest Baptist Church of Benton.

Marjorie enjoyed bowling, playing cards, working crossword puzzles, playing solitaire, and watching and buying QVC.

Surviving is her daughter Holly McCord and husband David of West Frankfort, IL; eight grandchildren: Wendy Neal, Tom Neal, Heather McCarty, Malinda Shaw, Neil McCord, John Christopher Koczeroski, James David Wade Koczeroski, Juliette McCord; eleven great-grandchildren: Andrew Neal, Noah Shaw, Isaiah Shaw, Luke Shaw, Aleah Shaw, Brenan McCord, Ben McCord, Nick Koczeroski, Zack Koczeroski, Alana Serena, Keaton Wally; siblings: Jo Anne Gray of McLeansboro, IL, Lyle Moore and wife Pat of Benton, IL, Henry Moore and wife Linda of Benton, IL, Earnest Ray Jamerson and wife Karen of Ohio, Ed Jamerson of Benton, IL, Mary Craig and husband Kenny of Akin, IL, Donald Jamerson and wife Sherrie of Freeport, IL; several nieces and nephews; and a special niece: Cindy Bramley of Flagstaff, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her father Henry Madison Moore; mother Mildred Lorine Jamerson; stepfather Dale Jamerson; son Richard McCarty; daughter-in-law Susan McCarty; granddaughter Amy Lee Brown; and a sister Betty Ehrhart.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Little Springs Cemetery in Flannigan Township, with Rev. Donald Jamerson officiating. Marjorie’s chose to not have a visitation. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Marjorie to the Crosswalk Community Action Agency, 410 West Main Street, West Frankfort, Illinois 62896.

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

Frankie Lou Howard, 95, of Benton passed away on April 14, 2024.

Frankie Lou was born on November 24, 1928 in Whittington, IL. Her parents were Dwight and Lois Sneed. She had four sisters who predeceased her: Louie Mae Sneed, Billie Sue LaMastus, MariEtta Grammar, Betty Katharine Mandrell. Madge Giovale and Dwight Lowell Sneed survive.

It was a Christian home where both parents taught Jesus. They attended church regularly as a family.

The Sneed Sisters grew up singing in their home. At the Wyatt Grade School; a special teacher, Miss Thelma realized their family harmony and talents. She gathered the girls around the piano at free time. She taught them several songs. They were asked to sing in churches and on the radio.
Frankie Lou was saved at the age of 13 at the old Rescue Free Will Baptist Church in Whittington, was baptized and served there several years.
She graduated Benton Township High School. She worked as a secretary at the Hoe Supply Company in Christopher, IL

The Sneed family moved to Benton soon thereafter and transferred their membership to North Benton Baptist Church in 1949 when Brother I. E. Miller was pastor. Frankie Lou served with the Youth, Choir and YWA’s.

While in high school, she had a secret crush on Paul T. Howard, and attended North Benton Baptist Church. They both dated others, but it wasn’t until after joining the church, he asked her to go for a Coca Cola after services.

They were married June 24, 1951, and moved to Kevil, KY to work. Frankie Lou worked as a secretary in the Engineering department of FH McGraw Construction Company, where Paul also worked. They lived there until Paul was called into the military. After service time, the Howard’s returned to Benton. They worked together as a family at Beaty’s Service Station. Besides being a full time mom, Frankie Lou was bookkeeper and runner for the business.

The Howard’s had 49 wonderful years together. Their home was blessed with David Paul, Dianne, and Douglas T.
Later, God added to the family: Jo Ann (Reddy) Howard, Mark S. Crisp, and Kara (Kovarik) Howard.
Grandchildren include, Danny (Kathy) and Dena (Ernie) Howard, Dusty (Chelsea) and David J. (Bethany) Crisp, Dara (Colin), Delana and Drew Howard.

Great-Grandchildren include Tristan and Keighly Howard, Roman, Elijah, Bo, and Rocky Franko, Rylee (Crisp) McGinnis, Raygan and Parker Crisp, Tinley Marie, Lexi Grace and Silas Joshua Crisp.
Paul went home to be with the Lord on September 20, 1999, but left a marvelous Christian heritage through his family. He and Frankie Lou served together and individually through the years and counted it as JOY!

Frankie Lou loved to read, knit, garden, and walk anywhere!

She loved the verse “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M on Saturday, April 20th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.
The family requests No Flowers, instead they would prefer memorials be made to Zbinden Ministries.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Dorothea Sneed, 90, of Benton, passed away on Sunday April 7th, 2024, at Franklin Hospital.

She was born February 15th, 1934, and was a lifelong resident of Benton. She spent several years as a playground supervisor at local grade schools. She enjoyed attending church, spending time with family, gardening and reading.

She is survived by kids, James Taylor and Vanessa Braden; grandchildren, J.L. Taylor, Patricia Taylor, Robert Taylor, Brandi (Jay) Champley, Christopher Braden and Michael Moore; several great grandchildren; niece, Ellen (Gary)Messersmith; nephews, Scott Stella, Steve (Diane) Stella, as well as great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, Robert Taylor and Jim Sneed; parents, James and Elizabeth Hunter and sister Leona Stella.

Services will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Friday, April 19th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 12:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Allen Michael Piercy, age 29, of Thompsonville, passed away at 3:35 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the SSM St. Louis University Hospital.

Allen’s wishes are to be cremated. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at a future date.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.

Allen was born on June 6, 1994, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the son of Garry Lee Piercy and Sheila (Lowery) Piercy. He married the former Emily Rose Willmore on August 23, 2014, and she survives.

He was a 2013 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School.

Allen enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and collecting Funko Pops. He enjoyed watching sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He also liked watching NASCAR and liked drivers, Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott.

His family said that he had one of the biggest, loving hearts. He was an encouragement to others and enjoyed making people laugh. They also said he had a curious mind, enjoyed living, and was very opinionated, very outgoing.

He was a fighter. Doctors said he would never make it to the age of eighteen, he would not graduate from high school, and he would never get married. His fighting, optimistic attitude proved the doctors wrong, and he accomplished all the above. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Surviving is his wife of almost 10 years, Emily Piercy of Thompsonville, IL; his parents Garry Lee Piercy and wife Amanda of Benton, IL, Sheila Lowery of McLeansboro, IL, Kevin Bonsack of Ewing, IL; his dogs Bella Sue, Bingo, and Luna; grandparents: Gary and Dianna Piercy of Benton, IL, Pat and Lori Mascal of Thompsonville, IL, Sharon Lowery of Dix, IL; siblings: Ashley Sluder and husband Dakota of Belle Rive, IL, Kyle Bonsack of Clarksville, TN, Jarrett Bonsack of Macedonia, IL, Kaitlin Bonsack of Benton, IL, Abagail Hartline of Benton, IL, William Howe of Kankakee, IL; father-in-law Hershel Willmore of Benton, IL; grandmother-in-law Loretta Willmore of Benton, IL; aunts and uncles: Steven Piercy and wife Angie of Marion, IL, Jeremy Scott Piercy of West Frankfort, IL, Chrystal Bonsack of Wisconsin, Robin Parlow of Wisconsin, David Bonsack of Wisconsin, David Lowery of Dahlgren, IL, Brad Lowery and wife Sandy of Woodlawn, IL, Carolyn Lowery of Mt. Vernon, IL, Mark Lowery of Eldorado, IL, Gary Lowery and wife Rita of Dahlgren, IL; Emily’s aunts and uncles Jeremiah and Christina Willmore of Anna, IL, Tommie and Bonnie Willmore of Benton, IL, Leonard Willmore of Benton, IL, Suella and Roy Howell of Benton, IL; other family member’s pets that he enjoyed, including: Blaze, Rotzy, Mugsy, and Mildred the cat,; and his many DMD friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: David and June Bonsack, and Gary Lowery. Emily’s family members including her mother, Christina Vaughn; grandpa Wesley William Willmore; grandma Sharon Vaughn; great-grandmother (who he was very close to) Velma Gower; cousin Elizabeth Obrecht; special aunt and uncle Zelma and Ralph Jones; pets Domino and Daphney; and his many DMD friends whom he honored with their individual names being remembered and displayed on his vehicle.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Allen to the following: Make A Wish (www.wishmaker.org), Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (www.parentprojectmd.org), Hunt of a Lifetime (www.huntofalifetime.org).

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

Karen Sue “Sudie” Jennings, 78, of Logan passed away at 3:10 P.M. on Thursday afternoon, April 11, 2024 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Karen was born in Benton, IL on June 2, 1945 the daughter of Bernis & Fern (Sullivan) Kirk.

She retired from Franklin Hospital after 33 years as a Nurse’s Aide and worked in Home Health Care for several years. She enjoyed gardening & sewing.
She is survived by her:

2 Sons:
Kevin McClerren & wife Gayla of Benton
Mike McClerren & wife Tina of Logan
4 Grandchildren:
Dylan McClerren & fiancée Laura Talandis
Shelby McClerren
Tyler McClerren & wife Mallory
Nathan McClerren
1 Brother: Kern Kirk of Logan
Special Friend: Gary Summers of Benton

Karen was preceded in death by her Parents, 2-Brothers-Doyle & Keith and 2 Sisters-Marie Thomas & Sherry Piazza.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Sunday, April 14th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Mike Mayberry officiating. Burial will be in the Logan Cemetery in Logan. Visitation will be from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com