James Lee Hart, age 65, of Benton, passed away at 10:35 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at the Helia Healthcare of Benton.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be planned for a future date.
Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
James Lee Hart was born on June 10, 1954 in Christopher, the son of James O. Hart and Loudene (Summers) Hart. He married the former Jayna De Sett on June 25, 1983, and she survives.

Jim was a retired coal miner, a member of the U.M.W.A., and a member of the SIU Alumni Association. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry in 1977, from SIU Carbondale.

He formerly attended the First Christian Church in Benton.
Jim loved to watch football. He was a St. Louis Cardinal football fan and when the Cardinals left St. Louis, he became a St. Louis Rams fan. He enjoyed going to air shows at Scott Air Force Base; but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his three grand kids.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Jayna Hart of Benton; his two children Jenna Kirkpatrick and husband Ben of Benton, Jonathan Hart of Benton; his three grandchildren: Kaylee, Max and Elijah; a sister Janice Legendre and husband Roger of Johnston City; a niece Tina Miller and husband Kevin of Johnston City; and a nephew Mathew Legendre of Johnston City.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of James Lee Hart, to the family or to Second Chance Rescue, 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 Jim, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Wanda Louise Frost, 75, of Benton, IL passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 17, 2019 at SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

She was born in Benton, IL on Oct. 23, 1944, the daughter of Marion & Oma (Jones) Roberts.
She married Charles “Eddie” Frost on May 19, 1962, and he preceded her in death on May 27, 2004.

Mrs. Frost was a member of South Benton Baptist Church, and attended New Hope Baptist Church in Benton.

Mrs. Frost was a dedicated mother of five daughters and Mama to her grandchildren.

Mrs. Frost is survived by daughters, Cheryl Commean, and husband Kevin, of Benton, Melinda Mitchell, and husband Kenny, of Marion, IL, Cindy Bryan, and husband Anthony, of Logan, IL, Christy Harkins, and husband Steve, of West Frankfort and Tammy Wilcox, and husband Shawn, of Benton; Ashley and James Pritchard, Keri and Cyle Cavins, Caleb Shaw, Scott Mitchell, Kyle Mitchell, Samantha and Brian Gregg, Specialist Christopher Kinkade, U.S. Army, Kelsey Wilcox and Kortney Wilcox; five great-grandchildren, Hunter, Jasey, Cayson, Isaac and Annalise; sisters Carolyn and husband Lonnie McLearin, of Whittington, Jane Stowers, of Benton and Lucille and John Elko, of Benton; brother Vernon Roberts, of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Frost was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a brother and sister-in-law: William and Linda Roberts and by a brother-in-law, Larry Stowers.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. William Hottensen officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Sharon M. Hall, age 76, of Benton, passed away at 6:10 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Benton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Sharon Mary Jane Hall was born on October 1, 1943 in Cambria, IL, the daughter of Virgil Swann and Maude (Robertson) Swann. She married Wesley Hall on January 23, 1960, and he preceded her in death on March 27, 1997.

Mrs. Hall was a member of the West City Baptist Church. She was a faithful member and song leader, until her health would not allow her to attend. Sharon loved her church and her church family.

Sharon worked with Continental Tire of Mt. Vernon, where she worked in the bead room section of manufacturing.

She loved Chicago Cubs baseball, attending her church, singing, dancing, going on car rides around the lake, and especially loved spending time with her family. She was also known for her sassiness and sarcasm.

Surviving are four children: Lonnie Hall and wife Alice of West Frankfort, Kathy Todd and husband Dennis of Benton, Tracie Kalata and husband Brian of Buffalo, NY, Kelli Hall of Benton; grandchildren: Eric Williams and wife Misty, Emily Cook, Jeremy Cook, Nick Hall and wife Chelsea, Allen Hall, Amy Jo Hall, Jamie Todd, Ryan Hall, Josh Bettis, Chelsea Hughes, Lindsey Smith and husband Steven; great-grandchildren: Gracie Hall, Faith Cook, Lincoln Williams, Jackson Williams, Chantel Williams, Addison Smith, Stella Settlemoir; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant son Michael Hall; five sisters and two brothers.

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

William Thomas Lampley, Sr., age 89, of Benton, passed away at 12:40 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Benton.

Per Tom’s wishes, he will be cremated.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Dean Severin officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery on Monday for the Graveside service. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

William Thomas Lampley was born on December 30, 1929 in Benton, the son of Andrew Lampley and Gertrude Ellen (Woods) Lampley. He married the former Peggy Joan Thomas on September 15, 1951. Together they shared 62 years of marriage, until her death on October 31, 2013.
Mr. Lampley was a retired self-employed brick mason. He also formerly worked for the City of Benton Water Plant.

He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War.
Tom was a member of the Benton Masonic Lodge #64 A.F. & A.M., Benton American Legion Post# 280, Operating Engineers Local, and the Brick Layers Union.

He was of the Baptist faith.

Tom enjoyed playing the guitar, fishing, and wood crafting.
Survivors include three children: William Thomas Lampley, Jr. and wife Renee of West Frankfort, Marilyn and husband Bruce Zoller of DuQuoin, Tim Lampley of DuQuoin; seven grandchildren: Shawn Loss, Alicia Gregg, Ben Lampley, Julie Lampley, Marcus Lampley, Joey Lampley, Brandy Metten; eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers: Paul Lampley and wife Diane of Buckner, Everett Lampley of Benton; a sister Mary and husband Wayne Summers of West Frankfort; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Lampley was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers: Donald Lampley, Sr., Archie L. Lampley, Sr.; two infant sisters: Dorothy and Lula Belle Lampley; and a sister-in-law Mary Lampley.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of William Thomas Lampley, Sr., to the Alzheimer’s Association, and can be dropped off or mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Mr. Lampley, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Wilma Lee Cockrum, 94, of Sesser, IL passed away Saturday morning, Nov. 9, 2019 at her home in Sesser.

She was born on July 29, 1925 in Sesser, the daughter of Goldman Alfred & Fannie Mae (Harrison) Tucker.

She married Coy I. Cockrum on Aug. 31, 1942, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 25, 2003.
Mrs. Cockrum along with her husband owned & operated Coy & Wilma’s Campground & Bait Shop from 1972 to 2012. She was a member of the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church.

Mrs. Cockrum is survived by her children, Connie Hammond, and husband Larry, of Sesser, Coy Deon Cockrum, and wife Vickee, of Benton, IL and Danny Cockrum, of Sandwich, IL; grandchildren Larry Don Hammond, of Sesser, Rich Hammond, and wife Amy, of Sesser, Scott Cockrum, and wife Elizabeth, of Pace, FL, Gina Williams, and husband Scott, of West Frankfort, IL, Chris Cockrum, of San Diego, CA, Melissa Cushman, of Athens; 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Ermalee Conner, Mazie Hamilton, Afton Lampley and Donna Tucker. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many special friends.

Mrs. Cockrum was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a brother, Dempsey Tucker; by one sister, Idella Montgomery, and by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Ann Schwengel officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to SSM Hospice.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com