Alan Wyant, age 74, of Benton, passed away at 6:28 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the Kishwaukee Hospital of Dekalb, Illinois.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 13, 2019 at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, in Block CC, with Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Friends are asked to meet at the cemetery on Monday. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Gail Alan Wyant was born on October 21, 1944 in Benton, Illinois, the son of Uel “Punch” Wyant and Edna Mae (Callahan) Wyant.

He enjoyed gardening, walking, and visiting with friends and family.

Alan is survived by three brothers: Don Wyant of Benton, Gary Wyant and wife Billie of Benton, Lyn Woods and wife Sammi of Orlando, FL; two sisters: Janet Border and companion Joe Boldrey of Benton, Debbie Pinkston and husband Roy of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: David Bruce Wyant and Randy Wyant; and a sister Elsie Spain.

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

Raymond Lipe, 94, of Darien, IL, passed away on May 7, 2019.

Mr. Lipe was born on March 3, 1925 to George and Nolia Lipe.
He was preceded in death by his wife and the the love of his life, Vanetta; two sisters, Beulah (John) and Berniece (Tommy); his mother, Nolia and father, George. He is survived by three sons, Kenneth (Dorothy), Gary (Linda) and Gordon (Johanna), seven grandchildren, Sandra, Kenny, Kelly, Lisa, Angelique, Gordon and Sherry, 16 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

He served in the United States Army during World War II. He retired from Electro-motive, a division of General Motors. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.

Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington, Illinois on Saturday, May 11 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts and the National Guard Honor Squad.

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

Ardus Rosalee Shepard, age 99, of Thompsonville, passed away at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2019 in South Carolina.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 6, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in the Liberty Cemetery, east of Thompsonville. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to the funeral hour on Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Shepard was born on July 6, 1919 in Corinth, Illinois, the daughter of John Isaacs and Ethel (Welborn) Isaacs. She was married to Ernest E. Shepard, and he preceded her in death on July 21, 1984.

She worked as an L.P.N. at the Franklin Hospital in Benton where she retired in 1993 at the age of 74.

Mrs. Shepard was a member of the Liberty Methodist Church of Thompsonville. After it closed, she became a member of the Antioch Methodist Church of West Frankfort. Ardus was also a member of the Eastern Star.

She was a foster parent and she loved and was loved as a mother to all.

Mrs. Shepard is survived by a daughter Lynn Metzler of York, SC; two sons: Michael Burke Shepard and wife Jacklyn of Christopher, William F. Shepard and wife Tammy of Benton; nine grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; a brother George Isaacs of Phoenix, AZ; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter Rhonda Steed; two brothers: James and Johnny Isaacs; and a sister Naomi Craine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Cemetery of Thompsonville and will be accepted at the cemetery.

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

Darla Jane Rogers, 77, of Mulkeytown, passed away on April 28, 2019.

She was born on October 22, 1941 in Chicago, IL to Herbert and Ruby (Copeland) Silkwood. She married Jimmy Rogers on December 23, 1960 and he survives of Mulkeytown.

She is also survived by her daughter Lisa DeMunbren of Chesterfield, MO and one granddaughter Jessica DeMunbren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Allen Silkwood.

Her wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

Wanda Lea (Rice) Bush, 89, of Pocahontas, AR was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 28th, 2019 at Franklin Hospital in Benton, IL.

Wanda was born on April 17, 1930 in Dalton Community, AR to Jasper Monroe and Laura Emmaline (Looney) Rice. Wanda married Edward Richard Bush on Sept 4, 1947 in Corning, AR.

Wanda’s hobbies included quilting, sewing and fishing with Edward. She also loved watching westerns and listening to bluegrass, southern gospel and older county music. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward one son Kendal Bush; a son-in-law Furlin Allison and all 9 siblings. Wanda is survived by one son Micke Bush of Pocahontas and a daughter Bonnie (Roger) Flatt of Buckner, IL; three grandchildren Jared (Trinity) Allison; Miranda (Jeremy) Young all of Benton, IL, and Debbie (Jamie) Davis in Springfield, MO. 6 great grandchildren Morgan Young, Austin Young, Travis Allison and Meryl Allison all of Benton IL and Lanora Davis and Owen Davis of Springfield, MO and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

It was Wanda’s wish to be cremated and her remains will be placed at Antioch Cemetery in Hamil Community near Pocahontas, AR. A memorial service may take place later but at this time there will not be any services pending.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is assisting the family with arrangements.

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

Erik Daniel Phelps, age 46, of West City, passed away at 6:55 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room in Benton.

Erik’s wishes were to be cremated with no public services.

Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Erik was born on December 15, 1972 in West Frankfort, Illinois, the son of John Allen Phelps and Gloria (Bechelli) Phelps. He married the former Kimberly Dawn Lenard on July 7, 1997, and she survives.

He formerly worked with Burns Security, and he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton.

Erik enjoyed riding motorcycles, working on cars, and most of all enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his children.

Erik is survived by his wife of 21 years Kimberly Dawn Phelps; a daughter Trinity Dawn Phelps; a son Daniel Allen Phelps, all of West City; his mother Gloria Phelps of Marion; sisters: Jo L. Phelps Sweet and husband John of Christopher, Terri Phelps West and husband Curt of West Frankfort, Linda Phelps of Mt. Vernon, IL; father-in-law Richard Lenard of West City; mother-in-law Jo Anne Drew of Benton; brother-in-law Rick Lenard and wife Kelly of Benton; nieces and nephews: Felicity and Ariah of Benton, McKhaylah and fiancée Alex Hill of Herrin, Holly Sweet Queen and husband Abijah of Christopher, Stephanie Sweet Brace and husband Aaron of Christopher, John D. Sweet and wife Jennifer of Benton, Audra West Ursini and husband Preston of Paducah, KY, Andrew West, Noah West, Nathan West of West Frankfort, Christopher Phelps and Veronica Kueker of Christopher; great-nieces and nephews: Israel Queen, Isaac Queen, Christian Queen of Christopher, Lizzy Brace, Triton Brace of Christopher, Tilly Sweet, Porter Sweet of Benton, and Eli Ursini of Paducah, KY.

He was preceded in death by his father; and two brothers: John and Mark Phelps.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Leffler Funeral Home to assist the family with expenses.

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