James Anthony “Tony” Denham, age 71, of West Frankfort, passed away at 6:13 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2019 at the VA Medical Center in Marion.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Joe Zbinden officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and the Army National Guard, will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to the funeral hour on Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mr. Denham was born on January 29, 1948 in Benton, Illinois, the son of Ira Jay Denham and Esther Lorene (Smith) Denham. He was first married to the former Lou Ellen Summers, after their divorce we would marry the former Nancy Kathleen Dunmyer on February 21, 2000, and after fifteen years of marriage, she preceded him in death on November 3, 2015.

James, or known to many as Tony, served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He worked as a handyman, and for many years tended to and cared for horses on Kenny Hutchens’ farm.

He also enjoyed fishing, all Elvis music, and loved visiting with his family and friends,

James is survived by a daughter Linda Lou Houseworth and husband Charles of Ewing, IL; three grandchildren Steven Houseworth of Indiana, Jeffrey Houseworth of Carbondale, IL, Christine Lopez and husband Luis of Carterville, IL; four great-grandchildren: William, Antonio, Ayden and Adrian, all of Carterville; two brothers: Dennis Denham and wife Nola of West Frankfort, IL, Gordon Denham and wife Paula of Cambria, IL; Nancy’s children and their families: Carrie Griffin and husband Bart, Larry Hackleman, Betty Hackleman, Lois Osinga and husband Doug, Kay Robey and husband Todd; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Nancy; and a daughter Teresa Reed.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the VA Medical Center in Marion to assist Veterans and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Terry Wayne Ing, 43, of Creve Coeur, IL, formerly of Sesser, passed away on April 20, 2019 at St Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.

He was born on April 15, 1976 to Gene and Marilyn (Conner) Ing. He married Kari (Chamness) Ing on March 23, 2018 and she survives of Creve Coeur, IL.

He is also survived by his mother Marilyn Ing of Sesser; one son Jerry (Kassi) Ing of Nashville, IL; step-children Keith (Susan) Jones of Christopher, Tyler (Kate) Benson of Creve Coeur, IL, Shauna’ Hillier of Creve Coeur, IL; grandchildren Ry Ry and Gauge Ing; step-grandchildren Brock and Piper Jones and Roman Benson; one sister Wanda (Rod) Sides of Sesser; nieces and nephews Nick (Brittany Long) Benedict of Elkville, IL, Conner (Bob) Pabst of Longview, TX, Ryan (Brittany) Benedict of Christopher and Trystin Massa of Benton, IL; great nieces and nephews Maddie, Layla, Mia, Luke, Braxton and Jace.

He was a member of Local Union #974 and worked at Caterpillar. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and his son and loved spending time with Kari.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be on Friday April 26, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Harol Whitlock officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

The family requests that everyone attending the service to dress in camouflage or casual dress.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Terry’s grandchildren for their education. Make checkes payable to Jerry Ing. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Katherine K. Sanford, a long-time Benton native, passed away late Monday, April 15, 2019 at Franklin Hospital.

Mrs. Sanford was born on January 1, 1931 in San Antonio, Texas to Robert D. and Elizabeth Ross Kemp. She was a 1949 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, W.Va. and received Bachelor’s degrees from West Virginia University and SIU Carbondale.

Mrs. Sanford taught GED classes for over 15 years in addition to being a long time member of Benton First United Methodist Church Benton as well as serving on the Benton Public Library Board for several years.

Katherine was a world traveler where her travels took her to China, Russia and nearly every country in Europe as well as sailing through the Panama Canal. She and her sister also traveled to both the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic, experiencing the world pole to pole as she liked to describe it.

Mrs. Sanford is survived by daughter Martha S. (Bill) McCreery of Benton, grandchildren Amber E. Winters, Jordan J. (Elizabeth) McCreery, Michael L. McCreery and great-grandchildren Syler and Jaylen McCreery. She was preceded in death by husband Charles E. Sanford, sister Dr. Virginia M. Kemp, daughter Deborah Sue Winters and sister-in-law Lois Sanford McMillen.

As per her wishes, Mrs. Sanford donated her body to the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Medicine. There will be a memorial visitation on Monday, April 22, 2019 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Morton-Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, memorial gifts may be made to Benton First United Methodist Church, the Benton Public Library or Franklin County Animal Control.

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

Kenneth Bielecki, 73, of Valier, IL formerly of Chicago, IL passed away on April 16, 2019.

He was born on August 29, 1945 in Chicago, IL to Walter and Dorothy (Kendzierski) Bielecki. He married Catherine (Fries) Bielecki on April 16, 1983 and she survives of Valier.

He is also survived by his children Lisa (Ryan Stapleton) Bielecki of Crystal Lake, IL and Tracy (Jacob) Bielecki Smith of Naperville, IL; one sister Karen Bielecki of Chicago, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his little buddy “Bear”.

Military Rites will be performed by the Christopher American Legion Honor Guard at 7:00 PM on Friday April 19, 2019 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Friday from 5:00 PM until the time of the service at 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Southern Illinois Honor Flight or to the Christopher American Legion. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Margaret Vettorello, 96, of Christopher, passed away on Monday April 15, 2019 at her home.

She was born on July 25, 1922 in Christopher to Arthur and Bessie (Milburn) Giles. She married Albert “Red” Vettorello and he preceded her in death on April 21, 1999.

She was a member of the First Christian Church in Christopher.

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and church community.

Funeral services will be on Friday April 19, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Daniel Ison officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 Am until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Masonic & IOOF Cemetery in Benton, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to the First Christian Church of Christopher and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Scott Allen Gaither, 25, of Thompsonville, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born on June 9, 1993, to Wayne and Kim (Craun) Gaither in Fostoria, OH. He was a 2011 Graduate of Thompsonville High School. Scott worked as an Assembler Technician 2 for Fabic Mining and was a Volunteer Fire Fighter for Thompsonville Fire Department. On September 15, 2018, he married his best friend and soul mate Kelsey Nolan in Thompsonville, IL. Even though Scott and Kelsey’s marriage was cut so short they had spent 10 years together. In that short period of time they had endured so much from outdoor adventures, attending costume parties, and being admired for their photogenic love for each other. Scott had always told his family he knew from day one that she was the love of his life.

Scott was a loving husband, son, brother and uncle. He enjoyed watching all sports, racing four wheelers, playing golf with his father, brothers and friends, playing football and baseball with his nephews, going out Jeeping and Kayaking with his best friends, going to watch and coach his nephews play baseball, spending quality time with his nieces and nephews and hanging out with his friends. Scott was known for his caring personality and a smile that would light up a room.

Scott is survived by his loving spouse, Kelsey Gaither; his parents, Wayne and Kim Gaither; Scott and Kelsey’s Fur Babies, Duke, Mini, Mila and J.J; his two big brothers, Kenny Gaither and wife Tiffany, of Thompsonville, IL and Dave Gaither and wife Brittany of Thompsonville, IL; grandmother, Marilyn Craun of Fostoria, OH; nieces and nephews, Hunter Gaither, Bradyn Gaither, Riley Gaither, Gentry Gaither, Rynlee Gaither and Kennley Gaither; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth and Rose Gaither and John Craun, Sr.; his dear aunt and uncle, Sherry Isaacs and Wayne Bowers.

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

Visitation will be held Friday, April 19, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Brother John Robinson, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Thompsonville, IL.

Memorials contributions may be made to the family and accepted at the funeral home.

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

Freda Mae webb, 89, of Ewing passed away Thursday afternoon, April 11, 2019 in Benton.

She was born in Spring Garden, IL on May 11, 1929, the daughter of Homer & Alma (Johnson) McCann.

She married Charles Harold Webb on Sept. 26, 1949, and he preceded her in death on Oct. 16, 1975.
Mrs. Webb was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother & sister. She worked for many years at Burton’s Café in Whittington.
Mrs. Webb is survived by her children, Charles R. Webb, and fiancé Debbie Antill, of Ewing, IL, Charlotte Brown, and husband Darrell, of Sesser, IL, Linda Holman, and husband Clay, of Ewing, Carolyn Zettler, and husband Rodney, of Sesser and Brenda Witcher, and husband Rick, of Sesser; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Endsley, and husband Ed, of Benton; two brothers, Carl McCann, and wife Mary, of Christopher, Il and Jerry McCann, and wife Mary Ann, of Benton

Mrs. Webb was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a brother, Junior Ray McCann & his wife Peggy and by a sister, Wastina Campbell and her husband Byford.

Funeral services will be 1 PM Monday, April 15, 2019 at Johnston Funeral Home in Ina, with Rev. Ed Endsley officiating. Burial will be in Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be after 11 AM Monday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

Joan Rush, 80, of Benton, passed away at 7:10 p.m., on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was born on July 15, 1938, to Sanford and Opal (Rea) Cato in Grassy, MO. Joan retired as a CNA for Franklin Skilled Care Nursing Unit after over 25 years of service.

Joan was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. She loved playing Bingo, working word search puzzles and playing on her tablet. Her entire family knew she loved the color green! She enjoyed helping at the Thompsonville First Baptist Church Clothing Center.

Joan is survived by her son, Dennis Rush of Benton, IL; a son-in-law, Charles Overton of Benton, IL; a sister-in-law, Connie Cato of Tampico, IL; Seven Grandsons, J.R. (Maranda) Rush of Benton, IL, George (Tiffany) Rush of Benton, IL, Joey (Charity) Rush of Benton, IL, Brian (Brittany) Rush of Christopher, IL, Brandon (Amanda) Overton of Benton, IL, and Matthew Rush; several step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Elvie Rush; a daughter, Diana Overton; two brothers, Harrel Cato and Ronald Cato; a sister, Nettie Kinard; a grandson, Marcus Rush; a daughter-in-law, Sue Rush and brother-in-law, Jack Kinard.

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

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, with Brother John Robinson, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery following services.

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