Marilynn Kaye Phillips, 83, passed away February 8th at Helia Healthcare, in Benton, Illinois. She was born on Christmas Day, 1935 in Centralia, Illinois to Ross and Lois Wimberly, of Dix, Illinois.

She graduated from Centralia High School, in 1953. Marilynn married Bennie Campbell in 1954, and they had three children, Randy, Ricky and Christy Campbell. They divorced in 1968. Marilynn married Bob Garren in 1969, and they had one child, Joni Garren. After the death of her husband Bob, in 1999, Marilynn traveled around the country visiting her children and grandchildren. While visiting one of her sons in Texas, she received a phone call from her cousin, B. J. Thompson, about a widower from her church that she wanted her to meet. At that meeting, Marilynn met the love of her life, Richard Phillips, of Benton, Illinois. After dating a few months, Marilynn and Richard married in September, 2001. They both enjoyed spending the winters at their condominium in Mary Ester, Florida, walking the beaches, golfing and dancing. Their main residence was in Benton, Illinois, where they continued their passion for Immanuel Baptist Church, and for their dancing, which they enjoyed three to four times a week, until Marilynn could no longer dance.
Surviving, in addition to her husband Richard Phillips, are sons, Randy Campbell and wife Nita of Amarillo, TX, Rick Campbell and wife Denise of Midland, TX, daughters, Christy Myers and partner Dee Branscomb, of St. Louis, MO and Joni Garren of Mary Ester, FL. Marilynn also is survived by three bonus children, Ward Phillips and wife Kristine of Elkhorn, WI, Vickie Dean of Los Angeles, CA, and Brenda Phillips-Davies and husband Matthew of Buckingham, IL, 8 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, sister Peggy Bode and husband Dale, of Edwardsville, IL, brother Charles Wimberly and wife Brenda, of Mt. Vernon, Il.
A memorial service will be conducted by Morton & Johnston Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, at 516 N. Main Street, in Benton, IL, with the service following at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Jordan Chapel Cemetery in Dix, Il. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton, Il.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Ms. Bryan Ann (Tedrow) Wilt, age 82, of Benton, passed away Friday, February 8, 2019 at her daughter’s home.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 11, 2019 at the Whittington Church, with Rev. Mark Minor and Rev. Greg Shelton officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Whittington Church.

Private family burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.

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

Bryan was born on January 27, 1937 in Benton, the daughter of William Dean Tedrow and Virginia Dare (Knowles) Tedrow.

Ms. Wilt was a retired switchboard operator, having worked for St. John’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

She was a member of the Whittington Church, and was a member of the Rend Lake Piece Makers Quilt Guild.

Bryan enjoyed quilting, art, painting, writing out the Bible (long hand), and playing dominoes and cards with her family.

Surviving are four children: Robert John Wilt and wife Robin of Arena, WI, Patricia “Patty” Shelton and husband Greg of Benton, Daniel James Wilt of Benton, and Cheryl Ann Wilt of Benton; four grandchildren: Jonathan Wilt, Jessica Wilt, David Shelton and wife Alicia, Patrick Shelton; five step-grandchildren Trish Allan, Sandy McCartney, James Hrobsky, Raeann McBride, Cara Lynn McBride; numerous great-grandchildren; a brother Steve Tedrow and wife Barbara of Troy, MI; a sister Margaret Carter of Benton; a sister-in-law April Tedrow; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son William Dean Wilt; a brother David Tedrow; and a daughter-in-law Tina Rae Wilt; a brother-in-law Ed Carter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Whittington Church building fund, and will be accepted at the church.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Ms. Bryan Ann Wilt, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Eva June Garrison, 96, long time resident of Benton died at 12:15 a.m., on Monday, February 4, 2019, at her home in Benton. Beloved daughter of Pauline and Joseph Myers, Eva was born on June 1,1922, in Benton, IL.

After high school she moved to Detroit, MI, living and working with her Aunt Maude. After less than a year and missing her home town and family, Eva returned to Benton. There she met a high school classmate, now handsome Army Air Corp Pilot, Robert Garrison, and married him on December 16, 1945, in Benton, IL.

In 1946, after Robert’s discharge from the Air Corp, the young couple with their daughter moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL., where Robert returned to playing professional baseball, while Eva created the first of many homes for her family.

In 1949, with Eva pregnant with their second daughter, the young family returned to Benton. The next two years Robert worked in the coal mines and built Eva their first real home where Eva nurtured her family.

Robert was recalled to the Air Force in 1951. For the next 18 years Eva would create homes for her family in Selma, Alabama, Las Vegas, Nevada, Youngstown, Ohio, and Bunker Hill, Indiana where their son was born.

The family was then stationed in Bitburg and Wurzburg Germany. After three years overseas their final assignment was in Kansas City, KS.

In 1971, Eva and Robert with their son, retired to Benton where both were able to support their aging parents and also started the Garrison Christmas Tree Farm.

Eva enjoyed being a housewife, a loving daughter, niece, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Family was always her first priority.

She was a charter member of the Benton Library and was an avid reader her whole life. She was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughters’ troops and was a member of the First Baptist Church.

Eva was a gentle, positive person who loved life, her family and her friends. She had a terrific sense of humor, which only improved with age and an ironclad memory that amazed everyone.

Eva was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years and her parents. She is survived by her three children; Rosemari Davis and husband Bill of McMinnville Oregon, Roberta “Bobbi” Garrison Smith and husband Richard of Seattle Wash, and Robert “Mike” Garrison of St. Louis Mo., four granddaughters Kris Simmons, Kim Kayfes, Ashley and Reilly Smith, and seven great-grandchildren and beloved dog Jack.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Richard Rethorst and staff (Margaret), and dear friends Marguerite Matyi, Tom Saxe, Keith and Jeanne Bragg, John Rhone and David Linn for their support throughout the years.

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

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at Pate Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow services at Masonic & Odd Fellow Cemetery, Benton, IL. Immediately following graveside services a luncheon will be hosted at the Benton Elks Lodge.

Eva loved her pets and would be honored by memorials to the Second Chance Rescue of Franklin County or to her second love the Benton Public Library, memorial contributions will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Lillian G. Newman, age 88, of Benton, went home to be with The Lord Jesus, her Savior, on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher with Rev. Alan Newman officiating. Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery of Du Quoin. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Funeral arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Lillian was born on September 18, 1930 in Du Quoin, Illinois, the second of four children of George R. Cavins and Gladys Fern (Isaacs) Cavins.

She along with her sisters and brother developed a passion for all styles of dancing and sometimes singing. She learned the disciplines and the rewards of hard work, as well as the value of a nickel.

She married Vernon Newman on August 11, 1947. Together they had four sons. Vernon preceded her in death on September 11, 1997.

She was a homemaker first and foremost, who cooked daily meals, kept a neat and spotless home, help raise four sons, and did the books for the family business.

She was a faithful wife, a loving mom and grandma that provided her family with tremendous care, but had no problem lowering the boom (taking a switch or a paddle) to any of the previous mentioned, to help them see the path of Lill more clearly.

She had great talent with art and design, often making clothing or costumes for her children, grandchildren, as well as for herself, for all types of occasions. Her drawings and paintings were inspiring as well as winning some unique awards for her talent.

She enjoyed being outside working in her flower gardens, a true green thumb.

She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would light up anytime they came to visit.

She was not an avid fisherman but, did enjoy fishing with a pole and bobber.

She enjoyed singing and teaching long forgotten “Silly Songs” and Nursery Rhymes to her grandchildren. And she loved listening and singing the old church hymns.

However, her greatest decision in life was to put her faith in Jesus as the Son of God and take Him into her heart. This took place as a young girl at the First Christian Church in Du Quoin. She later, along with her husband, followed in baptism and joined East Benton Baptist Church in 1951. She served the Lord through different ministries in the church ranging from cooking and providing meals, VBS worker, nursery worker, getting folks to and from church and on occasion quieting down rowdy young boys. In more recent years, when her health allowed, she would attend Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher. This is what helped her to make those very important decisions to say good job or bend over and hold still, to teach her family that everyone regardless of color or wealth has the same equal chance at them. To not be bad, but good and treat others the way you would want to be treated. That decision for Christ, has also guaranteed Heaven as her home.

She was a grand woman of great determination, strength and purpose and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Surviving are her four sons: Larry Newman and wife Debbie of Zeigler, Gary Newman and wife Deanne of Thompsonville, Alan Newman and Craig Newman both of Benton; four grandchildren: Shelley and husband Dave Webb, Travis Newman and wife Katlyn, Brandon Newman and fiancee Cortney, Nicole Newman; five great-grandchildren: Kaylee, Aiden, Clayton, Bentley, Caisey Jo, and a great-grandchild expected to be born this year; and a great-great-grandchild also expected to be born this year; one brother Bruce Cavins and wife Diane of Du Quoin, and several nieces and nephews.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sisters: Elaine Provenzano, and Georgia Zabel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher, or to the Franklin County Animal Shelter.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mrs. Newman, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Shirley M. Clayton, 82, of Benton passed away Sunday morning, February 3, 2019 at her home.

She was born in Benton, IL on November 22, 1936, the daughter of Alvis & Fay (Walker) Lampley.
She worked at Turco for 10 years, and also garment factories in Benton & Du Quoin.

Mrs. Clayton is survived by four sons, Jerry Clayton and wife Carla, of Helena, MT, David Clayton and wife Michelle “Shelly,” of Whittington, Marvin Clayton, of Lawrenceville, GA and Jason Clayton, of Benton, IL; grandchildren Jerry Clayton, Jr., Sydney Renee Clayton and Keri Clayton; great-granddaughter Lacey; sisters Kay Donovan, of Maple Park, IL and Sue Ronchetto and husband Jody, of Benton, IL; one brother, Richard Lampley, of Benton, IL.

Mrs. Clayton was preceded in death by her parents, by her ex-husband-Herman “Pete” Clayton, by two brothers, Kenneth Lampley and Carroll Lampley, and by an infant daughter, Tammy Sue Clayton.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 10th at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Visitation will be after 12 noon on Sunday at the funeral home.

It was Mrs. Clayton’s wishes to be cremated and to be buried at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.
For more information of to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Jane Spencer, 86, of Whittington, IL passed away Monday morning, January 21, 2019 at her home.

She was born in Whittington on November 8, 1932 the daughter of Raymond & Vaneta (Winemiller) House.

She married Howard Spencer on January 17, 1953 and he passed away on March 20, 2006.
Mrs. Spencer is survived by her children, Cindy Britton and husband Danny, of Whittington, IL, Ron Spencer and wife Chris, of Collinsville, IL, Rayme Spencer and wife Blanca, of Chicago Heights, IL, Tammy Spencer, of Whittington and Tim Spencer and wife Lisa, of Whittington; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and by 2 Sisters-Joyce Spencer & Jo Ann Johnston.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 24th at the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will follow in the Shiloh Cemetery. There will be No Visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com