Dolona Bond passed away peacefully at 8:30 A.M. on January 15, 2019 at her home in Harrisburg, IL.

She was born in Benton, IL on October 17, 1963, the daughter of Ralph & Alberta (Fisher) Bond.
Dolona will be sadly missed by her house mates, caregivers and special furry friend “Max”. Dolona attended Coleman Tri-County Services Developmental Training in Harrisburg for many years and she will be sadly missed by staff and friends.
Dolona was preceded in death by her Parents.
A special thank you to Hospice of Southern Illinois and the great nursing team at Coleman Tri-County Services.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, Jan. 17th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home with Johanna Moorman officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Paul Austin 85, of Benton passed away Friday morning, Jan. 11, 2019 at his son’s home in Arizona.

He was born on Feb. 14, 1933 in Zalma, MO, the son of Earl & Edith  Austin.  He married Doris June (Neal) on April 11, 1953, and she preceded him in death on March 28, 2017.  Mr. Austin was a Veteran serving in the U.S. Navy.

He was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton, where he served for many years as a Deacon. He was a faithful servant of the Lord.  Mr. Austin enjoyed gardening, and was an avid fisherman.  After his retirement he spent a lot of time on Rend Lake, skillfully reeling in his catch that provided many fish dinners for his church family.

Mr. Austin is survived by his daughter Carol Austin-Dornhecker, and husband Bobby Dornhecker of Portage, MI; son Danny Austin, and wife Christine, of Benson, AZ; three grandchildren Jordan Austin, and wife Dominique, Staci Santefort, and husband Matthew and Stephen Lowe; great-granddaughter Grace Santefort; sister Susie Downs, of Beaumont, TX.

Mr. Austin was preceded in death by his Parents, by his wife-Doris June Austin, by a Granddaughter-Naomi Ruth Austin, and by his siblings-Harry Austin, Addie Market & Virgil Austin.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday Jan. 21 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating.  Burial with military rites conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Charles “Charlie” M. Johnson, 76, of Royalton formerly of Coello passed away on January 13, 2019.

He was born on January 7, 1943 in Louisiana, MO to Mathias and Alice Marie Johnson.  He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Edna and Leonard Cook.

He is survived by his children Marshall (Beth) Johnson of Christopher and Melissa (Doug) Reese of Royalton; 7 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren. He was a meat cutter and was an auctioneer. He was preceded in death by his parents and his aunt and uncle. His wishes were to be cremated with no services. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilbert Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

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

Ronald Boman Rhine, 69, of Benton, IL, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.

He was born in Christopher, IL on June 15, 1949, the son of Boman Freeman & Eva (Jones) Rhine.

Mr. Rhine served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked in the Coal Mines, in construction and was a Pipefitter.

He enjoyed going to sporting events and car races with his son. They loved spending time together.

Mr. Rhine is survived by his son, Casey Rhine, Benton; sister Glenda Drew, and husband Paul, of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Rhine was preceded in death by his parents, by two sisters, Lodean Lemons and Marilyn Neal and by his brother, Donald Rhine.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15th at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Dr. Sammy Simmons officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion and VFW Posts and the National Guard Honor Squad. There will be no visitation, those attending the funeral are requested to meet at the cemetery.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Mr. John Palmer “Johnny” Hammond of Hendersonville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

Mr. Hammond was born in Benton, IL, on June 26, 1957, the son of Leslie F. Hammond and Wilma Storey Hammond. He served as a Navy SEAL. Mr. Hammond was a singer and song writer, studio musician, actor, entertainer, and an ordained minister. He was the pastor of Gloryland Church. The Hammond Brothers were inducted into the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame on October 12, 2013. He was a martial arts instructor. Mr. Hammond will be remembered the most for his loving heart toward others. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hammond was preceded in death by a son, John Palmer “JP” Hammond, Jr.; five brothers, Carney, Jimmy, Timmy, Paul and Alvin; and a sister, Lorraine Beall.

Survivors include his wife, Lucy Chusnadi Hammond, to whom he was married on September 10, 2004; four brothers, Gale (Teresa) Hammond, Dale Hammond, Billy (Betty) Hammond, and C.J. (Annette) Easter; and two sisters, Wilma Anne (Frawley) Smith and Joy Griffin. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, January 13, 2019, at 1:00 P.M., Hendersonville Funeral Home. Graveside and Entombment services will be held Tuesday, January 15, 2019, at 2:00 P.M., Cypher Cemetery in Whittington, IL, where military rites will be honored by the Benton American Legion Post #280 and the Benton V.F.W. Post #2671.

Gathering of Family & Friends will be held Saturday, January 12, 2019, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Hendersonville Funeral Home and Tuesday, January 15, 2019, from 12:00 noon until 1:45 P.M. at Leffler Funeral Home in Benton, IL.

Visit the online obituary www.hendersonvillefh.com.

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

Curtis A. “Mo” Smith, 67, of Benton, passed away at 3:35 p.m., on  Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at the Select Specialty Hospital in Evansville, IN.

He was born on September 13, 1951, to Harry and Ruth (Langston) Smith in East St. Louis, IL.  Curtis was a talented bass guitar musician, and a former car salesman in Southern Illinois. On July 6, 1991, he married the former Regina McNeill.

Curtis has a passion for music and well known for his musical ability. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Curtis is survived by his loving spouse of 27 years, Regina Smith, two daughters, Tracy Hardcastle and Holly (Eric) Wheetley; one son, Steven McNeill; eight grandchildren, Carson McNeill, Ian Hardcastle, Brooklen Bowlin, Blake Morgan, Chaz Hardcastle, Alex Wheetley, Lauren Wheetley and Katie Wheetley; and two great-grandchildren, Brantley Lowery and August Stevens.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Smith; and one brother, Fred Smith.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, Illinois 62812.
A celebration of life in honor of Curtis “Mo” Smith will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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