Margaret  O. Tennant, 95, of Benton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 11, 2018, in Marion, IL. 

She was born on February 22, 1923, in Fairmont, WV.  

She was a member of Benton First Baptist Church and volunteered her time at various places within the community.
 
Margaret  is survived by her son, Joseph  R. Tennant and wife Julia of Benton; four grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
 
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Joseph L. Tennant.
 
Per her wishes cremation will take place.

Inurnment will be held at a later date in Barrackville, WV.
 
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Sandra Kay Kern, 74, of Benton, passed away at 4:55 p.m., on Sunday, August 12, 2018, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL. 

She was born on January 27, 1944, to Jessie and Eloise (Jarvis) Dugger in Benton, IL.  Sandra was as a Retired Registered Nurse. She attended the Potter’s Way Church, Macedonia, IL.

Sandra was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, shopping and traveling.  Sandra spoiled her little dog Sammy and loved her to pieces.   

She is survived by her two children, Darren M. Hansen and wife Pam of Buckner, IL, and Dustin “Dusty” Forby of Benton, IL; twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Sandra was preceded in death by parents, Jessie and Eloise Dugger, husband, Blake Kern; former Husband and Dear Friend, James “Jim” Hansen; and son, Kyle M. Hansen.

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

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 16, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2018, 12:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, with Pastor Roger Webb, officiating.  Burial follow services at Masonic and Odd Fellow Cemetery, Benton, IL.

Memorials contributions can be made to Second Chance Rescue of Franklin County, and will be accepted at the funeral home. 

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

Carol Parkin Bullington departed this life and entered eternal life with Christ at the age of 74 on August 8, 2018 surrounded by her loved ones.

Carol was born August 7, 1944 in Chapel Hill, VA to parents William and Jeannette Olson.

She married Charles Sam Bullington on May 7, 1966 and they have resided in Benton, IL for the last 49 years. She worked as a CNA for 20 years and a Pharmacy Technician for 20 years while in Benton.

She attended and worshipped at the Abundant Life Apostolic Church in Benton.

She is survived by her Husband Charles Bullington; two children Charles Wayne Bullington and Pamela Annette Bullington, five granddaughters and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 10th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Abundant Life Church, 707 East Webster Street, Benton, IL 62812. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, at the Church with Bro. Chris Hammonds officiating. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Rend City following.

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

William Dale Williford, 72, of Macedonia, IL , passed away at 2 p.m., on Friday, August 3, 2018, at the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, IN. 

Dale was born on February 12, 1946, to William Williford and Ona Lee (Woods) Williford in Charleston, MO.  On April 3, 1965, he married Linda Childers and she survives.   Dale retired after many years working as a truck driver and mechanic.

Mr. Williford was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed trail riding, attending rodeos, farm auctions and flea markets.

Dale is survived by his loving wife Linda; four sons, Wes Williford and wife Melissa, Todd Williford and wife Angie, Trevor Williford and wife Diane, and Cody Williford and fiancé Debra; nine grandchildren, Wes Williford, Jr. and wife Caitlin, Dalton Williford and wife Charly, Caleb Williford and wife Moriah, Colton Williford, Casie Doyle and husband Jack, Creek Williford, Ryler Williford, Bowen Williford and Seth Williams; seven great-grandchildren, Amilya, Isabellah, Paisley, Walker, Waylon, Ronan and Ebin;  two brothers, Grady Harold Williford and wife Lou, Fenton Williford and wife Shanon; one sister, Becky O’Neill and husband Billy; one step-brother, Michael Janes and wife Pam; a special cousin, Bubby Crow; and three special friends, Larry “Hokey” Kelley, John Robey and Luke Kelley; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Grady Williford and Ona Lee Williford; one brother, Bobby Williford; two step-brothers, Jimmy Jones and Billy McIntosh; and his step-mother, Marie Williford.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.
 
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 6, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
    
Funeral services will follow visitation on Monday, August 6, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home with Pastor Roger Webb officiating.  Burial will follow services at Brady Cemetery in Akin, IL.
 
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

David “Mossy” Gordon Moss, 59, of West Frankfort, passed away at 5:08 p.m., on Friday, August 3, 2018, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on April 7, 1959, to George and Darlene (Ponder) Moss in Kankakee, IL. On September 25, 1981, he married the former Debra Kay Montgomery at Valier Baptist Church, Valier, IL. David started his career working at Barton and Colins Furniture in Benton for over 15 years as a delivery and repairman. He then worked for T & T Carbide in Logan for 10 years as a welder. David most recently had been working at Aisin Manufacturing, where he had been employed for 13 years in the shipping and receiving department. David fought a courageous two year battle of cancer, and had a very strong support team.

“Mossy” was an avid sports fan, supporting Benton Rangers Football, Southern Illinois University Salukis Basketball and NASCAR. He was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. His grandchildren will always cherish the afternoons they spent with him eating ice cream over the summer. David’s since of humor and personality would light up a room.

David is survived by his loving spouse of 36 years, Debra Kay Moss, two children, Stefanie Nicole Moss and companion Darrell Paulson and Dustin Cole Moss and wife Destaney; four brothers, Lonie Moss and wife Tracy, Stephen Moss and wife Kathie, Rich Moss and Darrin Moss and wife Dawn; his five grandchildren, Hunter Moss, Isabella Moss, Jayden Moss, Gianna Moss and Kay Moss; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, 10:30 a.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, with Pastor Roger Webb, officiating.

Graveside services will be private for family at Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.

Memorials contributions may be made to Pate Funeral Home in care of funeral expenses and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Ernest Wayne Upchurch, 80, passed away on January 22, 2018 at his daughter’s home in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he had been living the last three years.

Ernest was born May 13, 1937 in Franklin County, Illinois, the son of Charles Omer & Ila (Spencer) Upchurch. He is survived by his only child, daughter Donna Kaye (Todd) Chapin; grandchildren, Ethan Chapin and Kyle Chapin; and sister, Ruth Ila Morgan.

Family and friends are invited to attend the graveside service at Shiloh Cemetery, Whittington, Illinois on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 3 p.m. Services provided by Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

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

Chris Meinert, 69, of Christopher, passed away on Tuesday July 31, 2018.

He was born on June 6, 1949 in DuQuoin, IL to Warren and Marie (Marlo) Meinert.  He married Paula (Palmer) Meinert on February 8, 1992 and she survives of Christopher.

Survivors include his wife Paula, one son Michael (Vanessa) Meinert of Valier; one daughter-in-law Autumn Meinert of Trophy Club, TX; four grandchildren Oliver Patrick, Ella Rose, Henry Coy, and Veda Marie; one brother David (Gay) Meinert of Decatur, AL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one son Matthew Meinert.

Chris graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree and had worked in research at Argon National Laboratories in Joliet, IL. After moving back to Christopher he worked in sales at Taylor Motor Company in Benton and won numerous sales awards. He had a love for music and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was a member of the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher.

Funeral Mass for Chris will be on Saturday August 4, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating.  Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher. Visitation will be on Friday August 3, 2018 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

In lieu of flowers donations can be given to the St. Francis Humane Society or to the Perry County Humane Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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