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.

Larry Massie, 72, of Valier, passed away on Monday January 7, 2019.

He was born on December 16, 1946 in East St. Louis, IL to Fred and Rithel Louise (Sisk) Massie. He married Cindy (Cox) Massie and together they had two sons Todd and Dan. He later married Anna (Graham) Massie on August 2, 2003 and she survives of Valier.

He is also survived by his two sons Todd (Dana) Massie of Troy, IL and Dan (Stacey) Massie of Carbondale; and their mother Cindy (Cox) Massie of Carbondale; step-daughter Julie (Nathan) Birk of Waterloo, IL; grandchildren Joelle, Mikayla, Anthony, Chace, Connor and Easton.

He was a retired school teacher, teaching at Christopher Elementary School for 34 ½ years. During the summer months he also worked for the Railroad and at Rend Lake as a Ranger with the Corp of Engineers. He was an Eagle Scout, member of the Christopher Jaycees, 32nd Degree Member of the Scottish Rite, a member of The Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill, Past Master of the Christopher Masonic Lodge Post 1016, and a member of the Sesser Masonic Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Nancy Massie and one brother Mike Massie.

A memorial service will be on Saturday January 12, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Dale Burzynski officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Masonic Rites will be on Saturday at 1:00 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be given to the American Cancer Society. Envelopes

Barbara Holman Stilley, 84, of Benton, IL passed away Sunday afternoon, December 16, 2018 at SSM Health Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.
She was born in Franklin County, IL on November 10, 1934, the daughter of Herbert Ray & Etta Mae (Harmon) Holman.
She retired from Good Samaritan Hospital after 21 1/2 years. She was a member of the West City Baptist Church.
She is survived by her children, Michael Burge, Roanoke, IN, Larry Burge and wife Mylene, of Benton, Herbert Burge and wife Letticia, of Jackson, TN and Andy Burge and wife Becky, of Bourbonnais; 19 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sisters Daisy Moore and husband Arnold, of Benton and Carolyn Holman, of Ewing; brothers Rod Holman and wife Angie, of Flora and Larry Holman and wife Thelma, of Centerville, OH. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Melvin.
Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. Thursday, December20th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in the Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Edith “Edie” Pennell, age 57, of Buckner, passed away at 3:52 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2018.

Funeral Services for Edie will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Ryan Mulvaney officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. Thursday until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Edie was born on August 12, 1961 in Benton, the daughter of Lyndell McChesney and Edna May (Hall) McChesney. She was married to David Pennell, and he survives.
She worked, for many years, as a caregiver, until her health failed her. She enjoyed photography, antiquing, and going to yard sales.
Edie attended the Faith Church of God in Benton.
Mrs. Pennell is survived by her loving husband David Pennell of Buckner; two sons: Kevin McChesney of Southern Illinois, Kasie Curtis and wife Nikki of Buckner; two grandchildren: Kevin and Ashlynn; five sisters: Joy Burton of Edwardsville, IL, Christine Thomas of Benton, Diane Miller of Herrin, Terry McChesney of Mt. Vernon, IL, Sue McChesney of Texas; three sisters-in-law: Sandra Halicek of Harrison, MI, Janice Budd of the Orlando, FL area, and Susan Sabiack of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Edie was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother Marty McChesney; and a brother Jim McChesney.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Leffler Funeral Home, to assist the family with funeral expenses.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Edie, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Patrick Lynch, 88, passed away on Sunday December 16, 2018 at his home.

He was born on February 23, 1930 in Chicago, IL to Owen and Mary Ellen (Marrinan) Lynch. He married Dimple (Carpenter) Lynch on August 24, 1952 and she preceded him in death on August 29, 2017

He lived in Chicago and worked as a union carpenter Local # 10, until retiring and then moved to Christopher in 2000.

He is survived by his three children Matt (Liz) Lynch, Patsy (Steve) Leo, and Phillip (Jeanne) Lynch; daughter-in-law Christine Lynch; grandchildren Christopher (Renee) Lynch, Nicole (Ryan) Whitmer, Patrick “PJ” Lynch, Dusta (Tom) Wheatly, Phillip (Suzanne) Lynch, Andrew Lynch, Ian Lynch, and Daniel Lynch; great grandchildren Alyssia Betsinger, Hannah Betsinger, Evan Whitmer, Katelynn Lynch, Braedan Lynch, Alex Peyton, Lillian Lynch, Brycen Lynch, Erika Lynch, Claire Wheatly, Benjamin Lynch; two brothers Matt Lynch and Jim (Sandy) Lynch.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, one son Owen Lynch, one grandson Michael Lynch, one sister Mary Carrol, two brothers Larry Lynch and Jack Lynch.

Funeral services will be on Friday December 21, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Mulkeytown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mulkeytown Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

 Bonnie B.(Pritchett) Hopkins, 62, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at 2:11 a.m. on Sunday December 9, 2018 at Franklin Hospital.  Bonnie’s final act ofkindness was to give the gift of life through organ donation.

Bonnie was born in Cicero, Illinois on August 7, 1956.  She was the daughter ofthe late Russell and Agnes Pritchett of Benton, Illinois. She graduated fromBenton Consolidated High School and Northeast Louisiana University. She earneda Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1979 and worked as a Registered Pharmacist throughout her career until establishing a contracting business later in lifewith her surviving husband.

Sheis survived by her husband of 13 years, Brad Tucker; two children from her former marriage, Leslie Hopkins (Sandy White) of Benton, Illinois, and Mark Hopkins (Heather Murphy) of West Frankfort, Illinois; a step-son, Austin (Tammy) Tucker of Stone Lake, Wisconsin; one grandson, Tony Hopkins of Marion,Illinois; one step-grandson Andrew Tucker of Stone Lake, Wisconsin;parents-in-law Nadine and the late Gene Tucker of Benton, Illinois; twosisters, Irene Poyner of Martin, Tennessee, and Judy (Danny) Lampkins ofHardin, Kentucky; one sister-in-law, Brenda (Tony) Crawford of Portage,Wisconsin; and her beloved extended family.

Because of her delightful personality, Bonnie never met a stranger.  She loved her family and friends with all her heart. She loved watching her children’s sporting events when they were young.  She enjoyed music, her TV shows, and her pets. She also enjoyed playing Scrabble with one of her very best friends, the late Joni Sims.

Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents; and father-in-law.

A luncheon will take place from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 16th at the St Paul’s Lutheran Church at 1 W Frankfort Plaza, West Frankfort, Illinois 62896, (618) 932-3450, with a Memorial Celebration of Life Service, officiated by Pastor Alan Janneke following the luncheon.  All who knew her are welcome.

A private family interment of ashes will be held at a later date in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leffler Funeral Home to assist with the cremation expenses, and will be accepted at the church on Sunday, or may be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 E Main St, Benton, Illinois 62812.  (618) 438-0021.

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