Harry Dale Green, age 73, of Benton IL; passed away at 10:10 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Herrin Hospital.

Mr. Green will be cremated.  A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2018 at the Logan Church of God, with Pastor Rick Fowler officiating.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Harry was born on August 2, 1944 in Christopher, IL, the son of Virgil Owen Green and Dolly (West) Green.

He formerly worked with his brother at Green’s Trading Post in Benton.

Harry loved his Lord and Savior, and his church. He was a member of the Logan Church of God.  He also would attend and visit other Church of God congregations and was a former door greeter at the Christopher Church of God.

He loved to go to auctions, where he loved to purchase, collect and trade watches and pocket knives, car memorabilia, and Cocoa-Cola collectibles.  He loved his family, especially his great-nieces and nephews.

He is survived by a sister-in-law Enola Green of Benton; nieces: Marissa Green of Benton, Gail Hefley of Texas; nephews: Steve Green and wife Karen and Scott Green and wife Karen, also of Texas; great-nieces and nephews: Ashton Green, Akya Green, Arista Easley, Shaunda Stoughton, Cassie Whatley, Cody Hefley, Robert Green and Brandon Green; cousins: Kevin and Myrna Adams of Chicago, and Sam Adams.

Harry is also survived by his dog: Princess Lucy Dale Green.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers Bob and Jim Green.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Harry Dale Green, in care of Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Merrill “Wayne” Walden, 80, of Benton, IL, passed away at 8:50 p.m., on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on March 3, 1937, to Glen and Berdena (Brewer) Walden. Wayne attended West City Church of God. He loved talking to people, walking, and fishing as a young man.

Merrill is survived by three sisters, Janet (Walter) Trapper of Benton, IL, Betty Toms of Benton, IL, Linda (James) Beall of Benton, IL; one brother, Ronnie Walden of Benton, IL, several nieces and nephews, and a very special friend Debbie Gibbs.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorris Walden, parents, Glen Wayne and Berdena Lorene Walden, one sister Mary Washburn, and one brother Larry Walden.

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

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, February 16, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., at  Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Harold Whitlock officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made out to Pate Funeral Home to assist the family with expenses and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Alberta Page, 95, of Sesser IL,  passed away on Friday February 9, 2018 at the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

She was born on October 4, 1922 in Waltonville to Dow and Ethel (Hall) Roberson.  She married Olen Page on February 15, 1949 and he survives of Sesser.

Other survivors include one daughter Signa (Roy) Miller of Sesser; two grandchildren Carrie (Chad Carnes) Miller and Lane (Joanna) Miller; three great grandchildren Jordan (Brandon) Evrard, Keaton Miller and Brantley Miller; one sister Hazel Page.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson Russell Miller, and two brothers Clyde Roberson and Lloyd Roberson.

She worked as a seamstress for many years and had a passion for quilting.  She dearly loved her family and would want us to remember the good times.

Graveside services will be on Monday February 12, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Brother Bert Mitchell officiating.  Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

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

Thomas Winston Sheridan Ortner, Jr., age 55, of Benton; passed away at 7:44 a.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room of Benton.

Mr. Ortner’s wishes were to be cremated.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Franklin County Farm Bureau Building, 1210 Illinois 14 West, in Benton.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Thomas was born on August 10, 1962 in Aurora, IL, the son of Thomas Winston Sheridan Ortner and Donna Mae (Johnson) Ortner.

He formerly worked as a chef at the Holiday Inn of Mt. Vernon, IL. He last worked at West City Shell.

Thomas loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with them. He loved to cook, and he used to love to fish.

Thomas attended the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton.

He is survived by his Life Partner, Samantha Lynn Willis of Benton; his children: Angelena Ortner, Sherri Lukasik and Allie Ortner, all three of Mt. Vernon, IL, Sheridan James Ortner and Ava Marie Ortner both of Benton; four grandchildren: Layla Wasik, Blaine Wasik, Adam J. Wasik, and Frank Lukasik; four sisters: Kathy Pendergrass of Menden, MI, Sherry Ortner of Madeira Beach, FL, Robin Rogers Kirby of Peoria, IL, Valerie Ortner of Whittington, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by His father, Thomas Winston Sheridan Ortner, SR; his mother Donna Mae (Johnson) Ortner; and a son Thomas Franklin Ortner.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Thomas Ortner, in care of Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Mrs. Mary Catherine (Woodring) “Woody” Williams, age 95, of Benton IL;  passed away at 5:11 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Helia Healthcare of Benton.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home with Bro. Joe Zbinden officiating. Burial will be in the Elder S.M. Williams Cemetery of Ewing. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mary Catherine was born on August 21, 1922 in Morganfield, KY, the daughter of Forrest Brody Woodring and Mable Everett (Knight) Woodring. She married Ora Stanford Williams in 1943, and he passed away on March 26, 1999.

She formerly worked at Ordill Ammunition Plant of Crab Orchard, and Turco of DuQuoin.

Woody was a former member of the Young Republicans and Willing Worker’s Club. She was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church.

She enjoyed swimming, riding motorcycles, dancing, and singing. She especially loved kids and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Williams is survived by her children: Jim Fones and wife Edith of Temecula, CA, Guy Williams of Benton, R. David Williams and wife Debbie of Benton, Stanley R. Williams and wife Jean Ann of Benton, Jeanita Spillman and husband Merv of Springfield, TN, Terry R. Williams and wife Mary of Benton, Rita E. Arcieri and husband Kevin of Conroe, TX; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son Andy Williams; and two brothers: William E. Woodring and Forrest T. Woodring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Mrs. Lois Mae Adams, age 82, of Benton passed away at 10:29 p.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2018 SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Gary West officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Lois was born on October 4, 1935 in Benton, the daughter of Orville Davis and Elsie (Berry) Davis. She married Dale Edward Adams on October 9, 1954 and he survives

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She was formerly employed with Hays Freight Lines, Woodways, Arthur Neal and Son, Benton Telephone Company, and retired from the Social Security Administration

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Mrs. Adams was a member of the North Benton Missionary Baptist Church.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Dale Adams of Benton, two sons Robert “Bob” Adams of Benton and David Adams of Thompsonville; a grandson Toby Adams of Benton; a sister Doris Jean Carr of Greenville, IL; a brother Fred Davis of Olathe, KS, and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Adams was preceded in death by her parents; and a son Phillip Gene Adams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Benton Missionary Baptist Church, and will be accepted at the fun0eral home.

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

Audrey Jo Meracle, age 61, of Benton; passed away at 1:58 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Memorial Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Audrey was born on September 6, 1956 in Eldorado, IL, the daughter of Dwight Kenneth Erwin and Mildred Elizabeth (Mangrum) Erwin.

She formerly worked as a cleaning lady.

Audrey loved her cats, and she enjoyed playing cards.

She is survived by four sisters: Deloris M. Mayberry and husband Jim of Flora, IL, Joyce Arlene Bennett and husband Daniel of Tennessee, Brend Kay Beasley of Depew, OK, Phyllis Ann Erwin of Benton, IL; four brothers: Kenneth L. Erwin of Benton, IL, Ronald C. Erwin of Benton, IL, Curtis G. Erwin and wife Cathy of Cape Girardeau, MO, Douglas Erwin and wife Tammy of Akin, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister Sharon B. Webb.

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