Richard O. Hart – Benton

March 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Richard O. Hart, age 90, passed away at 4:15 a.m. Monday, March 12, 2018 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2018 in the First Christian Church of Benton, with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Surviving is his wife, of 66 years, Carolyn Hart of Benton; two sons: Murphy C. Hart and wife Jody of Benton, Paul R. Hart and wife Kim of Tampa, FL; three grandchildren: Ryan Hart of South Bend, IN, Caleb Hart of Benton, Ali Herndon and husband Dallas of Tampa, FL; a great-granddaughter Ruby Herndon; a niece Janice Legendre and husband Roger of Johnston City, IL; a nephew James Hart and wife Jayna of Benton; Mr. Hart’s longtime assistant Edie Jones and husband John of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Jennifer Hart; and a brother James O. Hart.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to either the First Christian Church Fellowship Center Fund, or to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Summer Lunch Program.

To leave online condolences to the family, share memories of Dick, and read the full obituary, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Charles “Mush” David Calloni-Christopher

March 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Charles “Mush” David Calloni, 76, of Christopher passed away on Wednesday March 14, 2018 at Fairview Health and Rehabilitation in DuQuoin.

He was born on September 30, 1941 in DuQuoin, IL to Charlie Calloni and Dorothy (Kirkpatrick) Sneddon.  He married LaDonna (Overturf) Calloni on April 15, 1967.

Survivors include his wife LaDonna Calloni of Christopher, two sons Charles (Tricia) Calloni Jr. of Coello and Michael (Donna) Calloni of Mulkeytown; one daughter Melinda (Ron) Walker of Christopher; seven grandchildren Caleb, Joshua, Taylor, Sierra, Nicholas, Kaitlyn and Giovanna; two brothers Tom (Shirley) Calloni of Buckner and Ben Anthony (Cheryl) Calloni of Dallas, TX; two sisters Vickie (Dave) Iles of Lafayette, IN and Mary Ruth (Charlie) Carver of Kinmundy, IL.

Funeral services will be on Saturday March 17, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother George Marshall officiating.  Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be at Smith Cemetery in Buckner. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For a full obituary go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Esther L. Smith – Benton

March 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment

ESTHER L. SMITH, 93, of Benton IL, passed away Monday morning, March 12, 2018 at Helia HealthCare in Benton.

She was born in Granville, IL on Sept. 19, 1924, the daughter of Charles Everett & Iva (Greathouse) Kennedy.

She married Sessel W. Smith on April 29, 1946, and he died on June 22, 1988.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her three children; William J. Smith of Benton, Mary Ann Bretzman of Christopher, and Phyllis Davis of Thompsonville; ten grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren, one sister Ethel DeMask of Florida; two brothers Charles Kennedy of Alaska, and  Stanley Stankus of Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one granddaughter, three brothers, and one sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on THURSDAY, March 15th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.  Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be AFTER 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

For more information, or to share a memory of Esther, please visit our website https://www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com/

 

Filed Under: Obituaries

Mark S. Kern – Ewing

March 9, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The Rend Lake College community lost one of its most impactful leaders Thursday. Mark S. Kern, the longest-serving president in Rend Lake College’s history, passed away March 8, 2018.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, March 12, at Whittington Baptist Church. Service will be at 1 p.m. with burial immediately following at Oak Hill Cemetery. Cory Garmane, an RLC alum, will sing songs to open and close the service, and State Rep. Dave Severin, Franklin County Circuit Clerk Jim Muir, and RLC Foundation Board Member Sam Mateer are scheduled to speak. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rend Lake College Foundation Mark S. Kern Memorial Fund to assist Rend Lake College students.

Funeral arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mark Kern spent 40 years of his working life in the Illinois Community College System – longer than any employee in the history of the system, according to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association at the time.

Some of his honors include:

· Induction into the RLC Sports Hall of Fame class of 2008 for his support of Warrior athletics

· Franklin County 4-H “Outstanding Alumnus” and Franklin County Soil Conservation “Farmer of the Year”

· One of three Illinoisans selected for the Cooperative Extension Cow Tour in 1987

· 2001 Statewide Commercial Producers Award

· Past Vice President and Secretary of the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators

· Past member of the Benton Consolidated High School Board of Education

· Kern farmed in partnership with his father, Frank, for many years, and later owned and operated a 660-acre farm with 100 head of beef cows

Mark Kern is survived by his wife Pat; children Frank Kern (wife Patty), Eric Kern, Brian Kern (wife Summer), Jason Kern (wife Janie), and Megan Williams (husband Chris); and Pat’s daughter Melissa Richardson (husband Tim). Mark and Pat have eight grandchildren. They include, Caden, Charli, Ellsie, Cash, Landon Wesley, and Hunter Kern. Pat’s grandchildren include Gavin and Whitley Richardson. Mark’s first wife and the children’s mother Lana Barminski-Kern.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents: Frank Wesley and W. Juanita Kern; his daughter Heather Kern; and a grandson Kern Allan Williams.

To view the Rend Lake College press release, visit www.RLC.edu

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

Filed Under: Obituaries, Slider

Danny ‘Pops’ Joe DeLaval – New Caney, TX

March 8, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Danny “Pops” Joe DeLaval, 63, of New Caney, Texas went to be with his Lord Sunday, March 4, 2018.

He was born Monday, August 2, 1954 to Joseph and Nona DeLaval. Danny is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Deronda Kay DeLaval.

He is survived by his wife, Jan DeLaval; children, Jesse Henley, Kim Garza and husband David, Joseph DeLaval, Candice Sutton and husband Clint, Jerry Hughes and wife Britney, Brandon DeLaval, Danielle Marksberry and husband James, Annie DeLaval; grandchildren; Angela, Ariella, Shayla, Payton, Landen, Cameron and Hunter; and many other family members and friends.

A Memorial Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Rosewood Funeral Home in Porter, Texas. In lieu of flowers, ‘Pops’ family request donations to be made in his name to the American Liver Foundation. https://www.liverfoundation.org.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Ann Brckovich – Buckner

March 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Ann Brckovich, 97, of Buckner passed away on Monday March 5, 2018, at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born on September 7, 1920 in Buckner to Alex and Anna (Rohrsetzer) Yankevich. 

She married Nick Brckovich on July 12, 1941 and he preceded her in death on July 27, 1981.

She is survived by one son Nick Brckovich of Buckner; one daughter Renee (Robert) Crews of Buckner; three grandchildren Krista (Michael) Kanady, Wendi (Charles) Bushong, and Robert “Bobby” Crews all of Buckner; three great grandchildren Cody, Mikayla and Emily; two great grand blessings Peyton & Krisi; one great great grandson TJ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one granddaughter Krista Renee Crews.

She was a homemaker and was a member of the St Andrews Catholic Church.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday March 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday March 7, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the PMG Awareness and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information or to leave a memory, please visit our website, http://www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com/

Filed Under: Obituaries

Patricia Maxine Boston – Benton

March 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Patricia Maxine Boston, age 57, of Benton; passed away at 4:50 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2018 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St, Louis, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Helen Whitney officiating.  Burial will be in the Wolf Creek Cemetery of Eldorado.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Patricia was born on December 19, 1960 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Stanley C. Hess and Beulah Maxine (Pitchford) Hess.  She married Jerry Dee Boston on January 29, 1993 and he survives.

She was a housewife and enjoyed several hobbies including coloring, making crafts, sewing, gardening, mowing the grass, shopping at Wal-Mart, spending time with family, especially her boys.

Patricia is survived by, her loving husband of 25 years, Jerry Dee Boston of Benton; two daughters: Crystal Gail Fletcher and husband Daniel of Benton, Lindsey Renee Boston and fiancée Joshua Davenport of Benton; a son: Joseph Overturf of Benton; her boys: Drayden Kole Boston, Axel Dwain Boston, Harley Lane Davenport all three of Benton, and Gavin Snethen of Zeigler; four sisters: Brenda Hill and husband Walter of Waltonville, Karen Chamness and husband Frankie of Sesser, Gayla McDaniel and husband Richard of Mattoon, IL, Lisa Boston and husband Ronnie of Eldorado; two brothers: Jimmy Hess and wife Shannon of Thompsonville, Dennis Hess and wife Debbie of Cambria; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Judith Throgmorton; three brothers: Steven Hess, David Hess and Paul Hess.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Ben Higgerson – Benton

March 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment

BEN C. “BENNIE” HIGGERSON, 79, of Benton IL passed away Saturday evening, March 3, 2018, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

His funeral will be officiated by Father Urban Osugi at 11 a.m. Friday, March 9, at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.  Interment will be at Brady Cemetery in Akin.

Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Ben was born March 27, 1938, in New Madrid, Mo., the son of Benjamin and Shirley (Slater) Higgerson.

He married Melba (Poynor) on March 30, 1959. She died April 27, 1997. His parents, two infant sisters, a sister, Jean Gulley, and a brother, Gerald Higgerson, also preceded him in death.

Ben was an Illinois State Police trooper in District 13 for 28 years, retiring in 1996. Master Sergeant Ray Minor, a long-time friend and colleague, described him as a warrior, friend, and mentor.

He enjoyed woodworking, classic country music, and loved to fish and garden. He was a man with a big heart and a generous soul.

He is survived by four children; Robin (Louis) Giroux of Benton, Pamela (Jeffrey) Janecek of New Lenox, Jeff Higgerson of Normal, Ben (Tishaunda) Higgerson Jr. of Metropolis; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and his long-time companion, Jody Fotheringhame of Benton. Also surviving are one sister, Linda (Richard) Rouse of Benton, and one brother, David (Suzanne) Higgerson of Canyon Lake, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Ben C. Higgerson Scholarship Fund at the State Bank of Whittington. It will benefit those pursuing a career in criminal justice.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Ronnie Walden – Benton

March 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Ronnie Dean Walden, 79, of Benton, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at his residence.

He was born on July 30, 1938, to Glen and Berdena (Brewer) Walden in Coles County, IL.

Ronnie was a member of Faith Baptist Church, Benton, IL.  He loved to talk to people, walking, picking up cans, spending time at Hucks, and playing basketball as a young man.

He is survived by his three sisters, Betty Toms of Benton, IL, Janet Trapper and husband Walter of Benton, IL, and Linda Beall and husband James of Benton, IL.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Berdena Walden,  two brothers, Larry Walden and Wayne Walden, a sister, Mary Washburn.

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

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 6, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 1:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Brother Steve Flach, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Brother Steve Flach for ministering to Ronnie and being his best friend.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Jeffery Braden – Marlow OK, formerly of Benton

February 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Jeffrey Alan “Hump”  Braden, 58, of Marlow, OK, formerly of Benton, IL,  passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, while visiting his hometown.

He was born on July 27, 1959, to Robert and Betty Braden. Jeff was a loving father who enjoyed fishing, traveling, and making people laugh.

Mr. Braden is survived by two daughters, Ashley (Randy) Briant of Mayfield, KY, Brooklyn (Dylan G.) Almyra Marie Pierce of Mayfield, KY; one son, Luke Haas Holiday Braden of Barlow, KY; four brothers, William (Charlene) Braden of Benton, IL, Ernie (Lori) Demko of Manchester, CT, Nick Braden of Benton, IL, Clarence Braden of Benton, IL; two sisters, Roberta (Ken) Sentel of Benton, IL, Jeanie (Ken)  Hoyle of West Palm Beach, FL; three grandchildren, Megan Briant, MaKylie Briant, Malachi Briant; ex-wife, Juley (Donnie) Tipton of Farmington, KY; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Betty Braden, brother, Scott Braden, and sister, Tanya Mariano.

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

Visitation was held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 8:00 p.m., at  Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Pastor Jim Hughes, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pate Funeral Home to assist with Funeral Expenses and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com.

Filed Under: Obituaries
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