Alva “Bud” Bowlin, 91, of Benton passed away on March 28, 2018 in Benton.

He was born on January 14, 1927 in Christopher to Alva and Sybil (Johnson) Bowlin.  He married Jessie (Lunsford) Bowlin on August 10, 1946 and she preceded him in death on December 22, 2013.

Survivors include his daughter Christi (Dwayne) Kirkman of Benton; grandchildren Jonathon Kirkman, Korby Kirkman, and Adena Bowlin and fiancée Jeff Clark; daughter-in-law Gay Bowlin; great grandchildren Kailey (Dave) McCain and Zack Kirkman; great great grandchildren David McCain, Keegan McCain, Zaedyn McCain, Roxzyn McCain, Lynlee McCain; and one brother Wendell Bowlin of Sesser and a special friend Wanda Kirkpatrick.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Cyril Bowlin, and nine brothers and sisters Cyril Bowlin, Zolace “Hunky” Bowlin, Gofrey Bowlin, Elnora Harris, Wilda Black, Anna Lou Bate, Kayoda Breeding, Agatha Sandefur and Rowena DeWitt.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Ainad Shriners, American Legion and Eastern Star.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II.  He was the founder of Bowlin’s Foodland. Bud was an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish.  He was especially proud of his son Cyril that was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Funeral services will be on Monday April 2, 2018 at 12:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.  Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM.  Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

 

Joyce Elaine Eubanks, 82, formerly of Benton, IL, passed away at 6:15 p.m., on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Cox Medical Center in Branson, MO.

She was born on February 25, 1936, to John and Thelma (Woolsey) Terry in DuQuoin, IL. Joyce married Kerby Eubanks and he precedes her. She loved singing gospel music and was a member of the Gospel Music Association. Joyce was loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was especially fond of her dog, Pierre.

Joyce is survived by four children, Debbie Brown of Clairmore, OK, Charles (Janet) McEndree of Branson, MO, Tina (James) Renner of Lakeland, FL, Susan (Rick) Renner of Lakeland, FL; eight grandchildren, Ronnie, Brock, Jason, Aimee, Amber, Tim, Bradley, Derek, Stephanie; many great grandchildren; and one brother, Mike Terry of West Frankfort, IL.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Kerby Eubanks, parents, John Ike and Thelma Terry; one brother, Sonny; and four sisters, Dolly, Peggy, Marilyn, and Nedra.

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

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 28, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at  Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Burial will follow services at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, IL.

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

Robert  DeWitt, 47, of Zeigler, IL., passed away at 12:50 a.m., on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at the Franklin Hospital ER. 

He was born on May 30, 1970, to James William DeWitt and Linda Rae (Wiles) DeWitt.
Robert is survived by his loving fiancée, Dianna Bloom, two sons, Bobby A. DeWitt and Christian DeWitt; and one daughter, Jamie M. DeWitt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. DeWitt and Linda R. DeWitt, one brother, James M. DeWitt, and one sister, Tammy DeWitt.
Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.
As per Robert’s wishes, cremation will take place.
Services will be held privately by the family at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pate Funeral Home to help assist with funeral expenses.

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

Robert Martin Garrison, 95, of Benton, IL passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on June 22, 1922, to Herman Clark and Elizabeth (Hartman) Garrison in Benton, IL. Robert and his mother Elizabeth were the first caesarean section birth performed in Franklin County were mother and baby survived.

He attended Benton High School and graduated with the Class of 1940, but three day’s prior to the graduation ceremony, Robert left to play professional baseball with The House of David in Benton Harbor, MI., where he played from 1940 to 1942.  In late 1942, he joined the Army Air Corp and received pilot training and was assigned to the 8th Air Force.  During WWII Robert was stationed in Belgium and England flying P-51’s.

Prior to returning stateside, Robert along with many other professional ball players stationed in England participated in an Exhibition Baseball Game in London before a crowed of 10,000.  Following WWII he returned to civilian life and married the former Eva June Myers on December 16, 1945, in Benton, IL.  From 1946 to 1948, Robert returned to professional baseball with the St. Cloud Northern League and the Florida International League.  In 1949, he and his wife Eva returned to Benton where Robert would work for Old Ben 11 and Orient #3 Coal mines until 1950.

In 1951, Robert was recalled to the USAF as a First Lt.  In 1955, Robert graduated from the Air Force Top Gun Training School at Nellis AFB, in Las Vegas, NV.  In 1956 – 1957, during the Korean Conflict, Robert proudly served his country flying F-86’s.  Later during the Vietnam War, Robert flew the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog as a Air Force Liaison Officer with the United States Army as a Forward Air Controller (FAC).  During the Vietnam War Robert flew 128 missions.  During his career Robert along with family were stationed at Air Force Bases in Selma, AL, Las Vegas, NV, Youngstown, OH, Bunker Hill, IN, Bitburg and Wurzburg, Germany, and Richards-Gebaur, MO.

In 1969, Robert retired from the USAF as a Major.  He and his wife returned to their home town of Benton, residing on a 40 acre farm with a beautiful lake.  The community will remember the U-Cut Christmas Trees and Public Fishing at Garrison Lake.

Robert enjoyed fishing, quail hunting and playing golf.  He raised several excellent bird dogs.  Robert was a long time member of the Benton Country Club, where he participated in many Grandfather Tournaments.  He was on the Benton County Club Board of Directors for 3 years and also served on the Hill City Water District Board of Directors for 6 years.  He’s a life time member of the Benton American Legion Post 280 and the VFW Post 2671.

Robert is survived by his loving spouse of 72 years, Eva June Garrison; three children, Rosemari Jo Davis and husband Bill of McMinnville, OR., Roberta “Bobbi” Garrison Smith and husband Richard of Seattle, WA., and Robert Michael Garrison of St. Louis, MO; four grandchildren, Kris Simmons, Kim Kayfes, Ashley and Reilly Smith; and seven grandchildren; and beloved dog, Jack.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

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

A memorial service and celebration of life to honor Robert Martin Garrison will be scheduled at a later date.  Information will be published closer to the date of the service.

Memorials contributions may be made to the Benton American Legion Post 280 and the VFW Post 2671, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Richard Rethorst and staff (Margaret), Hospice of Southern Illinois and dear friends, Tom Saxe, Keith & Jeannie Bragg, David Linn and John Rone.

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