Mrs. Geraldine Simmons, age 90, of Benton IL, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Helia Healthcare of Energy.

Memorial Celebration of Life Services for Geraldine Simmons and her daughter Linda Case will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Sammy Simmons officiating.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 13, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Gerri was born on December 14, 1926 in Benton, the daughter of James Alvis Bridges and Leola Evelyn (Wills) Bridges. She was married to Charles Ray Simmons, and he preceded her in death.

She was a hard worker and worked most of her life in retail. Mrs. Simmons enjoyed to read, exercise, play cards, listen to music, and spending time with her family. She attended the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton.

Geraldine is survived by her son Doug Collins and wife Kathy of Scottsdale, AZ; three grandchildren: Robbie Williams and wife Kris of Galesburg, IL, Chris Collins and wife Kim of Winnetka, IL, Kelly Romanczuk and husband Paul of West Chester, PA; eight great-grandchildren: Garret Williams, Madison Williams, Casey Williams, Ryan Collins, Kate Collins, Cooper Romanczuk, Collin Romanczuk and Riley Romanczuk. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son Jeffrey Len Collins; and a daughter Linda Jo Case.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois for Gerri; and to Heartland Healthcare of Galesburg for Linda; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Betty Frier, age 96, passed away October 5, 2017, at St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood,  MO.

Betty was a graduate of Benton High School, SIU-C, and St. Luke’s School of Nursing. She worked as a nurse, skilled care administrator, and in-service director at Franklin Hospital in Benton. She was also a medical missionary in the Belgian Congo for ten years.

Betty was the daughter of Clarence and Jessie Frier who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her siblings; Arnold (Lolita, Ruth), Ruth (Lynn) Houghton, Cornelia (Ford) Lipscomb, and Susan Wheeler, as well as her nephews; David Frier, Stephen Houghton and Mike Houghton.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews;Fred Houghton, Linda (Ralph) Simpson, Bill (Beth) Lipscomb, Jean (Joe) Shinners, and Mary Susan (Allen) Greenwalt. as welll as many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Grace Ministries International P.O. Box 9405 Grand Rapids, MI 49509 or to the charity of your choice. The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

Ellen Mae West, age 77, of Mulberry, AR and formerly of Benton; passed away at 3:11 p.m. Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Sparks Hospital in Fort Smith, AR.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Ed Endsley officiating. There will be no visitation. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Ellen was born January 5, 1940 in Benton, IL, the daughter of Otis Hankins and Lulabelle (Wrye) Hankins. She married Jack L. West on August 8, 1956, and he survives.

Mrs. West was a homemaker, and formerly worked in manufacturing with Western Electric.

Years ago while living in Benton, she attended the First Church of the Nazarene.

Surviving is her loving husband of 61 years, Jack L. West of Mulberry, AR; a daughter Betty Jean Hornick; two sons: Randy Lee West and Steven Curtis West; three grandchildren: Cassandra Marie Hornick, Michael Andrew Hornick, Bradley Thomas Hornick; a sister Gloria Keith; a sister-in-law Tina Hall; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters: Clara Hankins, Alice L. Manning, Dorothy June Hankins; and three brothers: Ernie Hankins, Dave Hall, and Jim Hankins.

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

Patricia M. King, 76, of Thompsonville, passed away on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at her residence.

She was born on April 22, 1941, to Gardner “Bub” and Ruby (Lyle) Murphy in Mt. Vernon, IL. Pat was a homemaker. She married Bobby “Bob” King, and he survives.

Mrs. King attended Caldwell Baptist Church in West Frankfort for many years and most recently was a member of New Life Church of God, Benton, IL.

Pat was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was known for her famous homemade chocolate chip cookies. Pat enjoyed researching family genealogy, collecting cookbooks and magazines. She was faithful to her Lord and Savior. Her children and grandchildren could do no wrong, and held a special place in her heart.

Patricia is survived by her loving spouse of 58 years, Bobby “Bob” King; six children, Terry King, Russell King and wife Debbie, Dale King and wife Melissa, Mark King and wife Sandy, Stefanie Clements and husband Ralph and Robert King and special friend Laura; she is survived by her 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; a brother Gardner Lee Murphy and wife Martha.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gardner “Bub” and Ruby Murphy.

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

Visitation will be held Saturday, September 30, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 12:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Pastor Rod Joplin, officiating. Burial will follow services in Denning Cemetery, Orient, IL.

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

Mrs. Loudene Hart, age 89, of Benton , passed away at 10:00 p.m. Friday, September 22, 2017 at the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab Center of Benton.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Keith Fletcher officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Hart was born on April 28, 1928 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Rassie Summers and Effie (Aiken) Summers. She married James O. Hart on August 22, 1953, and he preceded her in death on December 18, 1995.

She was a member of the First Christian Church of Benton.

She last worked as a secretary with Floro Insurance in Benton.

Loudene enjoyed eating out, playing cards, collecting miniature tea sets, ceramics, having coffee with friends, and going to Wal-Mart.

Surviving are her two children Janice Legendre and husband Roger of Johnston City, James Hart and wife Jayna of Benton; four grandchildren: Tina Miller and husband Kevin of Johnston City, Mathew Legendre of Johnston City, Jenna Kirkpatrick and husband Ben of Benton, Jonathan Hart of Benton; three great-grandchildren: Kaylee Kirkpatrick, Max Kirkpatrick, Elijah Kirkpatrick.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a brother Lewis Summers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Second Chance Rescue of Franklin County, or the Benton Ministerial Alliance, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Donald Darnell, PhD, 87, of Akin, IL, passed away at 6:32 p.m., on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

He was born on February 7, 1930, to Carl Felix and Dana Marguerite (Marquis) Darnell in Macedonia, IL. Donald was a United States Army Veteran serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

He retired as a Professor of Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. On July 20, 1992, he married Thi Nguyen. Donald and Thi resided in Akin, IL.

Donald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, writing cards and poetry. Donald performed and traveled as Spinner the Clown. He was a member of Akin Baptist Church.

Donald is survived by his loving wife, Thi, children, Nhu Ta – Chante Trinh and Tri Ta – Thuy-Anh Trinh; grandchildren, Robert Trinh, Valerie Trinh, Natalie Trinh, Jessica Ta, Vanessa Ta; and two brothers, Phillip R. Darnell and Jimmy M. Darnell; also surviving many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Felix and Dana Marguerite Darnell, sisters, Edna Marguerite Williams and Lois Mae Long; brothers, Carl Dean Darnell, Mark Alan Darnell, Jesse Commordore Darnell, William Eugene Darnell and twin brother, Ronald Darnell.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St, Benton, IL. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturday, September 23, 2017, at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will follow the visitation at 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 23, 2017, at the funeral home with Br. Dale Howard officiating. Burial will follow services at Brady Cemetery in Akin, IL, with military rites performed by the Benton American Legion Post 280, V.F.W. Post 2671 and the National Guard Honors Team.

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

Nellie O. Bozovich, 89, of West Frankfort passed away Saturday morning, September 16, 2017 at her home.

She was born in Essex, Missouri on August 1, 1928, the daughter of Oscar E. & Bertha (Ashby) Pullum.

Mrs. Bozovich was a member of the Steel City Baptist Church.

She married Howard E. Bozovich on August 23, 1947, and he survives.

Also surviving are three children;  John H. Bozovich and wife Joan M. of West Frankfort
Ronald E. Bozovich and wife Patricia of Caseyville, N. Dianne Mitchell and husband Chris of West Frankfort.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, two sisters Lavern Keys of Benton and Bertha McGuire of Clearwater, FL

Mrs. Bozovich was preceded in death by her Parents, by two grandsons, one granddaughter, 1 great-grandson, one brother and three sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 20th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Joe Zbinden and Bro. Chris Mitchell officiating.

Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.

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