Carolyn Sue Johnson, 74, of Benton passed away on Tuesday evening January 16, 2024 at her home.

Carolyn was born in Peoria, IL on October 24, 1949, the daughter of William “Bill” & Delores (Pence) Wyant.

She married Richard “Rick” Johnson and he preceded her in death on October 4, 2006.

Mrs. Johnson put her heart into everything that she did.
Mrs. Johnson is survived by her:
2 Daughters:
Melinda Mabry & husband Roger of Benton
Lisa Summers & husband Robbie of Louisville, KY
4 Grandchildren:
Liam Kirk & wife Kara
McCalynn Alstat & husband Brandon
Laney Kirk
Blayne Mabry
Great-Grandchildren: Sailor, Bennett, Rylee, Roxanne & Zeplyn
2 Sisters:
Judy Overturf & husband John of Benton
Renna Pritchard of Benton
Brother: Lyle Wyant & wife Debbie of Akin
Many Nieces & Nephews who called her Maw Maw

Carolyn was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, 1 Son-Melvin James Holmes and 2 Brothers-Billy Wyant & Mike Wyant.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, January 19th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Bro. John Overturf & Pastor Jason Todd officiating. Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery in Akin. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Donald Allen Chapman, 81, of Benton passed away Wednesday evening January 10, 2024 at his home with his wife and granddaughter-Melissa by his side.

He was born in Tamaroa, IL on July 31, 1942 the son of Herman & Alfie (Adams) Chapman.

He married Louise Overturf on September 4, 1971.

Donald worked at Wonder Bread & Freeman #6 in Waltonville. He was a member of Local 1591 & 1545. He enjoyed fishing & bow hunting. He had a garden that he was proud of & enjoyed giving it to
family & friends. One of his greatest pleasures was his buddy “pete” an adopted pet who was with him everywhere he went.

Mr. Chapman is survived by his:
Wife: Louise Chapman
Daughters:
Lisa Allen
Terri Chapman
Grandchildren: Mileena, Mya & Marley
2 Great-Grandchildren: Kha’yir & J’Aire
2 Brothers:
Roger Chapman
Richard Chapman
Brother-in-law: Gordon Overturf & wife Marilyn
Sisters-in-law: Rosemary Chapman, Irene Overturf & Johnnie Overturf

Mr. Chapman was preceded in death by his Parents, a Daughter-Laura Chapman, 1 Brother-Larry Chapman, 3 Sisters-Vera, Julia & Phyllis, 3 Brothers-in-law-Charles Overturf, James Overturf & Archie Overturf and a nephew-Jeff Eickmeyer.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Ed Travis for all his care. Also a thank you to SSM Healthcare & Addus.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Sunday January 14th at Overturf Cemetery in Benton. There will be No Visitation, those attending the services are requested to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Robert Lee “Bob” Perdue, age 73, of West Frankfort, Illinois, passed away at 5:13 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the Herrin Hospital.

He will be cremated, and private family services will be held.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.

Bob was born on September 24, 1950, in South Charleston, West Virginia; the son of Denvil Handley and Pauline Perdue, and was raised by his grandparents Harry and Laura (Newcomer) Perdue. On March 27, 1976, he married the former Vivian Ann Braden, and together they shared 47 years of marriage.

Bob “Stomper” was a retired coal miner having worked as a miner for 21 ½ years, working with CONSOL Energy Inc. and Freeman (Freeman #3) United Coal Mining Company, where he was roof bolter. Stomper was a member of the UMWA Local # 1545.

He enjoyed working in his yard and was proud of his yardwork. He and Vivian enjoyed their daily morning trips to McDonalds, and Bob loved making people smile, often with his silly jokes. His family said, “he was a generous man and loved to help people, loved being a coal miner and making people smile and laugh.”

Bob was a Christian by faith.

Surviving is his loving wife Vivian Perdue, and his loving daughter Sara Perdue, both of West Frankfort, IL; a sister-in-law Judy Braden also of West Frankfort, IL; and his father Denvil Handley of Nitro, West Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his mother Pauline Perdue, his grandparents Harry and Laura Perdue, a brother-in-law Sherman A. Braden, and his father and mother-in-law Sherman H. and Mary Lou (Gorby) Braden.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Hospitals for Children (https://www.stjude.org) or to Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org), or may be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812

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

Craig E. Newman born August 18, 1964 to Vernon and Lillian (Cavins) Newman, youngest of 4 sons, Larry, Gary, Alan and Craig left the bed he had been confined to for years and stepped onto the streets of gold with his Savior the Lord Jesus Christ on January 8, 2024.

He grew up learning to bait a hook, love animals and the outdoors, play baseball, basketball, football, drive go-carts, ride motorcycles, occasionally retrieve his own switch and the love of God found in his Son Jesus. As a young lad Craig went on to trust Jesus as his Savior and followed in baptism at East Benton Baptist Church.
He delivered newspapers in his youth before coming to the family Welding and Fabrication Business. There he learned to weld, fabricate, operate lathes, mills, drill presses, press brakes and plate shears. He became an accomplished welder, fabricator and machinist.

Craig was never a book worm or a model student in the classroom, but developed a real talent in drawing and art. His enjoyment of music lead him to learning to play an acoustic guitar.
He became an avid golfer only a few years before being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which in only a few years confined him to the use of a walker, then a wheel chair.
Over the course of the disease he fought hard and long to be independent and live to the best of his capabilities, a life of longevity and purpose. Through the grace and mercy’s of God, the help of many loving and compassionate caregivers, nurses and doctors, Craig was able to live out a longer than normal M. S. stricken life.
Through the disabling course of the disease Craig reconnected to his faith and life that he had received as a young lad and joined and attended Faith Missionary Baptist Church while he still had his mobility. He also recognized what he would say was “his greatest achievement, love and joy my beautiful daughter Nicole.” He often reflected back on taking Niccer’s fishing, a weekend trip with her and his mom to Six Flags, Zoos, or just a hotel with a pool so she could swim, and always on how beautiful she is. He loved her deeply and to the extent of the disease loved her children, his grandchildren Lila Pearl and Cohen Prine with just as deep of love & affection.

Even with all that plagued him physically, he NEVER complained but to the contrary would encourage to keep on trying to live to the best of your abilities. He would give you a smile that would melt your heart.

He was deeply loved as a son, a brother, a dad, a papa and a child of God. He will be greatly missed!
Craig is survived by a daughter Nicole Newman, grandchildren Lila Pearl and Cohen Prine McConaughey all of Benton, brother Gary and wife Deanne Newman Thompsonville, Brother Alan Newman of Benton, uncle Bruce Cavins from DuQuoin, nieces, nephews, many cousins and friends.
Craig was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M. Noon on Thursday, January 11th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Alan Newman officiating. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery in DuQuoin. Visitation will be from 10:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Nights Shield Children’s Center, Camp Ondessonk, or Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Kimberly S. Miner, 59, of Valier, passed away Saturday morning January 6, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Eldorado, IL on November 29, 1964 the daughter of John Lewis & Annttia (Laffoon) Kittinger.

She married Brian Miner on December 9, 1995.

Mrs. Miner loved crafting, traveling, her family, her dog Ottis, cooking, high school & college sports. She had a distinctive decorating style. She owned & operated her own Primitive business.

Brian & Kimberly always dressed as the best Santa & Mrs. Claus, they loved giving generously to others. She always had a wonderful smile and loved the Lord. Kimberly was a very giving person, always ready to help others. To quote Brian “She was my best friend.”

Kimberly is survived by her:
Husband: Brian Miner of Valier
Daughter: Nicole Haney of Mulkeytown
Father: John Kittinger of Benton
Brother-in-law: Mike Miner & wife Jamie of Chester
Sister-in-law: Lisa Wilson & husband Kevin of Steeleville
Several Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins & Friends

Mrs. Miner was preceded in death by her Mother, an infant sister-Lorinda Rae and by a son-in-law-Quentin Haney.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 10th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Bill Uhles, Cindy Hamilton & Gigi Sever officiating. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in Equality. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Phyllis Marie Grubbs, 95, of Christopher, passed away on Thursday January 4, 2024 at her home.

She was born on July 22, 1928 in Christopher to Harley and Marie (Watson) Kirkpatrick. She married Delbert Grubbs on July 18, 1947 and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Susan Williams of Christopher, Jane Grubbs of Marion and Patrick Grubbs of Christopher; grandchildren Jennifer McGuire, Jonathon Wink, Ben Grubbs, Tarah Battaglia and Sarah Zeller; thirteen great grandchildren and one great great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Mike Grubbs, three sisters Virginia Waller, Hester Salo and Ruby Kirkpatrick and two brothers Norman Kirkpatrick and Richard Kirkpatrick.

Phyllis was of the Methodist faith.

Graveside services will be on Sunday January 7, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown with Rev. Jim Sloan officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Illinois Masonic Charities and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Stillborn baby boy, Waylon Joseph Wayne Kloeckner, was born into the arms of Jesus at 6:45 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2023, at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Baby Waylon was the son of Ashlyn Jenae Upton and Ryan Joseph Kloeckner, both of Johnston City, Illinois.

Other relatives include grandparents: Jeremy Upton and Rachel Tyler of West Frankfort, Illinois, Michelle Garcia and Christopher South of Johnston City, Illinois; great-grandparents: Paul Parcell of Walsenburg, Colorado, Robert and Charlien George of Johnston City, Illinois, Lori Sandusky of Indiana, Wayne McDade of Champaign, Illinois; aunts and uncles: Amber and Keith Mateycak of Whittington, Illinois, Brittany Gardner of Johnston City, Illinois, Aaliyah Garcia of Mesa, Arizona, Gavin Garcia of Mesa, Arizona, Landon Upton of Whittington, Illinois, Mason Timmons of Ewing, Illinois, Braxton Tyler of West Frankfort, Illinois, Caitlyn Upton and Hayden Upton of Whittington, Illinois, and numerous other aunts and uncles.

Awaiting Waylon’s arrival in Heaven are great-grandparents: Deanna Upton, Arthur and Donna Kloeckner and Randy South.

A Memorial service will be held in the near future.

Arrangements are entrusted with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

To leave online condolences to the family of Stillborn Waylon Joseph Wayne Kloeckner visit: www.lpfuneralhome.com