James Ronald Phillips, Sr., age 71 of Benton, passed away at 4:35 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Benton Rehabilitation and Health Care.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial with Military Rites by the Benton American Legion Post #280, the V.F.W. Post #2671, and the Army National Guard of Marion, will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

James was born on November 1, 1944 in Chicago, IL, the son of Vernon Phillips and Margaret (Huth) Phillips.

Mr. Phillips served his country in the U.S. Army from February 1, 1962 to March 11, 1965, where he attained the rank of Private First Class.

His working career was in the coal mines, having worked and retired from Amax Coal Company near Keensburg, IL, where he was a member of the United Mine Workers of America.

He enjoyed hunting, horseback riding, and working in coal mining.

James is survived by three sons: James R. Phillips, Jr. of Benton, Danny Phillips and wife Brittany of Benton, Kyle Darnell of Logan; grandchildren: Marissa Phillips, Abigail Phillips, Brendan Schell, Jordan Prosise, Sydney Phillips, Brooklyn Phillips, Kyra Phillips, Charles Schram, Jr., Autumn Schram, Brittany Schram, Tyler Mersinger; girlfriend Alice Shanks of Benton.

Mr. Phillips was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, and a son.

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

Harvey R. Heard, age 76 of Benton, passed away Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital in Benton.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Pastor Zack Waldis officiating. There will be no public visitation. Family and friends should go directly to the cemetery.  Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Harvey Raymond Heard was born on December 29, 1939 in Macedonia, IL, the son of Leamon and Margurite (Barnfield) Heard.  He married the former Karen Lee Fitzpatrick on August 25, 1959, and she preceded him in death on July 26, 1996.

Harvey worked for 35 plus years with Arch Mineral Coal Company of Percy, IL.  He was a member of the U.M.W.A.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and horses.

Mr. Heard is survived by two sons: Michael Heard and wife Becky of Shiloh, IL, Mark Heard and wife Nancy of Valier, IL; four grandchildren: Cheri Thompson and husband Mike of O’Fallon, IL, Ryan Heard of Arlington Heights, VA, Billy Heard and Emily Heard both of Valier, IL; two brothers: Bryce Heard and wife Sue of Ina, IL, Terry Heard of Macedonia, IL; a sister Linda Lineberry and husband Chuck of Sparta, IL; several nieces and nephews.

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents; wife Karen Heard; and a granddaughter Jennifer Heard.

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

Betty Jane Hutchins, 87, of Sidney, IL passed away Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 in Champaign County, IL.

She was born in Sesser, IL on Sept. 2, 1929, the daughter of Carrol and Jessie (Cypher) Bays.

She married Edgar E. Hutchins on March 27, 1953 and he preceded her in death on Nov. 6, 1999.

Mrs. Hutchins was a member of the First Christian Church in Lexington, Texas.

She is survived by three daughters, Jan Platte, of Westminster, CO, Pam Schoonover and husband Monty, of Sidney, IL and Martha Briggs and husband Joe, of Westfield, IL; six grandchildren; two grandchildren and nine grandchildren; a sister Donna Parkinson and husband Ray, of Mahomet, IL.

Mrs. Hutchins was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law Steve Platte and by two brothers Albert Bays and Denzil Bays.

Graveside services will be at 12 noon Monday October 24, 2016 at the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. There will be no visitation and those attending are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Harriett Nadine Hefner, 88, of Dix, IL formerly of Bonnie, died on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

She was born in Whittington, IL on June 14, 1928, the daughter  of Phillip Newton Wilkerson, Sr. and Mary Frances (Sadler) Wilkerson.

She married James Hefner on January 11, 1946 and he preceded her in death on September 6, 1995.

Even though Nadine had very little formal education she managed to go back and obtain her GED and then to nursing school and graduate with honors. She worked as an LPN for many years at Good Samaritan Hospital. For many years she was a member of Palestine Baptist Church in “The Diggins’ near Benton, IL and later a member of Dahlgren Community Chapel.

Mrs. Hefner is survived by her son Jerome Hefner and wife Carolyn, of Texico; daughter Shirley Hawkins and husband Ronnie, of Mt. Vernon, IL; daughter-in-law Gayle Hefner, of Dahlgren; son Thomas Hefner and wife Cindy, of Bonnie; grandchildren Devon Simmons and husbnd Dave, of Woodlawn, James Ryan Hefner and wife Jenifer, of Kell, Charity Hawkins and fiance Kevin Baumann, of Mt. Vernon, Alexander Hawkins, of Mt. Venron, Gwendolyn Upton and husband Steve, of Mt. Vernon, Robin Hefner, of Texico, John Hefner, of Dahlgren, Paul Hefner and wife Dawn, of Wyoming, Triston Hawkins, of Mt. Vernon; great-grandchildren Kent Almaroad, of Salem and Brooklyn Upton, of Mt. Vernon; great-great grandchildren Wayden Hawkins and Malachi; one sister Carrie Mae Roberts, of Du Quoin.

Mrs. Hefner was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a son Rev. James Hefner, two brothers Phillip Wilkerson, Jr and Ezra Wilkerson, four sisters Lois McLearin, Easter Laughland, Loretta Whitecotton and Patsy Robertson.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina with the Rev. Dean Severin and the Rev. Tony Phelps officiating. Burial will be in Kirk Cemetery in Ina. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Ray Richardson, 88, of Marietta, GA passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at Kennestone Hospital, in Marietta, GA.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with Pastor Larry Richardson and Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service at 3 pm.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bette Ronchetto Thomas, 93, of Christopher, IL passed away October 18, 2016 at Herrin Hospital.

She was born February 20, 1923 in Christopher, the daughter of Charles “Doc” Flatt and Nora (Braden) Flatt.

Bette married Michael Ronchetto and he preceded her in death, she later married David Thomas and he also preceded her in death.

Bette worked as a personal legal secretary. She was a member of Eastern Star and Christ’s View Christian Church, in Christopher.

She is survived by her children, Harry and Christine Thomas, of Buckner, IL and Valerie and Andy Wilson, of Christopher’ daughter-in-law Joan Thomas, of San Bernardino, CA. She is also survived by six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son David “DL” Thomas, three sisters Emma Hastings, Lucille McCarty, Nora Mae Furlow, and three brothers Charles Flatt, Alfred “Alfy” Flatt, and Robert “Bob” Flatt

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Ron Henwood officiating. Visitation will on Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit

www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Eula K. Spain, 99, of Benton, passed away at 9:36 p.m., on October 17, 2016 at Helia Healthcare of Benton, IL.

She was born on March 10, 1917 to William and Nellie (White) Kerley in Parrish, IL. Eula retired as a District Manager for Schnuck’s Bakery. On April 20, 1935 she married Ellis Spain and he preceded her in death on January 3, 1994.

She was a member of Order of The Eastern Star and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

Eula is survived by her two granddaughters, Kelly Darnell and husband Scott of Thompsonville, IL, Vicki Minor and husband Jesse Sr., of Benton, IL; four great-grandsons, Lance Darnell and wife Emily of Thompsonville, IL, Ryan Darnell of Thompsonville, IL, Jeremy Minor of Benton, IL, Jesse Minor, Jr. of Carbondale, IL; brother-in-law, Joe Zid of Hot Springs Village, AR; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents, husband, Ellis Spain, a daughter, Nancy Kays, four brothers, Jewell Kerley, Ray Kerley, Eldon Kerley, Billy Kerley, five sister, Reathel Locklar, Rosalie Sadler, Jessie Pruess, Wanda Kerley, Ethel Mae Zid.

Arrangements under the direction of Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, 1 pm at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL, with Rev. Michael Kramer, officiating.

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