Floyd Burns, age 66 of Benton, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 2016 in Benton.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 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 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.  Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Floyd was born on February 7, 1950 in Perry County, IL, the son of Floyd Lewis Burns and Mary Ann (Fowler) Burns.

Floyd was a self-employed mechanic. He formerly worked for Dave’s Taxi and enjoyed the many trips driving area residents to their doctor appointments to the various St. Louis Hospitals, and the many other hospitals across Southern Illinois.

He was a proud member of the First Christian Church in Benton.

Floyd is survived by a nephew Lee Otis Sexton and wife Lana of Channahon, IL; an aunt Lillie Davie of Cape Girardeau, MO; and several cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Ortus Velma Burns and Mary Lou Sexton; an infant sister; a niece Cathy (Sexton) King; and two nephews: Thomas Floyd Sexton and Timothy Dale Sexton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fellowship Center Building Fund at the First Christian Church, 302 South Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Norma “Jean” Dale, 89, of Sparta, IL passed away Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 at her home.

She was born in Pesotum, IL on January 20, 1927, the daughter of Touncie E. and Rosie M. (Fields) Conner.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church, in Sparta.

She is survived by cousins Billy Paul Conner and wife Linda, of Whittington, IL, James Richard Conner and wife Nancy, of Pocahontas, Del Lavern Conner, of Midland, Texas and Barbara Newman, of Rockford, IL; her adopted family that she made her home with, Pastor Tim Gregory and wife Becky, of Sparta, and their children Rachel, Timmy and wife Kristan, Megan, Elizabeth, Joshua and Hannah.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Paul Everett Conner.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at First Baptist Church, in Sparta with Pastor Tim Gregory officiating. Burial will be in Franklin Cemetery, in Whittington, IL.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, in Sparta.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Sparta Building Fund.

Johnston Funeral Home in Ina is in charge of arrangements.

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.