Wilford D. Heumann, Jr., age 65, of Benton, passed away at 12:12 p.m. Christmas Day, at his home in Benton.

Mr. Heumann’s wishes are to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Wilford was born on September 20, 1958, in Du Quoin, IL; the son of Wilford D. Heumann, Sr. and Sheila I. (Selby) Heumann. On October 19, 1991, he married the former Crystal Gray, and together they were married for 32 years.

Mr. Heumann was a maintenance worker with the West City Wal-Mart. He formerly worked in the coal mines.

He enjoyed attending and watching racing; and he was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.

Surviving is his loving wife Crystal Heumann of Benton, IL; four children: Alexa (Heumann) Newhart and husband Chris of Paris, IL, Matthew Davis and wife Erin of Interlachen, FL; Melissa (Heumann) Martinez and husband Fredrico of Kalamazoo, MI, Matthew D. Heumann of Kalamazoo, MI; eight grandchildren: Kacey Newhart, Kendall Newhart, Derrian Davis, Hunter Davis, Jayden Davis, Vincent Davis, Italia Davis, Trenton Heumann; four siblings: Tina Leyba of Pinckneyville, IL, Kim Beltz and husband Randy of Du Quoin, IL, Mark Heumann and wife Dawn of Du Quoin, IL, Jean Ann Wheatley and husband David of Du Quoin, IL; a brother-in-law Kyle Gray and son Travis of Benton, IL; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter Kaitlyn Heumann.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Anita Jane Rice, 61, of Benton, passed away at 11:05 a.m., on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital, Evansville, IL.

She was born on April 12, 1962, to Kerry and Linda (Powell) Croteau in Pontiac, MI. She married Michael Rice and he survives. Anita enjoyed taking care of her family.

Anita is survived by her loving spouse Michael Rice; one daughter and son; brother, Kurt; and two sisters, Kelli and Annette.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter; and son, Nathan Sill.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Anita’s wishes was for cremation to take place.

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

Robert “Bobby” Ardell Armes, 67, of Sesser, passed away on Friday December 22, 2023 at his home.

He was born on January 31, 1956 in Mt Vernon, IL to Wayne and Kathleen (Morgan) Armes. He married Jean Ann (Eubanks) Armes on March 6, 1982 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his daughters Melissa (Andrew) Armes-Dufer of Springfield and Kimberly (Matthew) Armes-Dalby of Mt Vernon; two grandchildren Michael Dufer and Jamie Dufer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Elizabeth Boner and Barb Armes and one brother Bill Armes.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday December 27, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you plant a tree in memory of Bob.

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

George Alsobrooks, age 87 of Cumberland City, TN and formerly of Benton, IL; passed away at 1:03 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2023, at Tennova Healthcare of Clarksville, TN.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL, with Pastor Ann Schwengel officiating. Burial will follow in the Jackson Grove Cemetery of Benton, IL. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL.

George was born on June 23, 1936, in Houston County, TN; the son of Joseph Marshal Alsobrooks and Irene Brown (Ellis) Alsobrooks. On June 23, 1957, exactly 21 years after his birth, he married the former Loretta Fay (Summers) in Benton, IL. They had met while both were working in Nashville, TN. Together they raised two children, of whom George was very proud.

George was a man of many talents and interests. He became involved in both community and civil duties and activities. At a very young age, he joined the US Army Reserves. He served for eight years. During that time, because of his love of sports, he formed and coached an independent boy’s basketball team in Akin, IL. He also served as president of the PTA there. In addition, he was an avid Benton High School Rangers basketball fan from the 1960’s – early 1990’s. During the 1970’s, he became a BCHS board member, as well.

His other endeavors included working as an auxiliary police officer, serving as a Sunday school teacher in the Community of Christ Church, formerly known as the RLDS Church, with which he had been a member for 63 years. Recently he served as the Treasurer of the Alsobrooks Family Cemetery Trust.

George was both a businessman and entrepreneur. He was once the president of the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association, while operating his own local excavating business. Later on after becoming critically injured while working as a mechanical supervisor in a local coal mine, he started up, owned, and operated a few other businesses. His last business was Geo Signs and Designs, which he and wife Loretta operated together for almost thirty years.
He was also involved with the Chamber of Commerce of the Houston County, TN area.

Surviving is his loving wife of 66 years, Loretta Alsobrooks of Cumberland City, TN; a daughter Gayla Hill and husband Dana of Christopher, IL; two grandchildren: Alecia Dunbar of West Frankfort, IL, Dustin Dunbar of Cumberland City, TN; four great-grandchildren: Dawson Taylor of West Frankfort, IL, Azhure (Taylor) McKenzie of Herrin, IL, Shanndyn (Taylor) McKenzie of West Frankfort, IL, Kamden Olivia (Dunbar) Hatfield of Johnston City, IL; three great-great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Kent Alsobrooks, a brother Lloyd “RAS” Alsobrooks; two sisters: Jane Hickerson and Sue Kupiec.

Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of the donor’s choice, or to the Thompsonville Community of Christ Church, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of George, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

Zelma Glenn Jones, age 46, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at 7:09 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

Zelma was born on August 22, 1977; the daughter of William Wesley Willmore and Loretta May (Moore) Willmore. On July 4, 2012, she married Ralph LaVern Jones, together they shared eleven years of marriage.

Zelma was a BCHS Graduate of 1994.

She was employed in the bakery at the Benton West City Wal-Mart. Formerly she was employed with Aisin Manufacturing of Marion. She also used to work as a housekeeper at the Rend Lake Resort, and she was a CNA.

Zelma enjoyed going fishing, camping, cuddling on the couch with her dogs, and going on family picnics. She enjoyed life. Her family said her favorite holiday was Halloween, and that her most favorite thing to do was to spend time with family.

Surviving is her loving husband Ralph L. Jones of Benton, IL; a son Damian Jones of Benton, IL, a step-son Isaiah Campbell of Benton, IL; her mother Loretta May Willmore of Benton, IL; four brothers: Jeremiah Willmore and wife Christina of Anna, IL, Hershel Willmore of Benton, IL, Tommie Willmore and wife Bonnie of Benton, IL, Leonard Willmore of Benton, IL; a sister Suella Howell and husband Roy of Benton, IL; two fur babies Raven and Westlynn; a grand fur baby Lilly Lou; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Elizabeth Obrecht; her father William Wesley Willmore; a sister-in-law Christina Vaughn; an aunt, Evlynn Gower; her great-grandmother Velma Gower; and a fur baby Bently.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery East of Thompsonville, IL. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. Tuesday until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

The family would prefer memorial contributions be made in memory of Zelma to her family to assist with expenses.

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

Carolyn Fae Pedigo, 81, of Benton passed away at 5:25 A.M. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at the StoneBridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

She was born in Christopher, IL on September 19, 1942 the daughter of Donald Brown & Memmith (Scott) Joiner.

Carolyn married David Lee Pedigo on March 17, 1962 in Valier Patch, and he preceded her in death on September 28, 2015.
Mrs. Pedigo was an gifted artist, and crocheted baby blankets and many, many afghans which she gave away.

Carolyn is survived by her:

3 Children:
Dennis Ray Docherty & wife Barbara of Benton
David B. Pedigo of Benton
Cleona Fae Adams of Benton
5 Grandchildren:
Amber Dawn Short
Beth Nicole Williams
Kelsey Lee Docherty
David Anthony Pedigo
Alicea Fae Pedigo
10 Great-Grandchildren
Several Nieces & Nephews

Mrs. Pedigo was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, 3 Brothers and 1 Sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 16th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Chris Hammonds officiating. Burial will be in the Hammond Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, December 15th at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Thomas Eugene Bush, 64, of Sesser, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 7, 2023, at 5:15 am at Heartland Regional Hospital in Marion IL.

Thomas was born January 27, 1959 to Ethel Mozelle Hargraves and Roy Franklin Bush who preceded him in death. Thomas married Barbara Jane Arro (Green) on January 22, 1982 and together they shared 41 years of marriage.

Thomas is survived by his wife Barbara, three children, Andrea Arro Cockrum (Matt), Pete Arro and Dustin Bush (Tiffany). He is also survived by his grandchildren Emeri, Riley, Aerin, Sophia, and Oliver; great Grandson Archie; brother Denny Bush (Carol) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Monday December 11, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 5 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

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