Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Raymond Mrogenski, 91, of Benton, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2014 at StoneBridge Senior Living Center in Benton.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
CHRISTOPHER – Rex Vernon English, 86, passed away at 2:15 AM, April 8, 2014, at his home.
Rex was born on April 27, 1927 in Kennett, Missouri to Joe and Azalea (Rollins) English. He married Betty Lou Adams on May 11, 1947 in Anna, Illinois. Together they shared over 59 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on August 11, 2006.
Rex graduated from Anna-Jonesboro High School in 1945. After graduating, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy in World War II. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Anna and worked at Jo-Ann Laundry. He then started employment with Bunny Bread in Anna and was transferred to Christopher in 1958 as terminal supervisor. Later, a new terminal was built in Herrin and, in 1985, he retired as Northern District Manager, after 30 years employment. For most of his career, Rex’s terminal had the best sales results of all and he was called upon to help open new locations for Bunny Bread as well.
Rex was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion in Christopher, Illinois.
Rex enjoyed fishing at Reelfoot Lake with Betty, fun times with family at their cabin near Desoto, Illinois, playing pinochle with friends and family, dancing, golfing with his brothers and spending time with classmates from the Class of 1945.
Most of all, he enjoyed living at Lake of Egypt, dubbed by family members as “Lake of English”, for 21 years. The times there, with Betty and his kids, grandkids and all of their friends were priceless. Fishing, pontoon boat rides, water skiing (which he did until he was 60 years old), watching the grandkids play on the dock – all of these provided him with such pleasure. But what the grandkids loved best were the spectacular 4th of July fireworks Grandpa provided each year.
Rex is survived by five children and their spouses, Sandy and Tom Vaughn, Candy and David Price, Rex and Sheila English, Kent (Smitty) and Cathy English, all of Christopher and Carilea and Larry Cooper of Benton, Ky; eleven grandchildren, Ryan Vaughn and wife, Jenny, Melissa Gibbs, Chad Price and wife, Kelli, Shauna Burckhardt and husband, Brian, Seth English and wife, Mehgan, Stella Triplett and husband, Gary, Katie Pettit and husband, Andy, Matthew English and wife, Lindsay, Ashley Kuhn and husband, Jay, Brandis Wheeler and Neill Wheeler and wife, Niki; great grandchildren, Zoey Vaughn, Liam Gibbs, Shae, Lexi and Piper Price, Azalee and Brock Burckhardt, Jorja English, Abbott Triplett, Spencer and Finnigan Pettit, Eloise English, Lemmy Kuhn and Colton Wheeler; a sister-in-law, Norma Fuller, 4 nieces and 11 nephews. Two more great grandchildren will arrive later this year.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, infant grandson, Clint Anthony Ronchetto, his sisters, Dixie English and Ellen Campbell, brothers and sisters-in-law, J. T. and Jennie English, C.A. and Bettye English, Harold and Mary English, brother-in-law, Donald McCann and nephews, Larry, Gary and Terry English and Brian Campbell.
Services will be at _11:00 A.M Friday April 11,2014 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Rev. Daniel Ison officiating. Interment will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or the First Christian Church in Christopher. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home
He married Helen (Pharis) Gulley in 1950 and she survives in Benton.
Albert worked as a school teacher, guidance counselor, principal and superintendent of Benton Consolidated High School.
He attended the Benton-West City Church of Christ and was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. Albert was also a member of the American Legion and the National and Illinois Retired Teacher Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by a son Alan Gulley, two sisters, Ova Downen and Flosie Wilson and three brothers Oscar, Denver and Virgil Gulley.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday April 9 in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, with Brother Steve Reeves officiating. Internment will be in Hammond Cemetery in Buckner. Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Benton-West City Church of Christ.
For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
She married James Tate on June 5, 1958, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 3, 1998.
Bluebell was preceded in death by her parents and her husband and eight brothers and sisters.
She is survived by three sons, Mike and his wife, Mel, John and his wife, Kim and Ransom Tate and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Bluebell was a kind and loving person who made friends wherever she worked. Her last place of work was Colonial Manor in Zeigler.
She was named after the Bluebell flower. She wasn’t especially fond of her unusual first name, but everyone else loved it.
Bluebell had a great love for her family and friends. She especially looked forward to her weekly visits with her niece, Michelle. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Services will ne at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 8 in Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. April Turner officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Cheryl “Cherie” Browning, 62, of Mulkeytown, died April 3, 2014 at Herrin Hospital Emergency Room.
Cheryl was born Oct. 6, 1951, in Carbondale, the daughter of Leon Swisher and Leona (Johnson) Swisher.
She operated Nana’s Nook Restaurant, in Royalton and attended the Royalton Church of the Nazarene.
She was married to Gary Browning on July 12, 1975 and he survives of Mulkeytown.
Also surviving are her children, Joey Browning and his girlfriend Denise Bradshaw of Mulkeytown and Angie Worley of Mulkeytown and a grandson, Braden Worley. Cheryl is also survived by two sisters, Amy (Jeffrey) Jones, Wylie TX, and Paula (David) Payne, of Benton, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor David Sorensen officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, April 6, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home. Burial will be at Ward Cemetery, in Mulkeytown.
For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
Michael S. Romani, 46, of Waltonville (formerly of Sesser), died March 20, 2014 at Herrin Hospital.
Michael was born in Benton, the son of Danny Romani and Karen (Allen) Romani, and they survive in Sesser. He worked in mine construction and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Sesser. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and was also an avid outdoorsman and a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.
He is survived by a special friend and partner, Amber Sims, of Waltonville and four children, Wade Romani, Elaina Romani, Caroline Romani, all of Du Quoin and by Zane Hardesty, of Waltonville. Also surviving are two sisters, Valerie and Chad Miller, of Sesser and Kendra Romani, of Sesser. Michael is also survived by several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his wife Shelly (Browning) Romani and two uncles.
Visitation will be after 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. A memorial service, with Father Dan Jurek officiating, will be held Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations should be given to Mike’s children educational fund and will be accepted at the Funeral Home
Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser IL, is in charge of arrangements.
For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Roger Alan Overton, 32, of Sesser, passed away March 16, 2014 at Franklin County Hospital Emergency Room in Benton.
Roger was born February 25, 1982 in Benton, the son of Thomas “Tom” Overton and Lanna (Bradley) Williams.
He was employed at Sesser Monument Company and was also a former member of the Sesser Fire Protection District.
Roger is survived by his life companion, Jill Hensley, of Sesser and four children, Kylie Overton, Kailyn Overton, Mara Hensley and Dakota Hensley.
He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Wayne Overton, of Centralia, Robin and Geo Ramsey, of Christopher, Tiffany Emery, of Sesser, Rhonda Overton, Carbondale, Tara Taylor, of Yorkville, IL and Patrick Overton, of Sesser. Roger is also survived by his father, Tom Overton, of Sesser and by his mother and stepfather, Lanna (Bradley) Williams and Robert Williams, of Sesser.
Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser. There will be no funeral service.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.
For more information visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
Sean Eugene Baker, 45, of Benton, passed away Sunday afternoon March 9, 2014 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Hospice of the Good Samaritan.
Donald Eugene Baker, 78, of Benton, passed away at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center.
Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Hospice of the Good Samaritan.
Donald” Kenny” Earnheart, 58, of Mulkeytown, passed away March 4, 2014 at St. Anthony Hospital in St. Louis.
He was born Jan. 17, 1956 in Christopher, the son of William Koonce and Ruby (Furlow) Koonce.
He married the love of his life, Laura (Mezo) Furlow on Nov. 18, 1976 and she survives. Kenny was a very loving and caring husband and father.
Kenny was a truck driver for Southern Illinois Motor Express for the past 14 years.
He is survived by a daughter, Chasity Earnheart and friend Martin Meir, of Mulkeytown. He is also survived by grandchildren Kenneth Charles Menard and Andrew Menard, of Mulkeytown.
Also surviving are brothers and sisters Debbie and Frank Green, of Du Quoin, Kevin Earnheart, of Du Quoin, Sherry and Bill Stroud, of Du Quoin, Billy Koonce, of Du Quoin, Nancy and Virgil Mathis, of Du Quoin, Brent Koonce, Indiana, Lisa and John Hill, of Willisville, Tara and Keith Pyron, of Du Quoin, Gary Earnheart, of Michigan. and Tracy Koonce of Du Quoin. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, granddaughter Kahlie Menard, grandparents and several in-laws.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on March 7, 2014 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery, Mulkeytown, IL.
Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
