Terry Eugene Blake, age 63, of Benton, passed away at 1:41 p.m. Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Per his wishes, he will be cremated with no public services.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the cremation arrangements.
Terry was born on September 24, 1959, in Baltimore, Maryland; the son of Eugene Blake and Sondra (Millan) Blake. He married the former Cathy Sue Hogshead on May 24, 1983, and she survives.

Terry was a veteran of the United States Navy, and he was a retired over the road truck driver.

He enjoyed fishing, watching sports, especially football and auto racing. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving is his loving wife of 40 years, Cathy Blake of Benton, Illinois; four daughters: Veronica Gunter and husband Josh of West Frankfort, Illinois, Valerie Keller and husband Tyson of Benton, Illinois, Audrey Daniecki and husband Jonas of Miles City, Montana, Neone Brazil and husband Brian of Minot, North Dakota; nine grandchildren: Theodore, Ophelia, Bo, Tate, Garit, Brett, Brice, Cassi and Gaven; three great-grandchildren: Baylynn, Sophia and Lane; a sister Donna Fike and husband Richard of Fairmont, West Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Lisa Phillips; and a nephew Joshua Fike.
Memorial contributions, in memory of Terry, may be made to the Franklin County Animal Shelter, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, Illinois 62812.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Terry, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Donald Ray Britton, supported and surrounded by his loving family, passed away in Evansville, Indiana, on September 2, 2023.

Don was born on August 8, 1943, to Carl and Freeda Britton in Evansville, Indiana. He married his beloved, Janice Chastain, on February 10, 1968.

Don grew up in Effingham, Illinois, and graduated from Effingham High School in 1961. He then attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, where he graduated with a degree in Finance in 1965. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in September and completed Officer Training School in December of that same year. After further intense training, he was deployed to Thailand in 1968, where he flew 207 combat missions. He attained the rank of Captain and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and thirteen Air Medals.

Don and Janice were married three months before his deployment to Thailand. After he returned, he was reassigned to Otis Air Force Base, where their son, Eric, was born. In 1971, Don and his family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he began a long and illustrious career as a mortgage banker. Throughout their married life they lived in numerous locations, settling in Newburgh, Indiana after his retirement in 2000 as the President and CEO of Old Kent Mortgage Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Don was a kind and generous man—a magnanimous individual, a doer of good deeds, especially admirable as he was unaware his deeds were so good. He was ever devoted to his wife, his son, his daughter-in-law, and three adored and adoring grandchildren, as well as to his younger sister and brother and their families, extended family, and friends.

Don was a storyteller. His stories flowed forth as an ongoing stream. Some were humorous, many sad, all poignant. These stories, and the reflection of Don in his stories, will be imprinted in the hearts and minds of his loved ones forever, and so they will live on. Both his actions and his narratives will filter down through generations—a gift to all who knew him, and even to those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing him. Despite his many accomplishments, he was a modest and humble man, traits that drew others to him. He was, simply put, accepting. His legacy is long and honorable, and the influence he leaves on the lives of his loved ones and admirers is immeasurable.

Don is survived by Janice, his wife of fifty-five years, their son Eric and daughter-in-law Brenda Moreno-Britton, and his three grandchildren— Eric Tomas, William, and Victoria. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Britton Bilderback and her husband, Ed Bilderback as well as his brother, Thomas Britton and his wife, Molly Edwards-Britton. He leaves behind loving cousins, nephews, nieces, in-laws and countless friends and acquaintances.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, September 16th at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois, and a graveside service with military honors conducted by Benton American Legion Post #280, VFW Post #2671 and the Air Force Honors Team will follow at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, also in Benton. Please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com for more information or to send online condolences.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Carl O. and Freeda M. Britton Scholarship Fund, established to assist young people from Effingham and Franklin counties. To donate, please contact Donor Relations, Southern Illinois University Foundation, Colyer Hall, 1235 Douglas Drive, Carbondale, Illinois, 62901.

Wayne Bates, 70, of Benton, passed away at 8:17 a.m., on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at his home in Benton surrounded by his family.

He was born on May 7, 1953, to Herbert and Floya (Smith) Bates in Calhoun, Kentucky. Wayne retired as a Warehouse Manager for Knight Hawk Coal Mine, after working in the Coal Mining business for 50 years. On September 24, 1977, he married the former Carol Ruzich, and she survives.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Wayne enjoyed golfing and sharing stories with his friends.

Wayne is survived by his loving spouse, Carol Bates; his daughter, Kylie Bates of Benton; two grandchildren, Dymin Williams and Aliya Barkley; two sisters, Nelda Martin of Newburg, IN and Brenda Markwell of Bremen, KY; and special friends, Scott and Jean Ann Turner and Paula and Eric Funk.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Floya Bates; one son, Kye Wayne Bates; one sister, Joyce Nichols; and one brother, Troyce Bates.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Joe Daniels, officiating.
Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will accepted at the funeral home.

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

Jesse Earl Wiley, 79, of Waterloo, IL, passed away on September 2, 2023 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

He was born on August 5, 1944 in Cobden, IL to Clarence and Dorothy (Toller) Wiley. He married Ada (Johnson) Wiley on May 5, 1968.

He is survived by his wife Ada Wiley of Waterloo; children Jeffrey (Dawn) Wiley of Fredericksburg, VA, Michael Wiley of Waterloo and James (Brianna) Wiley of Valmeyer, IL; grandchildren Shane Wiley, Heather Wiley, Mikey Wiley, Hannah Wiley, Jessie Wiley and Ashton Wiley; great grandchildren Nevaeh and Mallory; one niece Brenda Sue Walta and one nephew Carl (Carol) Wiley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Larry Wiley, one niece Linda Kay Morris and one nephew Robert Wiley.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday September 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday September 12, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Monroe County Rescue and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Mr. Earnest Eugene Heinrich, age 78, of Benton, Illinois passed away at 5:38 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 8, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Donnie Coulson officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Masonic Rites will be observed at 12:30 p.m. Friday, at the funeral home.

Mr. Heinrich was born on November 16, 1944, in West Frankfort, Illinois, the son of William August Heinrich and Clara (Shelton) Heinrich. He married the former Sharon Kay “Coke” Smith on March 17, 1968, and she preceded him in death on October 8, 2019.

Earnest was an Independent Insurance Agent for 60 years. He was a 43-year member of Frankfort Lodge #567 A.F. & A.M. of West Frankfort, Illinois., and he was a Christian.

He enjoyed going on walks, being outdoors, attending horse races, going to car auctions, staying busy, and spending time with his family.

Surviving is his loving family: Darren Heinrich and wife Jessi of New Cumberland, West Virginia, Eric Smith of Benton, Illinois, Haley Heinrich of Florida, Nathan Heinrich and wife April of Riverview, Florida; grandchildren: Anthony Heinrich and wife Cailah of Benton, Illinois, J’Dah Koger and husband Cyrus of Nokomis, Illinois, Dylan Heinrich and Mallory Heinrich of New Cumberland, West Virginia, Kaitlyn Flores and Johnathan Payan of Benton, Illinois; a great-granddaughter Halle Kate Heinrich. Also surviving are in-laws: Jim Smith and wife Virginia, Gene Smith, Gary Smith, Geneva Smith, Lenita Adams, Jeannette Tasky all of Benton, Illinois, Judy Ward of Du Quoin, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Earnest Heinrich, to Frankfort Masonic Lodge #567, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.

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

Donna Sue Cockrum, 55, of Tamaroa, passed away on August 23, 2023 as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

She was born on November 27, 1967 in DuQuoin, IL to Jim Gray and Joyce (Bobbish) Poole. She married Robert Cockrum and he survives of Sesser. She is survived by her daughter Jami Melvin of Sesser; grandchildren Aiden Rice, Adrian Melvin, John O. Melvin IV and Avery Melvin and two brothers Mike Feldscher of Thebes and Jimmy Bougenoy of Tamaroa. She was preceded in death by her son John Olen Melvin III.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday August 29, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Chris Hottensen officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Old DuQuoin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser to help with funeral expenses.

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

Helen Ruth Sink age 96 of Ewing, IL went home to be with the Lord on August 22, 2023 at her daughter’s home in Ewing, IL.

Ruth was born November 26, 1926 in Belle Rive, IL. She was the daughter of Earl and Wilma Gifford. She married Dwight E. Sink on March 31, 1945 in Mt. Vernon, IL. He preceded her in death August 7, 2002.

Surviving are her children Duane (Anne) Sink of Belle Rive, IL, Phyllis (Ron) Gibbs of Ewing, IL and Randy M. Sink of Mt. Vernon, IL, grandchildren Matthew (Christa) Sink, Andrew (Doty) Sink, Mark Sink, Tammy (Chris) Head, Ronda (John) Suver, Eric (Robin) Gibbs, great-grandchildren Gianna, Heston, Eli, Abby and Jacob Sink, Justin (Kelsey) Head, Dakota (Kenise) Head, Caleb (Alysha) Suver, Gavin (Michaela) Suver, Alaina (John) Lamp, Audrey and Ashlyn Gibbs, great great grandchildren Maverick, Bodhi and Karsyn Head, Whitley, Willa, Brooks, Norah and Janie Suver and sister-in-law Alvera Icenhour.

Ruth was a housewife all of her life, an avid quilter and she loved her family more than life itself. She was a member of Frisco Missionary Baptist Church and attended First General Baptist Church of McLeansboro in her later years.

Receiving of friends will be held at First General Baptist Church, McLeansboro from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday August 26, 2023 with Celebration of Life to follow at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rescue Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund and McLeansboro General Baptist Church Building Fund and will be accepted at the Celebration of Life.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Hadley Rae June Sheeks was born peacefully sleeping on Wednesday, August 16th 2023, at 11pm. She was born weighing all of 4lbs 8oz, and 17 inches long at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Hadley was the daughter of Dylan and Ashley Sheeks of Benton, IL.

She is survived by her three brothers Deacon, Daxton, and Alexander Sheeks all of Benton, IL.

Her maternal grandparents are Dustin and Vicki Furlong of Ewing, IL. Along with maternal great-grandparents Floyd and Debbie Jackson, also of Ewing, IL.

Her paternal grandparents are Danny Sheeks of Greenwood, IN and Amy Haler of Martinsville, IN. Along with paternal great-grandparents Ron and Ann Haler of Morgantown, IN.

She is also survived by many amazing aunts, uncles, cousins, and dance families who all loved her deeply already.

Hadley Rae June is proceeded in death by her Great – Great Grandmother Doris June Loman.

Though Hadley’s life was short, she will continue to touch this world in big ways. She got to live the perfect life, knowing only ever of love and comfort. Please continue to pray and support this family during these times.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL. 62812

Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com