On October 3rd, at 1030 am, Mike Johnson went to be with the Lord.

Mike was an avid motorcycle rider, hunter, fisherman, and boater. Mike served his country in the Army National Guard and worked as a farmer, coal miner, and electrician. Mike resided at Sunshine Gardens and was recently saved before peacefully leaving this world at 74 years old.

Mike is survived by his children Michael and Amber Johnson and family, Chris and Angie Johnson and family, mother Darlene Johnson, and brother Terry and Brenda Johnson and family. Mike is preceded by father Jack Johnson and Grandparents Hoyt and Ellen Smith.
Arrangements will be on October 16th from 10-12pm, at Morton Johnson Funeral Home, 410 South Main Street, Benton Illinois.

A graveside service, administered by Brother Ivan Ryan, will follow after at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

John Dennis “Denny” Sobeck, 71, passed away on a beautiful cloudless, warm and sunny Thursday morning – October 10, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO from complications related to end stage renal failure.

Born April 23, 1953 to John M. and Alberta (Cook) Sobeck in Christopher, IL in the Miner’s Hospital, and a class of 1971 graduate of Christopher High School, he married Rebecca Moyers on November 15, 1974 at Mulkeytown Christian Church and they have long resided in Coello. Younger brother of Larry Sobeck(Carol) and Sue E. Haley(Robert), father of Justin(Kim) and Tacy(Chris), and Pawpaw to Gram Avery and Jackson David. Denny is survived by those who were fortunate to have loved him, as well as everyone lucky enough to have known him. Parents Alberta and John preceded him in passing, 1999 and 2003 respectively.

He enjoyed a varied career path through the years, starting as a mechanic and tow truck driver at Janello Motors, followed by 23 years at Old Ben # 26 near Sesser. After the mine closed in 1997, he went back to Rend Lake College and SIUC to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences, graduating in 1999 and then working at Franklin-Williamson Human Services (Centerstone) as a Rehabilitation Case Manager, where he made an impact in the lives of the developmentally disabled population he cared deeply for until his retirement in 2015. Denny was also a second-generation 33rd degree Mason, and was one of the last members of the Christopher Lodge before it was consolidated.

After retirement, he purchased a Ford F350 and trailer and enjoyed hauling odd loads for others and remaining connections from Justin’s time in the rail industry – the most unique a pair of railcar wheels to Denver for Gram’s birthday one year. His Grandsons were the highlight of his post retirement time, and he had recently expressed his goal was to see them drive and graduate high school. Denny and Becky traveled to see the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band from 1988-2022, averaging a few shows each year across the Midwest on their various tours. Aside from trips to Colorado to visit Tacy, Chris and Gram, Denny and Becky also visited New Orleans and Savannah/Tybee Island, GA with Justin, Kim and Jackson.

Denny chose to be cremated and a Celebration of Life service with Masonic Rights will be held on November 23, 2024 from 1:30-6pm memorial with service at 2pm at the West Franklin Historical Society (Former Mulkeytown Grade School) in Mulkeytown Illinois. A scholarship fund for his grandsons will be established for any memorials, but a better way to remember him is through the simple request to enjoy life to the fullest each day, because “it is what it is”.

Mary Ann Wingo, 93, of Benton, passed away at 5:24 a.m., on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Hospice, the Lucy-Smith-King Care Center in Henderson, KY.

She was born on April 18, 1931, to Clyde and Marie (Larson) Smith in Benton, IL. Mary married Gene Wingo and he preceded her in death.

She was a member of the East Benton Baptist Church.

Mary loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She spent time working in her garden and enjoyed all the beautiful flowers.

Mary is survived by her loving sons, David Wingo and George (Cindy) Wingo; six grandchildren, Nicholas (Dana), Cody (Mikala), Tyler, Quenton (Ember Milby), Abigail and Eli (Mallory) and four great-grandchildren, Logan, Joel, Andie and Lylah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Marie Smith, her husband, Gene Wingo and her brother, Bill C. Smith.

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

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Mark Miller, officiating.

Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Lucille L. Pingsterhaus Cooper, of Benton, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4, 2024, in her home surrounded by her loving husband, children and grandchildren.

Lou was born on August 2, 1945, to William and Emma (Becker) Pingsterhaus, who preceded her in death alongside her brother, Gene Pingsterhaus and three infant brothers and sisters.

Lou was a graduate of Mater Dei Catholic High School, and raised on the family farm outside of Albers, IL. She married David Cooper on May 18, 1973, and started their family in Centralia, IL. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, David, her daughter, Alicia (Dennon) Davis and grandchildren, Lucas and Emma Davis of West Frankfort, IL; her son, Aaron (Brandi) Cooper and grandchildren, Maddie and Carson Cooper of Jackson, TN; her brother, Charlie (Florence) Pingsterhaus of Beckemeyer, IL; her sister, Julie (Tom) Langenhorst of Damiansville, IL and many loving nieces and nephews.

For 30 years, Lou was co-owner and office manager of Cooper’s Studio in Benton. Outside of spending time with family, she loved working outdoors with plants, collecting antiques and accessorizing her clothes, her house and the portrait studio. Beyond her creative skills and keen eye for decor, Lou was known for her exceptional care giving abilities, selflessly dedicating herself to her family and St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she assisted with numerous projects and committees over the years.

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

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 506 West Main Street, Benton, IL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benton, IL, with Father Urban Osuji, officiating.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or in the form of a Mass to St. Joseph Catholic Church, and will be accepted at Pate Funeral Home or at the service at the church.

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

Keith Finney, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Sunday September 29th, 2024, at 6:07pm surrounded by his family at his home in Macedonia.

He was born on March 13th, 1962, in California. Keith fought a long and courageous battle against a terrible disease and his passing has left an indelible void in the hearts of his family and friends.

Keith was a man of many talents and passions. As a professional truck driver and welder, he dedicated himself to his work with unwavering commitment and skill. His expertise extended beyond the confines of his career; Keith was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Keith was known for his strong work ethic and commitment to his craft. He shared a loving relationship with his wife, Beth Finney, was a proud father to his children and a proud grandpa. Keith’s warmth and humor were hallmarks of his personality; he was known for his light-heartedness and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. His ability to bring a smile to others, even in tough times, made a lasting impact on all who knew him.

He was surpassed in death by his parents Robert and Sherry Finney

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Beth Finney; children, Kasey Jennings (David), Tzena Colp (Jon), Lorenza Finney, Anthony Finney, and Travis Finney (Ashlee); grandchildren Jaxson, Alaysha, Odin, Kyra, Helena, Isla, Sylvia, and Paisley; cousin Sandy and brothers Kenny and Rob Finney.

In lieu of flowers we kindly ask for donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Friends of FCAC.

Celebration of Life visitation services will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

Susan Elaine Saxe of Thompsonville Illinois, born on October 9th 1948, died on September 28, 2024 after a long battle with cancer.

She is survived by husband Tom, three children, and six grandchildren: Matthew and Faith Saxe, Lauren, Emma, Luke, and Madelyn; Jonathan and Erin Saxe, Reilly and Reesa; and Elizabeth and Timothy VanOrden. Susan was preceded in death last year by her cousin Rebecca Whittington.

Susan was the only child of Leon and Marjorie Lewis of Benton, Illinois. She graduated as valedictorian from Benton Consolidated High School in 1967 and attended Illinois State University, where she majored in English. After graduating, Susan began working as a teacher and married Tom on June 5, 1971.

As a lifelong member of North Benton Baptist Church, Susan faithfully served the congregation as a skilled pianist, accompanying countless hymns and providing offertory music for decades.
After teaching at the high school, middle school, and elementary levels, including as a special education teacher, Susan spent many years as a 4th grade general education teacher. She completed a Masters degree in Education from Rockford University in 2002. She retired from teaching after 39 years in 2009.

Following a lifelong passion for reading which she passed on to her students, Susan worked part time at the Benton Public Library for much of her retirement, often being greeted with enthusiasm by former students bringing their children or grandchildren to the library.

Visitation for Susan Saxe will be held at North Benton Baptist Church, 623 Joplin St, Benton, IL 62812 on Saturday October 5, 2024 from 9am to 11:30am, followed immediately by the funeral service at 11:30am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Benton Public Library in Susan’s name. Information can be found at www.bentonlibrary.com/donate-to-the-library/
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com