Joseph Rice Pedigo age 45, passed away at 3:37 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, Missouri. Tina Marie Pedigo age 44, passed away at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2023, also at Barnes-Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, Missouri.

Tina had been hospitalized and was being kept alive on life support. Joseph was at her bedside when he passed away. Their love for each other was so strong that Joseph knew he could not live without Tina, and he died of a broken heart.
Joseph and Tina will be cremated.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.
A Celebration of Life Service was held for family and close friends last weekend in Eldorado.
Joseph was born on June 2, 1977, in Benton, Illinois; the son of Anthony Chris Pedigo and Laverne Lomay (Holmes) Pedigo Williams. He married Tina Marie Briley on March 27, 2008.

Tina was born on October 22, 1978, in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of David William Briley and Janet (Milligan) Briley Pearce. She married Joseph Rice Pedigo on March 27, 2008, and he preceded her in death by 13 hours and 8 minutes on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Joe was a self-employed mechanic. He formerly worked in construction and with Biebel Roofing. Joe formerly attended Faith Baptist Church and Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church, both of Benton.

Tina was a Certified Nurses Aide, having worked at Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab of Benton. She also formerly worked at Ina McDonalds and Benton Kentucky Fried Chicken. She formerly attended First Baptist Church of Benton.
Joe and Tina enjoyed canoeing, camping, fishing, hunting, and working on vehicles. Joe also enjoyed riding dirt-bikes and all-terrain vehicles. The family said Tina considered everyone she knew as her family.

Joe and Tina are survived by two children: Ariana Curwick and husband Jonathan of Benton, Illinois, Benjimin Lee Briley of Benton, Illinois; a grandson Lucas Ray Curwick.

Other survivors include Tina’s mother Janet Pearce of Benton, Illinois; Joe’s step-father James Williams of Mooresville, North Carolina; Tina’s siblings: Sasha Marie Briley of Tennessee, Raven Fager and husband Luke of Vergennes, Illinois, Sandra Edwards of Tennessee, David Briley of Ewing, Illinois, Chris Briley of Illinois; Joe’s half-sister Sheilea McVey of Royalton, Illinois; Joe’s brother Christopher M. Pedigo and fiancée’ Rebacca of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Joe’s nephews: Vincent Hasenjaeger, Daniel Michael Pedigo, Eric Dalton Pedigo, Conner Liam Pedigo; Joe’s niece Christine N. McVey; Tina also has several nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; paternal grandparents: Rice and Flossie Pedigo; maternal grandparents Melvin M. Holmes, I and Thelma Jean Holmes; and a brother-in-law Richard McVey.

Tina was preceded in death by her husband Joe; her father David Briley; a sister Brandy Rochelle Briley; paternal grandparents Denzel and Kathryn Briley.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Joseph and Tina Pedigo to assist with the cremation expenses, 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 Joe and Tina, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

James “Jim” Spencer, 87, of Whittington, passed away Monday, April 3, 2023 at home. He was born to Otto and Eulah Spencer on April 11, 1935 in Whittington.

He was married to Joyce (House) and she preceded him in death in 2013. They were married 60 years. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Bob Spencer, and eight sisters: Pauline Weiland, Estaleda Jones, Ruby Shumake, Bonnie Gentry, Betty Graviett, Wanda Hamilton, Francis White, and Edna Marie Spencer.

Jim is survived by one brother, Frank Spencer, three daughters Brenda (David) Garvin, Carla (Bennie) Allsopp and Penny (Dale) Brookins, all of Whittington. He has five grandchildren, Adam (Shelly) Allsopp, Ryan (Dawn) Garvin, Matthew (Brianne) Allsopp, Mallory (Alex) Gibbs, Chelsea (Lucas) Webb; ten great-grandchildren, Presley, Holden, and Keira Allsopp, Kinlee and Tyson Garvin, Cali and Keaton Gibbs, and Vada, Deacon, and Vera Webb.

He was the Ewing-Ina Water Department Superintendent for 33 years and former owner of North Main Motors in Benton. He had an excavating business for several years and was a talented woodworker.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 6th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Judy Darlene Chaffin, age 74, of Benton, passed away at 8:21 a.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023, at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Pastor Paul Reynolds officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Burial will be at a future date at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.

Judy was born on November 5, 1948, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois; the daughter of Don Atkins and Mary Lou (Shane) Atkins. She married John Ernest Chaffin on May 13, 1978. Together they shared 45 years of marriage.
Judy graduated from Benton High School Class of 1966.

She was a retired RN, having worked at the Herrin and Franklin Hospitals in the Emergency Room.
Judy was a member of the West City Baptist Church.

Judy enjoyed fishing, traveling, family cookouts and gatherings, and she enjoyed watching the soap opera, Days of Our Lives.
Surviving is her husband of 45 years, John Chaffin of Benton, Illinois; a step-son Matthew Chaffin and wife Lola of Benton, Illinois; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; in-laws including: Harry Chaffin and wife Tiffany of Benton, Illinois, Jeff Chaffin and wife Laura of Stonefort, Illinois, Wanda Chaffin and wife Denise of Benton, Illinois, Elizabeth Willis and husband Jeff of Rogers, Arkansas, Rose Akin and husband Virgil of Akin, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents, father and mother-in-law: Ernest and Letha Chaffin; two sons: Danny Chaffin and Richard Marshall Chaffin; a step-son Jason Chaffin; and a sister-in-law Cathy Hawkins.

Memorial contributions in memory of Judy, may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Judy, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Louis Frank (Epplin) Edwards, 92, of Christopher, passed away on Friday March 10, 2023.

He was born on January 2, 1931 in Pinckneyville to Louis and Elizabeth (Miller) Epplin.

Louis honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He was a mechanic for Ozark Airline and TWA until his retirement.

He was of the Catholic Faith and he loved to attend auctions.

He is survived by one sister Georgirene (Frank) Brazinski of Coulterville, IL; sister-in-law Shirley Epplin of Marissa, IL; nieces Victoria Voytas, Jeanne Wacker, Mary Ann Winkeler, Elaine Michlitsch, Karla Osman, Janice Manolis, Donna Stewart, Cynthea Markel and Elizabeth Gerbach; nephews Frank Brazinski, Mark Brazinski, James Brazinski, John Brazinski, Thomas Hoff and David Epplin and numerous great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Angela (Kuehn) Epplin, siblings Aloysius (Verna) Epplin, Genevieve Epplin, Cecelia (August) Voytas, Richard J. Epplin, Rita (John) Hoff, Elizabeth Jane Epplin, and James T. (Julia) Epplin and three nephews Bernall (Stephanie) Voytas, David Allen and Daniel Wayne Epplin.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Christopher American Legion. Envelopes will be available at the church.

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

Thomas “Tom” Henley, 75, of Thompsonville, passed away on March 28, 2023 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis.

He was born on September 23, 1947 in Benton, IL to Ray and Margaret (Russell) Henley. He married Connie (Boling) Henley on April 15, 1994.

He is survived by his wife Connie Henley of Thompsonville; children Kelly (David) Rumley of Bloomington, Nicole McGuire and fiancé Cliff Beatty of Benton and Seth (Crystal) Headrick of West Frankfort; grandchildren John (Cal) Rumley, Parker McGuire, Taylor McGuire, Ella Hardrick and Jordan Hubbard; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Bobby and Ruth Boling; sister Sandy Munday of Sesser and two nieces Tara Diebling and Makala Munday.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson Rowan Rumley, and one sister Peggy Henley and two brothers Millard Valerius and John Henley and one brother-in-law Kenny Munday.

Tom was a member of the Akin Masonic Lodge, he also loved all kinds of racing drag racing, horse racing, nascar, loved to go to car shows and was a member of the Road Rebels. He was an avid fan of the St Louis Cardinal’s and the Kansas City Chiefs and the Alabama Crimson Tide. He loved animals especially dogs.

Funeral services will be on Monday April 3, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Visitation will be on Monday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.

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

Carolyn Carter, 76, of Benton passed away Wednesday evening, March 29, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Carter was born in Buckner, IL on October 4, 1946, the daughter of A. C. & Anna Mae (Harris) Bettress.

Carolyn was a caregiver, not only for her family but for so many people over the years. Her family described her as the strongest woman and the hardest working individual they ever knew. She dearly loved her family.

Mrs. Carter is survived by her:
Daughter: Becky Carney of Benton
Son: Shawn James of Benton
Companion of 17 years: Charles “Charlie Boy” Spain of Benton
She is also survived by several Nieces & Nephews.
Her cat: Fancy Pants

She was preceded in death by her Parents, 3 Brothers-Marvin Long, Lonnie Bettress & Bill Bettress and 3 Sisters-Darlene Pierson, Rose Mary Roberts & JoAnn Beaver.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 2nd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com