Richard Ray “Dick” Hood, 90, of Ewing, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at the SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.
He was born in Herrin, IL on April 10, 1932, the son of Rev. James Albert & Nancy (Campbell) Hood.

He was married to Nancy (Lewis) Hood, and she passed away in 2002.

Mr. Hood had a long and distinguished career in the construction industry. He began his career as an Iron Worker, working on the Railroad Bridge over the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois. After several years he was drafted into the Army and because of his experience was assigned to the US Army Corp of Engineers Construction Battalion at Nancy France for eighteen months.

On returning home from the Army, he and his wife Nancy moved to Yorktown, Indiana where he was employed as a union Painter for several years.
He returned to Iron Working with Creviston Steel and enjoyed a long career with that firm.

Mr. Hood became an expert at installing, repairing and demolition of glass furnaces. He worked for the largest Glass Companies in the country including Ball Brothers Glass and Anchor Glass among others. Over the years he worked on Glass furnaces in forty eight different states. To support his glass furnace business, he and his associates established HAG Steel and KDR Enterprises to provide steel fabrication for his projects.

Dick retired after fifty years as a member of the Iron Workers Union. He was honored with a banquet and special pin for his safety record as a foreman without a fatal accident. A remarkable record for the Iron Worker business.

During his retirement he was a Partner with his son Jim Hood which is known as Hood Farms in Whittington, Illinois. He was an avid Pinocle player, he enjoyed his weekly Pinocle games with two different clubs. He never missed a game and cherished his many Pinocle friends. Dick was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, gardening and farming.

Mr. Hood was a 32nd Degree Mason and he was a Christian.

Mr. Hood is survived by his:
Daughter: Jennifer Jean Hood of Virginia
Son: Jim Hood of Whittington
Sister Gayle Herman of Wisconsin
Niece: Robin & Drago Kragulj of University Park, IL
Girlfriend: Katie Rowland of Christopher
Caregiver: Shelley Cockrum of West Frankfort
Brother-in-law: Judge Loren Lewis & wife Ruth of Benton
Sister-in-law: Jean Firebaugh of Bloomington, Indiana
Sister-in-law: Marilyn Dickey of Dayton, Ohio

Mr. Hood was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife, Granddaughter: Lacy Kay Hood, Siblings: Helen Wiemken, Ester Morris, Eugene Hood, Grace Nerlak, Elijah Hood, Vera Jean (Tommie) Hubber and Naomi Valli.

Funeral services and Masonic Rites will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 28th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts, and the Army National Guard Honor Squad will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

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

Nancy Jane Lampley, age 82, of Benton, passed away at 12:16 a.m., Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Nancy was born on September 26, 1940, in Benton, IL; the daughter of Robert Dale and Vienna (Childs) Cohoon. She married Archie Lampley on May 24, 1956, and he preceded her in death on November 26, 2011.

She was a retired sales clerk, last working with Dollar General of Benton. She also formerly worked with Ben Franklin of Christopher, and the Dolly Madison Bakery of Benton.

Mrs. Lampley was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are three children: Jane Henk and husband Kevin of Benton, IL, Sherry Hargis and husband John of Benton, IL, Archie Lampley and wife Robin of Orient, IL; grandchildren: Michael Henk and wife Vicki of Boling Green, KY, Stephanie Hargis of Paducah, KY, Adam Hargis and wife Destinee of Damiansville, IL, Jeremy Lampley of West Frankfort, IL, Mark Lampley of West Frankfort, IL, Krista Lampley of Orient, IL; great-grandchildren: Shelby and Brodie Henk, Joseph Oldani, Bristol Johnson, Archie Lampley; a grand-dog Porkchop Hargis; two brothers: Jeff Cohoon of Sparta, IL, Charles Burns of Joliet, IL; special friend Marife Galbraith; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sisters: Margaret Shadwell and Dorothy Roberts; four brothers: Joseph Cohoon, Tommy Dale, Pete Dale and Junior Dale.

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

Jean Evelyn Wiseman, age 78, of Benton, a former resident of Carrier Mills, passed away at 6:57 a.m. Friday, December 23, 2022, at the Benton Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Jean was born on July 13, 1944, in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Harvey Noel Phillips and Blanche Mary (Tate) Phillips. She married Robert Dennis Wiseman on November 6, 1965, and he preceded her in death on August 22, 2022.

Mrs. Wiseman was a retired beautician and accountant. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton.
Jean enjoyed sewing, shopping, her dogs; and in her younger years she enjoyed hiking and traveling.

Surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and thirteen siblings: Harvey Noel Phillips, Jr., Neva Lavern Phillips, Mary Idalene Rone, Elsie Lou Cockrum, Robert Carter Phillips, Julia Faye Hathcoat, Linda Sue Phillips, Nora Fern Huffine, Harvey Noel “Jay” Phillips, William James Phillips, Lola Mae Burchell, Harvey Carl Phillips, and Charles Lynn Phillips.

Mrs. Wiseman’s wishes were to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Family and friends may arrive any time after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Jean will be placed with her late husband Bob, at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
Cremation arrangements were through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franklin County Animal Shelter; and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Jean, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Frances Louise Furlow, 101, of Christopher, passed away on Saturday March 18, 2023 at Herrin Hospital.

She was born on November 22, 1921 in Valier, IL to Charley and Lillie (Pharris) Bennett. She married Earl Monroe Furlow on November 2, 1951 and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her granddaughter Chrissy (Dale) DeWeerdt; grandson Shane Brown; Great grandchildren Corey (Shyanne) DeWeerdt, Connor DeWeerdt and Caitlyn DeWeerdt; Great Great Granddaughter Kye DeWeerdt; stepchildren Earline Galloway, Bob Furlow, Pauline Scott and Wilma Maceri; three nephews Ray (Deborah) Bennett, Dean (Kathleen) Bennett and Lee Bennett and one niece Diane (Dave) Bennett Simpson .

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Marilyn Kondoudis and three brothers Ed Bennett, Charles Bennett and John Bennett.

She was a lifelong member of the Southside Baptist Church in Christopher and played the piano for years there, she was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the White Shrine for over fifty years. She loved to quilt, do word search puzzles, volunteering, baking and gardening.

Her wishes were to be cremated. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

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

Michael Scott Williams, age 30, of Herrin, Illinois, was pronounced deceased at 11:32 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Buckner, Illinois.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. A luncheon will follow at Twin Oaks of Benton.

Michael was born on September 11, 1992, in Carbondale, Illinois; the son of David Williams and Tammy (Graham) Williams.
He worked as a press operator with Aisin Manufacturing of Marion, Illinois.

Michael enjoyed woodworking, fishing, camping, hiking, and running. When he was younger, he enjoyed running and competing in cross country. Most of all he enjoyed life.
Surviving is his loving mother Tammy Williams of Herrin, Illinois; his father David Williams of Benton, Illinois; grandparents: Bill and Shirley Plunk of St. Augustine, Florida, Janice Williams of Johnston City, Illinois; two brothers: Anthony Darnell and wife Misty of Benton, Illinois, John Williams and wife Sarah of West Frankfort, Illinois; nephews: Aren, Jayce, Noah, Eli, and (Abel due to arrive in May); aunts and uncles: Vickie Nance and husband Roger of Edwardsville, Illinois, Tina Gray of Marion, Illinois, Bret Gray of Benton, Illinois, David Graham and wife Becky of Hobe Sound, Florida, Tina Lynn Greenwood of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Kathryn Lawrence and husband John of St. Augustine, Florida, Brian Plunk of Benton, Illinois, Thomas Plunk of Edwardsville, Illinois, Lori Williams of Thompsonville, Illinois, Michelle Williams of Johnston City, Illinois; numerous cousins and their families.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfathers Bill Feig and Norman Graham; paternal grandfather Ronnie Williams; and an uncle John Plunk.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franklin County Emergency Management Agency (Search and Rescue), 401 East Park Street, Benton, Illinois 62812; or Community Action Place Inc. (Homeless Coalition), 1400 North Wood Road, Suite 7, Murphysboro, IL 62966; or Lincoln’s Challenge School, 212 West Borman Drive, Rantoul, Illinois 61866; or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, Illinois 62959; or GIA Missing Persons Awareness Network NFP, P.O. Box 164, Grant Park, Illinois 60940; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Robert (Bobby) Edmond Mace Jr, 74 of Sesser, Illinois passed away on Friday March 17th 2023 at his home with his loving wife by his side.

He was born in West Frankfort, Illinois on April 7, 1948 to Robert E. Mace Sr and Gertrude (Swain) Fabris. He married the love of his life Bonnie (Bower) Mace on December 12th 2012 in Benton, Il. They shared 30 years together, and were married for 10 years.

Robert was a 1966 graduate of Sesser-Valier High School where he was a talented athlete especially in track and football. After graduation Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as a postal work. He was in the Vietnam War, and after being honorably discharged from the military he worked in the coal mines.

He loved watching horse races, dog races and playing cards. He loved listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival and classic country music. He loved watching soap operas and spending time with his best friend his wife and their dog Gizmo. He was an avid golfer and he loved playing horse shoes. He was a wonderful Papa and loving husband. He accepted the Lord as his savior as a young man. He will be missed here on earth but we know he is in Heaven with his loved ones.

Robert is survived by his wife Bonnie Mace; children, Randy (Ann) Carlton, of Malden, MO, Robert Carlton, Valier, IL, Karen (Bob) Sprague, Sesser, IL, Sara Pedigo, Sesser, IL, John (Michele) Gunn, Benton,IL, Bonnie Clark, Christopher, IL, Allie Cosma, Alliance, OH; grandchildren,Serena Abbott, RyAnn Clark, Railan Clark, Vivian Carlton, Adalyn Heiman, Mason Cosma, Maggie Cosma, Stephanie (Shane) Smith, Rachel Shurtz, Sarah Urban, Steven (Holly) Shurtz, Miriam (Ethan) Newman, Nicholas McCarty, David Pedigo and Alice Pedigo.

Robert is also survived by brothers, Mario Fabris, Valier, Bobby Fabris, Christopher; sisters, Marine (Kirby) Williams, of Valier, Tina (Larry) Tucker Christopher, Christy (Brian) Mann Valier. Also surviving are great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Johnnie Terry, Vallie Fabris, daughter Diana Gunn and great grandson Odin Hensley.

Funeral services will be on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 6 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 p.m. until the time of service at 6 p.m.. Burial will be held at a later date.

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

Michelle Lee (Heimgartner) Williams, 42, of Benton passed away on March 16, 2023 at her home.

Michelle was born in Mt. Vernon, IL on December 18, 1980, the daughter of Elaine Heimgartner and Gail Heimgartner.
She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton. She graduated from Benton High School Class of 1999 and from Rend Lake College LPN Program. Michelle loved her daughter, her family, her friends and the cats. She enjoyed quilting, fishing, being outside and helping others.

Michelle is survived by her:
Daughter: Autumn Williams of Murray, KY
Mother: Elaine Heimgartner of Benton, IL
Father: Gail Heimgartner of Kell, IL
Brother: Mark Heimgartner & wife Dee of Princeton, KY
Sister: Monica Heimgartner of Sesser, IL
Nieces:
Anna Belle Heimgartner of Princeton, KY
Sydney Heimgartner of Kell, IL

She is also survived by several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
She was preceded in death by her Grandparents John & Donna VanUytven and Robert & Lillian Heimgartner.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 21st at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made in Michelle’s memory to Finding Forever Animal Rescue & Thrift Store, 1117 East Main Street, Marion, IL 62959 or to St. Joseph Catholic Church
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Mr. James Raymond Yancik, age 86, of Benton; passed away at 2:05 p.m. Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana.

Memorial Mass Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 20, 2023, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton, with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Jim was born on June 17, 1936, in Litchfield, Illinois; the son of Joseph John Yancik and Anna Lorraine (Gubach) Yancik. He married the former Dorothy Ramseier on September 26, 1959, and she survives.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Illinois, where he also was in the ROTC. He also served in the Army reserves.

Jim worked and retired as a mining engineer.

He was a devout Catholic and was very involved in the many activities and services at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton.
Jim enjoyed vegetable gardening, fishing, and playing golf. He was a renown brew master, brewing his own beer. He also enjoyed woodworking, even constructing the beautiful walnut urn that he will be placed in. Most of all he enjoyed his grandchildren.

Surviving is his loving wife of 63 ½ years, Dorothy Yancik of Benton, Illinois; four children: Michele Lampley and husband William of Benton, Illinois, Kent Yancik and wife Darlene of Tempe, Arizona, Susan Falkner and husband Ron of Simsbury, Connecticut, Brad Yancik and wife Karla of Mulkeytown, Illinois; six grandchildren: James Lampley of Benton, Illinois, Mark Lampley of Marion, Illinois, Justin Yancik of Tempe, Arizona, Andrew Yancik of Tempe Arizona, Jack Falkner of New York City, New York, Jennifer Falkner of Washington DC; a sister Linda Erdely of South Bend, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Yancik was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson Ryan Yancik; and nine siblings.

The family prefers in lieu of flowers that Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance; and will be accepted at the services on Monday or may be mailed in care of Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, Illinois 62812.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mr. James Yancik; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Billie Joan Allen, 92, of DuQuoin, passed away on Tuesday March 14, 2023 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in DuQuoin.

She was born on March 26, 1930 in DuQuoin to Norf Bowlin and Peggy (Napier) Bowlin-Green. She is survived by her daughter Kandace (David) Porter of DuQuoin; grandchildren Greg (Leigh) Allen, Jonathon (Jeni) Allen, Kaylee (Hunter) Zeigler, Kacie (Mike) Gaffney, Drew (Natalie) Porter, Chase Porter and Alison (Steven) Brayfield; great grandchildren London, Talion, Blaine, Graham, George, Drake, Georgie, Stricker, Easton, Maverick, Tucker, Bowen and Caroline and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons Bobby Alllen and Dale Allen and two brothers Robert Bowlin and Jim Bowlin.

Funeral services will be on Monday March 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Joe Wagner officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

Billie was an avid giver to St Jude’s Children Hospital, so the family would like all donations in lieu of flowers be given to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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