Lloyd Gene Hill, 97, of Benton, Il., passed peacefully to his forever home, April 27, 2023, at Franklin Hospital.

Gene was born in Marion, Il. in 1925, to Gilbert and Amy (Hunter) Hill. He married the love of his life, Virgie McDuffie, in 1944.
In 1951 he moved his wife and daughter to Benton and managed Bracy’s Food Store on the Square for several years, adding a son to his family in 1956. He later joined the Benton Police Force. After his retirement from there, he bought a grocery store, H & S Market on the corner of McLeansboro St and East Main and served the community for a number of years. In the 1980’s, still not ready to stay retired from serving his community, he became the Mayor of Benton, serving one term.

He loved to fish, and was a coin collector, but other than those hobbies, his family was the most important to him. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and always showed his love in every way possible.

Surviving is his daughter, Sherry Franklin, of Benton. Son, Dana (Gayla), of Christopher, Il. Grandson Troy Franklin of Villa Grove, Il. and Granddaughter, Tracee Franklin of Georgetown, Texas. Great Grandsons Michael, Peyton, and Jayse Franklin. Grandson Andy Hill, Granddaughters Amanda, and Cassie Hill of Tennessee…and many nieces and nephews.

Those who proceeded Gene to their forever Home were his parents, his brothers, Gib, James, Lonnie, Bill and his sister, Amy. His wife, Virgie, recently proceeded him in Aug. of 2021. They celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary just a month before her passing.
As per his wishes, he will be cremated, and his family will have a private ceremony at a time to be determined.
Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

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

Pete Golio, age 99, of West Frankfort passed away at 2:36 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, at Helia Health Care of Benton.

He was born to James and Mary (Nicci) Golio on March 9, 1924, in West Frankfort.

He attended school in West Frankfort and was a Class of 1942 graduate of Frankfort Community High School.

In September 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater during WWII on board the. After his period of faithful service, he was honorably discharged in May of 1946 with the rank of Machinist Mate 1st Class.

Pete was united in marriage to Ruth Edison on March 26, 1948 and together they shared over 51 years of marriage until her death on August 1, 1999.
He worked at Old Ben Coal Company for 42 years until his retirement. He was an active member of the United Mine Workers of America and served several years as a director on the UMWA Hospital Board of West Frankfort.

He was a member for many years of the First Baptist Church and later the First Christian Church of West Frankfort.

Pete was a natural storyteller with an abiding and sometimes mischievous sense of humor. He will be fondly remembered by friends and family.

He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Peter Golio and Diane Papazian of Los Angeles, CA, Michael and Janet Golio of Mesa, AZ, and Richard and Kathy Golio of Richardson, TX, and two grandchildren, Bethany Golio of Duncanville, TX and Angela Golio of Addison, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Robert Matthew Golio; two grandsons, David Mark Golio and James Francis Golio; sister, Emma Campbell and two brothers, Mike Golio and Matt Golio.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stone Funeral Home, 1201 East Poplar Street, West Frankfort, IL.
The visitation will be from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm on Sunday, April 16th at the funeral home.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Interment will follow next to his wife in Denning Cemetery of West Frankfort, IL.

Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by members of American Legion Post No. 1961 of Orient, IL and American Legion Post No. 177 of Zeigler, IL and members of the United States Navy Funeral Honors Detail.
To leave an online condolence of memory please visit our website at www.stonefh.com or for additional information call the funeral home at 618-932-2161.

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