William Robert “Bill” Cockrum, Jr., 59, of Knoxville, TN; passed away January 1, 2023, at his home.

Bill was born on March 31, 1963, in Benton, the son of William Robert Cockrum, Sr. and Judith Rae (Moore) Cockrum.

He was an HVAC Technician in the Knoxville, Tennessee region. He was a member of Benton Masonic Lodge #64 A.F. and A.M. (now known as Rend Lake Lodge #64); Ansar Shriners of Springfield, Illinois where he was part of their bagpipe and drums.

Bill enjoyed working; but in his spare time, he liked to hunt, fish, and enjoyed dirt track sprint car races.

He is survived by his father William Robert “Bob” Cockrum, Sr. of Benton, Illinois; close friends: Dan Aiken of Wood Dale, Illinois, Chris Bowers of Knoxville, Tennessee; three aunts: Linda Davis and husband Gary, Betty Vick and Kathy King all of Benton, Illinois; two uncles: Curtis Cockrum and wife Rhonda of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Kenneth Cockrum and wife Amy of Benton; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother; his maternal grandparents Dale and Lois Moore, and paternal grandparents Robert and Mary Cockrum.

His wishes are to be cremated with no services.

Arrangements are with Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

George Simpkins, age 72, of Benton; passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, IL.

George’s wishes are to be cremated. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.

Mr. Simpkins was born on December 12, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois; the son of George Simpkins and Mary Beth (McCarthy) Simpkins. He married the former Janice Marie Rogers on November 28, 1985; and she survives.

He was a retired truck driver with USF Holland Trucking. He was a Christian.

George enjoyed truck driving, telling jokes, making people laugh and leaving them feeling happy. He enjoyed a Diet Coke and a cigarette; but most of all he enjoyed spending time with family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Janice Simpkins of Benton; a daughter Cristy of Chicago; three step-children: Richard David Roche of Wisconsin, Joseph Roche of Crown Point, Indiana, Michelle Rogers of Mishawaka, Indiana; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with another due in 2023; special nieces: Kathy, Lisa and Candice; special nephews: Hershel, Michael and Alan; and his dog Shadow.

Mr. Simpkins was preceded in death by his parents; a step-daughter Norine Roche; his father-in-law Dave Rogers; and a brother-in-law Bobby Rogers.

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

Margie Jean Sipp (Zook), 85, of Benton, passed away at 9:37 p.m., on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Good Samaritan Hospital.

She was born on September 26, 1937, to Jake and Eddie B (Hayden) Sipp in East Prairie, MO.

She was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church. Margie was a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, sewing, crocheting, knitting and watching western movies.

Margie is survived by her children, Karen Zook of Benton, IL, Tammy (Mike) McCollum of Benton, IL and Pamela Zook of Benton, IL; son-in-law, David McClerren; sister, Jackie (Mark) Wamble of Bertrand, MO; brothers, Bobby (Brenda) Sipp of Imperial, MO, Eddie (Pauline) Sipp of Bertrand, MO and Ricky (Debbie) Sipp of Bertrand, MO; grandchildren, Kyle (Sarah) McCollum, Travis (Marcie) McCollum, Eric (Kailee) McCollum, Jennifer McClerren, Byron McClerren and Shawn Zook and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Eddie B Sipp; a son, Kevin Zook; and brother, Bruce Sipp of Bonne Terre, MO.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Brother Joe Zbinden, officiating.

Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Brady Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Jenifer Jane Sneddon Benns was born on March 27, 1947 in Du Quoin, IL. She went to spend eternity with her Savior on January 1, 2023 in Benton, IL. She grew up in Christopher, IL where she graduated High school and then completed two years at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, IL. She married the love of her life, Lyman (Butch) L. Benns, Jr., on June 8, 1969.

Her first job was at the Sewing Factory in Benton, IL where she worked to save money to buy her first car a 1965 GTO. She worked several jobs throughout the years and had her realtor’s license. However, owning and operating Printer’s Inc. was her greatest occupational achievement. She successfully ran her business for 16 years. Helping other businesses succeed was her passion.

She was a charter member of Christ’s View Christian Church in Christopher, IL. Over the many years that she served there, she enjoyed teaching Vacation Bible School, attending Bible Studies and working the computer system for the Church.

She had many interests that kept her busy. Some of them were genealogy, Swedish Weaving, painting, reading and wood burning art. She was very creative, quick witted and was a walking dictionary. One of her favorite games to play was Boggle. But her biggest passion was her Lord and her family. She enjoyed playing games, having tea parties and watching movies with her grandchildren. She loved that she could “swap clothes” with her granddaughters.

She was an extremely giving person. She was always ready to use her skills to help others. She often did genealogy projects for others, took food to the sick and was there to lend a listening ear. While wintering in Texas, she would do volunteer work for the Church, for people less fortunate than her and was always willing to give everything she had.

Even though she did all these things, her best time was with the love of her life, Lyman Benns, Jr. They enjoyed taking trips, ballroom dancing, going for rides in the convertible, spending time with friends and family and just being together. Their love was truly one of a kind.

She was preceded in death by her Mother, Uneeda Sneddon Lewis; Father, Josiah Sneddon; Step-father, David Lewis; Mother-in-law, Margaret Smith Benns; Father-in-law, Lyman L. Benns, Sr.; Brother James Sneddon; Brother, George Lewis; Sister-in-law, Nellie Lewis, Sister-in-law, Mikkell Geanne Sneddon and Brother-in-law Steve Benns. Her surviving family includes Husband, Lyman L. Benns, Jr.; Children, Julie Benns (Michael) Greisz and Eric (Lora) Benns; Grandchildren, Caleb Garascia (Kayela Thomas), Logan Gayer, Ashlei Kraemer (Andrew), Anna Greisz, Thomas Greisz, Vanessa Greisz, Skyler Greisz, Isaac Benns, Madison Benns and Gabriella Benns. She has one Great-grandchild Evan Garascia who she called “her littlest love.” Her Brother-in-law James Benns (Beth), Dennis Benns (Valerie), Mike Benns and Sister-in-law Mary Anne Benns Kline Her nieces and Nephews include Amy Sneddon, Andrew Sneddon, Angie Wray, Adam Benns (Deeann), Deni Lynn Stallons (Paul), Lacey Owens (Justin), Jamie Hargraves (Robert), Shauna Martinez (Mario), Jeremy Benns, Nikita Coleman (Tae), Marsha Schuster (Ken), Angela Austin (Mark) many great nieces and nephews and cousin David Garvin (Brenda).

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, January 6th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Ron Henwood & Jim Graddy officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ’s View Christian Church in Christopher, IL.

Joe P. Binando, 92, of Mulkeytown, IL passed away on Sunday December 25, 2022 at his home.

He was born on March 3, 1930 to Joe and Lena (Bosco) Binando Sr. He married Irene (Cherry) Binando and she preceded in death. He then married Maxine (Hunt) Towers Binando.

He is survived by his wife Maxine Towers Binando of Mulkeytown, his children Debbi (Paul) Sahanek of Converse, TX, Tim Binando of Mulkeytown, Sheila (Rex) English of Christopher, Eric (Lynn) Towers of Anderson Island, WA and Richard (Jeanette) Towers of Christopher; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Irene Binando and two sisters Mayme Benson and Mary Borello.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was a proud member of the Christopher American Legion.

His wishes were to be cremated. There will be a graveside service at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

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

Robert E. (“Robb”) Bingham went home to Jesus on December 23, 2022, at age 57, six weeks after a tragic motorcycle accident.

Robb was born to Eural and Jo Nell Bingham on May 11, 1965, in East Chicago, Indiana. He spent most of his childhood years in Southern Illinois, where he attended elementary school in Ewing and high school in Benton. There he was involved in basketball, cross country, forensics, and drama (both at Benton High and as part of the community theater group Pyramid Players). He attended Florida College and the University of South Florida, remaining active in campus and community theater productions.

Robert married his former wife, Dawn (Jenney) Bingham, in 1996; they have three children: Zachary, Joshua, and Ashleigh. In the early days of the marriage, Robb and Dawn traveled and did musical theater together, living in an RV, until the children arrived. They then settled in Nashville, Tennessee, for seven years. There, he and Dawn were involved in a local church in nearby Dickson, where Robb and Dawn served as the children’s pastors. After that they lived in Minnesota for seven years, where they were involved together in the City Hill Church in Eden Prairie, serving in leadership training and supporting the life groups and the life group leaders. Finally, the family moved to the North Georgia area, an hour south of the mountains, to be closer to Dawn’s mother and family.

A dedicated and loving father, Robb also served his church community, remained involved in theater, did extra work in TV shows, and even tried a bit of stand-up comedy. Throughout his life, Robb held an unwavering faith in God, which he shared with those around him.

While living in Nashville, Robb was on a retreat when he felt the Lord was leading him to start his own business. That is where Converging Solutions was born, in an old smokehouse on the family’s mini farm. An exceptional communicator himself, Robb built his business around offering other businesses customized training programs.

Robert joins his mother, Jo Nell Bingham, in Heaven. He is survived by Dawn Bingham, Zachary Bingham, Joshua Bingham, Ashleigh Bingham (all of the greater Atlanta area), as well as his father W. Eural Bingham (of Painted Post, NY), sisters Rebecca Bingham (of Anchorage, AK) and Nancy (Randy) Tumlinson (of Houston, TX), brothers Mark (Melanie) Bingham (of Painted Post, NY) and Jon (Bethany) Bingham (of Louisville, KY), and many relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. main St., Benton, IL.

The public is invited to a graveside service at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner, Illinois, at two o’clock the afternoon of Wednesday, December 28. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Georgia Christian Business Network (https://gcbnetwork.com), an organization in which Robb was involved and to which he contributed generously. Give by PayPal to info@gcbnetwork.com. For more information, contact Elizabeth Copeland, Executive Director, at (770) 374-5085.

Robb’s favorite Bible passage was Romans 8:28–
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (ESV)

Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.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 twelve siblings: Neva Phillips, Mary Rone, Elsie Cockrum, Robert Carter Phillips, Julia Hathcoat, Harvey Noel Phillips, Jr., Linda Sue Phillips, Nora Huffine, Noel Harvey Phillips, William James Phillips, Lola Mae Burchell, and Charles Lynn Phillips.

Mrs. Wiseman’s wishes are to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held next spring, when all of the family can come together to honor Aunt Jean, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

She will be placed with her late husband Bob at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
Cremation arrangements are 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

Jenna Lea Arnold, 38, of Benton went to her heavenly home Monday morning, Dec. 19, 2022 at 12:46 a.m.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. on Monday until the funeral hour at the funeral home.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the family at the funeral home.

Jenna was born on August 20, 1984, in Benton, the daughter of Bob and Tammy (Wilkerson) Adams.

Jenna married her best friend and soulmate Josh Arnold on Sept. 4, 2021. They could always be seen together, hand in hand.

Jenna has worked at VMC Chinese parts for the last six years.

Jenna enjoyed spending time at her new home with her family. The love for her kids was a love like most kids can only dream of. She especially loved being a “Ninni” to her grandson Paxton. Jenna looked forward to spending time on the Arnold farm hunting, fishing, and loving the outdoors.

Jenna could always be seen with her beautiful smile lighting up any room she entered. Her laugh was contagious and could be heard often as she loved to have fun, laugh, and play jokes.

Jenna is survived by her husband Josh Arnold of Benton; daughter, Jaycee Cesar of Benton; son, Justyce Cesar of Benton; bonus daughters Kennedi Arnold of Alma, Libby Scott and husband Isaac and grandson Paxton of Centralia; father, Bob Adams of Benton; grandmother, Joanne Wilkerson of Benton; mother in law, Bobbi Swift and husband Russell of Alma; father in law, David Arnold and wife Myra of Alma; sister in laws Jamie Downes of Centralia and Jayme Godoyo of Centralia; special nieces Makenna Downes and Madeline Stark; her four legged baby, Delilah, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.

Jenna was preceded in death by her grandfather, William “Bill” Wilkerson; mother, Tammy Adams; brother, Justin Wilkerson; and Aunt Joni Wilkerson.

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