James Wendell Thomas, 78, of Benton passed away on Thursday afternoon, August 18, 2022 at the VA Medical Ceneter in Marion.

He was born in Beattyville, Kentucky on April 10, 1944, the son of Stanley & Edna (Fraley) Thomas.

James married Sandra Kay (Holman) on October 26, 1968 and she preceded him in death on July 5, 2010.

Mr. Thomas was an Army Veteran. Mr. Thomas had a close walk with Christ and was faithful to the end. He loved praying for people & ministering to people one on one and was always willing to listen when someone needed a friend.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his:
Son: James Thomas, Jr. & wife Lisa of Vergennes
Daughter: Susan Karales & husband Jamie of Benton
7 Grandchildren:
Joshua Karales & wife Whitney
Samantha Karales
Matthew Karales & wife Cortne
James W. Thomas III
Andrew Thomas
Kaitlyn Thomas
Ashlyn Thomas
Great-Grandchildren: Ryleigh, Crista, Damian, Kalleigh, Arizona, Blake & Sunny
Sister: Nancy Gillmore of Johnston City
Brothers:
Dorsey Thomas of Beattyville, KY
Dallas Thomas & wife Elaine of Beattyville, KY
Garett Thomas & wife Teresa of Beattyville, KY
Clarence Thomas of Beattyville, KY

Mr. Thomas was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife and Brothers-Harold, Doyle & Bobby.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 21st at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Jamie Karales & Rev. Garett Thomas officiating. Burial will be in the Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing, IL. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.

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

Margot Juliana McAfoos was born January 12, 1924 in Berlin, Germany to Katarina (Vinogradoff) and Heinrich Weil. She was raised in Worms, Germany by her mother and grandparents. Margot was educated in language studies, primarily English and French. During World War II, she served her country by working as an interpreter at “listening posts.” After the war she worked for the US 7th Army Occupational Forces in Heidelberg, Germany as an interpreter.

In Heidelberg she met and fell in love with Captain John McAfoos. He returned home in 1947 to join his father FB McAfoos in business and later that year he asked Margot to marry him. Margot followed her heart and they were married in the First United Methodist Church of Benton in 1948. She has been an active member ever since.

Margot was a volunteer girl scout leader and chaired a fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society in Franklin County. She shared her culture and heritage by teaching Community Education classes for SIU. Margot organized and led Presley Tours of Europe for high school students for a number of years. Later she was recruited by The Shagbark Girl Scout Council to become a professional trainer. This led to a three year opportunity to work as a trainer for the North Atlantic Girl Scout Council in Nuremberg, Germany.

Throughout her life Margot enjoyed traveling the world. She loved learning and experiencing new cultures and ideas.

Family was always important to Margot. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine and Thomas Tosa of Muskegon MI. and her sons, John Frederick (Fred) and Ronda McAfoos of Thornton, CN. and Thomas and Robin McAfoos of Thompsonville, Il. Her grandchildren include Christopher and Kristine Tosa, of Ludington MI, Julianne and Christoph Hennefeld, of Walldorf, Germany, Michael Tosa of Busselton, Australia, Douglas and Rebecca Tosa of Marquette, MI, Allison McAfoos of Harrison, Ar. and Jessie and Alec Fedyniak of Sierra Madre, CA Margot also has three great-grandchildren, Katharina and Christina Hennefeld of Walldorf, Germany and John Riley Tosa of Bussleton, Australia.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband John M McAfoos.

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

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Friday, August 19, 2022 at Pate Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 1:15 p.m., at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, with Rev. Jesse Hinds officiating services.

A celebration of life for Margot will to follow in the fall of 2022.
In lieu of flowers consider a gift to the Girl Scouts of Southern Il or First United Methodist Church in Benton Il.

Girl Scouts of Southern Il, Attn: Fund Development, 4 Ginger Creek Parkway, Glen Carbon, IL 62034
First United Methodist Church 203 W. Church St Benton Il 62812

Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Rebecca Lee Wilcox, 67, of Sesser, passed away on Friday August 12, 2022 at St Louis University Hospital.

She was born on June 29, 1955 in Alamogordo, NM to Robert and Mary (Middleton) Weir. She married Harry Wilcox on September 16, 1978.

She is survived by her husband Harry Wilcox of Sesser; her daughters Chandra McCubbins of Sesser and Lakeatha (Keith) Brown of Valier; Lucas McCubbins, Rowen McCubbins, Henry Brown and Thomas Brown; one brother Robert Weir of Benton and one sister Madeline Bailey of Centralia. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday August 21, 2022 at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Ralph Brandon officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 12:00 Pm until the time of the service at 2:00 PM.

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

Jimmie Lee “Pup” Cockrum, 70, formerly of Sesser, passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at his home in Dieterich.

Jimmie Lee was born May 28, 1952 in Benton, Franklin County, Illinois, Route 183 by the “Big Muddy River”, to Lemuel Franklin and Christina (McCann) Cockrum. He spent most of his adult life at the race tracks, grooming, exercising, and riding race horses.

He is survived by his daughter, Jodie Cockrum of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; son, Troy Wayne Cockrum of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Khadence and Skillar Cockrum; sister, Shirley (John) Ketteman of Pleasant Valley, Missouri; Aunt Maze Hamilton; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Frankie Gail Cockrum; his sister-in-law, Sherry Lynn (Dilliner) Cockrum and great-nephew, Trenton Gail Cockrum.

Per Jimmie’s wishes, he was cremated and no public services will be held. Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bauerfh.com.

Vera Cavinder was born on November 17, 1924 to the parents of Lester Derrington and Belle (Cooper) Derrington. She was married to Stanley Cavinder on March 28, 1942 for 57 blessed years, and they shared 4 children – Connie, Larry, Mark, and Scott.

She lived in Christopher most all her life, leaving a close family and many friends. She was a loving, wonderful, magnificent mother who placed all her energy into the benefit, growth, and safety of her family of 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters – Betty Lewis, Pat Withrow, and Jenny Janello; and brothers – Loras and Bill Derrington. Vera is survived by her children: daughter Connie (Cleduth) Fisher of Christopher, IL, son Larry (Karen) Cavinder of Valier, IL, son Mark (Kitty) Cavinder of Mulkeytown, IL, and son Scott (Debbie) Cavinder.

Her 11 grandchildren include: Kindra (Tim) Eickleman of Benton, IL, Keri Becker of Marion, IL, Buffy (Tim) Robinson of Valier, IL, Casey Cavinder of Carbondale, IL, Tracy (Adam) Burks of St. Louis, MO, Kimberly (James) Nesler of Herrin, IL, Amanda Sneed of Christopher, IL, Corey Cavinder of Mulkeytown, IL, Alex Cavinder of Valier, IL, Emily Cavinder of Valier, IL, Nikki (Dale) Myers of Johnston City, IL. Her 14 great grandchildren include: Josh and Jordan Eickleman of Benton, IL; Caleb Becker of Marion; IL, Kyle (Melissa) Robinson of Valier, IL, Katie Robinson of Valier, IL; Charlie and Abby Burks of St. Louis, MO, Hannah, Jake, and Kinsey Nesler of Herrin, IL, Riley Tochtrop of Christopher, IL; Ronan Cavinder of Zeigler, IL, Danielle Myers and Ashley Turner of Johnston City, IL. Her great great grandson is Elliott Robinson of Valier, IL.

Vera was a member of Christ View Christian Church in Christopher, IL, and a past worthy matron of the Local Eastern Star Chapter. Funeral services will be on Sunday August 14, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Ron Henwood officiating.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 12:30 PM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Knight Cemetery, in Buckner, IL.

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