Debra “Debbie” Kay Wilson, 57, of Johnston City, passed away on Sunday June 12, 2022 at the Herrin Hospital.

She was born on December 7, 1964 in Benton, IL to Norman and Sheila (Atchison) Brown.

She is survived by her two daughters, Stephanie (Jacob) Page of Benton and Sammie Wilson of Johnston City; grandson Jakson Page; her mother Sheila Brown of Marion and two sisters Pamela Sue Quinn of Barnhart, MO and Sherry Campbell of Creal Springs, IL.

She was preceded in death by her father Norman Brown.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday June 16, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin McNeilly officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 11:00 Am until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.

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

Constance Elaine Volz, of Benton, IL, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022. She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

She was born to Aden and Anita Shepherd in Elgin, Illinois on July 14, 1926. Connie graduated from Benton High School in 1944. World War II was ongoing at the time and Connie Traveled to Oklahoma City, OK to help in the war effort. She worked for Douglas Aircraft Company as a “Rosie the Riveter” until the war was over.

On her return to Benton, Connie married her sweetheart, Robert Ewing. They had two children, Mark Ewing of The Villages, Florida and Cindy Ewing Lutgring of Evansville, Indiana. In addition, Connie is survived by her grandson, Scott Schaefer and great granddaughters Kaylee Schaefer and Brittany Henson.

Connie was preceded in death by her husband Robert Ewing and her second husband Joe Volz, parents Aden and Anita Shepherd, sister Nan Bernhard, brother Bill Shepherd, and son-in-law, Joe Lutgring.

Among Connie’s employment positions, her favorite was the Benton Evening News where she worked for twenty years. Connie’s favorite activities were gardening, dancing, and vacationing in Florida.

She will be missed.

Graveside services will be held at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Akin on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 11:00 A.M.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Sylvia Gipson, age 90 of Benton, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 5:45 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Private family only graveside services will be held at a future date.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Sylvia was born on March 13, 1932 in Rend City, Illinois; the daughter of Lester Gilbreath and Mabel (Dugger) Gilbreath. She married Charles “Chalk” Gipson on January 16, 1949. Together they shared 53 years of marriage until his death on June 13, 2002.

Mrs. Gipson was a homemaker. She enjoyed decorating her home and spending time with her family.

She was a member of the West City Church of God. She loved her church and until her health failed, she enjoyed the many activities and services with her church.

She is survived by three children: Brenda Wiggins and husband Randy, Judy Lampley and husband Danny, John Gipson and wife Jennifer, all of Benton; six grandchildren: Christina Roach, Dustin Lampley, Jennifer Schlag, Preston Prior, Trevor Gipson, Matthew Gipson; six great-grandchildren: Andrew Hayter, David Roach, Elijah Schlag, Emma Schlag, Esiah Schlag, Quinn Gipson; two great-great-grandchildren: Charlie and Anderson Hayter; and several nieces and nephews.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter Pam Prior; and three sisters: Jeanne O’Daniell, Doris Galloway, Lula Belle Kirkpatrick.

The family would like to say “Thank You” for the love and care shown to their mother by Residential Hospice, Benton Healthcare and Rehab, and Heritage Woods of Benton.

Memorial contributions In Memory of Sylvia; may be made to Residential Hospice, 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 Sylvia, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Patricia Ann Smith, 80, of Benton, passed away on Tuesday June 7, 2022 at the Herrin Hospital.

She was born on August 9, 1941 in West Frankfort, IL to Raymond and Anna (Barno) Presley. She married Charles Smith and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Charles D. Smith of Christopher, Patty Cavinder of Christopher, Jeff and Kathy Smith of Benton, Laurie and Bob Boner of Benton and Michael and Joy South of Texas; grandchildren Danielle (Aaron Parker) Smith, Amy Sutton, Koady Smith, Kyler (Alison) Smith, Emily (Derek Hood) Cavinder, Alex Cavinder, Whitni (Dylan) Walter and Benen Kelley; great grandchildren Riley, Sierra (Blake), Josh, Brandyn, Daniel, Taylor, Avery, Ronan, Logan and Aubry.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son James Kevin Smith, daughter-in-law Ann Smith and one brother Jimmie Presley.

Funeral services will be on Saturday June 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Ruth “Ruthie” A. McCollum, 79, of Benton, passed away at 5:10 p.m., on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at her home in West City, IL.

She was born on January 22, 1943, to Billy and Laura (Knight) McCollum in Bell City, MO. She was employed at the Pizza Shack for 31 years, and most recently as a cashier at Benton Wal-Mart, so she could continue to see all of her favorite customers.

Ruthie was a die hard Elvis fan and collector. She enjoyed hunting for a great deal at rummage sales and turning her finds into DIY projects. An avid reader, she loved to learn about Native American culture and even wrote a novel that she said was guided by her Indian spirit. She collected turquoise jewelry, with the color always being reflected throughout her home and clothing. Nobody could beat her at a game of trivia, and she also liked playing glow bingo with friends.

Her favorite places to visit were Anna Maria Island, Scotland, and Graceland.

Ruthie will be remembered for her silly sense of humor, imaginative storytelling, and the immeasurable love she gave to her family and friends.

Ruthie is survived by her brother, Gary Michael (Jolene) McCollum; sister-in-law Dixie McCollum; six nieces, Erin Wright, Amanda Bleichner, Rhonda Thorne, Cindy Kinsey, Kelly Carr, and Michelle McCollum; five nephews, Robert Bleichner, Ryan Bleichner, Justin McCollum, John Acord, and Mark Acord; a cousin, Gail Stallion; two special friends, Isabel Smith and Pam Kerley; many great-nieces and nephews including Victoria and Magnolia Atchison, Addison Anastasi, Samuel Anastasi, Elliette Fletcher, and Rowan Fletcher.

Although she had no living children, she considered everyone who worked for her at the Pizza Shack to be her kids and reminisced about them often.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Billy M. and Laura V. McCollum, her daughter, Teri Shannon McCollum who was stillborn, her brother, Steven McCollum and her sister, Loyce Bleichner.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022. from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Ruthie’s wishes were to be cremated.

Memorials are suggested to the SIH Cancer Institute.

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

Kenneth Leon Lewis, of Sesser, Illinois, was born on August 30, 1929 and died June 3, 2022 at Greentree in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Born to the late Thurman and Verna (Graham) Lewis, he was the seventh of eight children. He grew up in rural Sesser, Illinois. Kenneth married Vivian Wilson of Bonnie, Illinois in Arkansas in 1950. They celebrated 71 years of marriage last June 18.

Kenneth loved Jesus and his family. Having accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was a child. He was a long time member of Valier First Baptist Church. He served in several positions within the church including serving as a deacon and chairman of the building and grounds committee. Kenny and Vivian faithfully entertained the senior adults each fall with a wiener roast.

His working career included being a technician for Southern Illinois Breeding Association, later consolidated with Illinois Breeding Cooperative. Following, he worked for World Color Press in Sparta, Illinois. He always enjoyed farming and being outdoors in the field or gardening. Many commented about his beautiful weed free garden.

Kenneth is survived by his sons; Roger (Frances) of Ozark, Missouri; Steve (Tricia) of Pinckneyville, Illinois; Terry (Cheryl) of Sesser, Illinois, and David (Debi) of DuQuoin, Illinois. He is also survived by her grandchildren Angela Hester, Becky Halloran, Crystal Jones, Jennifer Norris, Brian Lewis, Laura Alte, Kelly Marden, Alison Wiswasser, Kristi Dinges, Kenneth (Kent) Lewis, Nathan Dinges, Tarah Davis, and Adam Lewis. He is survived by 30 great-grandchildren. One brother, Harl Ray Lewis of Valier, Illinois, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife Vivian and their son Kendall Lewis, parents, Thurman and Verna Lewis, Sisters: Eileen Veach and Mable Cockrum, Brothers: Everett, (twins) Darrel and Farrel, and Leslie.

Friends and family may call Tuesday, June 7, 2022, from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Valier First Baptist Church, with service to follow immediately at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Horse Prairie Cemetery, Sesser, Illinois. Memorials may be sent to Valier First Baptist Church, 212 W. Main St., Valier, IL 62891.

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

Thelma Nadine (Austin) Norris, 76, of Benton “Went to be with the Lord” on Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Mrs. Norris was born in Granite City, IL on August 24, 1945, the daughter of Curtis & Elisa (Orrick) Austin.

She married Grant Norris on September 23, 1967, and he preceded her in death on October 22, 2006.

Mrs. Norris was a member of the West City Church of God. She loved doing crafts, she loved her church & her family and spending time with them and working in the yard. She really enjoyed genealogy.

Mrs. Norris is survived by her:
2 Daughters:
Kim Wyant & husband Terry of Benton
Susan Atkins of Benton

2 Granddaughters:
Ashley Atkins of Benton
Brittany Atkins of Carbondale & fiancè Thomas Meier
Twin Sister: Velma Perryman of Thompsonville
Sister: Evelyn Heath of Paducah, KY
Sister-in-law: Freda Austin of Berwick, IL
Brother-in-law: Jerry DeWitt of Rockford, IL

She is also survived by several Nieces & Nephews

Mrs. Norris was preceded in death by her Parents, 5 Brothers-Curtis Eugene, Charles, Duane, Glenn “Bud” & Lloyd, and 2 Sisters-Naomi Ruth & Duene.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 4th at the West City Church of God with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the church.
For more information or tosend online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com