Joyce “Hunny” K. Szeszol, 73, of Benton, passed away at 6:13 p.m., on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL surrounded by her family.

She was born on February 16, 1949, to Mickey and Jennie (Kolano) Lenard in Chicago, IL. She was of the Catholic faith.

Joyce was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed crafting, following Facebook and loved her pet dog, Daisy.

Joyce is survived by her two sons, Anthony Szeszol and James (Ginger) Szeszol; her daughter, Jessica (Jeff) Spencer; twelve grandchildren, Alex Rush, Cheyanna Rush, Landon Szeszol, Wyatt Szeszol, Caleb Szeszol, Brooklynne Spencer, Chloe Spencer, Gabe Spencer, Paige Spencer, Bella, Dylan Rush and Bo Rush; great-granddaughter, Lanna Martin; one brother, Robert Lenard; one sister, Judy Smith and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mickey and Jennie Lenard.

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

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Following the funeral service, per Joyce’s wishes, cremation will take place.

Memorials may be made to Mid-America Transplant Services and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Timothy D. Wilson, 67, of Benton, passed away at 4:20 p.m., on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at the Ocean Springs Singing Rivers Hospital in Ocean Springs, MS.

He was born on April 24, 1954, to Charles and Dorothy (Hall) Wilson in Christopher, IL. He graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1972. Tim retired as a machinist for Old Ben Coal Company and JOY. On May 17, 1975, he married Marsha L. Martin. To this union they had two children.

Tim was a member of the West Frankfort Moose, Benton Elks Lodge 1234, National Riffle Association, and the UMWA.

He was a loving husband, father and PaPa and friend to many. Tim loved to fish and spent many hours on Lake Moses, and hosting many family fish fry’s. He enjoyed attending sporting events, NASCAR and NHRA races with the guys, horse races with friends, and Cruisin the Coast.

Tim is survived by his loving spouse of 47 years, Marsha; son, Travis; daughter, Natalie; four grandchildren, Carly, Brant, Georgie and Stricker; three brothers, Rick and wife Jackie, Brad and wife Dawn and Neal and wife Susan; and many dear family and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents, Charles and Dorothy Wilson; a brother, Ronald Trusty; a sister, Sharon Trusty-Carpenter; and niece, Tammy Jo Shadis.

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

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, March 13, 2022, at Pate Funeral Home.

Burial will take place at a later date at the Shiloh Cemetery, Whittington, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ewing Grade School or the Elks Foundation and will be accepted at the funeral home.

The family would like to express a special thank you for all their precious family and friends, and especially Jessica Castleman-Gin, and the entire staff at the Ocean Springs Singing Rivers Hospital.

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

Karen L. Hedges, 79, of Benton passed away on Sunday evening, February 27, 2022 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 16, 1942 to James & Nellie (Alexander)Phillips and was raised by James & Ethel (Alexander) Phillips in Benton, IL.
She married William Hedges, her high school sweetheart, on April 8, 1961, and he survives.

Karen grew up in and was a faithful member of the First Christian Church in Benton. Throughout her life she kept the church at the center. Karen fulfilled many roles in her lifetime and she especially enjoyed singing in the choir and weekly Bible study with her church community. Karen and Bill enjoyed many years as leaders of the youth group, Chi Ro, at the church.

In addition to the church, Karen had the best friends, many of whom were her neighbors for 40+ years as well as newer editions. She loved life and doted on her grandchildren, who were the light of her life. She was a wonderful mother to Kristin and Andrew and a beloved Mimi to Madeline, Ephram, and Soijer, and she was a wonderful wife & partner to Bill.

She is survived by her:
Husband: Bill Hedges of Benton
Daughter: Kristin Pass & husband Randy of Makanda
Son: Andrew Hedges & wife Azsure Dorton of Allen, TX
3 Grandchildren:
Madeline Pass
Ephram Hedges
Soijer Hedges

Karen was preceded in death by her Parents and Sister, Jane Ellen Younkin.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. on Friday, March 11th at the First Christian Church with a funeral service at 12:00 Noon with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Fellowship Center Fund.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Don C. Wilkerson, 93, of Benton passed away on Saturday Evening, February 26, 2022 at the Franklin Hospital in Benton.

Don was born in Benton, IL on August 2, 1928, the son of Lorenzo Dowell & Mary (Lehr) Wilkerson.
He married Pat Glenn in March of 1947, and she preceded him in death on June 3, 1987.

Mr. WIlkerson was a member of the North Benton Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. He enlisted in October of 1946. He went overseas in the spring of 1947 serving as a Paratrooper & Glider Trooper serving 33 months straight with no furlough. Mr. Wilkerson went to welding school at SIU. He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for 17 years, he then worked for Old Ben Coal #21 as a repairman for 21 years, retiring as an Examiner.

Mr. Wilkerson is survived by his 4 children:
Donald Ray Wilkerson of Jacksonville, IL
Gary Wilkerson & wife Cheryl Ann of Ocala, FL
Cathy Stewart & husband Steve of Benton, IL
Christy Swigonski of Fenton, MO
11 grandchildren:
Trish (Aaron) Cleghorn
John (Tammy) Hines
Annette (Amos) Anderson
Jeff (Kandi) Wilkerson
Dustin (Amber) Schierbaum
Kyle (Ashley) Alexander
Greg (Lorrie) Stewart
Sean (Chasity) Stewart
Kaitlyn Swigonski
Samantha (Mike) Swigonski
Nicholas Swigonski
17 great-grandchildren
Special Friend: Wilma Kanik of McLeansboro
Mr. Wilkerson was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter-Treva Harding, by a grandson-Robert Hines, by 4 sisters & 1 brother.

Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 2nd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. A Graveside service will follw the Visitation at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery with Rev. Gary West officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by Benton American Legion Post 2671 & VFW Post 280 & the National Guard Honor Team.

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

Joyce F. Cox of Sesser, Illinois, departed this Earth on February 25, 2022, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. She was born in Franklin County on November 26, 1943, to Willis and Mary Olive Rhine and they proceeded her in death. Siblings include Everett Rhine and Barbara Crain.

In 1959, she married George D. Merkel and in 1968 she married James E. Cox. Both proceeded her in death.

Her greatest legacy is her children; George Merkel (Natalie) of Portland, Tennessee, Robert Merkel (Cynthia) of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Christopher Cox (Jennifer) of Carlyle, Illinois, and Paula Merkel who proceeded her in death. Joyce was a loving and dedicated mother. She was proud to be a grandmother to eleven and great grandmother to three. She was the biggest cheerleader for all of them.

Joyce was fiercely independent and private. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and quilting. She was most comfortable at home in the kitchen cooking meals for her loved ones and spoiling her pets. She was a believer of the Baptist faith and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Eastern Star.

The family will hold a graveside service at 11:00am, Friday, March 4, 2022, at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser. Following the service, a celebration of life will be held at Joyce’s home.

“The world changes from year to year, our lives from day to day, but the love and memory of you, shall never pass away.”

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

Denzil Lee “Bud” Franklin, 88, of Benton passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at St. Louis University Hospital.

He was born in Franklin County, IL on October 19, 1933 the son of John & Goldia (Rhine) Franklin.

He married Loretta A. (Hutchcraft) on May 5, 1956 in Benton, and she survives.

Mr. Franklin was an Army Veteran, he served in Korea. He taught for 30-plus years at several schools, including Cahokia, Flatts, Lincoln and Webster Junior High and at Benton Middle School. He was a member of the American Legion & VFW Post. Mr. Franklin attended Benton First Free WIll Baptist Church.

Mr. Franklin is survived by his:
Wife: Loretta Franklin of Benton
Sons:
Denny Franklin & wife Cathy of Mulkeytown
Mark Franklin & wife Melody of Benton
Grandchildren:
Brice Franklin
Sammi & Selina Franklin
Donald Bailes (Sammi’s fiancé)
Brother: Mike Franklin of Ewing
Sister-in-law: Betty (Allen) Miles of Benton
Several Nieces & Nephews

Mr. Franklin was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Johnny Franklin, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Otha and Geraldine Hutchcraft, a niece, Juliana Franklin, by two sisters-in-law, Lynn Franklin and Peggy Franklin and a sister, Freda May.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 26th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Bro. Kent Dunford officiating. Burial with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion Post 2671 & VFW Post 280 & Army Honors Team will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

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

Betty Louise Isenhour, 86, of Benton, passed away at 1:21 p.m., on Monday, February 21, 2022, at StoneBridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Benton, IL.

She was born on July 31, 1935, to William and Clara (Boswell) Marsh in Barnhill, IL. On April 17, 1954, she married Roger “Ike” Dean Isenhour at Whidbey Island, WA. After 61 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on January 10, 2016.

Betty was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in West Frankfort.

She loved spending time with her family. Betty liked listening to music and enjoyed flowers, needle point and crafts. She was a former Sunday school teacher.

Betty is survived by her loving daughter, Linda Cosner and husband, Matthew of Benton, IL; granddaughter, Amber Csizmadia and husband, Jeffrey and a great-grandson, Jefferson Csizmadia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Clara Marsh and her husband, Roger “Ike” Isenhour.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation for Betty will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 1:00 p.m., with the Reverend Dr. Alan W. Janneke, officiating. Burial will follow services at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Mr. Ralph Edward Smith, age 86, of Whittington; went home, from the Marion VA Medical Center, to be with his Lord and Savior in Heaven at 10:15 p.m. Friday, February 18, 2022.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon Monday, February 21, 2022, at the First Christian Church of Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Thompsonville American Legion Post #1194 and the U.S. Army Honor Squad from the Marion National Guard Armory. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Monday, at the First Christian Church, 302 South Main Street, Benton, IL 62812. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Ralph was born on August 25, 1935, in Franklin County, Illinois, the son of Ralph M. Smith and Pearl (Carlton) Smith. He married the former Virginia Ethel Jones on March 9, 1958; and they were just shy of sharing 64 years of marriage together.

Mr. Smith served his country in the U.S. Army from January 25, 1955, to January 25, 1957.

He was a self-employed owner & operator of Smith Farms of Whittington. Ralph was ready to serve and lend a helping hand through his volunteering to numerous organizations, including: Director of the Farm Services Board, Farm Bureau Director, Past-President of the Benton Kiwanis, BCHS District 103 School Board Member, past Ewing Township Supervisor, Volunteer Fireman with the Ewing-Northern Fire Protection District, Thompsonville American Legion Post #1194, CASA Advocate, 4H Leader and Supporter, Hospice Volunteer, past Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, Parade Marshal for Farm City Days 2018. He and his wife Virginia together for 23 years were foster parents to numerous children.

He was a devoted Christian, and this was proven through his dedication and membership of 60 plus years with the First Christian Church of Benton. Over the years he served his church in various capacities including Elder, Deacon, Trustee, Sunday School Teacher, and was known as “King Apple Butter.”

Ralph enjoyed attending Sulky Harness Races. He had a love for horses. Ralph enjoyed cooking and use to cook the chickens at the Whittington Gun Creek Days, also he could be found cooking at the Kiwanis Pancake Days and Spring BBQs, and Men’s Breakfasts at the First Christian Church. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Surviving is his loving wife Virginia Smith of Whittington; his three children: Ralph Duane Smith and wife Debbie of Whittington, Darla Kay Brachear and husband Mike of Benton, Darrell Eugene Smith and wife Cindy of Whittington; six grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; siblings: Norma Page of Ewing, Robert Smith and wife Lorene of Royalton, Linda Ackerman and husband Lou of Tucson, AZ, Joyce Thomas and husband Bob of West Frankfort, Jack Smith and wife Frances of Benton; several loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters: Mary Schwind, Fay Krapf, Martha VanDyke.

Memorial contributions In Memory of Ralph Smith, may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund or to St. Jude’s; and will be accepted at the services on Monday.

The family would like to say a special “Thank You,” for all of the support shown to them from friends and family during these last few weeks of Ralph’s life. Also, a special heartfelt Thank You to the staff at the VA Medical Center of Marion, for their compassion and care.

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