Brent Duvall Reno, 56, of Benton, IL, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 22, 2024, after a short but hard-fought battle with cancer. Brent died at home with his loving family by his side.

He was born on January 30, 1968, to Charles “Chuck” and Pam (Wycoff) Reno in Carbondale, IL.

Brent grew up in Carbondale, Illinois and after a successful baseball career at Carbondale Community High School, went on to play baseball at Broward Community College in Ft Lauderdale, FL. He transferred from there to John A Logan and played for two years there before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals. He had one successful season as a relief pitcher before an arm injury ended his baseball career. Brent continued to enjoy the game as a coach for several years before learning the game of softball in order to coach his daughters.

He married Ginger Head on October 4, 1997, and they have two daughters: Courtney and Morgan. Brent coached his daughter’s softball teams for many years and was known to have a passion for the game. He also loved deer and turkey hunting with his daughters and extended family.

Brent was employed at Aisin Manufacturing, in Marion, IL, for eight years as a Quality Engineer. His Aisin family supported his battle with cancer by hosting a recent fundraiser. Although unable to attend the fundraiser, Brent was amazed and touched by the many people who attended.

He was also a member of Grace Awakening Church.

Brent is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Ginger; his daughters, Courtney and Morgan, all of Benton, IL; his parents, Chuck and Pam Reno of Carbondale, IL; his brother, Charles “Chuckie” (Melanie) V. Reno, of Arlington Heights, IL.; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ron and Judy Head, of Benton, IL; his brother-in-law, Chris (Tammy) Head of Dahlgren, IL; five nieces and nephews, Justin (Kelsey) Head, Abbey Reno, Dakota (Kenise) Head, Dylan Reno and Peyton Reno; three great-nephews, Maverick Head, Bodhi Head and Wesley Head and three great-nieces, Karsyn Head, Kollyns Head and Kinsley Head.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lee and Bertha (Johns) Reno and maternal grandparents Herb and Jane (Orr) Wycoff.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.
Per Brent’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. & Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Brother Ken Petty, officiating.

Memorials may be made to the family of Brent Reno to assist them with medical expenses and will be accepted at Pate Funeral Home.

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

Don Terry Wyant, Sr., age 82, of Benton, passed away at 10:55 p.m. Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at his home.

Don was born on May 22, 1942, in Franklin County, IL; the son of Uel “Punch” Wyant and Edna Mae (Callahan) Wyant. He was married to Linda Sue (Blair), and she preceded him in death on February 25, 1997.

He worked for the City of Benton Street Department for 25 years. He would later run for city commissioner and was elected and would be the City of Benton Street Commissioner from 2003 to 2020. He was also a member of the Operating Engineers Local # 318 out of Marion, Illinois.

Don loved the outdoors, where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. He loved working, especially tinkering with air conditioners and working on anything he had in his garage that needed repaired.

Don loved his family, and cherished his time spent with each of them.

He is survived by his four children: Don Terry Wyant, Jr. and wife Kim of Benton, Robin Michelle Mitchell and husband Mark of Du Quoin, IL, Daniel Eugene Wyant of Clinton, KY, Amanda Dawn Wyant of Benton, IL; six grandchildren: Devin Charles Wyant, Joshua Dennis Rathbun, Aaron Tyler Wyant, Dylan Allen Tiberend, Kaitlin Elane Mitchell, Blake Wyant; eight great-grandchildren: Kennedy Don Wyant, Evie Wyant, Lily Mae Wyant, Colton Tiberend, Grayson Tiberend, Oliver Tiberend, Cheyanne Lampley, Weston Lampley; four siblings: Gary Wyant and wife Billie of Benton, IL, Lyn Woods and wife Sammi of Orlando, FL, Janet Border and companion Joe Boldrey of Benton, IL, Debbie Pinkston of Benton, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Wyant was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three brothers: Randy Wyant, David Wyant, Alan Wyant; a sister Elsie Spain; a grandson Skylar Rathbun; and a brother-in-law Roy Pinkston.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Tim Escue officiating, with burial to follow in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

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

Our dear mother, Donna Lou Cockrum (Spencer), 83 years old, born on May 16th, 1941, to Norman A. Spencer and Georgia G. Spencer (Joiner), passed away in her home in Sesser, IL on August 14th, 2024, from Acute Myeloid Leukemia, surrounded by her family.

She was a wonderful mother whose greatest love was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She found the most enjoyment from her family, gardening, crafts, crocheting, working puzzles, and many adventures with her best friend, Mary Jane Summers, of Benton, IL. Her home was her haven which was often filled with the delicious aroma of chicken and dumplings, warmth of a wood burning stove and love.
She enjoyed attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events. She was the first one there and their biggest “little” fan.

Donna went to Coello Elementary School then to East Center, a one room schoolhouse. She graduated from the Goode-Barren Tswp HS. She also took several continuing education courses at SIU-C.
She was the district bookkeeper for Sesser-Valier School District #196 and the secretary for the superintendent for many years. She finished out her career with 30 plus years at ARDL in Mt. Vernon, IL before retiring at the age of 80.

She leaves behind to celebrate her life, her children: Deanie Markle Cockrum of Richmond, TX, Debi (Rick) Sims of Sesser, IL, Farrell Cockrum of Albuquerque, NM, Jenny (Randy) Lay of Belleville, IL, and Matthew W. (Andrea) Cockrum of Sesser, IL.

Grandchildren: James (Keira) Markle of Richmond, TX, Ricky (Natasha) Sims of Johnson City, IL, Jared (Jennifer) Markle of Clayton, CA, Jade Clark of DuQuoin, IL, Shaun (Alexis) King of Belleville, IL, Claire Sabolay of Lawrence, KS, Lilly Sabolay of Chicago, IL, and Aerin Cockrum of Sesser, IL.
Great-Grandchildren: David Sims, Thomas Overton, Debra Overton, Caleb Chapman, Miranda Chapman, Dalton DeVore, Hunter Martin, Charlotte Markle, Hunter Markle, Kane Clark, Thorsen Markle, Aayla King, and Lyanna King.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert (Ray-Bob) Cockrum, sisters Norma Jean and Betty Ann, her sons Robbie Lee Cockrum and Spencer Layne Gilbert and grandchildren Justin E. Markle and April (Niki) Sims.

As per mom’s request, there will be no formal services. There will be a celebration of life in the near future and will be announced on social media.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donna Lou Cockrum please visit our Sympathy Store.

Dianne Crisp, 69, of Benton passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Dianne was born July 7, 1955, to Paul “Toots” and Frankie Lou (Sneed) Howard.

She gave her heart to Jesus Christ at an early age and loved being a part of the youth group. GA’s and Acteens at North Benton Baptist Church. Although she enjoyed life as a child, becoming a teenager and receiving her driver’s license was such a fun time. During her 16th year she was one of the last lifeguards at the Benton City Swimming Pool at Lake Benton. Her boss was Gene Alexander, “Mr. A.”
After graduating Benton Consolidated High School in 1973, she took classes at Rend Lake College and continuing education classes with ICLE and the US Bankruptcy Court. In 1975, she married Mark S. Crisp, the love of her life and they had two precious boys: Dustin “Dusty” Mark Crisp, (Chelsea), Rylee, Raygan and Parker and David Joshua “Bubba” Crisp, (Bethany), Tinley, Lexi, Grace, and Silas and two Brothers David Paul Howard, Jr (Jo) and Douglas T. Howard (Kara).

She enjoyed being a homemaker and mother. After her children were in school she worked a number of years with various attorneys at law: Joseph Hickman, David B. Garavalia, and Pamela S. Lacey. Following many years in the legal circuit, she began working for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of IL, Benton office. She spent 20 years at the US Bankruptcy Court and retired as a Deputy Clerk.
During the time she was working, she took many and various mission trips abroad to Ivanova, Russia; Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; Santiago, Dominican Republic; and stateside to St. Louis, MO; and Chicago, IL. She and Mark traveled together with trips to the Bahamas, Vancouver, BC, Puerto Rico, Chicago, Hawaii (2), New York (5), Boston (2), all of the New England States, and many times to Washington, DC. But their favorite getaway was St. Louis, MO. One of her most memorable trips with Mark was to Paris, France for their 25th anniversary.

She enjoyed reading about the actors and actresses of the golden age of Hollywood and watched the TCM Movie Channel. She also loved the musicials of the 40’s and 50’s, and made numerous trips to the Fox and Muny Theaters in St. Louis, MO. Eventually, she got to see several of her favorite musicals on Broadway in New York City.

After retiring she worked for the Franklin Baptist Association as the Women’s Director. It was important to her that people knew how much she loved Jesus Christ. She wanted others to know Her Savior in a personal relationship. She was the Women’s Missions Leader and a Bible Study Teacher while serving at Steel City Church. Reading and studying the Bible was a priority in her life. She loved anything to do with theology, doctrine and studying the “Jewish-ness” of Jesus, her Savior. One of her most exciting and favored trips was to the Holy Land in Israel.

She was obsessed about Heaven, and read many books and listened to CD’s and pastors on this subject; because she knew she would spend eternity there with Jesus Christ!

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 24th at the Steel City Baptist Church 9241 Crawford St. Benton, IL 62812. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at the church on Saturday.

The family requests No flowers. Instead they ask that Memorials be made to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, North American Mission Board or Zbinden Ministries.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Margaret R. “Maggie” Fitzgerrell, 86, of Benton, and a former Ina resident, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis.

She was born in Marissa, IL on September 13, 1937, the daughter of Peter & Mary (Malick) Witt.

She married David Blair Fitzgerrell on June 30, 1956 and he preceded her in death on February 15, 1986.

Mrs. Fitzgerrell was a member of the Ina Missionary Baptist Church since October 14, 1984. She was also the Secretary, Bookkeeper and Treasurer at the Ina Grade School for 30 plus years and she retired in 2000.

She is survived by her:

Son: Brad Fitzgerrell & wife JoAnn of Ina
Daughter: Pamela Kerley & husband Marvin of Benton
Grandchildren:
Whitney Dabney & husband Marcus of St. Charles, MO
Tyler Kerley & wife Jane of Woodstock, GA
Michelle Sears & husband Jason of Benton
Great-Grandchildren:
Trenton & Aubree Dabney
Zachary Sears & wife Sam & their son Jaeger
Austin Sears
Hailey Sears
1 Sister: Barbara Rusiewski of Nashville
1 Brother: James Witt & wife Kathy of Mt. Vernon

Mrs. Fitzgerrell was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Daughter-Vicki Kay Fitzgerrell, Son-Jon Scott Fitzgerrell, 1 Brother-Jerry Witt and 1 SIster-Patricia Long.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 24th at the Ina Missionary Baptist Church in Ina with Tyler Kerley & Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the Church.
In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Shriners Hospital for Children.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com

Rodney L. Reynolds, 67, of Sesser, passed away on Sunday August 18, 2024 at his home.

He was born on August 5, 1957 in Springfield, IL to Donald and Shirley (Courtwright) Reynolds. He married Janice (Carlo) Reynolds on February 19, 2000 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children Nicole Barton of Springfield, Jeffrey Reynolds of Springfield, Baylee Reynolds of Creal Springs, Christina (Jason) Rushing of Carbondale and Kelli (Scott) Baker of Carbondale; 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother David Reynolds.

Rodney was a painter and had worked for Bombardier Recreational Products, National Railway Equipment and Crownline Boat Factory.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday August 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Ronnie Wilford Shaw, 58, passed away on August 7, 2024 at his home.

Ronnie was born in Herrin, IL on April 10, 1966 the son of Roy Wilford & Mary Ruth (Couch) Shaw.

He adored his children and grandchildren. He loved camping, fishing and boating. He always said what he thought at all times and people loved him for that.

Ronnie is survived by his:
4 Children:
Michele Shaw
Stephanie Salatas & husband Philip
David Hollon & fiancée Traci Staley
Patsy Hollon
Grandchildren: Alexis, Waylyn, Landen, Nick, Brantley, Hailie, Hailey, Quentin, Preston, Camaron, Constance & Collin.
2 Brothers:
Ricky Shaw
Robert Shaw

Mr. Shaw was preceded in death by his Parents and 1 Brother-Randy Shaw.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 15th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. 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 Thursday at the funeral home.

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