Oma Lucille Elko, age 67 of Benton, went to be with the Lord and her loving husband on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. Bill Hottensen officiating. Burial will be 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 of Benton.

Lucille was born on July 6, 1954, in Benton, Illinois to Marion and Oma (Jones) Roberts. She married John Elko on November 21, 1973, and were happily married for 47 years.

Lucille enjoyed spending time with her family, her dog Luci, and feeding her squirrels.

She is survived by her son, Kevin Elko, and wife Casey of West Frankfort; her daughter, Amanda, and husband Ben Mikutis of Christopher.

Lucille was the proud mama/grandma of three amazing grandchildren, Logan Elko, Tyson Elko and Fallyn Bradley.

She also leaves behind sisters Jane Stowers and Carolyn McLearin, brother Vernon Roberts, and brother-in-law Lonnie McLearin, along with special nieces and nephews that she loved like her own.

Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, William Roberts and wife Linda, and sister Wanda Frost.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Lucille, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

David Sidney Clayton, 61, of Whittington passed away at 4:01 a.m. on Wednesday morning August 25, 2021 at SSM Health Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.

David was born in Benton, IL on March 10, 1960, the son of Herman Sydney & Shirley Marie (Lampley) Clayton.

He married Michelle “Shelly” Cockrum on August 13, 2001.
Mr. Clayton worked as a mechanic since high school. He worked for Rose’s Phillips 66 Gas Station. He worked for Western Auto for 18 years. He then worked for Peabody Coal until they shut down. David enjoyed fishing (especially jug fishing), camping, grilling and gardening. He loved to read his Bible. He was Saved and Baptized in 2011, and he attended the Whittington Church.

Mr. Clayton is survived by his:
Wife: Shelly Clayton of Whittington
Daughter: Sydney Clayton of Whittington
Brothers:
Jerry Clayton of Montana
Marvin Clayton of Lawrenceville, GA
Jason Clayton & wife Barb of Benton

Brother-in-law: Wendell Cockrum & wife Shelly of West Frankfort
Sister-in-law: Tonya Steele of Sesser
Lots of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces & Nephews

David was preceded in death by his Parents, infant Sister-Tammy, Mother-in-law & Father-in-law- Sherry & Gail Cockrum and Nephew Trent Cockrum.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 28th at the Whittington Church with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made be made in Mr. Clayton’s memory to his family to assist with funeral expenses or to his daughter Sydney’s College Fund.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Maxine Page, 88, of Benton passed away Tuesday morning August 24, 2021.

She was born in Ewing, IL on March 20, 1933 the daughter of Ransom & Golda Fern (Gray) Hewlett.

She married Billy Gene Page on December 16, 1950, and he preceded her in death on November 2, 1996.

Mrs. Page formerly attended the Webbs Prairie Free Will Baptist Church.
Maxine is survived by her:

Daughter: Linda Volz & husband Steve of Benton
Son: Gary Page & wife Becky of Macedonia

3 Grandchildren:
Stacey Stricklin & husband Mike
Jennifer Carlton & friend Trinden Clark
Josh Page & wife Joni

3 Great-Grandchildren:
Tristan Stricklin
Logan Carlton
Noah Page

1 Brother: Lowell Hewlett of West Frankfort

Mrs. Page was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Sister-Shirley Summers and a Grandson Joshua Carlton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 26th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Phillips Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Flora B. Chapman, 90, of Coello, IL, went to be with the Lord on August 22, 2021 at 10:20 PM.

She was born on September 21, 1930 in Christopher to Charles E. and Mary Francis (Dial) Shadowen. She married William Chapman on May 14, 1947 and he preceded her in death on May 28, 1979

She was a member of the Apostolic faith, last attending the Apostolic Church of Buckner, where she played the piano. She was a self-taught piano player and had played the piano in many churches in her lifetime. She was also a Sunday school teacher since she was 16 years old, and so many kids through the years loved her and looked up to her because of her strong faith in the Lord. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister and friend to many people.

She is survived by her children Kenneth (Debra) Chapman, Wilma Roberts, Charles Chapman, and Patricia (Howard) Overton all of Coello, eleven grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son William R. Chapman, two grandchildren Melissa Chapman and Michelle Baxter, siblings Clyde Shadowen, Ed Shadowen, Jean Hudson and Beulah Reed, a very special niece Carol Sue (Shadowen) Greco and her beloved pet “Angel”.

Funeral services for Flora will be on Sunday August 29, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Marty Shadowen officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 12:00 Pm until the time of the service at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our sweet, precious, mother, Linda Rea Abbott. She is reunited with our father Kenneth Abbott, Sr., in heaven.

She was born on May 6, 1943, in Steger, Illinois to parents Ray Carney and Madge (Branson) Carney, along with her brother Jerry Carney (Faye), and sister Joyce (Mann) Carney.

She was united in marriage to Kenneth on August 30, 1961. Together they had four children: Diana (Philip) Heape, Debra Abbott, Ken Abbott, Jr., Keith Abbott (Marsha), all of Benton; sister-in-law Dora Gayer of West Frankfort; grandkids: Aaron King, Brett King, Dakota Cali, Josh Lambert, Kodi Abbott, Kyle Abbott; great-grand-kids: Locklyn King, Mia Lambert, and Serenity Lambert.
Mom enjoyed playing Bingo, taking car rides on sunny warm days, watching her lifetime, Hallmark, and CSI Movies, being around her family and grandkids. As her health deteriorated and she couldn’t do as much, she still lived life to the fullest. She fought the fight for many years and never gave up no matter what the odds were. We will miss her dearly every day and we will carry you everywhere we go. You will never be forgotten; we love you mom.

She was preceded in death by her husband Kenny Abbott, Sr., parents Madge and Ray Carney, a niece Lisa McClintock, and her brother Jerry Carney.

We would like to thank Dr. Rao for treating mom for 15 years, she thought the world of you; Dr. Courtez and all his staff, for helping mom and being there for the last year; Dr. Mohammed and staff, Dr. Workman and staff, Dr. Chen and all his staff at Angel Care; Laura, Steff, Johanna, Thank You, you were truly mom’s 3 angels; J & S Pharmacy and staff, your concern and kindness for mom will never be forgotten; Tammy Woolard, your get well notes and smiley faces always cheered mom up, Thank You, that meant a lot; and to all of mom’s friends that prayed, sent cards, flowers, food, thank you, and may God Bless you and your families.; Thank You to the mobile lab girls and Candace from the Infusion department, God Bless you all for the great care you gave mom on a weekly basis.

Entombment will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 26, 2021, at the Logan Cemetery next to her husband Kenny, with Carolyn Steckenrider officiating. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, or to the American Cancer Society, 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 Linda, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Charles “Cecil” Sniderwin, 92, of Benton, IL, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2021, at the Marion VA Community Living Center with his family by his side.

Cecil was born on April 3, 1929, in rural Benton, to Charles Crisp and Frieda (Brandhorst) Sniderwin. He cherished 58 years of marriage to Geraldine (Jones) Sniderwin, starting September 22, 1956; she preceded him in death as of January 19, 2015. Together, Cecil and Geraldine had one son, Steven Sniderwin of rural Benton.

In addition to this son, Cecil is survived by his grandchildren, Mary Beth (Jeremiah) of Marion and Andrew (Heidi) of Thompsonville and seven great-grandchildren. Special family friends, John and Judy Overturf, Tammy Overturf and family, Chris Overturf and family and Justin Overturf and family.

Cecil is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters: Imogene Chapman and Lavern Owens, spouse, and daughter-in-law Cindy Sniderwin.
Cecil served in the Korean War after enlisting in the Army National Guard and was a member of the American Legion Post #280. Upon returning home, he followed in the footsteps of his father by taking over the family farm. He enjoyed gardening, driving around looking at the crops and chatting with anyone he encountered; Cecil never met a stranger. He served as a member of the Franklin County Farm Bureau, an Eastern Township Trustee, the Franklin County Baptist Association and a Deacon at the Akin Baptist Church.

In an attempt, to reduce COVID 19 exposures, there will be no indoor services. A graveside service, with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671 and the National Guard, will be held on Monday, August 23, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in the Union-McCann Cemetery located at the Union Freewill Baptist Church of Thompsonville, IL, with Pastor Jerry Montgomery officiating. Visitation will take place at the graveside service from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion, Post# 280 and will be accepted at the graveside services, or may be mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the VA Staff that took such good care of Cecil.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Leffler Funeral Home.

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

Ethel Arlene Micheletto, 84, of Christopher, passed away on Friday August 13, 2021 at her home.

She was born on July 15, 1937 in Valier, IL to Harry and Ethel (Eckels) Wingo. She married Pete Micheletto on August 15, 1953 and he preceded her in death on November 14, 2015.

She is survived by her grandchildren Jamie Winemiller of Christopher, Joe (Brandy) Barnhart of Highland, IL and Tyler (Carla) Barnhart of St Jacobs, IL; two daughters-in-law Carla Micheletto of Marine, IL and Linda Micheletto of Christopher; great grandchildren Jenna Micheletto, Stephanie Winemiller, Shianne (Austin Shaw) Winemiller, Harley Winemiller and Jerry Winemiller; great great grandchildren Chloe, Jayci, Jackson and Octavia and one brother Dale (Diane) Wingo of Valier.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons Danny Micheletto and Steve Micheletto and three brothers Donald Wingo, Nolen Wingo and Arnold Wingo.

Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday August 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the St Andrew Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until the time of the Mass at 11:00 AM at the church. Burial will be at St Andrew Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.

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

Leonard Dale Wininger, age 58, of Benton, passed away at 4:14 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021, at his home.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; with Pastor Dave Maragni officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
After the services we will honor Leonard’s wishes and he will be cremated.

Leonard Dale Wininger was born on June 11, 1963, in Benton, IL, the son of Loren Wininger and Elsie (Broughton) Wininger. He married the former Robin Seals on May 11, 2002; and she survives.

Leonard served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1982 to 1984.

He worked for 27 years as a stocker with Wal-Mart of West City.

Leonard enjoyed fishing, professional wrestling, watching car races, especially NASCAR and his favorite driver Kevin Harvick.

He is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Robin Wininger of Benton; a brother Wayne Wininger of Marion, IL, a sister Vicky Tucker of Zeigler, IL, a sister Alice Wininger of Kentucky, a brother John Broughton of West Frankfort, IL; several nieces and nephews; and his fur baby Hayley.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Monty Wininger.
Memorial contributions may be made to ASPCA; and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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