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

Robert “Bobby” Allen Jr., 73, of Sesser, passed away on Friday February 18, 2022.

He was born on January 29, 1949 in DuQuoin, IL to Robert and Billie (Bowlin) Allen Sr.

He is survived by his mother Billie Allen of DuQuoin; daughter Kacie (Mike) Gaffney of Ballwin, MO; grandsons Graham Gaffney and George Gaffney and one sister Kandace (David) Porter, of DuQuoin.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother Dale Allen.

He loved car racing, his daughter, his grandsons and Fox News. He was a truck driver and you could tell him what mile marker you were at in the United States and he could tell you the next truck stop or a landmark that was coming up, so much so his daughter nicknamed him Rand McNally.

Funeral services for Bobby will be on Saturday February 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 noon until the time of the service at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

David S. Bozovich, 75, of Whittington passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at his home.

He was born in West Frankfort, IL on Feb 17, 1946, the son of Nick & Dollie Faye (Overturf) Bozovich.
David married Diana (Arview) on June 8, 2002, and she survives.

David was a Vietnam veteran, serving in the Navy. He served 4 years active duty, and 2 years in the Reserves.
He was of the Christian faith, and was a life member of the VFW. He was a member of the UMWA, retiring from Freeman #6.

Mr. Bozovich is survived by his wife, Diana Bozovich, of Whittington; children, Stephen Bozovich, and wife Jacqueline, of Benton, IL, Terri Bozovich Harmon, of Thompsonville, Il, Tresa Bozovich Reigart, of Antioch, TN, Dale Gordon, and wife Jolynn, of Ewing, IL, Tara Fox, and husband Eric, of Thompsonville, IL and Mandi Harris, and husband Jeff, of Lone Oak, KY; 19 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; father-in-law and mother-in-law Bud and Shirley Arview, of West Frankfort, Il.

Mr. Bozovich was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings, Kenneth Bozovich, Betty Braden, Donetia Laur, Mary Bozovich, Ruth Baluk, Ann Mason, Mildred Jacobs, Virginia Benns and Howard Bozovich, by his son-in-law, Pete Reigart and by a brother-in-law, Jeff Arview.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 20th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Joe Arview and Sister Laura Reynolds officiating.

Burial with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion Post 2671, VFW Post 280 and the United States Navy Honor Team will be in the Overturf Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be from 5:00 P. M. to 8:00 P. M. on Saturday, February 19th at the funeral home.

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

Norman Ward Swisher, 91, of Coello, passed away on Monday February 14, 2022 at Herrin Hospital.

He was born on October 27, 1930 to Ira and Florence Swisher.

He was preceded in death by his wife Roberta (Waller) Swisher, his parents, one son Greg Swisher and one brother and sister-in-law Harold Dean and Marie Swisher.

He is survived by his nephew Bob (Melody) Swisher; niece Bonnie Hanks; nephew Gary Swisher; grandchildren Eric, Tara, Jerrid and Mary Kaye; several great nieces and nephews; cousin Norma Gulley and one special friend Phyllis Grubbs and her children Patrick, Susan and Jane.

He was a Mason and was a member of the First Christian Church of Christopher and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He worked in the Electronics Field all of his working career. He also enjoyed Ham Radios and loved to fish.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday February 19, 2022 at 2:30 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Mulkeytown with Pastor Tony Price officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

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

Donna Mae Mabry, (Momma Donna-‘Madea’), 81, of Benton, IL, passed away Friday, February 11, 2022, at 2:57 p.m., at the hospital in Herrin, IL, surrounded by love and family.

She was born on July 29, 1940, to Florence Therrian and Arthor Remillard.

Donna was a “Franciscan”.

The world certainly got a little quieter when she passed.

Donna was a momma, a grandma, a sister, an aunt and a friend to more people to list than this page could ever hold. Oh, she was a firecracker!!! Her presence was as strong as her mouth was LOUD. The only filter she knew was for making coffee.

She lived to love and loved to live.She devoted her life to family and friends. If you crossed paths with her, you’ll never forget her. She always had jokes and zero boundaries for pranks. Her laughter was endless and her love was enormous.

She had so many extras! Extra kids, extra grandkids and extra nieces and nephews. If she knew you, you were family.

Donna is survived by seven children, James (Jaimie) Snyder, Ramona Nilson and husband, Chris, John Snyder and wife, Nora, Therese Snyder, Jerry Mabry and wife, Shannon, Scotty Mabry and wife, Stephanie and Rhonda Marlo and husband, Steven; 19 grandchildren, Roberta, Rebecca, David, Raechell, Brittany, Misty, Jaima, Kyle, Johnny, Stephanie, Justin, Mikalla, Larry, Trechelle, Ally, Tyler, Ethan, Trenten and Tristan; 33 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild and nine siblings.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence (Joxkoviak) Therrian and Arthor Remillard; brother, Brad Therrian, her husband, Buddy Mabry, a daughter, Julie Snyder, a son, Tony Snyder, granddaughter, Nicole LeVault and very special friend, Don Hutchinson.

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

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, will be officiated by celebrant, June Hogan.

Burial will follow services at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s in the Loop Franciscans Order, 110 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60602.

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

Maxine Faye Rude Abbott, age 95 passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 1, 2021 in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

Funeral services will be held at the First Christian Church 105 North Maple St. Christopher IL 62822 at 1 PM on Sunday, February 20, 2022 with Pastor Tony Price officiating. Burial at Harrison Cemetery, Buckner followed by a luncheon at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall.

Maxine was born on February 20,1926, a coal miner’s daughter of Ernest and Zelma Rude. She was the matriarch of her family and enjoying playing Bingo, traveling, movies, dancing and making her famous fudge and dumplings for all she loved. She will be remembered by her beautiful positive loving spirit and was known as “an Angel among us”.

Surviving are her children, Gregory Abbott Scottsdale, Arizona, Julia (David) Birmingham Thompsonville, Illinois, Gordon Abbott, Christopher, IL, Rebecca Blessing, Kennesaw GA, Lisi White, West Chester, Pa, Lori Abbott, Chicago, Illinois. She had 11 grandchildren and 21 great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by; her parents Ernest and Zelma Rude, sisters, Flossie Docherty, Freda Rude, brothers, William (Bud) Rude, and Robert (Bobby) Rude, husband Ben Abbott (President UAW Local 1292), son, Jeffery Abbott. Flowers are welcomed or in lieu of flowers charities dear to her heart Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation (tttsfoundation.org) or VFW Post 5408(vfw5408.org)

Tributes maybe shared at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com