Robert Guy “Bob” Buntin – Thompsonville, IL

May 6, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Robert Guy “Bob” Buntin, age 81, of Thompsonville, passed away at 11:10 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at the TriStar Centennial Medical Center of Nashville, TN.

Mr. Buntin’s wishes were to be cremated.

Memorial Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Greg Shelton officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in the Knob Prairie Cemetery; at a future date.

We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our funeral home at a time, masks are required. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Bob was born on February 14, 1940 in Akin, Illinois, the son of Buel Samuel Buntin and Helen E. (Dillon) Buntin. He married the former Marjorie Ann Lochhead on June 30, 1962, and together they shared 58 years of marriage before her death on August 7, 2020.

He was an owner/partner of Buntin Farms.

Bob had an Associates Degree as a Dental Tech. It was during this time in his life when he met the Love of His Life, Marge.
Bob’s memberships included a 50+ year member of the Macedonia Masonic Lodge #1128 A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rites Body of the Valley of Southern Illinois, Ainad Temple of the Shrine, Franklin County Farm Bureau, 16 years served as a member of the Akin School Board, a one term member of the Benton Consolidate High School Board, and the Akin Water District Board.

He enjoyed stock car racing and was a NASCAR fan of Bill Elliott. He loved taking Marge to “go burn some gas”.
Surviving is his four children: Kelly Clark Balliet and husband Mark of McLeansboro, Scott Buntin and wife Shari of Thompsonville, Steve Buntin and wife Heather of Sarasota, FL, Sam Buntin and wife Cindy of Benton; nine grandchildren: Caleb Buntin and wife Beth, Alex Clark, Mat Buntin, Megan Buntin, Kira and Tyler Buntin, Lee Balliet and wife Ashley, Melissa Balliet, McKenzie Raley and husband Daniel; seven great-grandchildren: Harper and Reagan Buntin, Jada Hill, Ava Graham, Skylar and David Lee Balliet, Levi Raley; a brother Mike Buntin and wife Brenda of Thompsonville; a sister Jean Buntin Chamness (deceased); a sister-in-law Carol Hoffman and husband Harold of Union, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by His parents; his wife; and a sister.

The family prefers that Memorial Contributions, rather than flowers, be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children; and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Walter Don Freeman – Benton, Illinois

May 5, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Walter Don Freeman, age 55, of Benton; went to be with his Lord and Savior at 11:15 p.m. Monday, May 3, 2021.

His wishes are to be cremated. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church at a future date.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge, of the arrangements.

Walter was born on June 21, 1965 in Fort Smith, Arkansas; the son of Joe Freeman and Loretta (Jetton) Freeman. He married the former Karen Denise Bland on January 11, 1985 and she survives.

He and his wife Karen are the owners of KOA Campground of Benton. Walter was the President of the Illinois Campground Association and he was the Vice-President of the Benton-West City Chamber of Commerce.

Walter was a Free Will Baptist minister and was a member of the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church of Ewing.
He enjoyed anything outdoors, especially fishing. He enjoyed spending time with his family and visiting with the campers at KOA.

Surviving is his loving wife of 36 years Karen Denise Freeman of Benton; a son Carl Freeman of St. Charles, MO; two daughters: Kacie Freeman of Benton and Caitlyn Garris of Benton; a sister Debra Garris of Roland, Oklahoma; his father and mother-in-law: Thomas Eadman Bland and Joyce Bland; a sister-in-law Sheila Morse and husband James of Alma, Arkansas; a brother-in-law Thomas Bland of Chester, Arkansas and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, paternal and maternal grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at the church or the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or share memories of Walter, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Deborah Susan Robinson – West City, Illinois

May 3, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Deborah Susan (Lipe) Griffin Robinson, age 71, of West City, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2021 at her daughter’s home, surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 7, 2021 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Phillips Cemetery of Ewing. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening; and from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our funeral home at a time, masks are required. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Deborah was born on November 7, 1949 in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Roy Lipe and Patsey (Crippen) Lipe. She was first married to John W. Griffin, and he preceded her in death on July 12, 2002. On August 15, 2003 she married Jimmy Floyd Robinson, and he survives.
She was a former surgical nurse and mental health counselor.

Deborah was a member of Whittington Church, where she enjoyed worshipping her Lord Jesus with her church family.
She enjoyed reading, working puzzles, sewing, and doing crafts.

Surviving is her husband Jimmy Robinson of West City; a daughter Diane Stroud of Marion, IL; two sons: John Griffin, Jr of Benton, Kenneth Griffin and wife Karen of Shelbyville, TN; grandchildren: Dakota Griffin, Katie Griffin, Shelby Griffin, Alexis Burke, Amanda Burke, Kenny Griffin, Brayden Griffin, Brad Stroud, Brandi Stroud, and Brittney Rector; seven great-grandchildren: Jasmine, Drew, Jackson, Dylan, Natalie, Kinsley, and Maverick; five sisters: Becky Buchanan, Mary Mason, Sandy Dover, Cindy Weller, and Tammy Moore; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband John W. Griffin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Whittington Church; 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 Deborah, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Carole Kay Rice – Benton, IL

May 3, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Carole Kay Rice, age 77, of Benton, passed away at 7:30 a.m. Friday, April 30, 2021 at the Benton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Memorial Celebration of Life Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 7, 2021 at the Logan Cemetery, with Rev. Brian Mixon officiating. Friends and family are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the arrangements.

Carole Kay Rice was born on April 26, 1944 in Benton, IL; the daughter of Willie Haney and Thelma (Burton) Haney. She married James L. Rice in 1961 and he preceded her in death on October 1, 2004.

Carole was an LPN, having worked with many area nursing homes and Franklin Hospital.

She attended the Thompsonville Church of God.

Carole enjoyed feeding wild animals, especially birds and deer. She enjoyed cooking, shopping area Amish Stores, tanning and wearing makeup. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her grandsons.

Surviving is a son Steve Rice and wife Loretta of Logan; a daughter Cindy Darnell of Logan; Carole’s partner Keith Manzek of West City; three grandsons: Daniel Rice of West City, Kyle Darnell of Logan, Jim Pense of Logan; siblings: Bill Haney, Ronnie Haney, Earlene Haney, Brenda Khankan, Sandra Majdich; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a sister Linda Kraft.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Priscilla “Pat” Hill – Benton, Illinois

May 3, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Priscilla “Pat” (Ponsetti) Rea Hill, age 85, of Benton; passed away at 8:05 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2021 at the Franklin Hospital of Benton.

Pat was born on July 24, 1935 in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of John Ponsetti and Lillian (English) Ponsetti. She married James Rea and he preceded her in death in 1962. In 1967 she married Kenneth Dale “Red” Hill and he preceded her in death on March 14, 2016.

Pat worked for Benton Township as a Caseworker assisting with the Earn Fare Program. She also previously worked for Benton Community Bank and U.M.W.A.. She was a former Chairwoman of the Franklin County Democrats.
She enjoyed reading; and assisting people in need. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her two grandchildren and great-granddaughters.

Her family said she was known for her gifts of $2 bills.

Surviving is her daughter Jamie Neal and husband Jim of Benton; two grandchildren: Adam Neal of Benton, Abby Kathalynas and husband Tim of Benton; two great-granddaughters: Harlynn Rea and Brynn Louise; a brother-in-law David Rea and wife Carol of West City; several loving nieces and nephews.

A special “Thank You” to her caregivers who have lovingly cared for her over the last years of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; siblings: W.C. McKinnon, John Ponsetti, Jr., Clara Kondoudis, Tim Ponsetti, Kenneth Ponsetti, and Jack Ponsetti.

Public graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2021 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our funeral home at a time, masks are required. If you are sick, please stay at home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Public Library; and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Pat, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Jerry W Peacock – Benton, IL

May 3, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Jerry W Peacock, 78, of Benton, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at his residence.

He was born on July 18, 1942, to Richard and Freda (Willis) Peacock in West Frankfort, IL.
Jerry is survived by his loving spouse Kay (Boldon) Peacock; and one grandson, Cory Peacock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Lee and Freda May Peacock, Sr; son, Steven Peacock; five brothers, Tom Peacock, Ronnie Peacock, Robert Peacock, James Peacock and Richard Peacock, Jr; and one sister, Beulah Ruth Peacock.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL. A private family graveside service will be held at Tower Heights Cemetery, West Frankfort, IL.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benton, IL., and will be accepted at the church and the funeral home.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Elsie Schram – Zeigler, IL

May 3, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Elsie Schram, 40, of Zeigler, passed away on April 30, 2021 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

She was born on April 18, 1981 in Cairo, IL to Joseph Elvis and Sally Ann (Salver) Little. She married C.J. Schram on May 4, 2007 and he survives of Zeigler.

She is also survived by her children Michael (Zoey) McGill of Johnston City, Liberty McGill of Zeigler and Brody Schram of Zeigler; brothers and sisters Becky Little of Jackson, MO, Elvis (Melissa) Little of Dallas, TX, Mona (Lindell) Johnson of Paducah, KY and Travis (Juliann) Little of Paducah, KY; a special niece Ashley (Freddie) Thomas of Scott City, MO and several other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 8, 2021 from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the Zeigler Eagles.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Louie Kunas-Formerly of Coello

May 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Louie Kunas passed away on April 29, 2021. He was born May 12, 1931 in Coello, Illinois, delivered by a midwife at the local mining company. The youngest of eight children born to Polish immigrants George and Valeria, Louie grew up working on the family farm and enjoying rural small-town life.

After graduating high school in 1950, he worked for Caterpillar in Peoria. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, serving proudly as a ship’s mechanic on the SS Helena from 1951-1955. After the war Louie attended college at Montana State then moved to Chicago along with several of his siblings. In the 1970s he began a long career working as a model maker in research and development for Motorola and contributed to the creation of the earliest cellular telephone and flip phone.

Louie was a deeply devoted father to his children Lyle, Diana, Amie, and Myra, and a surrogate father to his granddaughter Isis. He was proud to have completed an associate’s degree from Elgin Community College. After retirement, he continued making machine parts from his home business in Hampshire. An avid reader, road-tripper, trap shooter and hunter, he loved traveling the country in the family RV and relished taking his kids on hunting and fishing trips to Wyoming, North Dakota, and Canada.

Louie is preceded in death by his parents (George and Valeria), siblings Stanley (Virginia), Carl (Helen), Julie (Bill Rose), Wanda (Ted Glowinski), Eleanor (Hillard Telinski), Henry, and Stephanie, infant son George Michael, and daughter Diana. He is survived by his son Lyle, daughters Amie Leucht and Myra Kunas, and his grandchildren Isis, Riley, Louie, Rudy, Selby, Evie, and Sammy.

Funeral services for Louie will be on Wednesday May 5, 2021 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 12:00 PM. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Sherry Lynn Johnson – Benton, IL

May 1, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Sherry Lynn Johnson, 66, of Benton passed away Friday afternoon, April 30, 2021 at the Helia HealthCare in Benton.

She was born in Christopher, IL on Nov. 24, 1954, the daughter of Harold Dean and Flora Mae (Good) Furlow.
Sherry married Steve Johnson on Oct. 8, 1971 in Elizabethtown, IL, and he survives.

Sherry lived for her family, especially her granddaughter. Sherry started her career as a CNA, she then went to LPN school, then became a Registered Nurse, and over the years served as Head Supervisor over ICU at UMWA Hospital in West Frankfort, and was House Supervisor at UMWA when she left to go to Frankfort Health Care where she started as Director of Nurses, then became Administrator and retired from that position.

Mrs. Johnson is survived by her:
Husband: Steve Johnson of Benton
Son: Stevie Johnson of Benton
Daughter: Stacie Little & husband Greg of Buckner
Granddaughter: KayLee Little of Buckner
Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her Parents & by 2 Sisters-Sue Travelstead & husband Raymond Travelstead and Bernadine Braddy.
Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. Monday, May 3rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Bill Perry officiating. Burial will be in the Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
We ask everyone attending the services to be considerate of others and to practice social distancing. We are limited to 50 people in our building at a time, and masks are recommended.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Joe Ronchetto – Benton, Illinois

April 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment

Joe Robert Ronchetto, age 74 of Benton; passed from this life to his Heavenly Home, to be with his Lord and Savior at 2:09 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Rev. Kevin Bradley officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Joe Robert Ronchetto was born on July 24, 1946 in Du Quoin, Illinois; the son of Domenick Joe Ronchetto and Juanita (Daniels) Ronchetto. He married the former Janet Sue Lampley on April 3, 1976, and together they shared 45 years of marriage.
He was a retired coal miner having worked with Old Ben Coal Mines #24 & 21, Shoal Creek Mine in Alabama, and the Cutler Mine. He was a ten-year member of the U.M.W.A., before becoming a company employee.

Joe was a member of Valier First Baptist Church, where he loved to worship his Lord playing the bass guitar and singing.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, line dancing, boating; but most of all he loved spending time with his grandkids.

Surviving is his loving wife Janet Sue Ronchetto of Benton; four children: Jo Lee Baker of Benton, Misty Altiparmak and husband Korhan of Helena, AL, Tatia Trover and husband Kevin of Herrin, IL, Clinton Ronchetto and wife Susan of Herrin, IL; grandchildren: Brooke Butcher and husband Nate of Benton, Kelsey Baker of Florida, Naylin Ronchetto of Benton, Kaya Altiparmak of Helena, AL, Landon Trover of Herrin, IL, Kaleb Stanhouse and wife Mackenzie of Du Quoin, IL, Devin Stanhouse of Du Quoin, IL; great-grandchildren: Zayden Butcher and Kyson Butcher both of Benton, Ariella Stanhouse and Zoe Stanhouse both of Du Quoin, IL; a brother Dom Ronchetto, Jr. of Mulkeytown, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents: Domenick and Juanita Ronchetto; his father and mother-in-law: Alvis and Fay Lampley; and a nephew Clint Anthony Ronchetto.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Valier First Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or share memories of Joe, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries
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