Norma Jean Uhles, 54, of Benton, IL passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.

Norma was born in Benton, IL on September 6, 1966, the daughter of Harry & Mildred (Lampley) Eubanks.

She married William R. Uhles in 1983, and he survives.

Norma was a member of the Valier Second Baptist Church. She was a very avid worker, she loved ministering to kids. She loved to serve the Lord, she didn’t just talk the talk she lived in Faith. Norma was a homemaker, she loved her kids & grandkids, taking care of animals on the farm, sewing, baking, fishing, camping and having a big meal around the table. She never met a stranger. She loved her family with all her heart. to quote Bill “She was not only my wife, but my best friend.”

Mrs. Uhles is survived by her:
Husband: Bill Uhles of Benton
3 Children:
Jennifer McIntosh of Sullivan, IN
Matt Uhles of Benton
Mark Uhles & wife Molly of Waltonville, IL
10 Grandchildren: Raley, Tenley, Khloe, Oliver, River, Ellie Mae, Colt, Matthew, Savannah & Kylie
1 Sister: Judy Clark & husband Mike of Benton
2 Nephews:
Chris McCann
Jeremiah McCann
2 Nieces:
Alisha Craddock
Nikki Ramey
Uncle: Bill Lampley of Benton

Norma was preceded in death by her Parents and by 1 Grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 14th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Valier Second Baptist Church.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

William F. “Bill” Thomas 94, ended his journey in this life on August 7, 2021

He was born on July 14, 1927 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi the last of eight children born to Ethel (Karnes) and Jonnie Thomas.

While just a few months old, the Thomas Family moved to West City where “Bill” lived on West Webster Street the rest of his life. Mr. Thomas graduated from BTHS in 1945 and immediately went into the service during WWII. He was very active in the affairs of West City. He first served his Village as a trustee, beginning in 1955. He was mayor from 1985 to 1989. Following that, he again served as trustee several terms. He was later appointed zoning administrator by Mayor Ross Cockrum.

West City had no sewer system until the 1970’s, relying on septic tanks for each household’s waste. He was instrumental during the term of Mayor J. B. Kearney, to successfully persuade the residents to approve bonding for a new water and sewer system in 1976. West City had barely been able to survive until the sewers were installed. As a result, Rend Lake Plaza was established with Walmart becoming the “savior” of West City through sales tax collected and then remitted to the village.

West City is now a flourishing and prosperous village, due to the efforts of Mr. Thomas and others. He was proud to be alive when Walmart became a Supercenter along with other national chains coming to West City such as McDonald’s, Applebees, Rural King and many others.

Mr. Thomas also served four years on the Franklin County Board. He was chairman of the Health Committee when the county created the first landfill near Eakin Grove Church, and when the first county dog pound was created for the county.

Mr. Thomas was “saved” in a revival at the First Baptist Church of West City in 1937, at the age of ten years. He served as song leader for thirty years. Also served as church clerk, trustee, training director, and Sunday School teacher. When Paul Dann was pastor in the 1950’s television was just beginning to be readily available to everyone. Together, Rev. Dann and “BIll” as song leader, would take the church choir to Harrisburg, Channel 3 WSIL, to provide a service, monthly, on television.

While all these activities were going on, “Bill” married Anne Miglin in 1950, built a new house in 1952 at 709 West Webster, next to the old home where he was reared. In 1956 he established Thomas Printing and Stationery Company at 702 West Main Street where Plaza Tire now stands.

When Interstate 57 came through West City, it became necessary to move the printing business. Mr. Thomas then designed and had built a new building for the business at 301 South DuQuoin Street in Benton. The printing business is still being operated by Mike and Barbara Thomas after 65 years.

Also, during their years Anne and “Bill” had three sons born to them. Namely, Alan, Van and Michael. Bill is survived by Alan and wife Deborah, Benton, Van and wife Joyce of Chesterton, Indiana, and Michael and Barbara Thomas of Benton. Grandchildren are Beth, Aaron, Clayton, Eva, and Stuart Thomas and great grandchild Jake Lemeshko, in Beaumont, Texas.

Wife Anne Miglin Thomas died on February 10, 2003 after 52 years of marriage.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 13 at 1:00 P. M. with visitation starting at 11:00 A. M. until time of the service at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home, 410 South Main Street, Benton, Illinois. Burial with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts and the Army Honor Guard will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery, beside his departed wife.

May you all have pleasant memories of William F. “Bill” Thomas.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Evelyn Jean Furlow, 85, of Christopher, passed away on Friday August 6, 2021 at her home.

She was born on June 19, 1936 in Benton, IL to Henry Johnson and Edna Evelyn (McDonald) Herbert. She married Bill Furlow on August 23, 1958 and he survives of Christopher.

She is also survived by her son Rodney (Karen) Furlow of Mulkeytown; granddaughters Brittney Boner, Alexandra (Aaron Gonzalez) Boner, Katie (Cullen) Matthews and Lily Furlow & John Davey; great grandchildren Olivia Gonzalez, Damien Gonzalez, Harrison Matthews, Amelia Matthews and Nathaniel Hayes; one sister Judy Doxsie of Benton and one brother Joe (Carolynn) Herbert of West Frankfort.

She loved to travel, crochet, and most important she loved spending time with her family. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Benton.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter Pamela (Furlow) Dunmyer.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday August 10, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Entombment will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.

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

Victoria Theresa Brachear, 76 , of Benton, IL, peacefully passed away on August 2nd, 2021, surrounded by loved ones, after a difficult battle with cancer.

Vicki was born on March 26th, 1945 to Victor and Cora Cavatorta, in Taylorville, IL.

On June 24, 1968 she married Warren Brachear. They shared 36 years of marriage prior to his death in 2004. Together they raised six children: Tamara Green of Taylorville, IL, Michael (Darla) Brachear of Benton, IL, Kevin (Nordela) Scott of Fort Worth, Texas, Greg (Joyce) Brachear of Decatur, IL, Tracy (Steve) Brown of DuQuoin, IL and Jackie (Mark) Taylor of Benton, IL. Additionally, she is survived by 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Other survivors include her sister Brendina Vandeventer of Tovey, IL, Jim (Maralyn) Cavatorta of Tovey, IL, Josephine Wingo of Perry, Florida and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, sister Zoey Hunter, and brother Victor Cavatorta.
For many years, Vicki served as a homemaker for the large family. Later she worked as a Pharmacy Technician at Wal-mart in Benton and Macomb IL where she enjoyed spending time with her co-workers and regular customers. She enjoyed her Sunday school class at the First Baptist Church in DuQuoin and serving as a volunteer in the nursery there.

Vicki loved taking care of her family and always was there to listen, support, encourage and provide advice. She loved visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was especially fond of fishing with her great grandson.

Vicki loved fresh flowers and enjoying the nature surrounding her country home. Late in life, Vicki enjoyed traveling with her adult children. She was passionate about spending time with family and creating loving memories.

Private funeral services will be held on Wednesday at the Morton Johnson Funeral Home with Reverend Joe Wagner officiating. Graveside service will follow at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton, IL.

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

Speranza “Frances” Sluzevich, 100, of Benton, Illinois went Home to be with the Lord at 12:30 A.M. on August 2, 2021.

Frances was born on April 6, 1921 in Coello, Illinois. On March 29, 1942, she married Sam Sluzevich who preceded her in death in May 1986. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Eride Bial, brother John Gasparini and son-in-law Don Neal. Frances was a faithful servant of the Helps Ministry and Seniors Ministry at Whittington Church where she was a long-time member. She was also an avid Cubs fan who finally got to see her beloved Cubbies win the World Series. For her 100th birthday this year, she was blessed to have a dream come true and was able to celebrate it at Wrigley Field with her family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling, reading, crocheting and working crossword puzzles.

She is survived by her two sons and daughter: Sam Sluzevich and wife Belinda of Jacksonville, Florida, David Sluzevich, and wife Carol of Parrish, Florida, and Kay Neal of Benton, IL; four grandchildren, Dr. Jason Sluzevich of Jacksonville, Florida, Aaron Sluzevich of San Antonio, TX, Debbie Crawford, and husband Doug of Benton, IL, Cassie Gilliam and husband Tyler of Minnesota City, Minnesota, Ginny Phillips and husband Brandon of Bradenton, Florida, and Kristina Coleman, and husband Justin of Franklin, TN; five great-grandchildren, Landon Phillips, Callie Phillips, Journey Coleman, Julia Coleman and Grant Sluzevich.

Services will be held at Whittington Church, Whittington, IL on Wednesday, August 4th at 12:00 Noon with Rev. Mark Minor & Rev. Greg Shelton officiating. Burial will be in the Maonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, Frances requested that donations be made to the Helps Ministries or Senior Ministries of Whittington Church.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Linda Faye Reaney, age 71, of Mulkeytown, IL, passed away on July 28, 2021.

She was born in Benton, Illinois, to Walter and Allene (Kirchner) Berner. She is survived by her husband, Larry Reaney of Royalton; children Angela Hill of Royalton and Scott Reaney of Delta Junction, Alaska; and grandchildren Brooklyn Allene Reaney and Taylor Rae Reaney. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Robert Berner.

Linda graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in biology. She retired as a special education teacher, having devoted her career to serving disadvantaged populations.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, caring for her cats, and stamping cards with her friends.

Memorial service will be on Friday August 6, 2021 at 6:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 6:00 p.m.

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

Timothy R. O’Brien passed away July 26 in Davis, CA at the age of 81. Tim was born October 31, 1939 in West Frankfort, Illinois.

His parents were William and Peg (Dawe) O’Brien, of Valier. He graduated from Valier High School in 1957 and attended Southern Illinois University, graduating in 1961. He then attended the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois, graduating with a DVM in 1965.

He met the love of his life, Janet Bradley, a young girl from Christopher, Illinois at the most popular place in town, the Maid Rite. They married in September 1962…moving to Urbana, Illinois to complete his degree in veterinary medicine at the U of I.

Tim not only got his DVM degree June 1965, but the day before graduation, their first child, a son, Shawn, was born. Tim, Janet and newborn son, Shawn, moved to Washington State Veterinary School in Pullman to do a year’s residency. After completion of his residency he entered into a Masters and PhD program at Colorado Veterinary School in Fort Collins. Their second son, Michael, was born while residing in Colorado. With Tim’s residency, advanced degrees, board certification in veterinary radiology, he accepted a teaching position in the Department of Radiology at the University of California, School of Veterinary Medicine in Davis in 1969.

Tim started his career in small animal radiology, but within a short period of time, developed an equine radiology program at the veterinary school. He taught, traveled to veterinary schools in the United States and many countries, lecturing in equine medicine. He also was in administrative and research programs at UCD veterinary medicine. He serve as an Associate Dean, and Department Chair of Radiology for many years at the veterinary school. He and his wife Janet held an annual Equine Conference at Lake Tahoe for 41 years for equine practicers. Practitioners received continuing education credit and also got to enjoy skiing and the beautiful scenery of Lake Tahoe.

Tim taught, did research, and lectured worldwide for 49 years, retiring in 2008. He continued to reside with his wife Janet in Davis after retirement. They never lost their love for their roots. Southern Illinois and their family, friends that still lived in Valier, Christopher area. Yearly trips with their sons were made back home. The Maid-Rite was the one special place they always frequented on trips home…the place they first met in 1958. Tim was preceded in death by his parents, brother and the loss of his son, Shawn. He is survived by his bride Janet…who would be celebrating their 59th anniversary in September, his son Dr. Michael O’Brien and wife Melissa and their two children William and Sophia of Denver, Colorado. His son Mike, followed in Tim’s footsteps into radiology …but interventional radiology …and his patients were human! Also he is survived by Shawn’s two daughters, Christina and Kelly, Huntington Beach, California, nephews Doug Omer (Wendy), Rockford, Illinois, Dirk Omer, Saratoga, Florida.

Tim was a quiet man, a man who was so proud of his sons, grandchildren. The times he loved and enjoyed most were having his beloved O’Brien clan gather…having favorite recipes from Southern Illinois served, watching his favorite sport teams on TV. His devoted love for family made his life complete. Tim’s love for his St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini never wavered…his wardrobe has always consisted of multiple, multiple Cardinals and Illini tee shirts, sweatshirts, anything wearable with their logo on it! Janet and Tim’s never lost or forgot where they came from…their beloved devotion for their home…Southern Illinois. They always planned one day to return for their final visit.

Tim’s burial services are handled by Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, Illinois. Funeral services will be on Saturday August 7, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Visitation is from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher.

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

Dora Lee Hutchins, age 93, of Benton, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 8:18 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2021.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 2, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will follow in the Logan Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Dora was born on May 29, 1928, in Benton, the daughter of William Pearl Frost and Sadie Fae (Denham) Frost. She married Herman Eugene “Gene” Hutchins and he preceded her in death on July 23, 1975.

She was a former hairdresser. She also formerly worked as bookkeeper for Neal & Sons, INC of Benton; and was a former teller with Boatmen’s Bank of Benton.

She was a member of the New Life Church of God of Benton, where she enjoyed worshipping her Lord and Savior.

Dora enjoyed to crochet, use to bowl in a women’s bowling league, enjoyed baking, especially baking pies for her friends and family. Most of all she loved spending time with her family.

Surviving is a daughter Nany Kay Hutchins of Herrin, IL; a son Derek Hutchins and wife Tina of Foley, AL; grandchildren: Gina Lee Cooper of Benton, IL, Andrew Jacob “A.J.” Hutchins and wife Veronica of Schaumburg, IL, Autumn Jenae Hutchins of Foley, AL; great-grandchildren: Justin Cooper of Herrin, IL, Chelsey De Armey and husband Michael of Cambria, IL, Lauron Kirkpatrick and husband Josh of Oklahoma, Atticus Wayne Ellis of Foley, AL; great-great-grandchildren: Lydia Anne Cooper, Kai Daniel Kirkpatrick, Kora Lee Kirkpatrick; a sister Patricia Overturf of Stiritz, IL; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and three brothers: Woodrow Frost, Kenneth Frost, Carl Frost.

The family would prefer Memorial contributions may be made to the New Life Church of God and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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