Kenneth Erwin of Benton, IL passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 29th at home in the company of his son and daughter.

Ken spent his final days in Coburg, Oregon after embarking on an all-American road trip following old Route 66 to the West Coast. Ken was born on August 20, 1955 to Kenneth “Dwight” Erwin and Mildred Erwin, formerly Mangrum. Ken was the oldest son of ten children and is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Sharon, Doug, and Audrey. His other siblings are Delores, Joyce, Brenda, Phyllis, Ronnie, and Kurtis. He was fondly known as Uncle Kenny to many nieces and nephews.

Ken is lovingly survived by his son JR and his wife Autumn, five beautiful grandbabies, and daughter Kayla. Ken was a classic car genius and world-class storyteller. He is deeply missed.

A celebration of life will take place in honor of his birthday at South Sandusky Beach on Saturday, August 21st beginning at noon.

Carl Eugene Sims, 87, of Mulkeytown, passed away on July 2, 2021 at his home with family members at his side.

He was born on November 20, 1933 in Christopher, IL to Oatho and Helen (Long) Sims. He married Cynthia Jean Norris on April 28, 1951 in Pocahontas, AR. Together they enjoyed 69 years of marriage.

Carl is survived by his children Glenn (Susan) Sims of St. Louis, MO; John (Laurel) Sims of Waltonville, IL; Arlie (Robert Kokott) Sims of Chicago, IL; Carla Sims of Mt. Vernon, IL; Mary (Michelle) Sims of Christopher, IL; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister Carolyn Sanders of Atwood, IL; and brother Ronnie Sims of Wasilla, AK.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia Jean Sims, father, Oatho Sims, and mother, Helen (Long) Sims and son, Thomas N. Sims. Carl worked for many years at Blue Bell packing company in DuQuoin, IL and retired at the age of 59 from the Old Ben Coal Company, where he served as a mine examiner. He also managed the family’s eighty-acre farm and enjoyed caring for animals –horses, cattle, goats, poultry, dogs, and bees, among others—and spending time with his grandchildren. An avid storyteller, Carl shared humor and empathy in retelling the adventures and challenges of the many relatives and friends he enjoyed, and often helped, in his lifetime.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. A graveside service will follow at Ward Cemetery in Mulkeytown with Zip Biby officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ward-Greenwood Cemetery Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Vickie Kay Powenski, age 56, of Valier, passed away Monday, June 28, 2021 at her home.

Her wishes are to be cremated with no public services.

Cremation arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Vickie was born on October 9, 1964, the daughter of Rutherford Eubanks. She married Mike Powenski on January 17, 1992; and he survives.
Vickie was a nurse’s aide having worked at numerous nursing homes throughout Southern Illinois. She also was the secretary and co-owner of MP Bit Service.
She was of the Pentecostal faith.

Vickie enjoyed flower gardening, pictures. And spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, Mike Powenski of Valier; two sons: Johnnie Carlton Gouge, Jr. and wife Rebecca of Kalamazoo, MI, Adam Wayne Gouge of Iowa; a daughter Natosha Merlene Plumlee and husband Bryan of Valier; six grandchildren: Deacon Gouge, Ayden Gouge, Faith Gouge, Michael Gouge, Castiel Lukehart, and Nyla Plumlee; two sisters: Frankie Jo Eubanks of Valier, Tammy Flood of Coello; her father and mother-in-law Marion and Merlene Powenski of Benton; a sister-in-law Linda Powenski of West Frankfort; a brother-in-law Boby Orr several nieces, nephews, and her many friends and neighbors of Valier.
She was preceded in death by her father Rutherford Eubanks; a sister Sherry Flood; and a brother-in-law Bobby Flood.

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

Kenneth Wayne Oakley, age 83, of Benton, passed away at 8:50 a.m. Thursday, July 1, 2021, at the VA Medical Center of Marion.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Alan Stewart officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post#280, V.F.W. Post#2671, and the Army National Guard; will be at the Shiloh Cemetery of Whittington. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the Leffler Funeral Home.

The Royal Order of Jesters will have a walk through at 11:47 a.m. on Saturday, with a Shrine walk through to follow. Masonic Rites will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Saturday, at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Kenneth was born on June 14, 1938, in Hopkins County, Kentucky, the son of Oscar Oakley and Emma (Jones) Oakley. He married the former Joyce Elaine (Martin) Erwin on May 15,1993 and she survives.

Kenneth served his country in the U.S. Army, where he was a MP, attaining the rank of Corporal/SP4.
He formerly worked in mining supplies as a salesman. He would later work for the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center, transporting juveniles to their court dates. After working for the Juvenile Detention Center, Kenny would become a bailiff at the Franklin County Courthouse.

Kenneth was very active in the Masonic Fraternity having become a Master Mason with the Slaughters Lodge #347 A.F. & A.M. of Slaughters, Kentucky, and he was an Honorary Member of Benton Lodge #64 A.F. & A.M. of Benton, Illinois. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and MSA Benefactor of the Scottish Rites Bodies of the Valley of Southern Illinois of Belleville, Illinois. Ken was also a Shriner where he attained the title of Ambassador Emeritus of the Ainad Temple of the Shrine; Royal Order of Jesters, and he was a member of the Ainad Legion of Honor.

He enjoyed being with his family, visiting with his neighbors, gardening, fishing.
and taking road trips to some of his favorite eating places. Most of all, he enjoyed his visits from his great-grandsons, and taking them to feed the neighbor’s chickens.
His family said he knew the best place to eat in any town, and would plan his trips around the best places to eat.

Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Joyce Oakley of Benton; his daughter Kendra Johnston and husband Billy of Madisonville, KY; Joyce’s children: Curt Erwin and wife Peggy, Linda Smith, and Brenda Zimmerman, all of Benton; grandchildren: Natasha Shanks, Skyler Johnston, Benjamin Erwin, Lucas Erwin, Kelsey Drew, Amber Robey, Matt Zimmerman, and Tyler Zimmerman; great-grandchildren: Axton Drew, Calin Drew, Elijah Zimmerman, Elaina Zimmerman, Xavier Zimmerman, Knox Robey, and Waylon Shanks; and several nieces and nephews; and his many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, a brother, and a son-in-law Curtis Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children; and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Kenny, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Warren David Curry, Dave to his friends and family, was born on July 29, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, to Warren Gale Curry and Elsia Mae (Cedar) Curry. He died on June 28, 2021, surrounded by his family.

Dave married Ellen Jenkins Curry in 1987, and they have two sons, Joshua David Curry and wife Rebecca, of Marsailles, Illinois, and Jacob Scott Curry and wife Bria, of Benton, Illinois. Dave was blessed with three granddaughters, Anneliese Curry, Alexandria Curry, and Aurora Curry, Josh’s children, and one grandson, Carson Curry, Jake’s son.

Dave’s father, paternal grandparents (Norman and Lela Curry), and maternal grandparents (Hazel and James Frank Glenn and Clifford Cedar) predeceased him.

Dave is survived by his mother Elsia: wife Ellen, sons Josh and Jake and families, his sister, Sandy Stowers, of Mulga, Alabama, brother James Curry, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, many cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and his two beloved dogs, Herbert and Sissy.

Dave lived a full life. He worked hard from the time he was a kid with a paper route and through high school working at his mom and dad’s Mobile station in Christopher, Illinois. At that station, he painted many of his friends’ cars. After high school, he worked as a mine construction iron worker. In his early 20’s, he designed and built his own home in rural Thompsonville. He also worked as a foreman for a golf course construction company, and before he retired, he drove his own truck, under his own authority, hauling campers from Elkhart, Indiana, all over the country.

Dave loved woodworking and remodeled two homes for his family and his wife’s office on the Benton Public Square. Over the years, he raised hogs and cattle and horses. He loved gardening, fishing, working on cars, and taking his dogs for rides in his truck every day. He was very generous and kind, as well as stubborn and feisty.

Funeral arrangements are through Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021 from 10 to 11 a.m. with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m. with Brother Ted Anderson officiating. Burial service will be immediately after the funeral at Mitchell Cemetery in Sesser, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance and Food Pantry.

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

Donald R. Edmonds, 78, of Benton, passed away on Tuesday June 29, 2021 at his home.

He was born on April 18, 1943 in McLeansboro, IL to Richard and Bessie (Draper) Edmonds. He married Helen (Bowlin) Edmonds on August 20, 1960.

He is survived by his wife Helen Edmonds of Benton; one son Eric (Pam) Edmonds of Benton and one granddaughter Olivia Edmonds.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Ralph Edmonds and one sister Alice Fitzgerald.

Don was a coal miner at Consol Mine in Sesser and a Veteran of the United States Navy.

Don’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.

The family would like to thank everyone that helped them during this most difficult time.

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

Captain Warren E. Stewart left this world on June 26, 2021 at approximately 8:30 p.m. while in the companionship of his cousins, Bob and Cindy Britton, Delores Perona and her daughter Robin Reich, while watching circle track racing on television.

Warren was a dual resident of Panama City, Florida and Benton, IL, where he had resided for the past two years.

Warren was a retired captain in the U.S. Air Force. His first interest in the service came when he entered the ROTC at Southern Illinois University. After getting his Bachelor’s degree from SIUC in economics, he then was accepted into the Air Force and was sent to Lackland Air Force base in Biloxi, MS; Kelley Air Force base in San Antonio, TX; Denver CO, where he was then sent to Iceland; Forbes Air Force base in Topeka, KS; North Bend Air Force base in North Bend, OR; Nellis Air Force base where he obtained his Masters’ in Business Administration (MBA) in Las Vegas, NV, and retiring from Tyndall Air Force base in Panama City, FL.
Warren was also a 32nd degree Mason along with being a Shriner.

After retirement Warren became a real estate agent in Panama City along with being a bail bondsman, that he thoroughly enjoyed, for more than 20 years. Oh some of the stories…

Although never married, Warren has a legacy of long term family and friends. And some of them are listed below:

The Gene and Gladys Flatt family, the Clyde and Stella Stewart family, the Maxine and Wallace Miller family, the Maxine and Gene Vanwinkle family, the Lyle and Denzil Miller family, the John and Billie Burzynski family, the Casey and Wilma Sims family, the Jack and Hazel Stewart family, the Jim and Anne Stewart family, the Bill and Sally Britton family, and the Raymond and Frances Foster family.

Warren asked that these friends be mentioned, as if family.

Toni Alsup, Ron Harrelson, Scott Harrelson, Sue Tyler , Charlie Paul, Judy and Ernie Duckworth, Gary Messersmith, Anna Marie and Ron Giacone, David Wright, Val Pritchett, Terry Thomas, Charles Barlow and their families.
Two other friends who Warren has known for years is Jack Knapp, (a well known author of science fiction with many published books) and it was Warren who edited these books for Jack prior to selling them on Amazon. And David Cameron, whom he met in Reno, and the two of them just “clicked”.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, Warren has asked that all donations be accepted at the funeral home to be sent to the Shriners Hospital in his name. This family would like to thank you for all being such a friend to him. And we ask for prayers, that Warren did believe in the Lord and is with Him now.

His parents, who have passed, were Pansy (Warren) and Silas (Gene) Stewart. His grandparents are as follows: the late Ora and Silas Stewart and the late Frances and Robert Warren.
Services will be Tuesday June 29th at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton IL. The services will start at 11 a.m. and prior to that, please come and share some stories with us starting at 9 am.
Everyone is invited to the Cozy Table after the funeral for lunch and a celebration of Warren’s life.
The pall bearers are as follows: Bob Britton, Garrett Britton, Charlie Paul, Alan Stewart, Danny Drew and John Kramer.

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