Ruth Janice Droit Keelin, Age 87, passed away at 5:28 a.m., Friday, May 07, 2021 at her home in Benton.

Ruth was born on July 20, 1933, the daughter of Reno and Ruie Cardwell Droit. Ruth Droit from Droit City and Thompsonville, married John Bertice “Bert” Keelin from Saline County, 68 years ago. They moved to Benton, IL and had three children.

Ruth was strong in her faith and excelled as a good wife and mother. In addition to her love of church and family, there are two areas in which she stood out. One was her outstanding cooking. She mastered cake decorating and pie baking. The second area was her music. She was born into a gospel music family. She continued her family’s legacy by singing and playing both the organ and the piano at First Church of God, First Freewill Baptist Church, and Immanuel Baptist Church. She played gospel music for 60 years. She worked in the office at the family business, Franklin Auto Parts. She was fortunate to see her great grandchildren play sports, which she dearly loved.

Surviving are three children with their families as follows:

Surviving is Daughter: Patricia (Pat) Keelin Kern, her children and grandchildren: Melissa Mitchell Richardson and husband Tim Richardson, Frank Kern and his wife Patricia (Patty) Liell, Eric Kern, Dr. Brian Kern and his wife Summer, Jason Kern, and his wife Janie Simon, and Megan Kern Williams and her husband, Chris. Pat’s grandchildren, Ruth’s great-grandchildren: Gavin and Whitley Richardson, Caden, Charli, Ellsie, Cash, Landon, Hunter, and Collin Mark Kern. Deceased are: Son-In-Law Mark Kern and two great-grandchildren, Kern Williams and Anna Williams.

Surviving is Daughter: Karen Keelin Harrison and her husband, Greg Harrison. Her children/Ruth’s grandchildren: Christine Harrison Arrington and her husband, Josh, Derek Harrison and wife, Aimee. Shon Lindsay and wife, Kristy, Leslee Lindsay Copple and husband Jay. Karen’s grandchildren/Ruth’s great-grandchildren: Addison Harrison, Houston and Sebastian Arrington, Jayda and Kierra Harrison, Bryce and Brysa Lindsay, Brandt Ramsey, Joey and Cole Copple

Surviving is Son, Darrell Keelin and his wife Debra “Deb”. His children/Ruth’s grandchildren: Kay Keelin and her fiancé, Jeremy Brown, and Kaitlyn Kuchar. Darrell’s grandchild/Ruth’s great-grandchild is Trey Keelin.

Surviving are two sister-in-laws, Velma Keelin Hall of St. Charles, Missouri and Vurble Keelin Mahoney of Owensboro Kentucky, along with many nieces and nephews from the Droit and Keelin family. Deceased is her husband, Bert, her parents, brother Sherman Droit and sister Leota Pulley.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton; Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. The Leffler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks consideration of memorial contributions. Donations may be made to the following charities: Rend Lake College Foundation: Ruth Keelin Memorial Fund or Immanuel Baptist Church: Building Fund.

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

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

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