Obituary – Gene Mandrell – Benton

Gene Mandrell, 84, of Benton, passed away at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at the VA Medical Center in Marion.

He was born in Benton, IL on Sept. 14, 1928, the son of Leslie Rufus and Bonnie Mae (Eldridge) Mandrell.

He married Eddyth Bullington on July 2, 1949 in Benton and she survives.

Mr. Mandrell was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.  He was a member of the Church of Christ in West City.

He worked most of his life as a carpenter.

Mr. Mandrell is survived by his wife, Eddyth Mandrell, of Benton; on son, Brad Mandrell and wife Becky, of Benton; one daughter, Pam Robinson and husband Dave, of Benton; seven grandchildren, Angela Jones and husband Ira Donald, of Mandeville, LA; Jeff Mandrell, of Lexington, KY; Lee Mandrell and wife Kristy, of Florrisant, MO; Lana Mandrell, of Energy, IL; Pat McClerren, of Washington, IL; Bridgett Thacker, of McLeansboro and Kelly Roberson and husband Jeremy, of Benton.

Mr. Mandrell is also survived by a twin brother, Jack Mandrell and wife Marie Louise, of Pekin, brother Curt Mandrell and wife Beverly, of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

Also surviving is 13 grandchildren, Brittney, Haley, Abi, Noah, Patrick, Cassie, Morgan, Gabriella, Rachel, Cameron, Destiny, Nick and Damion.

Mr. Mandrell was preceded in death by his parents and by an infant brother.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Minister Steve Reeves officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with military rites conducted by the Benton American Legion and Benton VFW Post and the National Guard.  Visitation will be after 2 p.m. on Sunday until the time of the funeral service at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.