Darla Forsythe-Benton, IL

Darla Forsythe, age 82, of Benton, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026, at her home.

Darla was born on April 5, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas; the daughter of Colonel J.T. Biggs and Bonnie (Brown) Biggs. For many years, while growing up in Ewing, she lived with her grandparents Delmar and Edna Biggs. She married Paul Franklin Forsythe on July 14, 1962, and together they shared 63 years of marriage until his death on December 10, 2025.
She was a graduate of BCHS Class of 1961.

Mrs. Forsythe formerly worked as a bookkeeper for the Franklin Hospital of Benton and the Doctor’s Hospital of Springfield, Illinois. She would also work for Taylor Motors and Bert Baker Chevrolet of Benton.
She was a member of Ewing Baptist Church.

Darla enjoyed bowling. Her family said that she enjoyed bowling in league play while in her thirties. They said she averaged in the 200’s and had several games bowled in the 240’s.
Surviving are two sons: two sons Scott Forsythe and wife Joyce of Whittington, IL, Mike Forsythe and wife Shannon of Pleasant Plains, IL; grandchildren: Kyle Forsythe of Mechanicsburg, IL, Kelsey Forsythe and husband Diego Pina of St. Louis, MO, Justin Forsythe of Ewing, IL, Matthew Forsythe of Benton, IL, Khilee McGuire of Carterville, IL, Skip Thomas of Benton, IL, Melissa Schultz of Benton, IL, Rocky Thomas of Papillion, NE; a great-grandson Travis Scott Forsythe; a half-brother Greg Biggs of Tennessee, and a half-sister Janet Biggs of Florida; two brothers-in-law: Sandy Forsythe of Benton, IL, Terry Forsythe of Ewing, IL, a niece Christine Forsythe-Vondras of Ewing, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and her husband, a sister-in-law Helen Forsythe, a niece Gina Forsythe and a nephew Terry Forsythe, Jr.
Mrs. Forsythe’s wishes are to be cremated. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

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

The family prefers Memorial Contributions be made to the Ewing Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To give condolences online to the family, or to share memories of Darla, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.