Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
CARBONDALE — Frontier Communications, an internet service provider with significant presence in Southern Illinois, appears poised to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Bloomberg reported last week, after a private meeting between Chief Executive Officer Bernie Han and some of Frontier’s major creditors.
Here’s a link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.
Illinois’ economy grew in the third quarter of 2019, but at a slower pace than the national average, something the state’s leading manufacturers’ group said was due in part to the state’s business and tax policies.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Although funding ratios for three of the state’s five public sector pension funds increased, a public finance watchdog said Illinois taxpayers still face a debt crisis.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
John “Jack” Charles Notham, 86, of Buckner, passed away on January 21, 2020.
He was born on July 10, 1933 in Arkansaw, WI to Henry and Ethel (Sweeny) Nothom. He married Marjorie (Austin) Notham on August 17, 1953 and she preceded him in death on October 20, 1998.
He is survived by his daughter Rose (Marvel) Straub of Buckner; grandchildren John (Cherie) Straub of Morganfield, KY and Mindy (Jamie) Veach of Salem, IL; great grandchildren Lane Straub, Aubrey Straub, Carly Veach, Austyn Veach and Wyatt Veach; one sister Susie (Eddie) King of Eden Prairie, MN; one brother Jerome Nothom of Galesburg, IL; one sister-in-law Sandy Nothom of Bloomington, MN and one brother-in-law Ray Martin of Centreville, IL and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Helen Nothom, wife Marjorie Notham, one son Barry Lynn Notham, two sisters Jean Hacker and Julie Martin, one brother Jim Nothom and one special friend Barb Scheel.
He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. He worked for the Railroad as a Railroad Signal Maintainer until his retirement.
He was an avid collector of model trains, John Deere tractors, Coca-Cola items and was a life-long fan of the Green Bay Packers.
He was a member of the Christopher Knights of Columbus, 4th degree Knight of the Duquoin chapter, Christopher American Legion and a member of the St Andrews Catholic Church.
Funeral mass will be on Monday January 27, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday January 26, 2020 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Christopher Knights of Columbus and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Tracy T. Hundley, 58, of Benton, passed away at 6:43 a.m., on Friday, January 17, 2020, at Christian Hospital, Saint Louis, MO.
He was born on October 7, 1961, to Eustance E. and Barbara L. (Tredway) Hundley in Seoul, Korea. Tracy married the former Wendi Ellingson and she survives.
Tracy was a United States Air Force Veteran serving during the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) as a AMMO Troop. He was a proud military veteran. Tracy enjoyed flying his ultralight aircraft and raising animals on his small farm.
He is survived by his loving spouse, Wendi Hundley; three children, Richard, Daniel, and Katherine; two brothers and a sister, Franklin E. (Margaret) Hundley, Virginia Lee (Dale) Mau, and Jeffrey G. (Marilyn) Hundley.
Tracy was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.
Per Tracy’s wishes, cremation will take place.
A memorial service will held on Saturday, January 25, 2020, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Benton American Legion Post 280/VFW Post 2671, 311 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton American Legion Post 280 and VFW Post 2671.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton American Legion Post 280 and VFW Post 2671.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Josh Carlton, 40, of Macedonia passed away Monday morning, January 20, 2020 at his home.
He was born in Benton, IL on July 23, 1979, the son of Tom and Rita (Hays) Carlton.
He married Jennifer (Volz) on March 8, 2003, and she survives.
Josh was a heavy equipment operator. He was very excited to see his son Logan playing basketball. He enjoyed mudding, hunting and driving horses with Logan.
Mr. Carlton is survived by his wife Jennifer Carlton, of Macedonia; son Joshua Logan Carlton, of Macedonia; parents Tom and Rita Carlton, of Benton; brothers John and Sarah Carlton, of Macedonia, Jake Carlton, of Macedonia and Jaren and Clarissa Carlton, of Benton; father-in-law and mother-in-law Steve and Linda Volz, of Benton; sister-in-law Stacey Stricklin and husband Mike, of Marion; brother-in-law Scott Schaefer, of St. Charles, MO. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Josh was preceded in death by his grandparents Edgar and Artie Hays and Dwight and Norma Carlton and by a niece, Makanda Jaide Williams.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 24, 2020 at Whittington Church with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in Liberty-Ridlin Cemetery at Macedonia. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday at Whittington Church.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Afton Aleta (Cockrum) Lampley, 92, of Benton, died Sunday, January 12, 2020, at the Mt. Vernon Health Care Center. She was born February 1, 1927 in Franklin County Illinois, the daughter of Lemuel Franklin and Bertha Leona (Rich) Cockrum.
Afton was much beloved by her family and friends. She spent many years as a nurse at Franklin County Hospital and is remembered as a kind and caring individual. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Afton was preceded in death by her very good friend Wayne Gunter; a grandchild Lisa (Carney) McClintock; sisters Nancy May, Margaret Fay, and Nelly Rosemary Smith; brothers Frank and Coy Cockrum; half sisters Dorothy Conner and Rada Reynolds; four half brothers Clyde, Loren, Edgar, and Virgil Griffin.
Afton is survived by her son Billy P Wilkerson and wife Cheryl, of Gulf Shores, AL; daughter Leona Faye Carney of Elberta, AL. Grandchildren Brandie (Davey) Gibbs of Benton; Heather (James) Brackin of Elberta, AL; Ryan (Marla) Wilkerson of Riva, MD; great grandchildren, Sean McClintock, and Katlin Brackin. Sisters Erma Lee Conner, Mazie Hamilton and friend Larry Overturf. As well as, several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 17th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Franklin Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Joan (Aaron) Stone, 81, of Benton, IL passed away on Monday, January 13, 2020 at her home.
Joan was born in Benton, IL on March 4, 1938, the daughter of Rex & Della (Knapper) Aaron.
Mrs. Stone took care of the elderly and she worked in restaurants.
Mrs. Stone is survived by her children, Lana Carlton, Benton, IL, Jolynn Mayberry, and husband David, of Mt. Vernon, IL, Kathy Swofford, and husband Mike Orawe, of Florida, Patty Hammond, of Benton and Randy Swofford, of Texas; grandchildren Beth Ray, Bria Ray, Paul Ray, Elizabeth Carney, Richard Dale Willett, Krystal Mills, Jennifer Swofford, Joey Swofford, Breanna Mayberry and John David Mayberry; 16 great-grandchildren; a niece Lynn Aaron Ramsey; special friend Eugene Mezo, of Benton; special homemakers Melody Franklin, of Benton and Pam Eubanks, of Christopher; wonderful neighbor Arletta Shadowen, of Benton.
Mrs. Stone was preceded in death by her mother, Della Elliott, father, Rex Aaron, by a son-Rex Swofford, by a brother-Jerry Aaron and by her husbands Gerald Swofford & Paul Stone.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 18th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery in Akin. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Ramona Louise Elder, 79, of Benton, passed away at 2:42 p.m., on Monday, January 13, 2020, at Memorial Hospital, Carbondale, IL.
She was born on December 20, 1940, to Samuel and Mary (Rogers) Wertz in Benton, IL. Ramona was a homemaker. On December 12, 1975, she married Walter Joseph Elder, Jr., and he preceded her in death.
Ramona was a member of Whittington Church. She was a loving sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ramona enjoyed watching TV, especially her day time soap operas and game shows. Walter and Ramona enjoyed gardening and sold vegetables for many years until Walters passing.
Ramona is survived by her children, Paula (Bryon) Snyder of Benton, IL, Kenneth (Becky) Henson of Benton, IL, and Alisha (Christopher) Anderson of Benton, IL; three sisters, Jo Dunn, Jane Ellen Myers, and Shirley Jean (Tommy) Seals; two sister-in-laws, Donna Bryce and Laura Cole; seven grandchildren, Amber (Josh Foist) Plumlee, Bryan (Tosha) Plumlee, Justin (Stacey) Plumlee, Diamond Anderson, Brandie (Jordan Wilson) Anderson, Christopher Anderson, and Cassie Phillips; three great-grandchildren, Paityn Snyder, Landon Foist, and Nyla Plumlee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Mary Faye Wertz; husband, Walter Joseph Elder, Jr; step-mother, Lucille Wertz Stella; three brothers, Harry Wertz, Butch Wertz, and Wayne Wertz, and one sister, Carolyn Ann Miller.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 16, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at Pate Funeral Home, with Reverend Mark Minor, officiating.
Burial will follow service at Shiloh Cemetery, Whittington, IL.
Memorials contributions may be made to the family, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Elizabeth Augusta Carter, age 86, of West Frankfort, passed away at 10:01 a.m. Sunday, January 12, 2020 at the Westside Care Center of West Frankfort.
Mrs. Carter will be cremated. There will be no public services at this time.
Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.
Elizabeth was born on February 5, 1933 in Benton, the daughter of Cecil Cavins and Hattie (Launius) Cavins.
She formerly worked as a Hotel Housekeeper with the Barlow Hotel.
Mrs. Carter was a member of the Trinity Full Gospel Church of West Frankfort, where she enjoyed attending church and worshipping her Lord with her church family.
Elizabeth enjoyed playing BINGO, doing word search puzzles, eating out, visiting with family; but most of all enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren.
Surviving are her children: Barbara Ramsey of San Diego, California, Ralph Ramsey and wife Donna of West City, Delores Fowler and husband John of Galatia, IL, Clara Allen of Christopher, IL, James “Shorty” Carter and wife Anna of West Frankfort, Lavern Cecil “Butch” Carter of Benton, and Lester “Poncho” Carter of Danville; twenty grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Carter was preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Hattie Cavins; a son: Willard Lee Allen; and a brother: Leroy Cavins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Mrs. Elizabeth Carter to assist with her cremation services; and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
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