Gary Wayne Kirkpatrick, age 68, of Bartlett, IL, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022.

Private graveside services, with full military honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and the United States Marines Corps, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Howard Johnson officiating.

Local services are under the direction of the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Gary graduated from Morton East High School in Cicero, IL, Class of 1972. He then joined the United States Marine Corp that Fall, proudly serving his country for two years before being honorably discharged in 1974. He earned the Expert Rifle Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

Gary worked as a transportation coordinator. He was very outgoing and was always ready to help others. He loved holidays with his extended family, especially Halloween and Christmas. He loved to party and was always the first to fight and the last to leave!
Gary was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his children, Gary Wayne Kirkpatrick Jr. and Rhonda Marie Kirkpatrick; siblings, Sandra (Jim) Holz and Michael (Connie) Kirkpatrick; nephews, Adam (Alicia) Smith and Michael (Nicole) Smith; great-nephews, Austin Smith and Cameron Smith; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Gary; go to www.lpfuneralhome.com

Brenda Kay Eubanks, age 73, of Benton, passed away at 7:26 a.m., Thursday, September 15, 2022, at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 19, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Eddie Paul Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 19, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Brenda was born on May 12, 1949, in Christopher, Illinois; the daughter of Harold “Lefty” Learned and Rachel Fern (Williams) Learned. She married Larry Eubanks on May 16, 1969, and he survives.

She formerly worked at the Franklin Hospital, Benton Chamber of Commerce, Personal Finance, and F.W. Woolworths; all of Benton.

Brenda was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton.

She enjoyed flower and plant gardening, skating, involvement with the Junior Women’s Club, and spending time with her family.

Her son Dewayne said, “that she was an incredible cook, and enjoyed cooking for her family, especially during the holidays”. He said that one of his fond memories of his mother was her love and enjoyment of decorating and making the holidays memorable and beautiful. Dewayne said, “she loved Christmas”.

Surviving is her loving husband of 53 years, Larry Eubanks of Benton; a son Bruce Dewayne Eubanks and husband Anthony of Napa, California; two sisters: Barbara Dixon and husband Melvin of Benton, Melissa Learned of Benton; a brother-in-law Wendell Eubanks and wife Mary of Benton; seven nieces: Amanda Miller and husband Troy of Benton, Sarah Stowers and husband Derek of Benton, Erin Holley and husband David of Las Vegas, Nevada, Alecia Morris of Harrisburg, Illinois, Kristen Tomshack and husband TJ of Benton, Debbie Clay and family of Benton, Cindy Buntin and husband Sam and family of Benton; a nephew Curtis Eubanks of Florida; several great-nieces and nephews that she considered her grandkids: Matthew and Bella Miller, Logan, Lenox, and Lance Stowers, Reese, Reagan, and Remington Holley, Jordyn and Shelbie Learned, Paisley Morris, Madison, Hailey, and Michael Tomshack.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Harold Learned, Jr, Tom “TJ” Learned; a brother-in-law Donald Eubanks and wife Linda; three nephews: Brian Eubanks, Ron Eubanks, and Doug Eubanks.

Memorial contributions in memory of Brenda, may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.

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

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

Margaret Irma Little, 82, of Kenosha, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at her residence.

She was born on February 2, 1940 to the late Carroll and Delcena (Short) Hampton in Mulkeytown, IL. She was educated in the schools of Mulkeytown, IL.

On August 16, 1958 Margaret married David Little in Chicago.

Margaret was involved with Mended Hearts.

Margaret loved watching Hallmark Movies, Little House on the Prairie and the Waltons. She enjoyed listening to country music, having coffee and traveling with her husband, but most of all she loved spending time with her grandkids.

Margaret is survived by her husband David, her daughter Bobbi Jo (Wade) Seveska, her granddaughters Kimberly Joy (Jacob) Tatay and /Victoria Renee (Bobby) Clausen, her great grandchildren Dylan, Cayden, Connor and Chloe Rose Kristy, her sister Rose Ramsey and her sister-in-law Carol Hampton.

She is preceded in death by a daughter Bonnie Irene Little and two brothers Clarence Hampton and John (Nina) Hampton.

Funeral services for Margaret will be held on Monday, September 19th at 1:00 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home (209 N Emma Street, Christopher, IL). Interment will follow at Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.

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

Daniel “Danny” Joseph Parkhill, 60, of Benton, Illinois, was welcomed into his Mighty Savior’s arms on Wednesday September 14th, 2022 at St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, Indiana at 12:41 AM with his wife, family and a few close friends by his side.

Danny was born on August 2nd, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois. Preceding him in death were his parents Sharon and Loren Parkhill, step-father Garey McKee and his biological mother Diane (Stamp) Graffa, nephews Jon McClerren, Ryan Jones, David Russell and niece Amy Navrkal.
Danny is survived by his wife of 26 years, Tammy (McClerren) Parkhill, his son Nathan(38) and wife Brittany Davis (grandchildren- Carly, Megan and Toby) of Okawville, son Dustin(37) and wife Alisha Parkhill (grandchildren- Brooklyn, Hattie andAyvie) of Benton, Daughter Brandy Parkhill(33) (grandchildren- Adrien, Serenity, Laureli and Kennedy) of DeSoto, stepson Andy Johnson(31) and wife Paige Johnson (grandchildren- Brecken and Forest) of Vienna.

Also surviving Danny is his mother-in-law Betty (Hill) McClerren, sister Jennifer and husband Jeff Keener of Benton, Illinois, brother Val and AJ (Dowling) Graffa of Maine, brother Jim and wife Rickie Graffa (children Cassie and husband Gabe, Sara and husbandAndy, Kevin and wife Cassie, Zachary and Carson) of Indiana, sister Toni Graffa (daughter Heather) of Florida, sister Deb Lynch of New York (nephews Brennan, Collin, Zachary and Adam), stepsisters Heathir McKee of Washington and Dierdre McKee Pennsylvania, stepbrothers Jason McKee of Delaware and Gary McKee of Pennsylvania, sister-in-law Julie and husband Terry Carpenter (nieces and nephews Downen and husband Kyle, Emily and late husband David and Lauren) of Texas, brother-in-law Denny and Debbie McClerren of St. Louis (nephews Eric and wife Sarah, late Jon and niece Holly), sister-in-law Connie and Dale Melvin of Herrin (nieces and nephews Summer, late Ryan, Toby and wife Sarah and Tabetha and husband Casey); sister-in-law Nancy and Joe Navrkal of Texas (nephew Michael and Holli Navrkal, niece Kelcy and Nate Lemke) along with many wonderful great nieces and nephews.

He was a MedEc in the U.S. Air Force and a Foreign War Veteran, served during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He worked as an EMT for over 20 years across Southern Illinois, Maytag in Herrin as a MedEc and later a factory worker there. He was an avid “BBQ guy” and he and his wife Tammy were owners of Rugged Cross BBQ in West Frankfort, then later a BBQ Sauce Co-Owner (Along side his good friend and fellow veteran Carl Johnson of Indiana) and most recently a package handler for FedEx (a job he loved dearly as well as his wonderful coworkers).

Danny was very active in serving the Lord and was a long standing guitarist on the worship team at Whittington Church. He played in several bands for 40 or so years with a variety of friends and blessed to be able to play music with his youngest son at various events and on “The Mix Praise Band” (youth group) at Whittington Church. He was a great encouragement to many and unashamed to share his faith in Jesus Christ.

Danny’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 17th, 2022. Visitation time- 10 AM-2 PM. Service time- 2:15PM Visitation/Funeral location-Whittington Church 200 W Main St, Whittington, IL 62897. Burial Service to follow- Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, IL.

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

Jerry Dean Hammonds, 81, of Marion, passed away on Thursday September 8, 2022.

He was born on August 3, 1941 in Christopher, IL to Dock Benjamin and Thelma Blanch (Long) Hammonds. He married Evelyn Irene (Christian) Hammonds on April 8, 1961.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn Hammonds of Marion; three children Dean Stephen (Patricia) Hammonds of Marion, David Michael (Ashley Marie) Hammonds of Godfrey and Daniel Lee (Sherrie) Hammonds of Benton; grandchildren Austin Hammonds, Aaron Hammonds, Michelle Hammonds, Brandon Hammonds, Matthew Hammonds, Gabrielle Wooten, Zander Hammonds and Kade Hammonds; great grandchildren Olive Wooten, Anna Belle Hooker and River K. Hammonds; four sisters Wilma Olgive of Christopher, Sue Majdich of Marion, Rita Branson of Marion and Debbie Manion of Christopher.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Shirley Kirchner and four brothers Francis Hammonds, Jess Hammonds, Lee Hammonds and Leroy Hammonds.

Memorial service will be on Friday September 16, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Willard Farrell Bradley Sr., 80, of Sesser, passed away on Saturday September 10, 2022 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon.

He was born on September 21, 1941 in Winchester, IL to Ellis and Velma Bradley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers Lloyd, Carlos and James and his only sister Brenda.

He is survived by his close friend Sue Ehrlich, his children Willard Farrell “Brad” (Cathy) Bradley Jr. and Melinda (Alan) Montgomery; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and one brother Gale Bradley and several nieces and nephews.

Farrell was a retired truck driver, past chief of the Sesser Fire Protection District and a former auxiliary police officer for the City of Sesser, he was also a coal miner and had worked for American Motor Corporation. He enjoyed fishing, boating and camping. He loved animals, especially cats. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday September 18, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Visitation will be on Sunday from 12:00 Pm until the time of the service at 2:00 PM. Burial will be at Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing.

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

Kevin Dale Cardwell, age 61, of Benton, passed away at 7:57 a.m. Sunday, September 4, 2022, at his home.

His wishes are to be cremated.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Leffler Funeral Home, with Rev. Rick McClintock officiating. Burial will follow at the Tower Heights Cemetery of West Frankfort, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Kevin was born on October 23, 1960, in Dekalb, Illinois, the son of Victor Cardwell and Joyce (McClintock) Cardwell.
He was a retired Store Clerk with Kroger Grocery Store of West Frankfort, Illinois. He also previously worked in the upholstery department with Crownline Boats, and was a former Manager at Swifty Gas Station, both of West Frankfort.
Kevin enjoyed watching sports, especially Green Bay Packers football, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and NASCAR. He loved keeping in contact with family and friends on Facebook.

He was of the Baptist faith, and when he was young, he attended the First Baptist Church of Thompsonville.
Surviving is a brother Eric Cardwell of Benton; two sisters: Cheryl Roberson of Benton, and Shawna Cardwell of Johnston City. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son Andrew Stephen Cardwell who died on August 31, 2007.

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