Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
‘Success is the sum of small efforts repeated over and over again, day in and day out.’
So, on those long and sometimes monotonous days when you think your small efforts have little or no meaning, when you feel like you are fighting a battle you can’t win, remember this quote, remember the sum of small efforts … and keep on pushing forward!
God’s blessings to you on this day, which very well might be one of those ‘day in and day out’ days that will lead to your success. Have a blessed day!
‘Every weakness you have is an opportunity for God to show his strength in your life.’
Despite what you might think, there is not a single person on the planet, not one, that doesn’t have a weakness in their life. Certainly, there are those who come off not showing a chink in their armor but you can be assured there’s one there.
While I will admit to many weaknesses, today’s quote highlights one that I face daily. I have a great platform to speak and write about my belief and trust in God through his son Jesus Christ. But oftentimes I hold back and temper what I want to say, mainly because I’ve made a multitude of mistakes in my own life and those mistakes make me feel inadequate and not worthy to speak about something as perfect as God’s love and plan of salvation.
I recently ran across a bible verse that has helped me, one of those that you find that makes you know it is tailor-made for your situation. It reads: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9. Think of that … God’s power made perfect in our weakness. What a wonderful promise!
God’s blessings to you on this day! Have a great Friday and a blessed day!
Frank Lee Loeschner, 77, of Warrenton, MO passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 1, 2015.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton with the Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. There will be no visitation. Those attending are asked to meet at the cemetery.
Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
‘You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.’
You might be thinking, ‘well, I don’t have anything to ‘give’ anybody.’ Sure you do! You see, I believe the word ‘give’ in that quote means much, much more than material possessions. There are so many things we can give daily, the list is never-ending. You can give your time to call a friend going through a difficult time, to listen to that friend, a smile, a pat on the back, a hug or even just a kind word. You can smile at a stranger, hold the door for somebody you don’t know or pay it forward and buy lunch for somebody you don’t know. Sometimes even the smallest gesture can change a person’s entire outlook that day. And maybe the kindness you show is the only good thing that will happen to that person that day, or that week. The amazing thing, while you are helping somebody else, you are also helping yourself more than you will ever know.
We all get so caught up trying to making a ‘living’ … but my prayer today is that we all try to find a few minutes each day to make a ‘life’ and give something back.
God’s blessings to you this day! Have a great Thursday and a blessed day.
Carl Clifton Overturf , 90, of Buckner, IL passed away August 4, 2015 at his home.
Carl was born October 29, 1924, the son of Willie Overturf and Flora (Smith) Overturf.
He was a retired coal miner and also operated Overturf Service and Sales in Buckner for many years. He was a member of the UMWA.
Carl was an Army veteran and served in World War II.
He married LaVaughn (Talley) Overturf on Nov. 28, 1950 and she preceded him in death on May 22, 2014.
Carl is survived by his children, Jerry and Rita Overturf, of Buckner, Janice Overturf, of Buckner and Dennis and Karen Overturf, of Sherman, IL.
He is also survived by his grandchildren Carla Hammonds, Stephen Overturf, Tammy Enlow, Michelle VanHoorebeke, Angelique Overturf, Jennifer Overturf, Charlotte Overturf, Ashley Overturf;15 great-grandchildren; sisters Wanda Lee Vleminck, Bradford, PA and Ina Mae Heisner, Bisbee, AZ.
He was preceded in death by hisarents, wife, one daughter Karen Sue Overturf, one sister Thelma Smothers, and three brothers Opal Overturf, Loran Overturf and Kenneth Overturf.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL with the Rev. Donnie Colson officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Knight Cemetery in Buckner.
Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com
‘Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.’
If you pay even a little bit of attention to the daily news you know there is plenty of upsetting and worrisome stories – Planned Parenthood, Iran nuclear deal and the growing concern about ISIS — are just a few. It’s hard to digest it all daily and still stay optimistic. A few days ago I actually got in a funk about the downhill direction it seems we’re traveling as a nation.
I am certainly not a theologian but a bible verse came to me that gave me reassurance. It’s one I’ve heard many times before. It says: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.’ John 14:1. It calmed me and made me smile to think that the world I think is spinning out of control some days is the same world that God created. We can worry about this and worry about that but the bottom line is this: God is in control, period. Remember (and I’m talking to myself too) worrying does not empty tomorrow of it’s troubles it empties today of it’s strength.
God’s blessings to you on this day and my prayers is that you remember John 14:1 if even a moment of worry crosses your mind. Have a wonderful Wednesday and a blessed day!
Connie S. Roan, of Mulkeytown, IL passed away at 1 a.m. on Sunday August 2, 2015 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
Connie worked as a waitress in various restaurants in southern Illinois. In her spare time, she thoroughly enjoyed being with her boys, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and all of her animals.
She was born on October 29, 1947 in Hannibal, Mo to Charles and Lily Ruth (Miller) Watts.
Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law Cheryl and Wayne Harbourn of Hannibal, Mo, sister Ann Ladd of Bolivar, Mo, brother Bryan and Jane Watts of Dadeville, Mo, brother James Watts of Wyoming, a son and daughter-in-law Scott and Jennifer Roan of Safety Harbor, FL, Grandchildren Tyler Roan of Marion, Linc Roan of Marion, Tanner Roan of Safety Harbor, FL, Rachel Roan of Safety Harbor, FL, Katie Roan of Safety Harbor, FL, Chelsea Oliver of Scheller, Alexis Oliver of Scheller, Hannah Taskoski of Scheller, and three great grandchildren Riley Roan, Remy Roan, and Bailey Roan. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one son Stanley Roan.
A Celebration of life will be on Wednesday August 5, 2015 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.
The family of Connie Roan would like to extend a special thanks to Dr.Bleyer, Kerry, Jim and Christy.
Foer more information go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Bertis M. Diefenbach, age 84, of Benton, passed away at 12:25 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2015 at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015 at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Paul Burbank officiating. Burial will be in the Palestine Social Brethren Cemetery in Stonefort. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Thursday at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.
Bertis M. Diefenbach was born August 13, 1930 in Stonefort, IL, the son of Louie Diefenbach and Clara (Branden) Diefenbach. He married the former Joyce Arliene Barger on June 18, 1950, and she survives.
Bert worked as a coal miner for 43 years. He worked with Freeman United Coal Company and would later retire with Brushy Creek Mine in Harco. He was a member of the Palestine Social Brethren Church in Stonefort. He attended the Glory Bound Tabernacle in West Frankfort.
Mr. Diefenbach was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
Bert enjoyed gardening, woodworking, Cardinal baseball, watching football and basketball, working word search puzzles, and cutting firewood with his son. Bert made and tagged 145 bluebird houses across Franklin, Hamilton and Saline Counties “Bluebird Trail”.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joyce Arliene Diefenbach of Benton; a daughter Susan McCarty of Benton; a son Tony Diefenbach and wife Anita of Macedonia; six grandchildren Wendy Neal and husband Tom of Whittington, Heather McCarty and friend Jamie Martin of Scottsville, KY, Melinda Shaw and fiancee Chad Downs of West Frankfort, Trampas Diefenbach and wife Melissa of Macedonia, Destry Diefenbach and wife Brea of Benton, Orrie Diefenbach and wife A.K. of Orlando, FL; eight great-grandchildren Andrew Neal, Noah and Isiah Shaw and their father Robert, Luke Hal Downs, Aleaha Downs, Baili and Makenna Diefenbach, Triston Wimberly; several nieces and nephews; and a very special nephew Leroy Diefenbach of Harrisburg.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents; fourteen siblings; and a son-in-law Richard McCarty.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Glory Bound Tabernacle in West Frankfort, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Bert, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
‘Action always, always beats intention. Go the extra mile! That road is never very crowded.’
As a kid I used to hear my mother say: ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ At that time I didn’t understand what she was talking about, but I sure do now. Think about how much better our lives would be if we put action in place of everything we ‘intended’ to do. Applying action to simple things — smiling at a stranger, making a phone call to an old friend, offering a word of encouragement to somebody going through a rough time or simply being pleasant to everybody we encounter daily — would make the world a far better place and us far better people.
God’s blessings to you on this day and my prayer is that when it comes down to action or intention you will choose action. Have a terrific Tuesday and I hope to see you on the ‘extra mile’ road. Maybe if we all choose action we can get more people traveling on that road.
‘Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity – it must be produced and discharged and used in order to exist at all.’
Remember, regardless of your situation there is always something to be thankful for. If you’re reading this that means you have vision and a heartbeat – that’s two very good reasons (of many) to be grateful. Even in trying times, your struggle can become your strength, your test can become your testimony and your mess can become your message.
God’s blessings to you on this day! Have a super Monday and a blessed day!
