Obituary – Danny Marvel – Benton

October 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Danny E. Marvel, 48, of Benton, passed away Sunday, October 5, 2014 at his home.

He was born in Benton, IL on December 2, 1965, the son of Roy and Shirley (Good) Marvel.

He was a butcher by trade.

Mr. Marvel is survived his son, Mike Davis and wife Kim , of Bonnie, IL and a daughter, Rebecca Marvel and fiance Dustin Price, of Royalton, IL.He is also survived by four grandchildren, Aubrie, Kyle, Paris and Shawn; one brother, Steve Marvel and two sisters, Penny and Nancy.  He was preceded in death by his parents, by a son, Daniel Marvel and by a sister, Julie.

Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. on October 9, 2014 at the Second Baptist Church in West Frankfort, IL, with Pastor Brett Beasley officiating.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, is in charge of arrangements.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Obituary – Wilbur Lee Wheatley – Royalton

October 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Wilbur Lee Wheatley, 80, of Royalton, passed away Oct. 6, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

He was born Sept. 6, 1934 in Christopher, the  son of Marion Wheatley and Leorna (Stalcup) Wheatley.

Wilbur worked as a coal miner and was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, in Royalton.

He married Catherine (Parino) Wheatley on Jan. 26, 1953 and she survives in Royalton.

He is survived by his children, Debbie Corso, of Royalton, IL, Frank and Melinda Wheatley, of New Orleans, LA and Domnick Wheatley, of Scheller, IL.

Wilbur is also survived by grandchildren Tammy Corso, Tony Corso, Angela Corso, Jennifer Greene, Salina Hilliard, Brock Wheatley, Tory Wheatley and Monya Keown; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and a brother, Stanley Wheatley, of Du Quoin, IL.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carol Wheatley.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 am. on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery in Royalton with Sister Laura Reynolds officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, is in charge of the arrangements.   For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Obituary – Michael Smith – Thompsonville

October 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Michael Smith, 66, of Thompsonville, passed away at his home Thursday morning Oct. 2, 2014.

He was born in Mt. Carmel, IL on May 9, 1048, the son of Raymond and Wilma (Allen) Smith.

He married Diane (Hutchcraft) on March 8, 1981 and she survives.

Mr. Smith was an Army veteran, serving in Germany.  He was a member of American Legion Post 1194 in Thompsonville.  He was the owner of Smitty’s Repair in Benton, then worked at home as a diesel mechanic.

He is survived by his wife Diane, of Thompsonville, children Michelle (Jang Yoong Tan), of Raleigh, NC, Jeffery (Carrie) Smith of Thompsonville, James (Linda) Kimball, of Monterey, CA and Steven (Julie) Smith of Clarksville, TN.  He is also survived by grandchildren Nicholas and Lily Tan, Landon, Lane and Lucas Smith, Kellie, Madison, Amanda and Kaytlin Kimball and Chayson, Alex and Wyatt Smith.

Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Robert Smith (Gloria), of Mt. Carmel, Marjory (Steve Thompson) of Mt. Carmel, Donald Smith, Mt. Carmel, Jennifer (Rob Huff), Mt. Carmel, John (Carmen) Smith, Mt. Carmel, Pat Smith, Layfaette, IN and Stuart Smith, Willow Hill, IL.  Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his paretns and by a brother-in-law, Roger Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at Antioch United Methodist Church, east of West Frankfort, with the Rev. Susan Cox officiating.  Burial with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 1194 will be in Oddfellows Cemetery in McLeansboro, IL.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton and after 10 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Boy’s Town and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

 

Filed Under: Obituaries

A coal executive meets an unemployed miner and lives changed forever

October 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment

(Editor’s Note:  I wrote this particular column and it appeared in the Southern Illinoisan on Dec. 13, 2005.  In a post today Danielle Gouge Belva (granddaughter of Eugene Moroni) mentioned this offering and that sent me digging through my archives.  I re-read this column and wanted to share it with readers.  I have written hundreds and hundreds of columns and this is on my short list of favorites.  I hope you enjoy.  JM)

 

I read the obituary and then I read it a second time more slowly. The name of the deceased was Eugene Thomas Moroni and as is always the case the obit told a brief chronological story about his life.

muir-mug-ihsa-150x150After reading the obit, paying particular attention about Moroni’s long history as senior vice president with Old Ben Coal Company, I laid the paper aside and thought about the countless times I’d heard his name mentioned. You see, as a kid growing up in a very middle-class, blue-collar family the name ‘Gene Moroni’ was revered and almost legendary around my house.

Let me explain.

As Southern Illinois residents are aware, coal mining has always been a cyclical industry, which means working as a coal miner has always been a feast-or-famine occupation.

My dad began his mining career in the late 1940s and in those ‘famine’ days tried to earn a living working two and three days a week at mines in Buckner, Coello and Valier. In 1956 Old Ben Coal Company started construction on Mine 21, located east of Sesser, and many miners believed a ‘feast’ era was about to begin.

The new multi-million dollar mine began hoisting coal in January 1960 and my dad was one of hundreds desperately trying to land a job there. I can recall many times sitting in the backseat of an old car at the Old Ben office, located where Benton City Hall is now located, while my dad waited in the lobby to try and talk to somebody about getting a job.

After numerous failed attempts my dad came up with a plan that proves necessity truly is the mother of invention. Realizing that the Old Ben officials he was hoping to see were leaving the building at day’s end through another exit, my dad moved his job-seeking vigil to a parking lot at the rear of the building. I’ve heard him recall the story countless times.

The first person my dad encountered in the parking lot that day was Gene Moroni and he approached the vice president of Old Ben Coal and, point-blank, asked him for a job.

Moroni’s answer was probably the standard line he used on the throngs of men seeking his help.

“Do you have an application on file,” Moroni asked my dad.

My dad’s answer was one of quickest-thinking lines I’ve heard.

“Yes, I have an application on file … but I don’t need an application on file, I have a family to take care of … I need a job,” my dad told him.

As I write this I can literally see the exchange that took place that spring day in 1960 between a successful mining executive and a man looking for a job to provide for his wife and four children.

I can let my mind wander and imagine that maybe Moroni looked my dad straight in the eye and tried to get a read on him or maybe he even considered my dad’s size – he was 42 years old and a big strapping man in those days. I’m more prone to believe that Moroni looked at my dad’s desire and his heart and realized that a man who would spend the afternoon standing in a parking lot trying to find somebody … anybody … to talk with about a job would surely make a good employee.

“Call my secretary in the morning and have her schedule you for a physical,” Moroni told him. “I’m going to give you a job.”

The significance of that meeting might not have been apparent to either man that afternoon, but it marked a turning point in my dad’s life and a turning point for his family. Mine 21 was called the ‘golden hole’ by miners and proved to be the best-ever Old Ben mine. My dad went from working two or three days a week to working six and seven days per week and everything he attained materially in life came after that meeting with Moroni.

Perhaps it was his attempt to pay Moroni back for giving him a job or maybe it was something in his make up – maybe it was a combination of both — but my dad would not miss a shift of work. He told Moroni he needed a job that day in 1960 and then for 25 years he went to work every day — regardless.

It’s my opinion that Old Ben Coal and my dad both benefited greatly because of Moroni’s decision that day.

Obituaries are adequate and purposeful when describing the highlights of a person’s life but they fail to reveal the real fabric of that person.

Today I would like to add a footnote to Gene Moroni’s obituary.

Along with the relevant facts that were listed Moroni should also be remembered as a man that helped shape and define the Southern Illinois coal industry, a good man that kept his word, a man of character and a person that undoubtedly possessed an uncanny knack for ‘sizing-up’ a man.

And most importantly it should be remembered that Moroni was admired by many working coal miners – particularly one he met by chance in a parking lot 45 years ago.

 

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Obituary – Phyllis June Reece – Christopher

October 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Phyllis June Reece, 70, of Christopher, died Oct. 1, 2014 at her daughter’s home surrounded by friends and family.

phyllis reecePhyllis was born March 15, 1944 in Eldorado, to David Robert and Eathel Juanita (Biggerstaff) Roberts.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Whittington Church.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Julie and Allen Eubanks, Christopher, IL, John and Gisele Reece, Mulkeytown, IL, Jeffrey Reece, Carbondale, IL, Michael Reece, Mulkeytown, IL and Timothy Garrison, Carbondale, IL.

She is also survived by grandchildren Bradley Restivo, Andrew Reece, Amber Reece, Ender Reece, Zyler Reece and Inara Reece.  She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Randall Roberts.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner with Brother Greg Shelton officiating.  There will be no visitation, friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Whittington Church.  Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Obituaries

Obituary – Rebecca Jane Malkovich – Benton

September 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Rebecca Jane Malkovich – age: 53
(April 25, 1961 to September 22, 2014 )
Resident of Benton, Illinois

Visitation Information:
GRAVESIDE SERVICES: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2014
Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery
12740 Odd Fellow Lane
Benton, Illinois 62812

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE: Will be held at a future date

Obituary:
Rebecca Jane Malkovich, 53, died at 3:35 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, in Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Rebecca, known as Becky to all who knew and loved her, was born April 25, 1961, in Benton, the daughter of Daniel Leon Malkovich and Joe Anne (Choisser) Malkovich.

becky 9-22Becky was a 1979 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School. She was a gifted writer who grew up in the world of newspapers. She had a special connection to the Benton Evening News, a newspaper her family owned until 1986. Even as a child, she showed an exceptional talent for sleuthing, so much so that she was known as the BBI. The Becky Bureau of Investigation initially focused on sibling misbehavior but eventually branched out to the entire community. She was not content to rely on her extensive experience and went back to school, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

For the past decade, Becky worked as a reporter for The Southern Illinoisan. She was passionate about the people and places of Southern Illinois and dedicated her considerable talents to telling their stories in her unique voice. She had a gift for putting people at ease and making everyone feel like her best friend, whether they were being interviewed or just catching up over coffee.

Becky loved her sons Jake and Eli, her family and friends, music, good writing, coffee and her pets, Captain (the famous dog) and Kitty. She was generous: with her time, her compassion and her distinctive laugh. She hated the limelight but was eager to shine it on others. She would have found this obituary too long and effusive, despite the fact that it doesn’t begin to capture the incredible person she was. She will be fiercely missed.

Becky is survived by her sons, Jake Ivanovich of Carbondale and Eli Ivanovich of Benton; brother John Malkovich and Nicole Peyran of Cambridge, Mass.; sister Melissa Malkovich of Seagrove Beach, Fla.; sister-in-law Debbie Malkovich of Sesser, Ill.; nieces and nephews Matthew Malkovich and wife Brandi of Orlando, Fla., Loewy and Amandine Malkovich of Portland, Ore., Jesse Starita and wife Anh Dao Pham of Lincoln, Neb., Tim Eubanks and wife Kim, grandnephew T.J. Eubanks and grandniece Bayley Eubanks of Sesser, and grandniece Mila Joe Malkovich of Orlando.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Amanda Malkovich and brother Daniel Malkovich.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Becky’s children in the name of Eli Ivanovich and will be accepted at the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

To leave online condolences to the family, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Friends, colleagues pay tribute to journalist Becky Malkovich

September 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

Longtime and well-respected Southern Illinois journalist Becky Malkovich died Monday afternoon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, five days after suffering a massive heart attack.

Malkovich was 53.

News of the veteran newswoman’s death spread quickly and brought tributes from friends and colleagues from throughout the region. Malkovich had worked as a reporter at the Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale since December 2003 and had previously worked for seven years at the Benton Evening News. But Malkovich’s roots in journalism started long before she began her writing career at area newspapers. Her father, the late Dan Malkovich founded and was publisher of “Outdoor Illinois” magazine and her mother Joe Anne (Choisser) Malkovich worked for many years at the Benton Evening News. The Choisser family owned and operated the Benton Evening News for parts of seven decades.

Becky Malkovich

Becky Malkovich

Meta Minton, former managing editor at the Southern Illinoisan who currently lives in Orlando, Fl. remembers well the day she hired Malkovich.

“We were sitting in my office and we got word that Paul Simon had passed away,” said Minton. “It was Dec. 9, 2003 and I hired her on the spot and I knew that I had hired a gem.”

Minton said Malkovich brought a unique combination to her job as a reporter.

“She was an old-school journalist the way she would go after a story but she was on top of her game all the time on every single story she wrote,” said Minton. “Becky had the ability to get little details in a story that would draw readers in … and certainly not everybody can do that. And she also had the ability to make everybody feel important on every story she worked on.”

Minton said she believes her longtime co-worker has taken on a new assignment.

“I believe once a journalist always a journalist and I believe Becky reported today to the “Heaven Herald” – and no doubt she will have things figured out there very quickly,” Minton said. “Southern Illinois lost a great, great writer today and also lost a part of its fabric. She will be missed tremendously.”

Di Winson, former editor of the Benton Evening News, said her association with Malkovich spans more than three decades as co-worker and friend. Winson said Malkovich’s desire to “always get the story right” stands out to her.

“Becky was so committed to her work and she went to great lengths to make sure the story was accurate and fair,” said Winson. “Becky loved her community and it showed in her work. She was such a great writer, but I don’t think she ever realized that. Southern Illinois has lost a great journalist and many, many people including me have lost a dear friend.”

Shannon Woodworth, manager of the Du Quoin State Fair, said he has worked with Malkovich for more than two decades on a variety of projects including stories about the fair, John A. Logan College, Shawnee Community College and Man-Tra-Con. Woodworth called Malkovich’s death “devastating.”

“Personally, I’ve lost one of my best and closest friends,” said Woodworth. “Professionally, Southern Illinos has lost its most prolific writer. She was always on top of the story and just did her job very, very well. There wasn’t a week that went by that I didn’t talk to Becky, sometimes just about life in general. There will be huge void for me to fill there. Her death is a tremendous loss for the entire region.”

Terra Kerkemeyer has worked in advertising at both the Benton Evening News and the Southern Illinoisan and has worked with Malkovich at both venues. However, Kerkemeyer pointed out that her relationship with Malkovich went far beyond co-workers.

“She was my person, my best friend,” said Kerkemeyer. “She was the kindest person I know and I am just devastated by her death.”

Kerkemeyer said she often poked fun at Malkovich about her uncanny ability to get the news – and usually get it first.

“She definitely had a nose for news,” said Kerkemeyer. “I kidded her all the time and asked her if she slept with a police scanner under her pillow. Southern Illinois has lost a great jounalist but we’ve also lost a great person. Becky had the ability to make every person feel like she was their best friend. She never met a stranger and she could carry on a conversation with anybody. There are just no words to describe how much this loss hurts.”

Senior U.S. District Judge J. Phil Gilbert said Malkovich is the most outstanding reporter he has worked with in more than 20 years on the federal bench.

“Becky was always accurate and always went the extra mile to get the story right and I had a tremendous amount of trust in her,” said Judge Gilbert. “She knew the federal court system and knew how the court system work. Becky was just very honest and ethical and I am absolutely heartbroken by the news that she passed away.”

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Slider

Morthland announces drink, aviation ventures

September 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment

 

On the heels of announcing $75 million in building plans and a land donation from the widow of Congressman Ken Gray, Morthland College officials are outlining plans for business ventures they say are designed to support the college.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Classes for kids offered in McLeansboro, Pinckneyville

September 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill.  – Whether you’re looking for a night out with your child or to get your young one interested in a new hobby, Rend Lake College has the classes for you. This fall, there will be four classes geared toward children, ages 13 and younger, in Pinckneyville and McLeansboro.

Create Your Own Hair Bow and TuTu is a great mommy-and-me project where participants can choose three colors to create a hair piece with matching tutu. Participants should register by Sept. 23 at $10 per person, plus $22 for instructor Erin Gale on the day of the class. Attendees will meet from 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Murphy-Wall Campus, Room 113, in Pinckneyville.

Next up is Kids in the Kitchen, scheduled for 6 – 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Hamilton County Senior High School, Room B157, in McLeansboro. If you’re up for an evening of food and fun, this is the class for you. Kids ages 6 – 10 will create an art project, decorating items, and a cooking task all with a single fruit or vegetable. Participants 8 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult. The class costs $10, plus a $5 fee for Instructor Becky Belcher on the day of class.

Young attendees will also get a taste of the 1970s with Macramé Plant Holder, set for Oct. 16. This class will teach participants the techniques to making a macramé holder and tips on taking the skill home for more projects. Students must be at least 12 years old. The cost of the class is $10, plus a $5 fee for Instructor Paula Hatfield on the night of the class. The workshop will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. at Hamilton County Senior High School, Room B157, in McLeansboro.

The last class, Mad Science, will meet from 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Hamilton County Senior High School, Room A183, in McLeansboro. Instructor Jason Hall will go through a number of hands-on science activities for students in grades 4 – 6. The cost of the class is $10, plus a $5 fee for Hall on the night of the class.

To register or for more information, contact Stephanie Smith in the RLC Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714, or smithst@rlc.edu.

Filed Under: Breaking News

FCA Devotion – Sincerity

September 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Romans 12:9

Who is there in your life who loves sincerely?  Your parents?  Your teammates?  Your best friend?  How is sincere love expressed?  The Apostle Paul has some ideas in today’s scripture.

fca logoIn Romans chapter 12 and verse 9, Paul writes to his friends saying, “Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”  In this passage Paul gives us an idea of the nature of real, sincere love.

Paul says that a sincere or pure hearted love will lead us to hate what is evil, that is things that harm people.  There are plenty of evil things that surround an athletic team, just think about everything that could creep into your team and harm various ones.

He also says that a pure hearted love will lead us to hold tightly to things that improve our lives and the lives of those we love.  That’s what it means to cling to good.  What are some things to which you can cling that will enhance the lives of your team?

In today’s contest:  Hate what is evil – things that will hurt your team.  Cling to good – attitudes and behavior that leads to victory and teamwork.  Let these values lead you to excellence today.

Filed Under: Sports
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