Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
CARBONDALE — Southern Illinois is at the center of a national conversation about the First Amendment after the country rock band Confederate Railroad was removed from the Du Quoin State Fair’s grandstand lineup last week, apparently over their use of the name and symbols of the Confederacy.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Monday was a day for the little guy.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
While Illinois drivers pay more for gas after lawmakers doubled the state’s gas tax and increased vehicle fees to pay for a $45 billion infrastructure plan, federal lawmakers have yet to reach a consensus on how to move forward with a national infrastructure funding plan.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
It’s unclear how much taxpayers will have to pay, if anything, to breach a contract with a country act that has been removed from the entertainment lineup for the DuQuion State Fair, but a downstate Illinois legislator said he’s baffled by what he sees as the hypocrisy of one state fair act being canceled while another is still expected to take center stage.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Ruth J. Head, 92, of Benton passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 3, 2019.
She was born in Hamilton County, IL on May 4, 1927, the daughter of James Earl & Esta Pearline (Foster) Sullivan.
She married Samuel Franklin “Frank” Head on Oct. 12, 1949 in Carmi and he preceded her in death on Oct. 13, 2013.
Mrs. Head is survived by her children, Jim Head, and wife Toni, of Benton, Jodene Head, of Bloomington, IL, Wayne Head, and wife Martha, of Harrisburg, IL and Linda Fred, and Husband Michael, of Urbana, IL; 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; a sister, Edna Dunford, of San Antonio, TX.
Mrs. Head was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a daughter, Shirley Threewitt, a son-Larry Head, twin daughters-Rosalyn and Carolyn, a granddaughter, a great grandson and by two brothers, Vernon and Edward Sullivan.
Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. Saturday, July 6th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Karl Barnfield officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery-Thompsonville, Visitation will be from 5 to 8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois Inc, and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.
Mary J. Boyd, 81, of Benton, IL passed away at 2:07 p.m., on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at Franklin Hospital, Benton, IL.
She was born on January 10, 1938, to Mr. and Mrs. Smith in Cassville, WI.
Mary is survived by her three children, Mary E. Bartlett and husband Joseph, Charles J. Boyd and wife Julie, and Thomas W. Boyd and wife Paula; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Per Mary’s wishes cremation was held.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Michael William Blades, 65, of Sesser, passed away on July 1, 2019.
He was born on October 15, 1953 in Chicago, IL to William Herbert and Diane (Krmpotich) Blades. He married Debbie Lynn (Brooks) Blades on June 23, 2000 and she survives of Sesser.
He is also survived by his step-daughter Holly M. Brooks of Royalton; mother-in-law Gloria Lindsey of West Frankfort, IL; special close nephew Tyler Green of Sullivan, IL; and one sister Donna Mical of Arlington Heights, IL.
Michael enjoyed watching television, especially Live PD, he also enjoyed cooking, loved dogs and spending time with his family especially during the holidays.
Graveside services will be on Friday July 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Blairsville Cemetery with Tyler Green officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
llinois is now the nation’s seventeenth “Tobacco 21” state, and while the law seems straightforward, it contains some unexpected nuances.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Cletis Hammond, 78, of Sesser, passed away on June 30, 2019.
He was born on July 31, 1940 in DuQuoin, IL to Roy and Dortha Pauline (Clampet) Hammond.
He is survived by his daughters Tracey Patton of Lebanon, Rachele (Trevier) Minton of West Frankfort, Jodie (Sean) Dawe of Christopher and Tammy Goessman of Sesser; 11 grandchildren; and one great grandchild; two brothers Melvin (Neoma) Hammond of Sesser and Larry (Connie) Hammond of Sesser.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Graveside services will be on Wednesday July 3, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser with Pastor David Dyer officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Association. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Mrs. Lavina Mae Gibbs, age 87, of Benton; passed away at 7:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Helia Healthcare of Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Karl Barnfield officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Lavina was born on May 18, 1932 in Benton, IL, the daughter of Rev. Clyde Gulley and Leona Fern (Gant) Gulley. She married Clarence Herb Gibbs on May 28, 1955, and he preceded her in death on October 11, 1995.
Lavina was a Certified Nurse’s Aide at the Franklin Hospital, where she worked for 25 years.
She was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Gibbs is survived by her children: Cheryl Ann Norris, Clyde Herbert Gibbs, and David Aaron Gibbs and wife Brandie, all of Benton; two sisters: Arlene Davis and husband Rev. Eddie Paul Davis, Kathryn Crawford, of Benton; two brothers: David Gulley and wife Peggy, Danny Gulley and wife Jackie, also of Benton; a sister-in-law Gladys Thompson of West Frankfort; several nieces and nephews; and her four-legged family Annie and Lucy.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a sister Clydean Rodriguez; two brothers-in-law: Ray Wilburn and Jimmie Dale Crawford; and a niece Amanda Kay Gulley.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Lavina Gibbs to the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Lavina, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
