Both houses of the legislature have passed a bill that would greatly expand legalized gambling throughout the state.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Gambling expansion bill to bring casino, and jobs, to Southern Illinois
June 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Melody Ann Kristofferson – Benton, IL
June 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Melody Ann Kristofferson, age 66, of Benton and formerly of Berwyn, passed away on Friday, June 14, 2019 at her home in Benton.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Services will be held at a future date in Berwyn.
Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, has been entrusted with the cremation services.
Melody was born on September 3, 1952 in Neodesha. KS, the daughter of Donald Swan and Ellen Emogene (Weldy).
Ms. Kristofferson was a homemaker and formerly worked as a bartender at the New Town Tap in Berwyn, IL.
On occasion she attended the First United Methodist Church in Benton.
She enjoyed reading, painting, photography and loved her four-legged companion “Hugger”.
Surviving is her two children, a son Thadeus James “T.J.” Bornheimer and wife Amy of Wheaton, and a daughter Allegra Kanehl of Lyons, IL; four grandchildren: Tyler Martin, Cole Kanehl, Amber Rose Bornheimer, and Matthew James Bornheimer; two brothers: John Hermosillo and wife Donna of Benton, and Marty Swan and wife Martha of Franklin, WI, and their families.
She was preceded in death by her mother; and a brother Eddie Hermosillo.
Memorial contributions may be made to Second Chance Rescue of Franklin County, and, may be sent to Leffler Funeral Home 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Melody, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Fay King-Mulkeytown, IL
June 12, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Fay King, 88, of Mulkeytown, passed away on June 11, 2019 at Herrin Hospital.
She was born on November 2, 1930 in Mulkeytown to Lee and Wavia (Culley) Price. She was married to Noah King and he preceded her in death.
She is survived by one daughter Karen (Jim) Noto of Mulkeytown; seven grandchildren Jolynn (Frank) Vigiano, Shane (Lori) King, Jenny King, Wilton (Keri) King, Holly King, Travis (Leslie) Noto and Ashley (April) Noto; several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; one sister Chloe Cook of Dowell; and one brother Carl Price of Mulkeytown.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sons Gary King, Randy King and Bruce King, two brothers, Leon Price and Neal Price and one sister Irene Price.
Funeral services will be on Friday June 14, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Guy Webster officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will at Zeigler Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Doris Carr – Highland, IL (formerly of Benton, IL)
June 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Doris Jean Carr, age 91, of Highland and formerly of Benton, passed away at 9:20 a.m. Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Faith Countryside Homes of Highland.
Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton with Rev. Phillip Kennedy officiating. Friends are asked to meet at the cemetery on Tuesday.
Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Mrs. Carr was born on May 18, 1928 in Benton, the daughter of Orville Davis and Victoria Ladeen (Hester) Davis. She married Arlie Carr, Jr. on October 10, 1947, and he preceded her in death on January 9, 1987.
Doris was a homemaker, and formerly worked as a telephone operator and a Certified Nurses Aide at the Franklin Skilled Care Nursing Unit of Benton (now known as Helia Healthcare and Rehab).
She was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Benton, and later attended the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton until she moved to be near her two children.
Doris enjoyed playing golf; and accomplished making a hole in one. She loved any and all outdoor activities, especially mowing her yard and planting flowers.
She is survived by a son Mark Alan Carr and wife Linda of Greenville, IL; a daughter Janice Lynn Carr of Greenville, IL; one granddaughter Lesley Edge of Wentzeville, MO; a brother Fred Davis of Olathe, KS; a brother-in-law Dale Adams of Benton; and the following nieces and nephews including: Gary and Delores Simpson, Eddie Simpson, Roger and Brenda Treece, Phyllis Piazza, and Bob Adams all of Benton, David Adams of West Frankfort, Jacque Suhr from St. Charles, and Keith McAdoo from Denver, CO.
Mrs. Carr was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and a sister Lois Adams.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society; and will be accepted at the cemetery on Tuesday or at the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Mrs. Doris Carr, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Frank Cockrum – Sesser, IL
June 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Frank Cockrum, 82, died Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO following a battle with lung cancer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Viva Cockrum, and two brothers, Jerry and Dale. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sharon, their four children; John, Don, Jeff, and Lisa, and six siblings; Donald, Phyllis, Rosa Lee, Leon, Burl, and Judy. He was blessed with 11 grandkids and 4 great grandkids. In addition, Frank leaves behind his foster daughters and their families.
Frank met Sharon through a mutual friend, and they were wed a year and a half later on August 16th, 1958 at First Baptist Church of Sesser, IL. He worked as a coal miner for 17 years and owned an auto upholstery business specializing in classic cars. More than anything, he was passionate about his family, watching his St. Louis Cardinals, and loving his Lord. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, a beloved brother, a silly papa, and a loyal friend.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Sesser with Brother Chris Hottenson officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the church.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Cardinals Care or to the First Baptist Church of Sesser. Envelopes will be available at the church.
Patricia ‘Pat’ Kay Szczeblewski – Mulkeytown, IL
June 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Patricia “Pat” Kay Szczeblewski, 75, of Mulkeytown, IL., passed away at 1:32 p.m., June 9, 2019, at her residence.
Pat was born on December 19, 1943, to Bill and Winnie (Scott) Bailey. She married Richard Szczeblewski on August 5, 1960, and became in her words, a “Kept Woman.”
She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years; parents; and one brother, David Bailey.
Pat is survived by her children, Tracey (Michael) Vandekerkhove of Mulkeytown, Jamie Donovan of Mulkeytown, and Steven (Deb) Szczeblewski of West Frankfort. Her grandchildren, Stormi (Brandon) Dilliner, Ty (Abbey) Vandekerkhove, Treg (Faith) Vandekerkhove, Shad Donovan, Remy Vandekerkhove and special friend Caleb Miner, and Nathan (Jodi) Robasse; her great-grandchildren, Shayne Dilliner, Bentley Donovan, Sloane Vandekerkhove, MaKaiden Robasse, and Taylor (Tayler) Ellison; and great-great grandchildren, Dylan and Rhett Ellison.
She took great joy in life. Pat was a dedicated and loving wife and mother. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader, Room Mother/ Parent Volunteer, the first woman to hold a seat on the Sesser-Valier School Board, attended the Greenwood United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday School Teacher and led a kids Saturday program when her grand-children were young. Pat loved life and brought laughter wherever she went. She was always up for a good time.
She will be remembered for her witty sayings and her dedication of sending cards for any and all occasions. Pat loved to play games (especially Pinnochle) and spent many hours playing with family and friends.
After a battle with Metastatic Breast Cancer and COPD she entered peacefully into God’s Kingdom at home surrounded by her family. Her big heart and generous spirit will be greatly missed. Mom, Grams, Weezer you are forever in our hearts. We love you!
Pat and her family want to thank all the friends and church family who visited and brought food for her to enjoy while she was alive (per her request), the cards, flowers and many prayers sent her way. Thank you to the SIH Cancer Institute of Southern Illinois for their kindness and care, the friendly staff of Medicine Shop that always took care to deliver her medical supplies, and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their wonderful care.
Words Pat lived by: Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming, “Wow, What a Ride!”
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
There will be a celebration of life for Pat on Friday, June 14, 2019, at the Greenwood United Methodist Church, 2638 Park Street Road, Mulkeytown, IL., Starting at 1:00 p.m. with a brief service at 3:30 p.m., with the Rev. Bill Wiggs officiating.
In lieu of flowers, Pat requested donations be made to the Greenwood United Methodist Church, Hospice of Southern Illinois, or the charity of your choice.
Praise God for his goodness. Pat loved the Lord with all her heart!
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Guebert: ‘A lick and a promise’ aren’t enough
June 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Most American farmers spent the last week of May and the first week of June either driving through mud or stuck in it. Their two farming partners, Mother Nature and Uncle Sam, were little help; one brought threats of more rain and mud, the other threats of more tariffs and bailouts.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Commentary: Sports betting in Illinois will have social costs
June 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
It was my third straight night at The President.
I wasn’t there for the 24-hour buffet, which occasionally was my home for breakfast after a big evening.
Here’s a link to the column at the Southern Illinoisan.
Thousands of acres of farmland are useless as flooding taxes Southern Illinois
June 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
WARE — In a normal year, Mitchel McLane plants about 2,700 acres of corn and soybeans on his farm in Union County.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Jimenez hits long home run, leading Lopez, White Sox over Royals
June 10, 2019 By Leave a Comment
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Once Reynaldo López went one pitch at a time, things worked out fine.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
