Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Veteran lawmaker Kwame Raoul took over as Illinois Attorney General in January, but he already has seen enough to know it’s going take more than just better cooperation between police and residents to calm the gun violence rocking city street corners.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday he won’t let news of a federal criminal probe into $331,000 in property tax breaks he got on a Gold Coast mansion interfere with his push for a progressive income tax.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Monsters are real. And sometimes, when grownups don’t act, the monsters hurt children.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.
A Department of Children and Family Services worker who had in-home interaction with Andrew “A.J.” Freund and the worker’s supervisor have been placed on administrative duties as the state agency investigates what it could have done differently to prevent the 5-year-old boy’s death. That’s according to Acting DCFS Director Marc Smith, who was grilled during a legislative hearing Friday afternoon in Chicago, just two days after Freund’s body was found and his parents were charged with the boy’s murder.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
A man who fatally shot a would-be carjacker in the Loop has been cleared through investigation and will not be charged with a crime, Chicago police said Sunday morning.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
As an Addison Russell decision looms this week for the Cubs, manager Joe Maddon is already dealing with some difficult playing-time decisions.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday facing a five-week deadline to resolve a host of controversial issues that form the centerpiece of new Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s agenda and first state budget
Here’s a link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.
Erik Daniel Phelps, age 46, of West City, passed away at 6:55 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room in Benton.
Erik’s wishes were to be cremated with no public services.
Cremation arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Erik was born on December 15, 1972 in West Frankfort, Illinois, the son of John Allen Phelps and Gloria (Bechelli) Phelps. He married the former Kimberly Dawn Lenard on July 7, 1997, and she survives.
He formerly worked with Burns Security, and he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton.
Erik enjoyed riding motorcycles, working on cars, and most of all enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his children.
Erik is survived by his wife of 21 years Kimberly Dawn Phelps; a daughter Trinity Dawn Phelps; a son Daniel Allen Phelps, all of West City; his mother Gloria Phelps of Marion; sisters: Jo L. Phelps Sweet and husband John of Christopher, Terri Phelps West and husband Curt of West Frankfort, Linda Phelps of Mt. Vernon, IL; father-in-law Richard Lenard of West City; mother-in-law Jo Anne Drew of Benton; brother-in-law Rick Lenard and wife Kelly of Benton; nieces and nephews: Felicity and Ariah of Benton, McKhaylah and fiancée Alex Hill of Herrin, Holly Sweet Queen and husband Abijah of Christopher, Stephanie Sweet Brace and husband Aaron of Christopher, John D. Sweet and wife Jennifer of Benton, Audra West Ursini and husband Preston of Paducah, KY, Andrew West, Noah West, Nathan West of West Frankfort, Christopher Phelps and Veronica Kueker of Christopher; great-nieces and nephews: Israel Queen, Isaac Queen, Christian Queen of Christopher, Lizzy Brace, Triton Brace of Christopher, Tilly Sweet, Porter Sweet of Benton, and Eli Ursini of Paducah, KY.
He was preceded in death by his father; and two brothers: John and Mark Phelps.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Leffler Funeral Home to assist the family with expenses.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Erik, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
James Anthony “Tony” Denham, age 71, of West Frankfort, passed away at 6:13 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2019 at the VA Medical Center in Marion.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Joe Zbinden officiating. Burial with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and the Army National Guard, will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to the funeral hour on Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Mr. Denham was born on January 29, 1948 in Benton, Illinois, the son of Ira Jay Denham and Esther Lorene (Smith) Denham. He was first married to the former Lou Ellen Summers, after their divorce we would marry the former Nancy Kathleen Dunmyer on February 21, 2000, and after fifteen years of marriage, she preceded him in death on November 3, 2015.
James, or known to many as Tony, served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
He worked as a handyman, and for many years tended to and cared for horses on Kenny Hutchens’ farm.
He also enjoyed fishing, all Elvis music, and loved visiting with his family and friends,
James is survived by a daughter Linda Lou Houseworth and husband Charles of Ewing, IL; three grandchildren Steven Houseworth of Indiana, Jeffrey Houseworth of Carbondale, IL, Christine Lopez and husband Luis of Carterville, IL; four great-grandchildren: William, Antonio, Ayden and Adrian, all of Carterville; two brothers: Dennis Denham and wife Nola of West Frankfort, IL, Gordon Denham and wife Paula of Cambria, IL; Nancy’s children and their families: Carrie Griffin and husband Bart, Larry Hackleman, Betty Hackleman, Lois Osinga and husband Doug, Kay Robey and husband Todd; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Nancy; and a daughter Teresa Reed.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the VA Medical Center in Marion to assist Veterans and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of James, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Terry Wayne Ing, 43, of Creve Coeur, IL, formerly of Sesser, passed away on April 20, 2019 at St Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.
He was born on April 15, 1976 to Gene and Marilyn (Conner) Ing. He married Kari (Chamness) Ing on March 23, 2018 and she survives of Creve Coeur, IL.
He is also survived by his mother Marilyn Ing of Sesser; one son Jerry (Kassi) Ing of Nashville, IL; step-children Keith (Susan) Jones of Christopher, Tyler (Kate) Benson of Creve Coeur, IL, Shauna’ Hillier of Creve Coeur, IL; grandchildren Ry Ry and Gauge Ing; step-grandchildren Brock and Piper Jones and Roman Benson; one sister Wanda (Rod) Sides of Sesser; nieces and nephews Nick (Brittany Long) Benedict of Elkville, IL, Conner (Bob) Pabst of Longview, TX, Ryan (Brittany) Benedict of Christopher and Trystin Massa of Benton, IL; great nieces and nephews Maddie, Layla, Mia, Luke, Braxton and Jace.
He was a member of Local Union #974 and worked at Caterpillar. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and his son and loved spending time with Kari.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services will be on Friday April 26, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Harol Whitlock officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.
The family requests that everyone attending the service to dress in camouflage or casual dress.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Terry’s grandchildren for their education. Make checkes payable to Jerry Ing. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
