Joe Keener – Benton, IL

Joe Keener, 57, of Benton, IL passed away on Tuesday night February 19, 2019.

Joe was born in Russellville, Arkansas on July 29, 1961, the son of Thomas R. & Carol (Sawosko) Keener.

He married Lisa Compton on May 26, 1984 in Hillsboro, MO. Joe was a member of the congregation of Jehovah’s Witness.

Mr. Keener is survived by his wife, Lisa Keener, of Benton; son Zack Keener, of Fulton, MO; daughter Joelle Buffington, and husband Samuel, of Vanzant, MO; grandsons Justin and Jaden; mother Carol Anderson, of De Soto, MO; father Thomas Keener, of Hillsboro, MO; sisters Barbara Bonin, of Dupo, IL and Angela Waggoner, of Fulton, MO and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Benton Public Library or the Hillsboro Missouri Fire Department.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Faye Buckner – Buckner, IL

Faye Buckner, 94, of Buckner, passed away on Monday, February 18, 2019.

She was born on April 21, 1924 in Franklin County, IL to Everett and Ruth (Flatt) Overturf. She married Logan Buckner on July 22, 1940 and he preceded her in death on May 1, 1994.

She is survived by her children Lana (Danny) Vukadinovich of Mulkeytown, Elva Martin of West Frankfort and Earl Buckner of Buckner; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren and one brother Ray (Nancy) Overturf of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one son John Buckner. Graveside services will be on Wednesday February 20, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Masonic and IOOF cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 12:00 PM until 1:45 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Burial will be at Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.

Phil Gilbert elected chair of SIU Board of Trustees

EDWARDSVILLE — The members of SIU’s governing board chose new leadership Thursday, although two of the trustees chosen for leadership positions could soon be removed and replaced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Opinion | News-Gazette: Illinois is betting big that gambling is an unadulterated good

Change is coming to Illinois — a higher minimum wage first, soon to be followed by the legalization of marijuana.

Here’s a link to the editorial.

Team LeBron rallies to beat Team Giannis in NBA All-Star game

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LeBron James was trading lob passes with Dwyane Wade again, one last time. Lobs from Kyrie Irving once again, too. And after making a stepback 3-pointer late, he stared down Joel Embiid to send a message without saying a word.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Jose Martinez, Gyorko would be hard to leave off Cardinals

JUPITER, Fla. — The math might seem to mitigate against both Jose Martinez and Jedd Gyorko being on the Cardinals’ bench at the start of the season, especially if the roster math says 13 pitchers and four extra men on a 25-man roster.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Benton Police Report

On February 6, 2019 at approximately 7:40 a.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of North Main Street in reference to an altercation. Upon investigating, police arrested David A. Wingo, age 59, of Benton for aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and obstructing a peace officer. Wingo was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 7, 2019 at approximately 6:30a.m., Benton Police responded to a verbal domestic in the 1200 block of Anna Street.
Upon investigating, police arrested Shawn M. Gooch, age 29, of Benton for theft. Gooch was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 7, 2019 at approximately 7:15 p.m., Benton Police responded to the 700 block of Frisco Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon investigating, police arrested Phillip D. Balota, age 43, of Benton for unlawful violation of order protection and resisting a peace officer. Balota was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 7, 2019 at approximately 9 p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 1200 block of North Main Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon investigating, police arrested Sisali L. Diggs- Mack, age 29, of Benton for domestic battery. Diggs- Mack was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 9, 2019 at approximately 9:45p.m., Benton Police arrested Branden C. Eubanks, age 33, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Eubanks was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On February 10, 2019 at approximately 12:15 a.m. , Benton Police were dispatched to the 700 block of West Main Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon investigating, police arrested Jason Q. Call, age 33, of Benton for aggravated domestic battery. Call was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Your Daily Prayer: A Prayer for Faith and Understanding

A Prayer for Faith and Understanding – Your Daily Prayer – February 15, 2019

A Prayer for Faith and Understanding
By Dick Woodward

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29
As we ponder the definition of faith we hear it said that believing is seeing. “When I see it I’ll believe it” is the way some would put it. In the verse quoted above David clearly writes that we believe first and then our believing leads us to the seeing of what we believe.

Biblical faith always has an unseen object. According to other Scriptures there will always be evidence that the unseen object of our faith exists, but when our faith is biblical faith the object of that faith will be unseen (Hebrews 11:6). Seeing does not lead to believing because we already have the object of our faith when we see, but believing does lead to seeing according to David and other authors of the Bible.
A rural pastor told his people that when they invited him home for dinner after church he was always hoping they would have southern fried chicken. If he had no reason to believe that would be the menu he could only hope there would be chicken for dinner. But when he came into their home if he smelled chicken and if he saw from the living room chicken gravy on the dining room table, those things were the evidence of the object he could not see. He could now believe there was chicken in the kitchen and he would have it for dinner.
David tells us that after the believing that leads to seeing, all we have to do is wait on the Lord until we see the object of our faith. Are you believing God for something you cannot yet see?

Dear Lord, we cannot see you but we trust that you are there. We trust that you hold the world in the palm of your hand. Help us to live every day with this perspective. Help us to understand that faith is found in the small actions of kindness we make. When we comfort the grieving, when give help to the homeless, we are declaring your victory. Amen.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Report

2-8-19 at approximately 10:50 pm, Christopher D. Landolt age 31 of Thompsonville was arrested for aggravated fleeing/attempting to elude a Police Officer, DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol and failure to drive right side of roadway. He was transported to the Franklin County Jail where he later posted bond.

2-13-19 Debra L. Richerson age 62 of Benton was arrested for obstructing a Peace Officer. She was transported to the Franklin County Jail where she later posted bond.

WARRANT ARRESTS

2-8-19 Ronald E. Kaegi age 42 of Zeigler. Failure to appear for domestic battery.

2-8-19 Roberta L. Dalton age 50 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on driving while license suspended.

2-8-19 John A. Ladd age 35 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on driving while license suspended.

2-10-19 Fonda N. Eubanks age 36 of Sesser. Failure to appear for aggravated D.U.I.

2-10-19 Jennifer N. Lasko age 37 of Marion. Failure to appear for criminal damage.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

RLC Foundation hosts 4th Ladies High Tea

INA, Ill. – Community members from across the Rend Lake College district gathered Tuesday afternoon for the fourth annual Ladies High Tea event, hosted by the RLC Foundation in the Student Center. During the event, approximately 40 attendees enjoyed traditional tea with sweet and savory treats created by students in the RLC Culinary Arts program’s “Garde Manger” course. This class, which includes freshmen and sophomore students, focuses on buffet presentations, specifically on food preservation by pickling, brining, and curing. Each RLC student helped prepare and present their own dishes.
During the event, Kay Zibby-Damron, RLC Foundation CEO, spoke to the women about the impact they could have on the RLC community.
“Women today play a central role in philanthropy; through charitable giving and using our time and skills to advance causes within our communities. I can think of no better way to grow and cultivate future generations of strong women, than through the power of education and learning,” said Zibby-Damron. “Rend Lake College is your community college. Your support and your partnership is helping young women become our future leaders. What an impact we can have.”
The event was sponsored by Crossroads Community Hospital, and teapots were provided by Dr. Sue Tomlin, retired RLC Professor. To learn more about the RLC Foundation, visit www.rlc.edu/foundation, email foundation@rlc.edu, or call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1324. Click on the images below for larger views.

RLC Culinary Arts students Derrick Davis of Marion, STANDING LEFT, and Nicolas Keys of Marion, STANDING RIGHT, pass out teapots Tuesday afternoon during the Ladies High Tea event.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News