Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Recently retired Republican state Sen. Pam Althoff voted against medical marijuana back in 2009, but she voted for the idea just four years later, and she voted to make pot possession a civil fine in Illinois.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is doing the unthinkable: She’s denying President Donald Trump the forum to verbally deliver the State of the Union address. The far left is cheering. For them, the move confirms that they selected the right speaker by once again entrusting Pelosi.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.
A Prayer to Remind You of Your Worth
By Julie Sunne
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14
For years, I had secretly thought that if I accomplished enough I’d be accepted and worthy. Each day I spent trying to please others by earning enough money, making a name for myself and providing for every need that crossed my path.
I believed I should be the greatest mom, the perfect wife, the best friend, the hardest worker, the one who had all the answers and cared enough to respond to everyone’s requests. I bought into the lie that success equals validation.
It was beginning to strangle me. Then the thought snuck in that my worth isn’t something to be found or earned, but it’s innate because of who God created me to be.
Each of us is created in the image of God — remarkably and wonderfully made. We don’t need to prove ourselves or earn our worth. And as today’s key verse reminds us, God’s works are wonderful. We already have worth in our Creator and Redeemer. That realization alone should give us peace as we live out who we are freely in Christ.
Who are you trying to prove your worth to? Today, embrace the truth that in Christ you are already worthy.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank You for fearfully and wonderfully creating each of us. Thank You for giving us worth in Your eyes. Help us live as the one You uniquely intended us to be. Help us abide instead of strive, living peacefully and joyfully as heirs to Your Kingdom and co-heirs with Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
fearfully-wonderfully-made
By Rick Warren
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception” (Ephesians 4:22 NLT).
Change requires making choices. It’s not enough to dream of changing. It’s not enough to desire change. In order for you to change, you will need to make a decision. You must choose to change.
Change is intentional: Are you going to be any different in six months? Are you going to be better a year from now? Are you going to be healthier, stronger, and more mature? Are you going to be happier? Are you going to be less in debt? Are you going to be more like God wants you to be?
I can tell you the answer right now: It will only happen if you choose to change, because it isn’t going to happen accidentally. You need to think ahead to where you need to be at the end of this year and where you need to be in three years, six years, and a decade from now. I want you to be better in 10 years than you are today, but you won’t be unless you choose to be.
Change requires a choice.
A lot of times we think we’re waiting on God to change us. No, you are not waiting on God. God is waiting on you! He’s waiting on you to say, “Yes, Lord, I’m willing to make these changes.”
We have to make intentional choices in order to grow. There is no growth without change, there is no change without loss, and there is no loss without pain. If you are going to grow, you will have to change, and change means you let go of some old things and grab hold of some new things.
It’s like swinging on a trapeze: The trapeze artist swings out on one bar, and then he has to reach out and grab the other bar. At some point, he’s got to let go of one to grab the other, or he’s not going to make it to the other side. If he thinks he can hold on to both, what happens? He gets stuck in the middle, and he’s going down.
Perhaps you are stuck in the middle, and you’re going down because you haven’t let go of the old patterns, the old habits, and the old ways of thinking. You have to let go of your old ways.
The Bible says, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life” (Ephesians 4:22 NLT). In other words, let it go. Those old habits, those old hurts, those old patterns, those old sins in your life—let them go. The Bible says to throw them off and trust that God is working in you “to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
Jane Spencer, 86, of Whittington, IL passed away Monday morning, January 21, 2019 at her home.
She was born in Whittington on November 8, 1932 the daughter of Raymond & Vaneta (Winemiller) House.
She married Howard Spencer on January 17, 1953 and he passed away on March 20, 2006.
Mrs. Spencer is survived by her children, Cindy Britton and husband Danny, of Whittington, IL, Ron Spencer and wife Chris, of Collinsville, IL, Rayme Spencer and wife Blanca, of Chicago Heights, IL, Tammy Spencer, of Whittington and Tim Spencer and wife Lisa, of Whittington; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and by 2 Sisters-Joyce Spencer & Jo Ann Johnston.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 24th at the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will follow in the Shiloh Cemetery. There will be No Visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Shirley Overturf, 79, of Johnston City, IL formerly of Sesser passed away on Friday January 18, 2019.
She was born on February 27, 1939 in Christopher to Harland and Lucille (Wilson) Gunter. She married James Overturf on March 11, 1955 and he preceded her in death on March 1, 2002.
She is survived by her children Debra (Jack) Mohr of Thompsonville and Michael (Mary) Overturf of Johnston City; two grandsons Jeffery Morris and Richard Morris; two great grandchildren Kara Morris and Jake Morris.
Graveside services will be on Monday January 28, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Overturf Cemetery in Ewing with Rev. Michael Neubert officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the cemetery and also can be mailed to the funeral home.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Clarence Eugene Gulley, 76, of Valier passed away on January 18, 2019.
He was born on December 22, 1942 in West Frankfort, IL to Dennis and Henrietta (Galloway) Gulley.
He is survived by his daughter Lori Johnson of Benton; grandchildren William (Andrea) Renner of Sesser and Alexis Renner of Chicago; great grandson Colt Renner; and one sister-in-law Norma Gulley of Christopher
He was a member of the UMWA, 50 year member of the Sesser Masonic Lodge and a Charter Member of the Masonic Riders Association.
He served as the Hurst Chief of Police and was a police officer at Valier, Christopher, and West Frankfort. He was a retired coal miner and a Veteran of the United States Army.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers David Gulley, Nolan Gulley, and Howard Gulley, and one sister-in-law Barbara Gulley.
Funeral services will be on Saturday January 26, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Alan Minton officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Masonic Rites will be held at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.
In lieu of flowers donations can be given to the Sesser Masonic Lodge Scholarship Fund. Make checks payable to the Sesser Masonic Lodge. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Howard O. Hill, 95, of Christopher passed away on January 21, 2019.
He was born on January 2, 1924 in Zeigler, IL to Wiley L. and Henritta Ann (Dixon) Hill. He married Olive (McCluskey) Hill on March 10, 1946 and she preceded him in death on June 18, 2016.
He is survived by his children Howard Duane (Juanita) Hill of Charleston, IN, Marsha Kay Bowers of Benton and Ginger (Jayce) Martin of Christopher; Clint (Amy) Hill, Somer (Ryan) Novakovsky, Robert Morris III, Tony (Ashley) Hodge, John (Gretchen) Martin, Jayson (Marcy) Martin, Jesse Martin, and Jamie Thompson; great grandchildren Cassie Novakovsky, Gabe Novakovsky, Darren Hill, Autumn Hill, Griffin Hill, Allie Hodge, Lauren Kent, Ashlyn Thompson, Alex Thompson, Veda Martin, Janson Martin, Gracie Martin, Jaycie Martin, Callie Martin, and Adlie Martin; one sister Vida Louise Little of Dallas, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two grandchildren Darren Duane Hill and Andrew Lee Querry, four sisters and two brothers.
Howard served in the United States Army during World War II and Korea. He was a Mine Superintendent, and enjoyed hang gliding. He was also a member of the Church of Christ in Christopher.
Funeral services will be on Friday January 25, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother George Marshall officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday January 24, 2019 from 4:00 PM until 7:30 PM and on Friday January 25, 2019 from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Harrison Cemetery in Buckner.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Veteran’s Medical Center CLC Hospice, 2401 West Main Street, Marion, IL 62959. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Paulagene Pechenino, 94, of Christopher passed away on January 15, 2019.
She was born on June 30, 1924 in Benton, IL to Paul and Louella (Ostein) Reed. She married Louis “Louie” Pechenino on November 27, 1947 and he preceded her in death on December 1, 2017.
She is survived by her son Paul (Susan) Pechenino of Trenton, IL; grandchildren Julie, Kenneth, Angela and Amy; great grandchildren Andrew, Gabby and Louie; one brother Paul Jerry (Jeanne) Reed of Colorado Springs, CO.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Christopher.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter Darla Lou Siegrist and one son Gary Jo Pechenino.
Funeral services will be on Friday January 18, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Matt Crain officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery in Christopher.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association or to the Christopher Public Library. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Dolona Bond passed away peacefully at 8:30 A.M. on January 15, 2019 at her home in Harrisburg, IL.
She was born in Benton, IL on October 17, 1963, the daughter of Ralph & Alberta (Fisher) Bond.
Dolona will be sadly missed by her house mates, caregivers and special furry friend “Max”. Dolona attended Coleman Tri-County Services Developmental Training in Harrisburg for many years and she will be sadly missed by staff and friends.
Dolona was preceded in death by her Parents.
A special thank you to Hospice of Southern Illinois and the great nursing team at Coleman Tri-County Services.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, Jan. 17th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home with Johanna Moorman officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
