Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
After a week of heated protests and calls for her resignation, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and African-American leaders condemned Chicago’s police union and defended how the prosecutor’s office addressed an actor’s alleged hate crime hoax.
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
By Rick Warren
“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NIV).
One reason God wants us to love is because he is love, and he created us to be like him—to love. The only reason we’re able to love is because God loves us: “Love comes from God . . . because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 NIV).
We were created in God’s image to do two things on Earth: Learn to love God and learn to love other people. Life is all about love.
But love all started with God. He loved us first, and that gives us the ability to love others (1 John 4:19). The only reason you can love God or love anybody else is because God first loved you. He showed that love by creating you. He showed that love by everything you have in life; it’s all a gift of God’s love. And he showed that love by sending Jesus Christ to Earth to die for you.
In order to love others well, we first need to understand and experience how much God loves us. We don’t want to just talk about love, read about love, or discuss love; we need to encounter the love of God.
We need to reach a place when we truly understand how God loves us completely and unconditionally. We need to become secure in the truth that we cannot make God stop loving us.
Once we’re secure inside God’s unconditional love, we’ll start cutting people a lot more slack. We won’t be as angry as we’ve been. We’ll be more patient. We’ll be more forgiving. We’ll be more merciful. We’ll give others grace.
But you cannot give others something you haven’t received yourself. I hope that as you learn how much God loves you, you’ll also let him heal your heart so that his love can flow freely through you. It’s impossible to love others until you really feel loved yourself.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
When you feel “empty” and unable to give or show love to others, how might God want you to “refuel”?
Do you find it easy or difficult to believe that God loves you completely and unconditionally? Why?
Take time today to make sure your heart is right with the Lord, that you have received his grace, forgiveness, and love so that you can show it to other people.
Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.
Former President Obama declared concern Saturday that Democrats are creating ”a circular firing squad” by embracing progressive socialists. He is right. Democrats are setting up a 2020 landslide — for President Trump.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.
In a period of a little over 24 hours this weekend, 24 people were shot in Chicago, including three children under 13 — and three of the adults shot died from their injuries, according to police
Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.
Illinois will become the eight state to raise the legal age to 21 to buy or use tobacco products after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed new legislation into law Sunday afternoon.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Debbie Wilson, 62, of Benton, IL passed away Sunday evening, March 31, 2019 in Benton.
She was born in Chicago, IL on January 18, 1957, the daughter of Bobby & Kathryn (Marvel) Wilson.
She married Danny Wilson on November 16, 2000, and he survives.
Debbie loved reading her Bible.
She is survived by her husband, Danny Wilson, of Benton; mother Kathryn Wilson, of Benton; sisters Karen Dancer, of Haleyville, AL and Linda Hiney, and husband Randy, of Delray Beach, FL; brother-in-law, Junior Wilson, and wife Pam, of Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 3rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Lavina Lucille Rotolo, 90, of Louisville, KY, formerly of Benton, IL, passed away at 6:00 p.m., on Friday, March 29, 2019, at the Nazareth Home in Louisville, KY.
She was born on September 2, 1928, to Roy and Clara (Clemens) Phelps of Robbs, IL. In 1950, she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. Lavina worked as a Home Advisor in Perry County for one year, then in Franklin County for one year, before staying home to raise her family.
Lavina was a proud member of North Benton Baptist Church, Benton, IL. She was a loving and prideful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. For many years, she led the singing at Vacation Bible School and played the organ at church. She loved being with her girls and spending time with her grandson. She spent countless hours working on her family history, loved to take on a craft project, and was one of the first members of the Rend Lake Fitness Center where she was faithful to exercise.
She is survived by her daughter Kay Grimes of Sarasota, FL; her daughter Carol Bean of Louisville, KY, and her husband, Michael Goad; one grandson, Jacob Grimes of North Port, FL and wife Tiffany and son Shane; and her three beloved nieces, the Phelps girls, and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Clara Phelps; her husband, Pete Rotolo; and her brother, Roy Everett Phelps, and her sister-in-law, Barbara Phelps.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home.
Funeral services will follow visitation on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home. Burial will follow services at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL.
Memorials contributions may be made to North Benton Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff and caregivers on Charity Court at Nazareth Home for the excellent care she received the time she was there.
Helen Moro, 100, of Christopher, passed away on March 27, 2019.
She was born on October 23, 1918, in Royalton, to Albert and Ollie (Ward) Stewart. She married Ernest “Blackie” Moro and he preceded her in death on March 28, 1996.
She is survived by her sons Raymond Cacini and John Moro. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Graveside services will be on Saturday March 30, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Osage Cemetery in Royalton, IL. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
Barry Samuel Wink, 56, of Mulkeytown passed away on Saturday March 23, 2019 in Christopher.
He was born on September 9, 1962 in Owensboro, KY to James “Sam” and Agnes (Bartlett) Wink.
He was married to his high school sweetheart Linda (Gunter) Wink in 1985. Barry was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was also a wonderful son, brother, uncle and a great friend to many. Barry was a Franklin County Correctional Officer, part-time Buckner Police Officer and a Mason Brother.
He is survived by his wife Linda Sue (Gunter) Wink of Mulkeytown; his sons Samuel Blake Wink (Aszure) and Nekko Lee (Mikala) Wink; Grandson Jayden Wink; granddaughters Makenna Wink and Rilynn Wink; parents James “Sam” and Agnes Wink of Mulkeytown; brothers James “Byron” (Laurie) Wink of DuQuoin, Tom (Bobbie Jo) Wink of Christopher; and his sister Mary Jo Wink (Craig Bauman) of Benton and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly; one sister-in-law Brenda Gunter of Christopher; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Allen (Dianne)Gunter of Orient, Donnie (Sharlyn) Gunter of Valier, Garry (Dori) Gunter of Zeigler and Dennis (Dawn Bearden) Gunter of Mulkeytown. He was preceded in death by his Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Albert and Leona Gunter, and Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law Francis and Judy Gunter and Hershel and Joyce Gunter.
Funeral Mass will be on Saturday March 30, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the St Andrews Catholic Church in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Visitation will be on Friday March 29, 2019 from 4 PM until 8 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations are strongly encouraged by the family to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Berneice L. Slayton, 92, of Benton, Illinois was called home on Friday, March 22, 2019.
She was born in West City on April 15, 1926 to Nathan and Ruby (Mandrell) Brookshire. On April 18, 1949 she married Charles (Ross) Slayton of Benton. Mrs. Slayton was a member of the West City Church of God. Mrs. Slayton is survived by her nephews: David and William (Billy) Winters of Benton, James (Allen) Akin of West Frankfort, Edwin Brookshire of Peoria, AZ and John Brookshire of Gulfport, MS and their families. She is survived by her nieces: Pam Duncan of Centralia, Lisa Filkins and Julie Howard of West Frankfort and their families. She is survived by her sister in law: Rena (Kay) Brookshire of Benton and her brother in law: James R. Akin of West Frankfort. She is also survived by many other close friends, family and loved ones: John Merlau, Judy, Larry and John Mize of West Frankfort, Glen and Phyllis Smith and (Precious) of Benton, Connie, Jeanette, Roberta and many more including friends from Heritage Woods and Helia HealthCare.
Mrs. Slayton was preceded in death by her husband Charles (Ross) Slayton who passed away August 31, 1998, her parents, her brothers: Charles, Edward, Kenneth and Bill, two sisters: Beatrice and Rosalie and three half-sisters: Annabelle, Dora and Dimple.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 – 9 pm Tuesday, March 26th at the Funeral Home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Psalm 23:4 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.
Miss me – But let me go!
When I come to the end of the road & my soul has been set free:
I want no rites in a gloom filled room, why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little but not too long and not with your heads bowed low:
Remember the love we once shared, Miss me but let me go!
Life is a journey we all must face and at the end we must go it alone:
It is a part of the Master’s Plan – And it’s the Final Step to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart, go to the friends we know:
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds – Miss me but let me go!
(Written by Berneice Slayton in 2018)
