James Carl Marchese, 97, of Benton, IL,  passed away at 6:05 a.m., on Monday, December 3, 2018,  at Helia Healthcare of Benton, IL, after a brief illness.

He was born on July 7, 1921, to John and Marie (Miller) Marchese in Buckner, IL. He shared many years of marriage with his loving wife, Alfredia (Steinheimer) until she passed away on January 6, 2007.

James was a high school football, basketball, and baseball stand out. He then went into the United States Coast Guard, and served during World War II. Following, he worked as a plant manager for Long Airdox Corporation. James was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

James is survived by his one daughter, Cathy Washnock of Ipswich, Massachusetts; his one son, James K. Marchese and his wife, Jeanie, of Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania; his four grandchildren, Mikkel Washnock, Lauren Washnock-Maldonado, Elizabeth Marchese, and Victoria Marchese-Sampson; his four great-grandchildren, Madelyn and David Washnock-Hanson, Isla and Tillman Washnock; and his nephew, Steve Stewart; and his niece Jayne Lau.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alfredia Marchese,  parents, John and  Marie Marchese, one sister, Capitola Stewart, son-in-law, James A. Washnock and one niece, Iris Hampleman.

James loved watching sports, tending to his tomato and strawberry gardens, and playing cards, but most of all, he enjoyed spending precious time with family, especially his grandchildren.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

As per families request, cremation will take place.

Services may be held at a later date.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

If You’re Wise, You Won’t Disguise

By Rick Warren — December 8, 20188

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17 NIV). A mark of wise people is that they don’t try to hide their weaknesses.

The Bible says true wisdom is “impartial and sincere.” Those words in Greek both sound like “hypocrite,” and for good reason: They mean “without hypocrisy” or “straightforward.”

Greek theater often featured just a few actors in an entire play who would repeatedly change parts. They would hold masks in front of their faces for each part, and one person could have five or six different masks and parts. That person, that actor, was called a hypocrite.

If you’re wise, you’re not phony. You don’t wear masks and try to be something you’re not. You’re genuine and authentic. What others see is what they get! You don’t strive for perfection or pretend like you’ve already achieved it. You’re aware of your weaknesses, and you don’t try to hide them.

Proverbs 28:13 says, “You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins” (GNT). It’s ridiculous to pretend that you’ve got it all together, because nobody does.

When you start telling people what your weaknesses are, they’re not going to be shocked. They’re already aware. Everybody knows your weakness. If you won’t admit your weaknesses, you’re the only one! We see each other’s weaknesses all the time, and most people are more than willing to point out the weaknesses in others. But we don’t want to point out our own.

If you’re wise, you won’t disguise your weaknesses. People appreciate honesty—when you are straightforward about where you are. It helps the people you’re sharing with to be more open, because they might be struggling, too.PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor RickTalk It Over

• What weakness have you been trying to conceal from others? Do you think that the people in your life are not already aware of it?
• How does trying to conceal your weaknesses affect your physical and emotional health?
• Why does the Bible say you won’t have success if you try to hide your sins?