Illinois is a step closer to giving more legal protection to illegal immigrants.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Illinois Senate votes to expand legal protections for people in Illinois illegally
November 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Jack Dean Smothers — Logan, Illinois
November 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Mr. Jackie “Jack” Dean Smothers, age 85, of Logan, passed away at 9:44 p.m. Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the Mt. Vernon Healthcare Center.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, November 19, 2018 at the Logan Church of God, with Rev. Mike Mayberry officiating, and Rev. Rick Fowler assisting. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Logan Church of God Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Monday at the Logan Church of God.
The Leffler Funeral Home, of Benton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Jack was born on May 24, 1933 in Logan, IL, the son of Miles Smothers and Bertha (Moore) Smothers. He married the former Thelma Ruby Eads on October 22, 1953, and she survives.
Mr. Smothers proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.
He was a member of the Logan Church of God, where he formerly served as a Sunday School Teacher, and served on the Pastor’s Council.
His working career consisted being a truck driver with Star Trucking, a coal miner, a former jailer at the Franklin County Jail, and as a bus driver. He was also a member of the Teamsters Union.
He enjoyed gardening, carpentry, camping, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years Thelma Smothers of Logan; his three children: Loretta Rice and husband Steve of Logan, Jack D. Smothers of Logan, and Lisa Morse and husband Zandle and his son Tyler of Buncombe, IL; five grandchildren: Melissa (Coons) Boukezzoula and husband Naoufel, James Eston Pense, Paula (Coons) Arpasi and husband Thomas, Daniel Rice, Chloe Morse; three great-grandchildren: Mia Arpasi, Kaven and Aubrie Pense; a brother Delmas Smothers of Greenfield, IN; a sister Anna Mae Wilson of Logan; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Smothers was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Connie Coons; five sisters: Alma McCormick, Lola McCormick, Mary “Mag” Leneve, Lillian Willett, and Vivian Smothers; four brothers: Larry Smothers, Joe Smothers, Everett Smothers, and Artie Gene Smothers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan Church of God.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mr. Jack Dean Smothers, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
James M. Vise – Benton, IL
November 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment
James M. Vise, 92, of Benton passed away Thursday afternoon, November 15, 2018 in Benton.
He was born in Macedonia, IL on June 17, 1926, the son of Evan H. & Goldie (Moore) Vise.
He married Clara Lu (Keener) on July 24, 1955 at the First Christian Church in Benton.
Mr. Vise served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Benton.
Mr. Vise is survived by his wife, Clara Lu Vise, of Benton; daughters Linda Maddox, and husband Keith, of Chesterfield, MO and Susan Brookins, and husband Ron, of Marietta, GA; five grandchildren, Emily (Maddox) Wissmann, and husband Taylor, Lindsey (Maddox) Gross and husband Ryan, Whitney (Brookins) Pulliam, and husband Christopher, Tyler Brookins and Chandler Brookins; four great-grandchildren Koa and Hudson Wissmann and Cohen and Maevry Gross.
Mr. Vise was preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers, Harvey and Hosea Vise.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2018 at the First Christian Church in Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts and National Guard Honor Squad will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Monday at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Fellowship Center.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Richard E. Glover – Benton, IL
November 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Richard E. Glover, 76, of Benton, passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2018, at SSM Health DePaul Hospital, in St. Louis, MO., surrounded by his loving family.
Richard was a lifelong resident of Benton, born on March 10, 1942, the son of James and Jamima (Irby) Glover. Richard graduated from Benton High School in 1960. He joined the United States Navy in 1961. Richard was a proud American, proud to have served his country, proud of the armed forces and loved the American flag. Richard was a retired coal miner. He was known for his witty sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cheryl (Hottensen), daughter Amanda Rone (Jason), son Daniel Glover (Marci) and two grandchildren, Keegan and Kinley Glover who are the light of his life, sisters Dixie Simmons, Janetta Marteney and sister-in-law Francis Glover, several nieces and nephews, many great friends and grand dog Coco Lee.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; two half brothers Jimmy and Jack Glover and one half sister Peggy Glover.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 18, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. & Monday, November 19, 2018, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 19, 2018, 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark Minor, officiating.
Burial will follow services at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the United States Navy Honors.
Memorial donations in memory of Richard can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Illinois.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Saluki Athletics dedicates Charles Helleny Pavilion
November 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Monday marked the inaugural celebration of the Charles Helleny Tip-Off Classic as the Salukis took on Buffalo at SIU Arena. In honor of the event, a special pre-game ceremony took place to rename the East Lobby of the arena as the “Charles Helleny Pavilion.” In September, Helleny donated the fourth-largest gift in Saluki Athletics history.
In honor of Helleny’s gift, the first Division I men’s basketball home game each year will be known as the Charles Helleny Tip-Off Classic game.
“I don’t want to take anything away from the game itself,” Helleny said. “I am embarrassed, but honestly this is a great honor, as I love SIU. We have had our ups and downs and we have always remained competitive.”
Helleny said his history with Saluki Basketball goes back to the Walt Frazier era, and he gets excited recalling the many signature home wins, such as the 2001 victory over eventual national runner-up Indiana and the thrilling battles with arch-rival Creighton. Those memories help fuel his desire to give back to SIU.
“Giving to the SASF is a commitment – not just a one-time donation — but a lifetime commitment,” he explained. “Donors help offset the budget for the department and help secure funding for scholarships, trips and recruiting.”
The Charles Helleny gift will continue to help support the SASF and the scholarship costs for 350 student-athletes in 17 intercollegiate sports, and will also help toward the Forever SIU campaign.
“The Charles Helleny Tip-Off Classic is a great way to honor Charles – a special and unique partnership created by Saluki Athletics and the Helleny family,” SIU Associate Athletic Director Jason Fairfield said. “Charles has a long history with SIU and we wanted to be able to honor his legacy with something that will live on forever.”
LaHood: “McCarthy is the Right Person”
November 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
DC – Illinois lost two Republican Congress members last week, but one of the five remaining members of the GOP US House caucus – the 18th District’s Darin LaHood – says California Congressman Kevin McCarthy is the “right person” to lead the minority in the upcoming session.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois Review.
Illinois Top 200 voting almost complete
November 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Believe it or not, Illinois is one list away from its final Top 200 list.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Larry B. Townley – Thompsonville, IL
November 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Larry B. Townley, 59, of Thompsonville, IL passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2018 in Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.
Larry was born in Chicago, IL on November 13, 1959, the son of Jack L. & Helen (Adams) Townley. He married Deloris Beyreis on July 16, 2017 and she survives.
Mr. Townley served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 Years retiring in 2000. He served as Federal Agent U.S. Border Patrol. He taught EMT courses. He liked woodworking. He enjoyed feeding the birds.
Mr. Townley is survived by his wife, Deloris Beyreis-Townley, of Thompsonville, parents Jack and Helen Townley, of Ewing, IL, two children, Stephanie Nunez and husband Christopher, of Yuma, AZ and Jesse Townley and wife Kristina, of Yuma, AZ; three granddaughters, Samantha, Chloe and Allison; one brother Jack Kevin Townley and wife Jill, of Ewing; four step-children and Fiorella Bryan, the mother of his two children.
Mr. Townley was preceded in death by a brother, Jeffery Townley.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 16th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Burial with Military Rites conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts & the National Guard Honor Team will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Friday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Veto session resumes after evacuation of parts of statehouse in Springfield
November 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
At least two floors of the Illinois Capitol were evacuated Wednesday afternoon on the second day of the fall veto session after an apparent bomb threat.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Illinoisans share tax concerns with lawmakers
November 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Taxpayers gathered at the Illinois capitol Wednesday to share concerns about the state’s high taxes.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
