Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans released an executive summary of the FBI’s confidential supplemental background investigation into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh late Thursday, which key swing-vote senators vowed they would continue to review Friday ahead of a major vote on his confirmation.
Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.
Robert “Bobby” J. Smith, 67, of McLeansboro, passed away at 5:40 p.m., on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at St. Louis University Hospital, St., Louis, MO.
Bobby was born on October 4, 1950, to John and Wilma (Summers) Smith in Tucson, AZ.
He was a loving brother and enjoyed taking trips to the park, watching country-western shows and eating cherry chocolates.
Bobby is survived by his three brothers, John K. (Kathy) Smith, Jim Smith and Don (Kathy) Weston; one sister, Patricia (Roger) Wheeler, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by parents, John and Wilma Smith; one brother, David Weston.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 5, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home, with Nick Roberts, officiating.
Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Memorials contributions may be made to the Stuart Estates in McLeansboro, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
PEORIA — Harry Canterbury is a native Peorian who’s not happy with what he’s seen happen to the city.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal from former Bolingbrook police officer Drew Peterson that sought to undo his murder conviction in the death of his third wife, a decision that possibly leaves Peterson with no more legal options in the case.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Hundreds of guns that were stolen from a United Parcel Service facility in Tennessee were recovered Tuesday in the Chicago area, federal authorities said.
Here’s a link to the story.
Geneva Zalenski Hines Smith, age 93, of West City, IL, passed away at 8:12 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Geneva was born on December 9, 1924 in Franklin County, IL, the daughter of Frank Zalenski and Dora (Wascoski) Zalenski. She married Robert Eugene Hines, Sr. on December 24, 1946, and he preceded her in death on December 21, 1951 in the Orient #2 Mine explosion. She would later marry Herbert Warren Smith in 1953, and he preceded her in death in 2001.
She formerly worked cleaning motels and worked for twenty plus years in cleaning and housekeeping at Union Hospital and for Dr. Fox.
Geneva enjoyed watching television and loved animals, and especially enjoyed spending time with her family.
Survivors include, her son, Robert Eugene Hines, Jr. and wife Karen of Benton; four daughters: Jo Ann Stewart and husband Rod of Benton, Gloria Overturf and husband George of Benton, Marsha Kay Eubanks of Benton, and Marie Smith of West City; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; an infant daughter; a grandson; two great-grandsons; and three brothers.
To leave the family online condolences or to share memories of Geneva, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Donnie Keith Brooks, age 75, of Ewing, passed away at 7:33 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in the Opdyke Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Mr. Brooks was born on September 22, 1943 in Macedonia, IL, the son of Warner Brooks and Florence (Winemiller) Brooks. He married the former Vonda Allen on March 19, 1964, and she survives.
Donnie was a former oil field laborer, also he worked as a farm hand.
He was a member of the Macedonia United Methodist Church.
Donnie enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandson.
Survivors include his wife Vonda Brooks of Ewing; his son Brian Keith Brooks of Ewing; a grandson Joshua Keith Brooks; and a great-grandson Joshua Keith Brooks, Jr.; four nieces: Cheryl K. Lampley, Billie S. Higgerson, Gail Ellett, Becky Markham and husband Ben; two nephews: William E. Lampley, Jr. and wife Michele, Steven C. Lampley and wife Daredan; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Mr. Brooks was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters: Kathryn Parrish and Hazel Lampley.
Memorial contributions may be made to Leffler Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.
To leave the family online condolences or to share memories of Donnie, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Bobby Lee Kent, age 74, of Whittington, IL passed away at 8:26 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Mr. Kent was born on October 28, 1943 in Benton, IL, the son of Vernie L. Kent and Florine R. (Vaughn) Kent. He married the former Helen L. Christian on June 5, 1965, and she survives.
He honorably served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps
Bobby was a former Transportation service and maintenance worker with ABEX. He was the former president of the U.S. Steel Workers Local #7234.
He was a member of the West City Church of God.
Bobby enjoyed gardening, especially growing vegetables and flowers. He also enjoyed attending and worshipping with his church family.
Survivors include, his loving wife of 53 years, Helen L. Kent of Whittington; a daughter Beverly S. Batres and husband Julio of Crown Point, IN; two granddaughters: Samantha and Nicole Batres, both of Crown Point, IN; three sisters: Merita Weiser of Syracuse, IN, Mary Little of Lake Station, IN, Sarah Dhall of Canton, MI; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Kent was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers: Jessie Kent, Allen Kent, and Keith Kent.
Memorial contributions may be made to West City Church of God and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave the family online condolences or to share memories of Bobby Lee Kent, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
It is tempting to watch the political spectacle of Democrats destroying Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh as if it were only some shameful partisan circus.
Here’s a link to the column at the Chicago Tribune.
