My father’s wisdom:
White customer to my father in my father’s cafe: “Did you hear what your leader said yesterday?”
Washington is failing in the face of immigration crisis. Here’s what to do right now to fix the border.
January 7, 2023 By Leave a Comment
With its ruling to keep Title 42 in place, our nation’s high court granted the American people temporary relief from the Biden administration’s consistent pattern of misguided decisions. Yet the Supreme Court’s ruling did nothing to resolve the crisis at our southern border.
Kevin McCarthy elected House speaker in 15th floor vote after days of high drama
January 7, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Kevin McCarthy’s difficult road to becoming House speaker ended early Saturday morning after Republicans appeared to have miscounted the number of votes they needed and left him one vote short of winning the gavel, then quickly voted one last time to give him the win – with help from some of his biggest detractors.
William Robert Cockrum, Jr. – Knoxville, TN
January 6, 2023 By Leave a Comment
William Robert “Bill” Cockrum, Jr., 59, of Knoxville, TN; passed away January 1, 2023, at his home.
Bill was born on March 31, 1963, in Benton, the son of William Robert Cockrum, Sr. and Judith Rae (Moore) Cockrum.
He was an HVAC Technician in the Knoxville, Tennessee region. He was a member of Benton Masonic Lodge #64 A.F. and A.M. (now known as Rend Lake Lodge #64); Ansar Shriners of Springfield, Illinois where he was part of their bagpipe and drums.
Bill enjoyed working; but in his spare time, he liked to hunt, fish, and enjoyed dirt track sprint car races.
He is survived by his father William Robert “Bob” Cockrum, Sr. of Benton, Illinois; close friends: Dan Aiken of Wood Dale, Illinois, Chris Bowers of Knoxville, Tennessee; three aunts: Linda Davis and husband Gary, Betty Vick and Kathy King all of Benton, Illinois; two uncles: Curtis Cockrum and wife Rhonda of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Kenneth Cockrum and wife Amy of Benton; and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother; his maternal grandparents Dale and Lois Moore, and paternal grandparents Robert and Mary Cockrum.
His wishes are to be cremated with no services.
Arrangements are with Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital; and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To leave online condolences to the family or share memories of Bill visit: www.lpfuneralhome.com
George Simpkins – Benton, Illinois
January 6, 2023 By Leave a Comment
George Simpkins, age 72, of Benton; passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, IL.
George’s wishes are to be cremated. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.
Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.
Mr. Simpkins was born on December 12, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois; the son of George Simpkins and Mary Beth (McCarthy) Simpkins. He married the former Janice Marie Rogers on November 28, 1985; and she survives.
He was a retired truck driver with USF Holland Trucking. He was a Christian.
George enjoyed truck driving, telling jokes, making people laugh and leaving them feeling happy. He enjoyed a Diet Coke and a cigarette; but most of all he enjoyed spending time with family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Janice Simpkins of Benton; a daughter Cristy of Chicago; three step-children: Richard David Roche of Wisconsin, Joseph Roche of Crown Point, Indiana, Michelle Rogers of Mishawaka, Indiana; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with another due in 2023; special nieces: Kathy, Lisa and Candice; special nephews: Hershel, Michael and Alan; and his dog Shadow.
Mr. Simpkins was preceded in death by his parents; a step-daughter Norine Roche; his father-in-law Dave Rogers; and a brother-in-law Bobby Rogers.
To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of George; visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
Margie Jean Sipp (Zook) – Benton, IL
January 6, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Margie Jean Sipp (Zook), 85, of Benton, passed away at 9:37 p.m., on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
She was born on September 26, 1937, to Jake and Eddie B (Hayden) Sipp in East Prairie, MO.
She was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church. Margie was a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed reading, sewing, crocheting, knitting and watching western movies.
Margie is survived by her children, Karen Zook of Benton, IL, Tammy (Mike) McCollum of Benton, IL and Pamela Zook of Benton, IL; son-in-law, David McClerren; sister, Jackie (Mark) Wamble of Bertrand, MO; brothers, Bobby (Brenda) Sipp of Imperial, MO, Eddie (Pauline) Sipp of Bertrand, MO and Ricky (Debbie) Sipp of Bertrand, MO; grandchildren, Kyle (Sarah) McCollum, Travis (Marcie) McCollum, Eric (Kailee) McCollum, Jennifer McClerren, Byron McClerren and Shawn Zook and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Eddie B Sipp; a son, Kevin Zook; and brother, Bruce Sipp of Bonne Terre, MO.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Brother Joe Zbinden, officiating.
Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Brady Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.
Sources: Michigan under NCAA investigation; Jim Harbaugh expects to stay
January 6, 2023 By Leave a Comment
As Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated his intention Thursday to remain with the Wolverines in 2023, the NCAA is investigating the program for alleged violations during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period, sources told ESPN.
Texas fires Chris Beard amid domestic family violence charge
January 6, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Texas head men’s basketball coach Chris Beard was fired Thursday, less than one month after the school suspended him without pay following his arrest on a domestic family violence charge.
Damar Hamlin updates: Bills safety making ‘remarkable’ recovery, now communicating with doctors
January 6, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Three days after arriving in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Bills safety Damar Hamlin is on the road to a “remarkable” recovery, doctors announced Thursday. Hamlin, 24, suffered cardiac arrest after a tackle in Monday’s game against the Bengals, requiring CPR and resuscitation before being taken by ambulance to the hospital’s intensive care unit. Now, though still “critically ill,” Hamlin is awake, moving his hands and legs, and communicating with medical personnel.
