Benton, IL — Barbara Ruth Benard, age 78, of Benton, IL passed away at 4:21 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2017 at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton, with Rev. Merle Fullerton and Pastor Alan Newman officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton, and from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Tuesday, also at the church.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Barbara Ruth Benard was born on February 17, 1939 in Benton, IL, the daughter of John Claude Beaty and Aileen (Kirk) Beaty.  She married Clarence Newton Benard on April 2, 1961 and he survives.

Mrs. Benard was a retired school teacher.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and her Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois.  She proudly taught at Benton Consolidated High School, Rend Lake College, Ashley High School, and Harrisburg High School.

She was a well-known pianist and private music instructor.

Barbara loved Southern Gospel Music, and worked with several churches, revival services, and Southern Gospel groups throughout the region.  She most recently was a member of Glad Heart.  She was also the long-time pianist with “The Baptist Voice”, a radio program that airs each Sunday on WMIX 94.1 radio station out of Mt. Vernon, IL; and she was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher.

Mrs. Benard loved to travel, camping, going to the beach, shopping, dining out, and attending Professional Gospel singing events and concerts.

Barbara is survived by her husband of fifty-five years: Clarence Benard of Benton; three daughters: Marla Harp and husband Richard, Aletha Jackson and husband Robert, Sonya Dorris and husband John all of Benton; six grandchildren: Jared Harp and girlfriend Jordan Rowold, Josh Harp and fiancée Michaela Dollins, Nick Shelton, Zack Dorris, Macy Jo Dorris, Katlin Jackson; a sister-in-law Dolly Sledge of Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter Angela Faye Benard; and a daughter Darla Kay Benard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher, or to Glad Heart, and will be accepted at the visitation and funeral services.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Barbara, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Gerald Wayne “Red” Elders, 96, of Murphysboro, finished a full and notable life peacefully on February 24, 2017.

Red was born June 29, 1920 in Christopher, Illinois, to Louis “Rabbit” Elders and Flora (Dreimeyer) . Red grew up in Christopher and was a proud Bearcat. He was later a member of the Fighting Illini football team. Red then moved to Seattle, Washington, to pursue a career in semi-pro football.

In Seattle, Red married Billie Marie Hutson of Sesser, Illinois, before enlisting in the Merchant Marines. He became a First Mate on a sea going tugboat in the South Pacific during WWII. 

Red was a man of many talents and great accomplishments.  He opened E & E Mine Service, which operated in Christopher for many years. Red invented and developed several patents for mining tools, including a roof support system, which changed the face of modern day coal mining.  After moving from Christopher, Red and Billie lived in Aspen, Colorado, and Prescott, Arizona.  In Arizona, Red was a founding member and president of Oxycal Laboratories, Inc. and was involved in the development and patenting of ESTER-C. Red returned to southern Illinois and resided in Murphysboro for the past 17 years.     

Red is survived by daughters Suzi (Neal) Persky of Austin, Texas, and Tia Elders of Murphysboro, Illinois, and grandson Evan (Purvi) Persky, of Los Angeles, California.  He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Billie, one brother Leonard Elders, and companion, Alice Limpus.

Red was a world traveler, sportsman and someone who lived life to the fullest. His final years were spent surrounded by family, friends, pets, care-givers, laughter and adventures! Red never met a dog he didn’t like, never lived in a house that he didn’t build and knew that he had lived a very blessed life. Red  will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Christopher.  Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.