Ellen L. Morton – Benton, IL

August 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Ellen L. Morton, 75, of Benton, IL, passed away Thursday morning, August 18, 2016 at her home.

She was born in Benton on June 5, 1941, the daughter of Clarence Gilliam and Dora (Pinkham) Gilliam.

She married Richard Morton on July 8, 1961, and he survives.

Mrs. Morton was of the Baptist Faith.

She enjoyed bowling. She had worked at the Rosalie Shop, in West Frankfort for several year and had retired from Town & Country True-Value Hardware as head cashier after 15 plus years. Her granddaughter Darian was her world.

Mrs. Morton is survived by her husband Richard E. Morton, of Benton; one son Darin Morton and wife Gay, of Benton; granddaughter Darian Alexandrea Morton, of Benton; two step-grandsons Kert Williams and fiancee Shannon Browning, of West Frankfort and Colton Williams, of Benton; one sister, Glenda Downs, of Benton; two brothers Kenneth Gilliam and wife Rita, of Christopher and Richard Gilliam, of Benton. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alex and Daisy Morton and by a brother-in-law, Loyd Downs.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at Immanuel Baptist Church, in Benton, with Dr. Sammy Simmons, the Rev. Eddie Paul Davis and the Rev. Derek Downs officiating. Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Immanuel Baptist Church.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Nancy Ann Butler – Benton, IL

August 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment
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Willa Jean Dorsey — Sesser, IL

August 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Willa Jean Dorsey, 68, of Sesser, IL, passed away August 17, 2016 at Herrin Hospital.

willaShe was born December 21, 1947, the daughter of William “Bill” Murry and Martha “Jean” (Minor) Murry.

Willa married Larry Dorsey and he survives of Sesser.

She was a bus driver and was the manager at Sesser Foodland for many years until her retirement.

She is survived by her children Becky (Thomas) Bryant, of Sesser and Debby Edwards, of Sesser; grandchildren Tishann Dorsey, Amy Dorsey, Katy Dorsey, Zach Bryant, Allyson Bryant, Mathew Bryant, Jordan Edwards, Curtis Edwards and Madyson Edwards; brothers and sisters Terry (Mary) Murry, of Waltonville, IL, Larry (Vida) Murry, of Tuscola, IL, Janet (Mitch) LaCombe, of Parker, CO and Teresa (Michael) Bolten, of Buda, TX; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry Dorsey, of Du Quoin, IL, Margie Mae (Ronnie) Lively, of Du Quoin and Bobby (Susan) Dorsey, of Palmyra, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Kenneth Dorsey.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 22, 2016 at Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church, in Sesser, with Brother Bryant Harris officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, August 22, 2016 from 5:30 until the time of the service at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser-Valier Outdoorsmen Club. Envelopes will be available at the church and also at the funeral home.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Lewis Earl Hackleman – Benton, IL

August 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Lewis Earl Hackleman, age 58 of Benton, passed away at 9:17 p.m. Thursday, August 18, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital of Benton.

hackFuneral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 22, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Bro. Joe Zbinden officiating.  Burial with military rites by the U.S. Marine Corps, the Benton American Legion Post #280 and V.F.W. Post #2671 will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Lewis was born on October 10, 1957 in Berwyn, IL, the son of Lewis Eugene Hackleman and Peggy Lou (Grammer) Hackleman.  He married the former Alice Rose Ingram on September 22, 1985, and she survives.

Lewis was a retired Corrections Officer from the Marion Federal Penitentiary, where he had worked for 21 years.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Mr. Hackleman attended the Steel City Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his grand babies. He enjoyed woodworking and his cars.

Lewis is survived by his wife Alice Rose Hackleman of Benton; a son Jeremy Scott Biggs of Carbondale; a daughter Emily Renee Salatas and husband Nick of Festus, MO; two grandchildren: Cayla Nicole Biggs of Cape Coral, FL, and Lainey Dawn Salatas of Festus, MO; two sisters: Cindy Lampley and husband Tike of Benton, and Mindy Szoke and husband Dr. David of Murphysboro, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and his father and mother-in-law Odria and Patricia Ingram.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Steel City Baptist Church, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Ronald Kevin Atchison – Benton, IL

August 14, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Ronald Kevin Atchison, 57, of Benton, IL, passed away August 13, 2016 at his home.

atchisonRonnie was born November 12, 1958 in Decatur, IL, the son of Kent Atchison and Judy (Williams) Atchison.

He married Cheryl (King) Atchison on March 11, 1995 and she survives of Benton.

Ronnie is survived by his children Jamie King, of Benton, Ronald Kevin (Dolores) Atchison, Jr., of Tulsa, OK, Tyler Wayne Atchison, of Benton, Kaysie Sanders, of Benton, Brandon (Melissa) Simmons, of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren Nicole Welch, Joshua King, Braxton King, Xander Atchison, Hope Atchison, Checotah ‘Coda” Atchison, Vance Sanders, Dominic Sanders, Serina Sanders, Marina Simmons, Ashley Thomas: one great grandchild Lillian Thomas; brothers and sisters, Janice Hicks of Benton, Brenda McGlasson of Benton, Robert (Jodi) Atchison of Sesser, IL, Teresa Jones of Tulsa, OK, Gena (Chelsey) Atchison of Mt Vernon, IL, Andrew (Kim) Atchison  of Benton; special friends Rick Redfearn of Tulsa, Ok, Sherry Atchison of Benton, and Max Burton of Benton.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ronnie was a corrections officer at Big Muddy Correctional Facility, in Ina.

He loved to fish and loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 5 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at 5 p.m.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Walter Lee Tatum – Benton, IL

August 13, 2016 By Leave a Comment

BENTON — Walter Lee Tatum, 66, passed away Thursday afternoon Aug. 11, 2016, at his home.

He was born Sept. 2, 1949, in Sarasota, Florida, the son of Cecil Henry and Waneza (Perkins) Tatum.

He married Judy LaPorte on Sept. 9, 1977, and she survives.

Mr. Tatum was an U.S. Army veteran serving in Vietnam. He spent 9 months out of a one year tour in the field and was a track driver. He was stationed in Bin Phouc with the 9th Infantry Division. After his tour in Vietnam was over he was stationed in Hawaii where he completed Ranger Training. He was an expert marksman and was invited to shoot in competition for the Army but instead chose to return to civilian life.

He worked on the original construction of Sea World.

Mr. Tatum was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Benton.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Tatum of Benton; sister, Marcella Brown of Benton; brother, George Flora and wife, Edye, of Cosby, Tennessee; son, Don Overturf and wife, Cheryl of Ninetysix, South Carolina; grandson, Joshua Overturf and wife, Andrea of Orange City, Florida; nephews and nieces, Donald Earl Tatum, Patricia Leona Wiggins, Kimberly Caylor, and Lance Flora and wife, Wendy; and special friend/brother, Vic Fedun.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Cecil Riley Tatum.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, in Faith Baptist Church, with Pastor Steven Flach officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion and VFW Posts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heartbeat International Mission.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Sudeep Nair, the yellow clinic at VA Medical Center and to Oza Cancer Center.

Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

For more information or to sign the online guest register, visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Brenda L. Szczeblewski – Mulkeytown, IL

August 13, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Obituaries

‘Fight the fight with Page’ — Community and school rally around popular principal

August 12, 2016 By Leave a Comment

By Jim Muir

For several decades Sesser-Valier school colors have been maroon and white and in recent years the color black has been added. However, as students get set to return to class next week following summer vacation local residents can expect to see a healthy splash of lime green added to those very familiar school colors.

In fact, if some folks at S-V schools get their way the entire city will take on a lime green look during the entire month of September. Already, lime green banners, ribbons, bows, signs and T-shirts decorate the community and anybody that owns stock in lime green nail polish is certain to see a healthy dividend as gallons (literally) are being used to adorn fingers and toes in this Franklin County community.

Natalie (Eubanks) Page

Natalie (Eubanks) Page

And behind the ‘all-things-green’ focus is one simple gesture – a show of love and support for ultra-popular high school principal Natalie (Eubanks) Page, who is beginning the school year with a strong will, a big smile and serious health concerns.

Page is 42 years old, and is married. She and her husband Brian have two children, a son Addison, 16, and a daughter Carlie, 14. She has been a teacher in the S-V school system for 18 years and last year was her first as principal. Counting the years she attended school Page has spent 32 of her 42 years in the same school complex.

On a recent morning Page sat at her desk in her small office and detailed what the past six weeks have been like for her and family members after she was diagnosed on July 5 with follicular lymphoma.

“Throughout this entire process, even now as I talk to you, I feel great,” said Page.  “The only reason I knew something was up was I had a swollen lymph node in my neck and I was having sinus troubles and I thought they were combined.”

After several medical procedures it was decided to remove the lymph node and, even after doctors assured her it was probably nothing, she received a call that will always be etched in her mind.

“When they told me I have lymphoma my first thought was ‘I thought lymphoma was cancer’ because I just could not put cancer with me, it just didn’t go together. At that moment I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that I had cancer,” she said. “When it settled in my first thought was, ‘how is a person with cancer supposed to act?’ I just kept thinking, what am I supposed to do now? It was crushing and confusing to hear.”

Page said telling her family was a difficult task.

“When I told my husband I just broke down,” she said. “And then I tried to tell my children and that was awful.”

Following the initial shock of hearing the word ‘cancer’ Page said she immediately began to call on a character trait that has served her well through the years.

“I’m hard-headed and I’m stubborn and I told my family that is exactly how I am going to deal with this,” Page said. “I don’t want people to put ‘Natalie’ and ‘cancer’ together. It is a part of my life now, but I am a mom, I am a wife, I am a teacher, I am a principal, I am a friend. That’s who I am … I just happen to have cancer.”

natalie 1As is the case often in small communities, word traveled quickly that Page was facing the battle of her life and within hours the community and the school rallied around her.

“It has been nothing short of amazing,” she said. “I have been astounded at the goodness of people. I knew people were good, and the world seems to focus on the bad, but I have been overwhelmed at how the community and school have reacted. I can’t count the blessings that have taken place since the day I received the call telling me I have cancer.”

Page said one particular evening stands out when she received a text message from a co-worker who was attending a bible study and they asked if they could come by and pray for her.

“Two or three adults, a couple people I work with came to my home and then my former students start spilling into the house, all these boys that are now out of school that I had spent nine months with when I taught them in kindergarten when they were five years old,” she said. “They all got around me in a circle and prayed for me. It was a full-circle moment in my life. For years I have tried to be a person that gives more than I take, I try to give out more good than bad, to leave a positive energy out in the world. And I think it has turned around and it is coming back to me. They took time out of their day to give to me, to pray for me. It was an amazing moment in my life.”

Two co-workers and longtime friends are spearheading the lime green effort at the S-V school and throughout the community. Angie Kistner, who says she has known Page “forever” said once she got past the initial shock at the unexpected diagnosis she began working on ideas to support her friend.

“I was filled with fear when she told me,” said Kistner. “She is by far one of the best individuals I have ever met. We just can’t lose somebody as instrumental as she is in our community.”

Kistner said several fundraising and awareness projects are in the works, including ‘painting the entire town lime green’ in September to highlight “Lymphoma Cancer Awareness Month.”

Stephanie White has worked with Page for 15 years and also labels her as a “good friend.”

“After the shock wore off I just wanted to do something to help,” said White. “We are gaining momentum and it’s very encouraging to me and I know it’s encouraging to Natalie.”

White said co-workers are continuing to explore ways to support Page and her family. White and school guidance counselor Kerri Henry designed a T-shirt that will be sold to students and also to local residents. The shirt – with the logo “Fight the fight with Page” – is sure to be popular attire in the S-V community in the coming weeks.

Page said doctors have told her that they believe after six months of chemo she will be in remission but they warned that this type of cancer usually returns within four to six years. Page said she is taking her fight “one day at a time” and draws strength and optimism daily from the overwhelming support she has received. She said she is tired the week after chemo treatment but otherwise feels ‘great.’

Page revealed a recent conversation with a co-worker where they talked about all the good that is coming back to her during the difficult experience of being diagnosed with cancer.

“He told me ‘you reap what you sow Natalie and you’ve sowed a lot of good in your life.’ I told him I had never thought of that verse in a positive way and he told me that it was meant to be a positive comment but we just never hear it used in that way,” she said. “I have had so many experiences, people stopping by, people telling me they are praying for me, getting cards in the mail and then the community and school supporting me. I have witnessed so much goodness because of this … it’s just very humbling.”

 

 

Filed Under: Featured

Clifford Eugene Blair – Benton, IL

August 11, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Clifford Eugene Blair, age 73 of Benton, died at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016 in the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. C.J. Easter officiating.  Burial will be in the Jackson Grove Cemetery east of Benton.  Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Mr. Blair was born on July 21, 1943 the son of Jim and Eleanor Blair.  He married the former Carol Ray Mobley on July 21, 1962 and she preceded him in death on May 11, 2014.

Clifford was a Brick Mason and a member of Laborers’ Local 773.

He enjoyed fishing, collecting antiques, and yard sales.

Mr. Blair is survived by his two sons: David Blair of Logan, Randy Blair of Benton; one grandson Kevin Biggs; a great-grandson; a sister Nancy Vandom of Benton; an ex-daughter-in-law Robin Blair of Herrin; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two sisters: Elsie and Susie; and five brothers: Mark, Bill, Gary, Jim and Ernie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Clifford Blair and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Margaret E. Carroll – Benton, IL

August 10, 2016 By Leave a Comment

BENTON — Margaret E. Carroll, 94, passed away Monday morning Aug. 8, 2016, in Helia Health Care in Benton.

She was born Aug. 21, 1921, in Benton, the daughter of Charlie and Annie (Pearce) McGuire.

Margaret married William H. Luster and he died in 1969.

She married Walter Carroll on May 20, 1972, and he survives.

Margaret was of Christian faith.

She is survived by her husband, Walter Carroll of Benton; two sons, William C. Luster and wife, Carman of Plano, Texas, James R. Luster and wife, Carolyn, of Benton; four grandchildren, Richard Luster and wife, Gina of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sabrina Jarman and husband, Greg of Richardson, Texas, James M. Luster and wife, Joy, of Benton, and Scott Luster and wife, Tarah, of Cary; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband and two brothers, Charles E. McGuire and James R. McGuire.

Graveside funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, in Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, with Pastor Karl Barnfield officiating. There will be no visitation. Those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information or to sign the online guest register, visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

Filed Under: Obituaries
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