Roger Lee Rone, 63, of Akin, IL, passed away at 2:20 p.m., on Sunday, February 23, 2020, Helia Health Care of Benton.

He was born on August 4, 1956, to Robert and Shirley (Thomas) Rone in Chicago, IL. Roger was a retired welder. On October 3, 1975, he married Janet Darnell in Benton, IL.

Roger was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed singing and playing his guitar, fishing, and spending time with his two sons go-cart racing.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 45 years, Janet Rone; two sons, Jason Rone and wife Amanda of Benton, KY, and Travis Rone of Akin, IL; granddaughter, Emma Rone; sister, Roberta Bayless and husband Jimmie; brother, Robert Wayne Rone; mother-in-law, Melba Darnell; sister-in-law, Debbie Link and husband Dave; brother-in-law, Keith Darnell and wife Bobbi; and many nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by parents, Robert Lee and Shirley Ann Rone; granddaughter, Addyson Rone; 3 brothers, Ricky Rone, Ronnie Rone, and Roy Rone; father-in-law, Carl Dean Darnell; and sister-in-law, Amy Rone.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, with Pastor Roger Webb, officiating. Burial will take place in the Brady Cemetery.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Roy Howard Biggs Sr, 92 of East Peoria passed away at 6:20am Monday morning, Feb. 24, 2020 at Unity Point Hospital. Family was at his side when he took his last breath.

Roy was born Feb 21, 1928 in Mulkeytown, Illinois to Clyde and Sylvia Biggs. Roy married Iona Faye Essex Feb 22, 1950. She passed away Jan 16, 2011. Roy is survived by two sons; Stan (Linda) Biggs and Roy (Linda) Biggs both of Creve Coeur, Illinois; 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother David Biggs from Mulkeytown, Illinois. Roy loved spending time with family and friends, especially the younger great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, Feb 29, at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Rev. Kurt Jensen officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 PM until the time of the service at 2:00 PM. Roy will be laid to rest next to his wife Iona in the Mulkeytown Cemetary.

Roy served in the Army and was a Korean Veteran. Roy received 2 Purple Hearts, 3 Bronze Stars, The Combat Infantry Badge, Special Medallion from the President of South Korea, United Nations Medallion and the Korean Campaign with 2 Battle Stars.

Roy retired from Ivex Specialty Paper after 34 years in 1992. He stayed active in his later years with his family and special friend Jean Elam. They were members of the East Side Silver Sneakers looking forward to each day spent with all his friends.
Roy was a wonderful father, brother, grandfather and a friend to anyone. He will be greatly missed by everyone.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the East Peoria Fire and Rescue, 201 W. Washington Street, East Peoria, IL 61610.

Goodbye Roy, we all love you very much.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Margaret S. Tennant, age 95, of Benton, Illinois entered into eternal rest peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Fifth Season Residential in Benton. She was born on April 2, 1924 in Dakota, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Semancik) Blazek.

Margaret married Richard A. (Pete) Tennant on July 5, 1947 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Fairmont, West Virginia. They celebrated 64 years of marriage. Pete preceded her in death, passing away on Valentine’s Day 2012.

Their union was blessed with five children: Richard Jr. (Pamela) of Crestview, FL; Deborah Clark of Benton, IL; Terry (Wesla) of Benton, IL;
Dan (Kristine) of Carmel, IN; and Doug of Benton, IL.

She is survived by six grandchildren: Janae Tennant, Keri Tennant, Rebekah Tennant, Leigh Ann (Matt) Thomas, Christopher (Chelsie) Clark, and Elizabeth Clark (Ido) Melamed.

She was especially proud of her six great grandchildren: Evan, Ryleigh, and Lela Thomas; Cole and Cohen Clark; and Tomer Melamed.

Margaret will be remembered by family and friends as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was an excellent cook, an expert gardener, and a lover of birds. She anxiously awaited each spring for the return of her hummingbirds. She also loved to document her family, flowers, and birds with an untold number of photographs that she took throughout the years.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Hawkins, and four brothers Joseph Blazek, Jr., Tom Blazek, Edward Blazek, and Frank Blazek. She is survived by a sister, Barbara (Harold) Adams of Fairmont, WV, a brother Alfred (Rita) Blazek of Cleveland, OH and a sister-in-law Joy Blazek of Vienna, WV.

The family would like to thank the staff at Franklin Hospital and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their outstanding care and concern for their Mother.
The family also wishes to thank Margaret’s good friend and companion, Wanda Zinzilieta, for helping with her care.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.

The family will receive friends at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton, IL on Saturday, February 29 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. A mass of Christian Burial will follow in the church at 10:00 am with Father Urban Osuji as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Akin, IL.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions to the St. Joseph Building Fund or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com

Jeffrey Dean Whitlow, 60, of Benton, passed away on Saturday February 22, 2020.

He was born on February 11, 1960 in Christopher to Noble Boyd and Betty Louis (Gilbreath) Whitlow. He married Mary Ingram (Sartor) Whitlow on August 12, 1979 and she survives of Benton.

He is also survived by his children Chase Logan (Amber) Whitlow of Peoria Heights, IL and Drake Thomas Whitlow of Royalton; three grandchildren Ryan Logan Whitlow, Jeralynn Brooke Whitlow of Benton and Koby Cross Shipp of Benton; one sister Melody (Frank) Mercer of Valier and one brother Noble (Melissa) Whitlow of Christopher.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Brenda (Whitlow) Crews and Pat (Whitlow) Thompson.

Private graveside services will be held at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser, IL.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Robert James Howe, 75, of Thompsonville, passed away at 2:43 a.m., on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on November 11, 1944, to Robert and Jean (Hutchinson) Howe in Chicago, IL. On July 10, 1965, he married Sherry Griffin and she survives.

Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, building and being outdoors.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 54 years, Sherry Howe, one son, Brett (Yolanda) Howe; one daughter, Laura Howe; three grandchildren, Mandy, Robert & Mikey; one brother, David Howe; and two sisters, Susan (Vernon) Sterchele and Jeanne (Bob) Barnes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Alexander and Jean Olive Howe, one daughter, Tricia Howe and one brother, Gary Howe.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Per Robert’s wishes cremation will take place.

Memorial may be made to Debra.org and will be accepted at the funeral home or mail directly to 75 Broad St., Suite 300, New York, NY 10004, or at www.Debra.org

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Minnie Rose Hairston, 85, of Thompsonville, passed away at 10:30 p.m., on Friday, February 14, 2020, at her residence.

She was born on May 23, 1934, to James and Alice (Taylor) Lavelle, Sr., in Boise, ID. Minnie married George Hairston, and he preceded her in death.

Minnie loved being a Grandma. She enjoyed painting artwork, attending auctions, antiques, bowling and horses.

She is survived by her three daughters, Edith Flannigan of Thompsonville, IL, Yvonne (Kim) Wohlfeil of Benton, IL, and Teresa (Eddie) Fedrick of Thompsonville, IL; five grandchildren, Charity (Drew Henson) Wohlfeil, Aaron (Melinda) Carroll, James Schwei, Sherrie Heist, and Stacey Carroll; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Minnie was preceded in death by father, James Mitchell Lavelle, Sr; mother, Alice Victoria Lavelle; husband, George Hairston; three brothers, James Mitchell Lavelle, Jr., William Randolph Lavelle, and Robert Allen Lavelle; two grandchildren, Kathy Thurston and Ann Fields.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 21, 2020, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 21, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Kitty Faye (Busse) Rhodes, age 65, of Benton, Illinois and formerly of Greenville, Illinois, passed away at 11:08 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2020 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Ms. Rhodes’ wishes were to be cremated. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at a future date.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the arrangements.
Kitty Faye was born on July 2, 1954 in Litchfield, Illinois, the daughter of Edward “Bud” Busse and Leona (Rusher) Busse.

She formerly worked as a Direct Support Professional with a care facility in Greenville, IL.
Kitty enjoyed going fishing, listening to music, having coffee with friends, and she loved to cook.

Surviving are three sons: Michael Westcott of Benton, Jim Busse of Springfield, IL, Donald Huddleston of Freeburg, IL; three grandchildren: Austin Gieselman, Grace Huddleston, and Emma Huddleston; a sister Tami Wells of Springfield, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two siblings: Thomas Busse, and Karla Morgan.
Memorial contributions may be made to GoFundMe Final Expenses for Kitty Rhodes
To leave online condolences to the family, or share memories of Kitty, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Robert A. Hutchens, age 96, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at 3:06 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2020 at the SSM Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon.

Graveside services, with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and the Illinois National Guard, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton with Rev. Dean Severin officiating. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Hutchens was born on November 1, 1923 in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, the son of Herman Hutchens and Alice (Moss) Hutchens. He would first marry the former Mary Scrutchfield on April 5, 1942, and she preceded him in death on July 28, 2005. He would later marry the former Elizabeth Johnson in September of 2012, and she survives.

Bob was a retired coal miner, having worked at Old Ben #24. He also was a farmer and raised cattle. His family said he was known to all as a hard worker.
Bob was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II where he specialized as a fire fighter. While in the service he also became a boxer.

He enjoyed quail and rabbit hunting, dancing, and adored his grandchildren.
Surviving is his wife Elizabeth Hutchens of Benton; his brother Kenneth Hutchens and wife Betty of Benton; three grandchildren: Lori A. Baum of Murphysboro, IL, Robert Scott Slayton and wife Pam of Beckemeyer, IL, Mary E. Johnson and husband Adrian of Belleville, IL; six great-grandchildren: Joshua Baum, Heather Baum, Kaitlyn O’Quinn and husband John, Cole Johnson and wife Veronica, Jack Johnson and Emma Johnson; five great-great-grandchildren: MyKayla Baum, Macie Baum, Tenley Baum, Michelena and Aubreen O’Quinn; a sister-in-law Dora Hutchins of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; a daughter Sherry Slayton; a sister Ethel Gunter; two brothers: Gene Hutchins and Raymond Hutchens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fires of Revival Chapel of Benton and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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