Elmo Lee Kelley, Jr., 56, of West Frankfort, IL, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, in Florrisant, MO after a long battle of fighting esophageal cancer.

He was born on June 19, 1963, to his parents, Elmo Lee Kelley, Sr., and Lillian (Winniger) Kelley in Benton, IL. Lee was the owner and operator of Lee’s Asphalt in West Frankfort, IL.

Lee was a loving son, father and grandfather. He was very outspoken, had a huge sense of humor, always known for being a prankster, and a hard worker. Lee enjoyed fishing, watching Turner Classic Movies, listening to old country music, and playing pool.

He is survived by his father, Elmo Lee Kelly, Sr., and wife Lois of West Frankfort, IL; mother, Lillian Kelley of Benton, IL; a daughter, Lacey Lee Joann Kelley and companion Derek Holland of Sesser, IL; two grandsons, Whyatt Allen Gene Holland and Alonzo James Boker, both of Sesser, IL; a granddaughter, Elly Elizabeth Holland of Sesser, IL; a sister, Bobbie Gayle Ruffino and companion Angie Leshinski of West Frankfort, IL; two uncles, Faron Kelley and wife Carmel of Sesser, IL., and Ronnie Kelley of West Frankfort, IL; two aunts, Lisa Absher of Benton, IL., and JoAnn Helvey and Husband Ron of Pinkneyville, IL; and may other family members.

Lee was preceded in death by his fraternal grandfather, Arnold “Doc” Kelley; fraternal grandmother, Maggie “Funny” Kelley; and one uncle, Glen Kelley.

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

Per Lee’s wishes cremation will take place and the family will have a memorial service at a future date.

Memorials contributions may be made to Pate Funeral Home in care of funeral expenses.

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

Mrs. Sharon “Sherry” (Parkhill) McKee, age 81, of Benton, passed away at 4:20 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab of Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the First Baptist Church, 201 South Main Street, Benton, Illinois; with Rev. Jim Jenkel officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the services.

Sharon Imogene McKee was born on October 19, 1938 in Taylorville, IL, the daughter of Paul West and Naomi (Lewis) West. She would marry Loren Parkhill on November 10, 1956, and he preceded her in death on September 9, 1996. She would later marry Garey Dysart McKee on May 25, 2002, and he survives.

Sherry formerly worked for Rend Lake College in the Mining Department, Old Ben Coal Company and Zeigler Coal where she was a CPR Instructor of Emergency Treatment. She also worked as an EMT and was an EMT Instructor where she also taught CPR and other emergency treatments throughout Southern Illinois. Her last employment before she retired was as a Teacher’s Aide at Benton Grade School District 47.

Sherry was a proud, active member of the First Baptist Church of Benton, where she was the Choir Director for 25 years, having directed many Christmas and Easter Cantatas; retiring from her duties in 2016. She was a member of the Franklin County Arts Association.
She enjoyed working and worshiping with her church family, and she enjoyed cooking, especially for Garey.

Surviving is her husband Garey D. McKee of Benton; a son Danny Parkhill and wife Tammy of West Frankfort; a daughter Jennifer Keener and husband Jeff of Murphysboro; three grandchildren: Dustin Parkhill and wife Alisha of Benton, Brandy Parkhill of Benton, Andy Johnson and wife Paige of Vienna; six great-grandchildren: Hattie Claire, Brecken Hawk, Adrien, Serenity, Kennedy, and Loraline; two sisters: Paula Fulenwider and husband Ron of Jonesboro, IL, Gaye Adams of Vicksburg, MS; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband Loren Parkhill; and a brother-in-law Mike Adams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 201 South Main Street, Benton, Illinois 62812; and will be accepted at the church.

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

Betty N. Payne, 100, passed away on Friday, February 14th, 2020 at Helia Healthcare in Benton, Illinois.

Born February 3rd, 1920, Betty was the only child of Verble and Evan Neal. She married the late Roy Faughn Payne on April 27, 1941 in Cape Girardeau and celebrated 71 years of marriage before his passing in 2012. She is survived by her only child, Evelyn Browning and husband Joe of Mesa, Arizona. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Kelly Robertson and wife, Lori of Benton; Chelsea Bailey and husband, Randy of Mt. Vernon and Samantha Glascock and husband, Joe of Mesa, Az., and three step-grandchildren: Steven Joe Browning of Benton, Kimberly Browning of Mesa, AZ and Jonathan Browning of Pacific Grove, Ca. She has eight surviving great-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Betty dedicated her whole life to the family farm where five generations have lived and worked. She also found time to work in the community of Benton at the Franklin Hospital, Taylor Motor Company and Tyler’s Auto Agency. Betty and Roy spent many happy years showing quarter horses and camping with their fellow members of the Shawnee Sams Camping Club. She was an active member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton and will always be remembered as a loving Sunday school teacher of young ladies, who paid a great tribute to her recently on her 100th birthday.

Her family is at peace knowing she lived a very long, full and meaningful life.

No formal services are planned at this time.

The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions in memory of Betty, may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church Building Fund.

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

Gina Marie Foulk, age 55, of McLeansboro, Illinois, passed away from her life on earth, to her new life in heaven, at 8:32 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2020 at the Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Rev. Greg Shelton officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Gina was born on April 28, 1964 in Benton, the daughter of Richard Foulk and Virginia (Knight) Foulk.

She enjoyed music, loved to dance, color, swing, and play basketball.

Surviving are her parents Richard and Virginia Foulk of Alabama; three sisters: Lisa Edwards and husband Jaime of Palm Coast, FL, Paula Foulk of Trinity, TX, Sara Dailey and husband Greg of Makanda, IL; a brother Garry Foulk and companion Jackie Higgerson of Benton; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Illinois Special Olympics and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Donald R. Bennett, 82, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday morning, February 15, 2020 at his home.

He was born in Whittington, IL on September 12, 1937, the son of Raymond & Ruth (Veach) Bennett.

He married Elda (Casagrande) in 1955, and she passed away in 1975.

Mr. Bennett married Sarah (Wagoner) on September 12, 1994, and she survives.
Mr. Bennett enjoyed camping and horseback riding. He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for several years, while also farming. He and his wife Sarah owned & Operated Bennett’s Cafe in Thompsonville & Benton for several years.

Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife, Sarah Bennett, of Benton; son Gene Bennett, and wife Karen, of Benton, daughter Trish Bennett-Minor, of Mt. Vernon and Charlie Followell, of Mulkeytown, IL; stepson John Smith, of Centralia, IL; grandchildren Justin Bennett, Cristy Shultz, Shane Bennett, and wife Leanna, Nick Minor, and wife Ciara, Leah Deaton, and husband Scott; great-grandchildren Anthony, Lucas, Ethan and Lawson; sister Wanda Storey, of Benton.

Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by his parents, by his first wife, Elda Bennett, by a son, Dale Bennett and a brother, Ferrel.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 19t, 2020 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com