Donald M. Aiken – Benton, IL

Donald Marshall Aiken, age 86, of Benton, passed away at 4:56 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2019 at the First Christian Church of Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the First Christian Church. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Don was born on November 11, 1932 in Belvidere, Illinois, the son of James Marshall Aiken and Mary Elizabeth (O’Malley) Aiken. He married the former Betty Lee George on September 30, 1960, and she survives.

He was a Benton High School Graduate of the Class of 1950.

Don served his Country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He would later receive a bachelor’s degree from SIU-Carbondale in 1960.

Don worked for 35 years as a Regional Sales Representative for Portland Cement.

He was Past Master at Benton Masonic Lodge A.F. and A.M. #64, Past Exalted Ruler of B.P.O.E. #1234, member of the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and he was a past member of the Boneyard Boccie Club.

Don was a 50+ year member of the First Christian Church Choir.

Surviving is his loving wife of 58 years, Betty L. Aiken of Benton; his children Dan Aiken and wife Christy of Wood Dale, IL, Paula Fuller and husband Rick of Benton, IL, Joel Aiken and wife Missy of Mulkeytown, IL; six grandchildren: Nicci Miller of Benton, Megan Eastwood and husband Travis of West Frankfort, IL, Leah Sullivan and husband Travis of Harrisburg, IL, Michael Basso of Mulkeytown, IL, Drake and Natalie Aiken both of Wood Dale, IL; four great-grandchildren: Ryder Eastwood and Rhett Eastwood both of West Frankfort, IL, Brantlee Miller of Benton, Gunter Sullivan of Harrisburg, IL; a sister-in-law Suzanne Baker of Benton; a brother and sister-in-law Wallie and Peggy George of Pickerington, OH; special niece Alison Myers and husband Rick; special nephew Dale Baker and wife Janetta; nephew Jason George and wife Shari; niece Megan George; close friends Paul and Judy Rose of Benton “whom they were traveling companions and card playing buddies with”.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Charles “Red” Aiken; a stepbrother Andrew Dunning; and a brother-in-law Arthur Ford Baker.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall Fund or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the church on Friday.

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

Kevin Lloyd Cox – Benton, IL

Kevin Lloyd Cox, 63, of Benton, IL passed away at 2:45 p.m., on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Marion VA Medical Community Living Center.

He was born on September 9, 1955, to Lloyd Cox and JoAnn Campbell in Benton, IL. Kevin was a dog groomer in Benton for 14 years. He married the former Caryl Neiman, and she proceeded him in death.

Kevin was a United States Navy Veteran. He loved playing golf, boating and spending time with his pet companion Yodi.

He is survived by his mother, JoAnn Campbell; four brothers and two sisters, Courtney Cox and wife Leslie, Jackie Giacoman, Raul David Giacoman, Maria Elena Byrd, Jon Christopher Giacoman and Justus William Cox; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd D. Cox; and wife, Caryl Cox.

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

Per Kevin’s wishes cremation will take place, and services will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Angelina Foundation or the Franklin County Animal Shelter, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Virgil Mullen – Benton, IL

Virgil Mullen, 85, of Benton, IL passed away Monday morning, May 13, 2019 at his home.

He was born on April 5, 1934 in Cascilla, Mississippi, the son of Joseph Edward & Lola Mae (Mitchell) Mullen.
He married JoAnn Mullen on June 9, 1957 in Joliet, IL and she preceded him in death on December 30, 2017.
Mr. Mullen along with his wife formerly owned & operated the Benton Bowl & Rend Lake Storage.

Mr. Mullen is survived by his children, David Mullen, and wife Janie, of Janesville, WI, Cindy Faulkner, and husband Carley, of Benton and Arlena Baier, and husband Max, of Valier, IL; grandchildren Natalie, Kyle, Cassie, Jessica, Andy and Art; great-grandchildren Aidan, Virgil, Sophia, Arlena, Karley, William and Greyson; sisters Francis, Frankie and Jeanie.

Mr. Mullen was preceded in death by his parents, wife, by a son-Norman Ray, by a grandson, Nathan and by nine siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, May 18th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Ken Petty officiating. Burial will be in the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner. Visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home. For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Brozella “Brodie” Odam — Benton, IL

Brozella “Brodie” Odam, age 90, of Benton, IL passed away and went to be with her Lord and Savior, at 4:23 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Parkway Manor Nursing Home of Marion, Illinois.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Logan Church of God with Rev. Larry Odam and Rev. Rick Fowler officiating. Burial will be in the Plasters Grove Cemetery of Thompsonville. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, and from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour on Wednesday at the church.

Brozella was born on July 10, 1928 in West Frankfort, Illinois, the daughter of Kirby Irvin and Mary Magdelene (Perryman) Irvin. She was married to Fred Odam, and he preceded her in death in 1986.

She was a member of the Logan Church of God where she was an active member especially in the kitchen.

She enjoyed attending church, and visiting with friends and family, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Odam is survived by three children: Donna Baerg and husband Ron of Peoria, AZ, Fred Odam of Stonington, IL, Rev. Larry Odam and wife Glenna of Tulsa, OK; nine grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; two brothers: Troy Irvin of Key West, FL, and Ted Irvin and wife Carolyn of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers Donald Irvin and Sam Irvin; four sisters: Janice Kay Irvin, Betty Myers, Ellafair Gunnells and Almeda Tadlock.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan Church of God, or to Church of God World Missions; and will be accepted at the funeral home on Tuesday evening or at the church on Wednesday.

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

Charlotte Ann Pedigo-Christopher, IL

Charlotte Ann Pedigo, 85, formerly of Christopher, IL passed away on May 11, 2019.

She was born on April 20, 1934 in West Frankfort, IL to Ervie and Florence (Freeman) Beers. She married Kenneth Pedigo and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children Jerry (Gail) Carpenter of Mulkeytown, Chrystle (Sean) Gowers of Christopher and Leigha Keltner of Benton; grandchildren Twila Ann Chooper, Jamie Dawn Carpenter, Devin Allen Galloway, Misty Lynn Carpenter, Jessica Nicole Melton, Bethany Ann Galloway, Sierra Rashawn Keltner, Natalie Nicole Keltner, Stormy George Keltner, Damion Markious Keltner; great grandchildren Ashlyn Taylor Spears, Drake Hunter Spears, Ezekiel Wiliam Key, Keilee Brooke Marie Key, and Kajin Ray Keltner and Alexea Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter Rox Ann Partin, three grandchildren Angela Christine Melton, Brooke Marie Bolen and Billy Ray Keltner.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday May 15, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort.

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

Janelle Rogers – Benton, IL

Janelle Rogers, 87, of Benton, IL passed away Friday evening May 10, 2019 at St. Louis University Hospital.

She was born in Jonesboro, IL on April 6, 1932, the daughter of Benjamin & Anna (Crowell) McRaven.
She married Robert E. Rogers on November 28, 1998 and he preceded her in death on November 12, 2016.

Mrs. Rogers finished her career as an office assistant for Roger Clark DVM. She liked to work in her flower garden andshe enjoyed crossword puzzles. She enjoyed spending time with her children & grandchildren. She enjoyed listening to Elvis Presley & Alan Jackson.
Mrs. Rogers is survived by her children, Deanna Marvel, and husband Mike, of Thompsonville, IL, Glenn Hiller, of Benton, IL and Greg Hunter, of West Frankfort, IL; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; as sister, Lora Williams, of Murphysboro, IL; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mrs. Rogers was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a son-David Hiller, a great-granddaughter, by three sisters and three brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 14th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in Murphysboro. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

James “Jim” R. Norman – Benton, IL

James “Jim” R. Norman, 79, of Benton, passed away at 10:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL.

He was born on February 17, 1940, to Vernie and Jewel (Caraker) Norman in Vandalia, IL.

Mr. Norman was a United States Army Veteran serving in the Vietnam War.

On April 3, 1982, he married Cheryl Loy Puckett in Benton, IL., and she proceeded him in death on August 5, 2011.

Jim enjoyed reading, history, watching movies, traveling and spending time with his loving grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Jennifer Lawler and husband Scott; one grandson, Jesse Norman; two granddaughters, Ava Lawler and Emma Lawler; three brothers, Michael Norman, Tim Norman and Steve Norman; two sisters, Patty Cunningham and Susan Haithcoat; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Vernie and Jewel Norman; his loving wife, Cheryl Loy Norman.

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

Jims wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held privately at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Benton Ministerial Alliance and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Alan Wyant – Benton, IL

Alan Wyant, age 74, of Benton, passed away at 6:28 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the Kishwaukee Hospital of Dekalb, Illinois.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 13, 2019 at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, in Block CC, with Rev. Dale Burzynski officiating. Friends are asked to meet at the cemetery on Monday. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Gail Alan Wyant was born on October 21, 1944 in Benton, Illinois, the son of Uel “Punch” Wyant and Edna Mae (Callahan) Wyant.

He enjoyed gardening, walking, and visiting with friends and family.

Alan is survived by three brothers: Don Wyant of Benton, Gary Wyant and wife Billie of Benton, Lyn Woods and wife Sammi of Orlando, FL; two sisters: Janet Border and companion Joe Boldrey of Benton, Debbie Pinkston and husband Roy of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: David Bruce Wyant and Randy Wyant; and a sister Elsie Spain.

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

Tyler Dewayne Shelton – Coello, IL

Tyler Dewayne Shelton, 22, of Coello, passed away on May 7, 2019.

He was born on June 10, 1996 in Madisonville, KY.

He is survived by his fiancé Kortnie Bailey, daughter Macii Shelton, mother and step-father Amy and Josh Hiller, father Bruce Shelton, three brothers Taylor Shelton, Colton Shelton and Clay Shelton, grandparents Chester and Rita Brown and Patty and Kevin Hiller.

A Memorial Visitation will be on Monday May 13, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. The family request that everyone attending to please dress casual.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mental Health America, checks can be made payable to Kortnie Bailey and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Raymond Lipe – Darien, IL

Raymond Lipe, 94, of Darien, IL, passed away on May 7, 2019.

Mr. Lipe was born on March 3, 1925 to George and Nolia Lipe.
He was preceded in death by his wife and the the love of his life, Vanetta; two sisters, Beulah (John) and Berniece (Tommy); his mother, Nolia and father, George. He is survived by three sons, Kenneth (Dorothy), Gary (Linda) and Gordon (Johanna), seven grandchildren, Sandra, Kenny, Kelly, Lisa, Angelique, Gordon and Sherry, 16 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

He served in the United States Army during World War II. He retired from Electro-motive, a division of General Motors. He will be greatly missed by all of his family.

Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington, Illinois on Saturday, May 11 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion & VFW Posts and the National Guard Honor Squad.

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

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News