Betty Faye Bruce, 79, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday night, February 23, 2019 in Benton.
She was born in Haleyville, Alabama on May 22, 1939, the daughter of Flonace & Jessie “Jackie” (Reynolds) Pratt.

Betty married Randall L. Bruce on October 13, 1956, and he preceded her in death on April 1, 2013.
Mrs. Bruce is survived by her children, Larry Bruce, and wife Marilyn, of Benton, Jerry Bruce, and wife Vera, of Benton, Pamela (Bruce) Pittman, of Harrisburg, IL and Steven Bruce, and girlfriend Victoria, of Centralia; grandchildren Melissa Ancona, Larry Bruce, Jr., and wife Karie, Christy Johnson and husband Jeremy, Brian Pittman, and fiancée Elizabeth, Stacia Sloan, and husband Andrew, Amy Kolodziej, and husband John, Steven “Matthew” Bruce, and wife Sarah and Kelly Dillion; great-grandchildren Jessie, Chole, Hunter, Haley, Kalen, Alyssa, Tenzley, Sandler, Thomas and one due in April, Kinsley, Bentley, Dylan, Kailee, Hannah and Olivia; one sister Robbie Tolley, of Benton.

Mrs. Bruce was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and by 1 Brother-Tony Rex Pratt.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 26th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Laura Ruth Rumsey, age 94, of West City, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at her home.

Funeral Services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church of Benton, with Rev. Chris Hammonds officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church of Benton. Visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 25, 2019 at the Skyline Memorial Park and Crematory of Monee, IL, where burial will take place at the conclusion of the visitation services. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Rumsey was born on July 21, 1924 in Saline County, IL, the daughter of Arthur Wilson and Leeta (Poole) Wilson. She married Vernon Rumsey on December 20, 1941, and he preceded her in death on April 28, 1999.

She worked as a factory worker with the W.H. Hutchinson Company of Chicago; and she was a member of the United Steel Workers Local.

Sister Rumsey was a member of the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church of Benton. Her church was the number one part of her life.

She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, puzzles, reading Christian novels, and spending time with her family.

Surviving are four children: Jerry Lee Rumsey and wife Holly of Tinley Park, IL, Sandra Kay Martinsen and husband Kenneth of West Frankfort, IL, Vernon Dale Rumsey of Buckley, IL, and Michael Ray Rumsey of West City; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister: Mabel Serles of Harrisburg, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Rumsey was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter: Helen Rumsey; a son: Kenneth Eugene Rumsey; siblings: Howard Wilson, Helen Hall, Mary Tomlinson, Lucille Hohrein, Frances Schwartz, Betty Akins, Doris Buonamici; and a half-brother Dale Wilson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mrs. Laura Ruth Rumsey, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Chalen Chester Parrish, 48, of Valier, IL passed away on February 19, 2019.

He was born on June 28, 1970 in Naperville, IL to Chester Dale and Irena Ann (Warren) Parrish. He was married to Elizabeth (Hamza) Parrish on July 17, 1993 and she survives of Valier. He is also survived by his children Tyler Chalen Parrish of Valier, Collin William Parrish of Herrin, Kayla Elizabeth Parrish of Royalton, and Hailey Marie Parrish of Valier; one brother Jeffrey Dale Parrish of Plainfield; one sister Jennifer Irena Batka of Mulkeytown. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Visitation will be on Saturday February 23, 2019 at the Plumfield Christian Church from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Plumfield Christian Church or to the Family. Envelopes will be available at the church.

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

Marion “Spank” Bowman, 82, of Benton, IL passed away Thursday afternoon February 21, 2019 with his family by his side.

He was born in St. Louis, MO on February 25, 1936, the son of Benjamin & Ethel (Fulgham) Bowman.
Mr. Bowman is survived by his wife Betty (Williams) Bowman, of Benton, daughter Sherry Howard, of Splendora, TX, son Steve Bowman, and wife Teresa, of Bonnie, IL; grandsons Joshua Bowman, and wife Bri, of Florence, AL, Brandon Howard, of Splendora, TX, Travis Howard, and wife Brooklyn, of Splendora, TX; great-grandchildren Chaye Davidson, Tate Howard and Thomas Howard.

Mr. Bowman was preceded in death by his parents, by two brothers, Kenneth and B.E. and by a sister-Kathleen.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 25, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.

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

Joe Keener, 57, of Benton, IL passed away on Tuesday night February 19, 2019.

Joe was born in Russellville, Arkansas on July 29, 1961, the son of Thomas R. & Carol (Sawosko) Keener.

He married Lisa Compton on May 26, 1984 in Hillsboro, MO. Joe was a member of the congregation of Jehovah’s Witness.

Mr. Keener is survived by his wife, Lisa Keener, of Benton; son Zack Keener, of Fulton, MO; daughter Joelle Buffington, and husband Samuel, of Vanzant, MO; grandsons Justin and Jaden; mother Carol Anderson, of De Soto, MO; father Thomas Keener, of Hillsboro, MO; sisters Barbara Bonin, of Dupo, IL and Angela Waggoner, of Fulton, MO and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Benton Public Library or the Hillsboro Missouri Fire Department.

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

Faye Buckner, 94, of Buckner, passed away on Monday, February 18, 2019.

She was born on April 21, 1924 in Franklin County, IL to Everett and Ruth (Flatt) Overturf. She married Logan Buckner on July 22, 1940 and he preceded her in death on May 1, 1994.

She is survived by her children Lana (Danny) Vukadinovich of Mulkeytown, Elva Martin of West Frankfort and Earl Buckner of Buckner; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren and one brother Ray (Nancy) Overturf of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one son John Buckner. Graveside services will be on Wednesday February 20, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Masonic and IOOF cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 12:00 PM until 1:45 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Burial will be at Masonic and IOOF Cemetery in Benton. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the donor’s choice and will be accepted at the funeral home. For more information go to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.

Janet Marie Parker, 74, of Logan, IL passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019.
She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 17, 1944, the daughter of Adam James & Pearl (Abbott) Schelsky.

Mrs. Parker was a Home Health Care Provider. She enjoyed taking care of the elderly & children.
She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband-Jesse Parker, Son-Kenny Parker and Daughter-in-law Angie, by 1 Daughter-Sandy and by a very special Niece Donna Johnson and by a Sister-Edith Baumhardt.
Mrs. Parker is survived by her children Jesse Parker, Jr. and wife Lori of North Dakota, Robert Parker and wife Cynthia, of Seattle, WA, Jan Parker, of Logan, IL and Donna Parker, of San Diego, CA; 14 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, including special ones, Ladybug and Precious; sisters Joyce Watkins, of Benton, IL and Mary Carroll and husband Jack, of Columbia, MO; several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 15, 2019 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Dean Severin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 14, 2019 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Keith Absher, 71, of Benton, IL passed away Saturday morning February 9, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Logan, IL on April 1, 1947, the son of Troy & Dorothy Aline (Kirkman) Absher.
He married Diane Cameron on February 20, 1970 in Benton and she survives.
Mr. Absher is survived by his wife, Diane Absher, of Benton; three children, Karen Lynn Byrd, and husband Keith, of Biloxi, MS, Tammy Sue Overton, of Benton, IL and Wendy Marie Gose, and husband Charles, of St. Louis, MO; 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren: several nieces and nephews; one brother, William Absher, and wife Patti, of Logan, IL.

Mr. Absher was preceded in death by his parents, Troy & Aline, sister, Sharon Jackson and one brother, William Absher.

It was Mr. Absher’s wishes to be cremated.
There will be a gathering of family & friends from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 16th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

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