Elvon Preston “Captain Action” Zook, 90, of Buckner, IL, passed away at 9:55 a.m. on Tuesday,  February 14, 2017, at his home.

He was born on October 18, 1926, to William and Parisea (Lathum) Zook in East Prairie, MO.  Elvon was a self employed brick layer.

Elvon was a veteran of the United States Army and was a member of the Italian Club in Coello.

He is survived by his children, James (Judy) Brady of St. Charles, MO,  Terry (Bob) Russell of Houghton Lake, MI, Karen Zook of Phoenix, AZ, Tammy McCollum of Benton, IL, Pamela Zook of Benton, IL; son-in-law, David McClerren; two brothers, Billy Zook of Glen Allen, MO, Chalvus Zook of Wappapello, MO; six Sisters, Delphia Hougland of Columbia, IL, Dathol Barksdale of Sikeston, MO, Linda Ivie of Sikeston, MO, Laverta Bonta of St. Louis, MO, Carolyn Shemwell of Dover, TN, Brenda Watson of Poplar Bluff, MO;  grandchildren, Kyle (Sarah) McCollum, Travis McCollum, Eric (Kailee) McCollum, Jennifer McClerren, Byron McClerren, Shawn Zook, Bobby (Carolyn) Russell, John (Patty) Russell, Aaron Russell, Melissa Arview-Brady, James Brady, Erik Davis, Darla Valdez and Brandon Cook and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Parisea Zook, two sons, Kevin Zook and Elvon Preston Zook, Jr., a daughter, Rita Zook and two brothers, Dwey Zook and Gary Zook.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 17, 2017, from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main St. in Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with the Reverend Bob Russell, officiating.

Following services burial will take place in the Brady Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks Crippled Childrens BPOE 1234.

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

Sue Groves, 70, of Benton, IL, passed away Tuesday afternoon, February 7, 2017 at SSM Health Good Samaritan, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

She was born in Franklin County, IL on August 20, 1946, the daughter of George and Julia (Mayberry) Groves.

She was a dietician at Helia Health Care and a school bus driver for Benton Grade School.

Sue is survived by four children, Scott Fisher, of Johnston City, IL, Jamie Williams, and wife Bonnie,  of Daytona Beach, FL, Julia Cavins, and husband Calvin, of Benton and Chad Williams, of Thompsonville, IL; six grandchildren Cyle, Caleb, Allek, James, Brooklyn and Henry; three great-grandchildren, Hunter, Jasey and Spencer; brothers and sisters Oscar Groves, California, Guy Groves, Benton, Betty Emerson, of Wyoming and Goergia Ann Burns, of Princeton, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Dub Groves and Harvey Groves and by a sister, Vergie Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with Pastor John Neace officiating. Burial will be in the Kirk Cemetery, in Ina, IL. Visitation will on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

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

Marilyn L. Lux, 75, of Benton IL, passed away at 4:15 a.m., on Friday, January 20, 2017, in Benton, IL.

She was born on July 6, 1941, to Carlos and Madge Baldwin in Benton, IL.  Marilyn worked in the banking industry and in the jewelry department at Walmart.

Marilyn was a member of  the Grace Awakening Community Church. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.

Marilyn is survived by her son, Shannon Lux; two brothers, Jack  Baldwin and Jerry Baldwin; twin sister, Carolyn (Jim) Steckenrider; eight nieces and nephews; Michael Baldwin, Penny Hofstetter, Felicia Belgard, Jeff Wiggs, Amie Keck, Jill Lampley, Jami Dial, and Sarah Sullivan; and several great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carlos and Madge Baldwin, one brother, Curtis “Curt” Baldwin, an infant sister, Patsy Ruth Baldwin, sister-in-law, Peggy  Baldwin, nephew, Patrick Baldwin

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home in Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 26, 2017, from  6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Pastor Ken Petty and twin sister Carolyn Steckenrider officiating.

Burial will take place following services in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Shirley Ann (Ryan) McCann, 87, 1201 South Main, Benton, IL, passed away at 9:30 p.m. on January 19, 2017, at Kirkwood Corners in Lee, New Hampshire.

Mrs. McCann was born January 13, 1930 in Benton, IL the only child of Robert Percy and Leota (Doty) Ryan. She married Charles E. McCann on October 2, 1948. Both of Mrs. McCann’s parents and her husband preceded her in death.

Mrs. McCann graduated from Benton High School in 1947 and attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She and Charles, a pharmacist, owned and operated McCann Drug on the public square in Benton for many years.

Mrs. McCann was the first woman elected to Benton City Council. As a member of the city council, she acted as the liaison between the city and Benton Neighborhood Program for the Elderly and in 1979 became Director of Franklin County Senior Services (Wit and Wisdom) in West Frankfort, IL. She served the senior citizens of the county in that capacity for 20 years, retiring in 1999.

She was a board member of the South Central Regional Transit Board (SCT) centered in Centralia, IL but serving southern Illinois. After her retirement, she continued to serve on the Volunteer Services for seniors and the transit boards. She was also a member of the Rotary Club and the Benton Elks where she served as a board member.

Surviving Mrs. McCann are three children: Lorrie McCann, Winchester, VA; Holly McCann, Kensington, NH; and Christopher McCann, Coulterville, IL. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.. Two sons, Charles Ryan McCann and Jon David McCann preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2017 at the Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL. A private graveside service will be held at Masonic and Odd Fellow Cemetery, Benton, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. McCann’s honor to the Franklin County Senior Services or Meals on Wheels program and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.patefh.com.

Jennifer Lynn (Ellis) Miller, age 54, of Benton, passed away Thursday, January 19, 2017 at her home.

Jennifer was born on September 24, 1962 in San Diego, CA, the daughter of James Stearns and Janet (Adams) Stearns. She married Jack A. Miller on December 10, 1981, and he survives.

She graduated, from Benton Consolidated High School, with the Class of 1980.

Jennifer worked as a janitor with both the St. Joseph Catholic Church and First Baptist Church of Benton. She also did house cleaning for many Benton residents.

She was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church of Benton.

Jennifer loved to garden, but most enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed dressing her granddaughters as little princesses.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jack A. Miller, Sr. of Benton; her three children: Jessica Miller of Marion, Jack A. Miller, Jr. and wife Heather of West Frankfort, Jasmin Teel and husband Shawn of Benton; four grandchildren that she loved dearly: Jacynda and Jordan Gibbs, Jeremiah and Jaxson Miller; a sister Jamie Ellis of Benton; a brother Jim Stearns and wife Terri of Ocala, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and maternal and paternal grandparents.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service and Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the Benton Elks Lodge located at 167 Industrial Park Road in Benton.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to a college fund for her two granddaughters Jacynda and Jordan Gibbs, through Mid Country Bank in Benton.

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

Elsie Lee Marie Holley, 72, of Mulkeytown passed away on Friday January 20, 2017 in Herrin Hospital.

Marie was born on August 16, 1944 in Tischimingo, MS to William Anderson and Willie Lavern (Deathrow) Neeley.  She was married to Kenneth Holley and he preceded her in death.

Marie was a homemaker.

Survivors include her children Sherry Kinsel of Christopher, Jennifer Herrek of Scott City, MO, Sheila Young of Mulkeytown, Leisa Myers of Rockport, TX, Donna Miller of Sunfield, Lee Holley of Buckner and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son Johnny Holley, two grandchildren Christopher Orr and Heather Basenberg, one brother William Lynn Neeley, and one sister Linda Eubanks.

Funeral services will be on Monday January 23, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Monday Janaury 23, 2017 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Mulkeytown cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilbert Funeral Home for help with funeral expenses.