Rodger Dale Puckett, 71, of Thompsonville, IL, passed away at 2:12 p.m, on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at the Herrin Hospital ER.

He was born on December 3, 1945, to Eugene and Monette (Hayes) Puckett at Edwards County, IL. Rodger loved music, dancing, church, and had a general love for everything in life. One of his favorite things to do was spending time with his family.

Rodger is survived by three sisters, Alice Prusaczyk of West Frankfort, IL, Naomi Dial of Cave In Rock, IL, and Marilyn (Bruce) Harris of Thompsonville, IL; one brother, two sister-in-laws, Marilyn Puckett of Thompsonville, IL, Barbara Puckett of Christopher, IL, and Arlene Puckett of Thompsonville, IL; 16 nephew and nieces; and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Monette Puckett, one sister, Verla Paris, and three brothers, Norman Puckett, Vernal Puckett, and Charles Puckett.

Funeral Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL, 62812

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 30, 2017, from 1:00 p.m to 2:30 p.m.., at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 30, 2017, at 2:30 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home with Pastor Alan Newman officiating.

Burial will follow services at Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL.

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

Linda Jane Stayton, 69, of Marion IL, and a former Benton resident, passed away Wednesday morning, July 26, 2017 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

She was born in Ewing, IL, on July 31, 1947, the daughter of Russell & Betty (Neal) Page.

She married Charles Gene Stayton on July 20, 1990 and he preceded her in death on March 26, 2012.

Linda is survived by her three children,  Mark Melcher and wife Jennifer of Marion, Michael Melcher and wife Jamie of Zeigler, and Amy Hobbs and husband David of Benton.  Her six grandchildren; Alexis Melcher,
Britton Cochran and husband Clay, Brandon Melcher, Bailey Robinson, Briley Melcher and Will Hobbs. She also has two great-grandchildren, Charli Cochran and Kane Melcher

She is survived by one brother, Jerry Page and wife Jody of Marion, and one sister, Karen Drake and husband Terry of Marion.

Mrs. Stayton was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband and one brother-Larry Page.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 29th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with Pastor Clark Lance officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home and after 1:30 P.M. on Saturday.

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

 

 

 

Betty Lynn Storey, 92, of Benton IL,  passed away at 12:35 AM on July 25, 2017 at home, surrounded by her close family. Betty was born in Ewing, IL on November 10, 1924 to Harry and Marie (Slaton) Choisser.

Betty was a very loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her favorite things were cooking for her family, spoiling her grandchildren, and going to the weekly Farmers’ Market.

Betty was preceded in death by both parents, brothers, “Sparky, TJ, and Bob Choisser; son-in-law, Stanley Hatchett; and granddaughter, Kristen Storey. She is survived by her sister and best friend, Mary Lou Jones; two daughters: Renee Buckner and Janice Overmeyer, a son, Don Storey and wife Kathy, and six grandchildren: Shelly Germann (Andy), Susan Graskewicz (Jon), Shonda Hustedde (Jason), Mark Overmeyer (Julie), Fallon Overmeyer (Cheri), Carrie Kalina (Rod); 12 great-grandchildren, including Logan, Seth, Liberty, & Jace; sister-in-law, Doris Choisser, and several neices and nephews including one very special neice, Debbie Hampleman (Ron).

Betty was the glue of her family and will be so very greatly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Benton Farmers’ Market.

A special thank you to Addus Homemakers and Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Visitation will be from 11-12 AM on Saturday, July 29th, at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, IL with a grave side service to follow immediately at Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

John Logan Buckner, 74, of Benton IL, passed away on July 21, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Buckner, IL on February 24, 1943, the son of Logan & Faye (Overturf) Buckner.

He married Joan (Henley) Chamness on December 30, 2002, and she survives.

Mr. Buckner was very active and involved in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a retired Coal Miner Examiner, working at Inland Steel Kerr-McGee and American Coal.

Mr. Buckner is survived by his wife Joan Buckner of Benton, stepson Brian Chamness and wife Sheri of Fort Worth, TX grandson Adrian James Chamness of Fort Worth, TX, mother Faye Buckner of Buckner and two sisters, Lana Vukadinovich and husband Danny of Mulkeytown, Elva Martin of West Frankfort, longtime friends and mentors Charlie and Shirley Keaton and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Buckner was preceded in death by his Father.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 25th at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton with Father Urban Osuji, Father Joseph Trapp and Father Ken Schaefer officiating. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Church.

If desired, Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton or to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School Building Fund in Herrin.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of the arrangements.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit our website, www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com .

Monalee Snyder, age 80, of Benton IL, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the Benton Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center of Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from Noon to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Mrs. Snyder was born on January 14, 1937, the daughter of John Bruce and Ival (Morris) Bruce. She was married to Philo Byron Snyder, and he preceded her in death on January 18, 1998.

She was a housewife and formerly attended the McLeansboro Street Church of God in Benton.

Monalee loved kids, and was referred to as the “Neighborhood Grandma”. Everyone was always welcome at her home, where she would cook, feed, and play board games with her grandchildren and all the neighborhood children. She also enjoyed to play Bingo.

She is survived by three sons: Darrell Wayne Snyder of Benton, Melvin Lee Snyder of Christopher, Byron Lloyd Snyder and wife Paula of Benton; fifteen grandchildren: Heidi Jean Beppler, Shane Wells, Van Snyder, Christopher J. Snyder, Kenneth L. Snyder, Philo Byron Snyder, Robert L. Snyder, Loran Owens, Holly N. Snyder, Amber Plumlee, Gabriel Snyder, Brian Plumlee, Justin Plumlee and Ashley M. Peebels; thirty-four great-grandchildren; sixteen great-great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Betty Bruce of Benton, Barbara Bruce of West Frankfort,Varlyn Stanley of Creal Springs; several nieces, nephews, friends and extended family, and all those whose life she touched.

Mrs. Snyder was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four children:Jeania Marie Snyder, Claude C. Snyder, Francis Eugene Snyder, Jacquline Irene Patterson; and eight siblings: J.R., Addie, Tommy, Othel, Randall, Warren, William and Aline.

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

 

 

 

 

 

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Donald Eugene Robinson 63, of Sesser passed away on Sunday July 16, 2017 at 11:24 PM at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt Vernon, IL.

He was born on January 9, 1954 to Arthur Robinson and Betty (VanHoorebeke) Vordtreide.

Survivors include his mother Betty Vordtreide of Sesser, one brother Louis “Junior” Gower of Sesser; 3 sisters B.J. Schlemmer of Redbud, Freda Galloway of Sesser, and Linda Gower of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his father, 5 brothers and sisters.

His wishes were to be cremated with a service at a later date.

James Andrew McDonnough, 41, formerly of DuQuoin passed away July 13, 2017.  James was born to Tim McDonnough and Cheryl (Pulke) McDonnough on April 11, 1976.  He married Dana (Miller) McDonnough on June 12, 2010. 

He graduated from DuQuoin High School in 1994 and graduated from SIU-C with a Bachelors Degree in Photo Journalism in 2010.  He served in the Army and National Guard for nearly 20 years, completing 2 tours of duty in Iraq and 2 tours of duty in Afghanistan as well as being stationed in various locations throughout the world.

James is survived by twin sons, Logan James and Joel Andrew McDonnough of Sesser, and their mother, Dana McDonnough of Sesser.  He is also survived by his mother, Cheryl of Pinckneyville, and his father, Tim (Lori) of Centralia, step brothers Chad (Sarah Fae) Stuehlmeyer of Mt.Vernon and Jered (Linda) Stuehlmeyer of Centralia, and step sister Amber (Spencer) Marcum of Centralia.

Visitation for James McDonnough will be Wednesday, July 19, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

Burial will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery near Pinckneyville.

The family requests that no flowers or other items be sent.  If you wish to memorialize James, please do so by giving to his children’s education fund, payable to Dana McDonnough. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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

Harvey E. Medley, 77, of Christopher ended his journey on earth on Sunday July 16, 2017 at 9:00 AM.

He was born in the UMWA Hospital in West Frankfort on January 31, 1940 to William and Marie (Ponder) Medley.

He graduated from Christopher High School in 1957 and married Janet (Mystrie) Medley on July 5, 1961 and she preceded him in death on October 24, 2007.

He was preceded in death by his wife Janet, father William Medley, mother Marie (Ponder) Medley Cook, step-father Wallace Cook, step-mother Ethel Loraine Medley, one son Tony Medley, two sisters Bernice Edwards and Judy Medley. He is survived by his son Keith (Glenda) Medley of Benton; brother Rick (Judy) Cook of Christopher; a sister Kay of Florida; granddaughter Savannah (David) Wynn Davis of Zeigler, Grandson Josh (Rachel) Sisney of Mulkeytown; neice Katie (Matt) Guymon of St Louis, MO; nephew John (Keisha) Cook of Christopher; 3 great grandsons; 2 great granddaughters; and 2 great nieces.

After serving his country in the US army in Korea, he was hired by the Zeigler/Old Ben Coal Company, working at Old Ben # 24 and # 21, from 1967-1984 and for the American Coal Company from 1984-1995. He was a very thoughtful, caring, and unselfish person and had trouble saying the word “NO.”

He loved music and looked forward to going to the dances each week (trading in his white cap and sneakers for cowboy boots and a cowboy hat) with his long-time friend and care-giver “Liz” (Libby) Sanders of West Frankfort. “Tunica Harv” will be missed by so many- “all the regulars” that met at the Maid Rite for coffee each morning; the “Class of 1957 Reunion Committee”; friendships that will be everlasting.

He never saw a stranger; and made a lasting impression on everyone he met. A friend he has known for only a few years said after meeting him – “To know him is to love him.” His family and friends have lost a devoted “Dad”, “Brother”, grandfather “Poppy”; uncle, best friend, good neighbor, and loving, devoted companion.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday July 19, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Harrison Cemetery with Brother Mark Miller officiating. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Alana Conley Day, 70, of Benton passed away Friday morning, July 14, 2017 at her home.

She was born in Mt. Vernon, IL on October 20, 1946, the daughter of Charles & Alene (Storey) Burwell.

Alana married James W. Day on June 12, 1993, and he preceded her in death on March 13, 2017.

Alana owned and operated the Sun Tan Shack in Benton for over 30 years. She was an active member of the West City Church of God.

She is survived by her son, Heath Conley and wife Becky of Benton; and her two grandchildren; Madison and Grayson Conley of Eldorado, as well as their mother, Candida (Smith) Payne of Eldorado.  She is also survived by her sister, Teri Rice and husband Chunk of West City, her stepson Ode Day, and her beloved co-workers.  She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 18th at the West City Church of God with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday at the Church.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

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