Mrs. Eloise Whitlock, age 69, of Benton IL, passed away at 3:55 p.m. Sunday, January 1, 2017 at her home. Mrs. Whitlock was born on September 8, 1947 in Lafayette, Indiana, the daughter of Howard and Naomi Dalton. She married Harol Whitlock on December 17, 1963, and he survives.

Eloise was a homemaker and a member of the West City Church of God in Benton. She enjoyed crocheting, playing the organ at the church, and spending time with her family and her church family.

Mrs. Whitlock is survived by her husband of 53 years, Rev. Harol Whitlock; three children: Donna Bradley and husband Billy of Eldorado, Joe Whitlock and wife Shari of Saraland, AL, Angie Spreck and husband Andrew of New Castle, IN; eight grandchildren: Josh Bradley, Austin Bradley, Deidra Reger, Kristen Fairchild, Jenna Sumrall, Mitchell Whitlock, Molly Whitlock, Mason Whitlock; nine great-grandchildren: Boston Bradley, Bronx Bradley, Levi Bradley, Lilly Reger, Cali Reger, Sadie Reger, Karinna Smith, Emmett Sumrall, Dallton Sumrall; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and twelve brothers and sisters.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at the West City Church of God, with Rev. Greg Isaacs officiating. Burial will take place Thursday, January 5, 2017 in the South Mound Cemetery in New Castle, Indiana. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the West City Church of God. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Eloise Whitlock to assist with her funeral expenses, and will be accepted at the church. To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Eloise, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

Lloyd Wayne LeVault, age 47, of Benton IL, passed away at 3:05 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Herrin Hospital.  He was born on December 30, 1969 in Benton, Illinois, the son of Loren Wayne LeVault and Deloris (Tittle) LeVault. He married Margaret Joanne Stone on September 3, 2016.

Lloyd was a 1988 graduate of Sesser-Valier High School, and a 1990 graduate of Rend Lake Community College. Lloyd was a member of the Horse Prairie Baptist Church of Sesser, where he formerly served as a Sunday School Teacher and a Deacon.

Lloyd was a proud volunteer for 12 years with the Sesser Fire Department as a Firefighter and EMT. Lloyd also gave of his time as a volunteer teacher with the IDNR teaching certified hunter safety classes.  He was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and shooting guns.

Lloyd was employed as a mechanic for 25 years with Continental Tire in Mt. Vernon. He enjoyed music.  According to his family, he was a good singer. He also enjoyed movies, especially Star Wars movies.

Mr. LeVault is survived by his wife Joanne LeVault of Benton; his three children: Jessica Tyler LeVault of Jackson, TN, Garret Scott LeVault and Colin Michael LeVault, both of Bolivar, TN; a step-daughter Tiffany Davis of DuQuoin, IL; his father Wayne LeVault of Mulkeytown; three sisters: Janee Kash of Benton, Annitta Dean McCormick and Darla L. Sloan, both of West Frankfort; several nieces and nephews, and his many friends.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his mother Deloris LeVault (October 29, 2012), and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

A Memorial Celebration of Life Service, will be held at 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Kirk Packer officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton American Legion Post #280, and will be accepted at the funeral home. To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Lloyd, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

George B. Upchurch, 68, of Orient, IL, passed away December 30, 2016 at 9:32 a.m. in West Frankfort, IL with friends and loved ones at his bedside.

George was born in Benton, IL, on April 18, 1948, the son of Ralph and Louise Upchurch.

He is survived by two sisters, Deloris (Dewar) Burgess and friend Bill Ott, of Benton and Erma (Whaley) Herick and husband John, of Farina, IL; one brother, Marvin Upchurch, of St. Charles, MO; two children, Stephanie Pettit and husband Tom, and their daughter and Sabrina Harmon and husband Dustin and their daughters. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews that loved him dearly; close friends Raymond Clayton and wife Peggy and Chick Mohring and special girl, “Bompee” Christina.

He was preceded in death by his parents, by a son, George Allen Upchurch, by two brothers, Loren and James Richard and by a sister, Barbara Sneed.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with the Rev. Donnie Colson officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington, IL. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

Ruth Cantrell, 105, of Sesser IL, passed away on Sunday December 25, 2016 at 6:55 P.M. at Mt Vernon Countryside Manor.

She was born September 14, 1911 to Alva and Della (Cockrum) Stevison.  She married Roy Cantrell on February 28, 1937 and he preceded her in death on July 13, 1958.

She was a member of the Sesser First Baptist Church, Eastern Star, and the Sesser Woman’s Club.

Ruth retired as a secretary from Crocker Insurance in Sesser and also did tax preparation for many individuals over the years.

She is survived by one daughter Shelby and Marvin Elliston of Sesser, one granddaughter Marvla Hutchens of Lexington, SC, two great granddaughters Alecia and Brian Davis of Lexington, SC, Ashley Hutchens of Greenwood, SC, great grandson Matt Hutchens of Sesser, and three great great grandchildren Skylar Davis, Riley Davis, and Alaina Creswell.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday December 28, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  Visitation will be on Wednesday December 28, 2016 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Velma Aslee Irvin passed away on December 20, 2016 in Springdale, AR. She was born October 15, 1923 to Arthur and Lula (Rogers) Carpenter.

She attended Glad Tidings Church in West Frankfort, IL.  She worked for several years at Smoler Brothers Garment Factory. After retiring from Smoler’s she enjoyed being a door greeter at Walmart in Benton for several years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Amos Irvin, her parents Arthur & Lulu Carpenter, two sisters; Genell (Bob) Reid, Esther (Morris) Bullard. Three brothers; Kenneth (Loraine) Carpenter, Claude (Ilene) Carpenter, Ray (Bernice) Carpenter.

She is survived by one daughter Donna (Dennis) Conner, one brother Bob (Billie) Carpenter, four grandchildren Dena (Mike) Jansen, Kevin (Kim) Conner, Regina (Jeff) Womack, Derick Conner, 13 great grandchildren & 6 great great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be on Friday December 30, 2016 at 11:00 A.M at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 A.M until the service time at 11:00 A.M.  Burial will be at the Harrison Cemetery in Buckner, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Harrison cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

 

Evelyn F. Crowe, nee Knaus, 89, of Benton, IL, formerly of Belleville, born Saturday, April 23, 1927, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away at 8:15 a.m., on Friday, December 23, 2016, at Stonebridge Senior Living Center in Benton, IL, surrounded by her family.

Evelyn worked as a Dispatcher for Ameritech Phone Company.  She was a member of St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Belleville, IL, Rob Morris Chapter 98 Order Of The Eastern Star, Ainad Belles, Pride of High Green Lodge, Wednesday Club, Living Information of Today, Pioneers of America (Telephone Retirees Club).

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lee West Crowe; parents, Ernest W. and Frances M. nee Klaus, Knaus, Sr.; and brother, Ernest W. Knaus, Jr.

Evelyn is survived by her four sister-in-laws, Evelyn Guth, June Dublar, Ruby Crowe, Sue and husband Steve Pate, Sr; one brother-in-law, Richard Crowe; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Local Funeral Arrangements under the direction of Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation:  Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 29, 2016, at Kurrus Funeral Home, 1773 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, IL.

Funeral:  Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2016, at Kurrus Funeral Home, with the Rev. Larry Patton, officiating.  Private family interment at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.

Memorials may be made in Evelyn’s honor to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

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

Marion “Lynn” K Shotts, 73 of Benton IL passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Herrin Hospital, surrounded by her family. Lynn was born December 10, 1943 in Benton to George and Virginia (Brown) Knapp.

She loved Swimming and was an instructor at Camp Cedar Point for the Girl Scouts and later for Macher Swim School in Columbia Missouri.

She attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a BS degree in Microbiology. She worked as a lab technician for the Health Department in Albuquerque New Mexico, returned to University of Oklahoma and received a masters Degree in Environmental Sanitation.

She met Jamie Shotts in Norman, OK., and they were married in Benton January 19, 1969. She worked as a Sanitarian for the Illinois Department of Health in Marion IL., until moving to Columbia, MO., where Allan and Julie were born. She lived in the country where she loved to have her favorite chickens; ducks and geese numerous other pets and a large garden while developing lifelong friendships in the area.

She worked at the Swim School until forming a product demonstration business “Presentations Limited” for the local Businesses. She moved back to Benton, worked as an Instructor at Rend Lake College and at Wal-Mart, became an ardent Saluki fan and lived out her life in the house that she had grown up in.

Lynn is survived by her husband Jamie, Son Allan (Kelly) Shotts, Daughter Julie Shotts and two grand children, Ally and Kolt.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Virginia Knapp and Brother Don Knapp.

Funeral Arrangements under the direction of Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.  As per her wishes she will be cremated and a Celebration of Her life will be scheduled in the future.

Memorial contributions may be made in Lynn’s honor to The Benton Public Library Benton, IL., First Baptist Church of Benton, IL., or The Turtle Hospital Marathon, FL.

 

Huston Virgil “Pete” Summers, age 78, of Thompsonville, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at his home.  He was born on October 27, 1938 in Thompsonville, the son of Sherman “Red” Summers and Fonda Irene (Brown) Summers. He married the former Fanny Mae “Fran” Mikel on February 7, 1960 and she preceded him in death on November 9, 2006.

Mr. Summers graduated from Thompsonville High School, Class of 1956.  He was a U.S. Army veteran serving as an LPN and attained the rank of Sergeant.  Pete worked as a coal miner for Inland Steel Coal, and was a member of the U.M.W.A.

Mr. Summers was a member of the Mt. Etna United Methodist Church, and in recent years attended the First Christian Church of Benton. He was a member of Akin Masonic Lodge #705 A.F. & A.M. in Thompsonville. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Thompsonville, where he formerly served as Worthy Patron. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Southern Illinois of Belleville, IL.

Mr. Summers is survived by three daughters: Beth Reed and husband Jimmy of Benton, Dotty Mitchell of Marion, IL, Sharon “Sonny” Summers of Columbia, MD; a son David Summers of Thompsonville; nine grandchildren: Nathan Reed, Preston Reed and wife Alisha, Neva Corn, Eli Reed and wife Heather, Mikaila Reed, all of Benton, Jacob Mitchell and wife Alexandra of Marion, IL, Jessica Mitchell of Marion, IL, Matthew Summers of Pinckneyville, Whitney Summers of Benton; eight great-grandchildren: Jordan Pettit, Landon Corn, Persephone Reed, Pandora Reed, Hazel Reed, Logan Reed, Gemma Reed, Asher Mitchell; a brother Les Summers and wife Kathy of Thompsonville; four special nephews: Jim, Greg, Steve and Dan Summers; and two special friends of the family: Stephanie and Stephen Williams.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; an infant daughter Dianna Lynn Summers; two sisters: Myola Hatfield, Mary Miller; and a niece Donna (Miller) Corey.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial with military rites under the direction of the Benton American Legion Post #280, Benton V.F.W. Post #2671, and the Army National Guard out of Marion, IL, will be at the Mt. Etna Cemetery of Thompsonville. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. Wednesday until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m., at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Etna Cemetery Fund, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Huston “Pete” Summers, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Robert “Polb” Dean Polbinski, 82, passed away Monday December 19, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Polb was born July 23, 1934 in Royalton, IL to George Polbinski and Francis (Mondoni) Scronce.  He was raised by his grandparents Tony and Maggie Mondoni. He married Phyllis (Evans) Polbinski on February 11, 1956 and she survives of Christopher.