Connie Lee Carso, 71, of Christopher, IL, passed away July 19, 2016 at Herrin Rehabilitation and Nursing, in Herrin, IL.

Connie was born on February 5, 1945 in Oklahoma City, OK, the daughter of John Carso and Ruth (Crain) Woods.

Connie is survived by sisters Karen and Dennis Parrent, of Christopher and Laina Hembree, of Du Quoin, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Graveside funeral services will be held at Mulkeytown Cemetery on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 10 a.m. with Brother Jason Todd officiating. The family requests no flowers. Donations can be made to the Mulkeytown Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home. Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, IL, is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Carlton “Carl” W. Heifner, 69, of Thompsonville, passed away at 9:05 p.m., on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Carl was born on September 3, 1946, to William and Ida (Poynor) Heifner in Hamilton County, IL. He retired as a Park Ranger from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. On May 11, 2005, he married Dixie Gaither.

 He was a member of Plaster Grove Freewill Baptist Church.  Carl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and a dear friend.  He enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting, working in his garden and landscaping.

 Mr. Heifner is survived by his loving spouse of 11 years, Dixie Heifner; a brother and two sisters, James “Jim” R. Heifner and wife Patty of Akin, IL, Barbara Wyant of Benton, IL and Darlene Roberts and husband John of Rural Dale, IL; three step-children, Freddy Isaacs of Eldorado, IL, Steven Isaacs and Michael  Isaacs both of Thompsonville, IL; seven grandchildren, Jason Isaacs, Noah Isaacs, Isabella Isaacs, Billy Brannon, Charlie Horn, Bambi Horn, Johnny Horn; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

 He was preceded in death by his parents; two brother, Charles Heifner and John Heifner; a brother-in-law, John Wyant; a niece, Kelley Robles-Dewitt and a great-niece, Lavera Robles.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016, 12 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Rev. Kent Dunford, officiating.  Burial will follow services at Plasters Grove Cemetery, Thompsonville, IL.

The Heifner family would like to extend a special thank you to the caring staff at Hospice of Southern Illinois.

 Memorials contributions may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Kenneth “KP” Perry, 65, of Benton, IL, passed away Wednesday morning, July 6, 2016 at his home.

He was born in Fleming, KY on August 13, 1950, the son of Edward L. Perry, Sr. and Maggie Lee (Adams) Perry.

KP was a U.S. Navy veteran serving during the Vietnam War on Midland Island.

He was a retired coal miner and a proud UMWA member.

KP dearly loved his family. He enjoyed cooking, and had a degree in culinary arts. He was a student of the universe and loved science, especially astronomy. He loved photography, music, philosophy, particularly the thinkers and thought provokers.

KP is survived by his wife Diana Perry, of Benton; son Joel Perry and Ashley Taylor, of Logan; three grandchildren Jayden, Vance and Jameson; sister Lisa Odom and husband Alan, of Benton; brother Edward Perry, Jr. and wife Shelia McVeigh, of Gibsonia, PA; stepdaughter Stephanie Diers and husband Joel, of Springfield; stepson Robbie Woolridge and wife Jennifer, of Carbondale, IL; step-grandchildren Aliyah, Mason and Holden; nieces and nephews Jeff Perry, Jamie Perry, Aaron Odom, Kristin Odom and Ashley Odom. He is also survived by several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with Jim Muir and family members officiating. Visitation will be after 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

James Edward Mayer, age 86 of Benton, IL, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital in Benton.

Graveside services with Masonic Rites will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.  There will be no visitation.  Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

James was born on March 14, 1930 in Benton, the son of Richard Mayer and Della Mae (Durham) Mayer.  He married the former Betty Joann Leffler on June 29, 1952 and she survives.

Mr. Mayer was a retired coal miner, having last worked with Arch Minerals.  He was a member of the U.M.W.A., and the First Baptist Church of Benton.  He was also a Past-Master with Benton Masonic Lodge #64 A.F. & A.M..

James served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and he enjoyed fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Mayer of Benton; his daughter Debbie Davis and husband Tommy of Yulee, FL;  a special nephew Steve Mayer of Kansas City, KS; and two nieces.

Mr. Mayer was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Robert Mayer; and a granddaughter Shelley Davis.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Benton.

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

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Ty Jarrod Benjamin will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, IL.

Ty was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on October 25, 1977. He was raised and spent most of his life in Carrollton, Georgia, but had recently returned to Terre Haute.

Ty’s unique personality brought joy and laughter to his family and friends. He was an avid sports fan — partial to his Atlanta teams, the NBA and especially the Duke Blue Devils.

Ty was preceded in death by his father, Richard Benjamin and his paternal grandparents, Richard and Betty Benjamin.

Surviving family members include his mother, Becky Benjamin, grandparents Robert and Mary Whitehead, all of Benton; aunt and uncles Debbie (Jim) Scott and David Benjamin, both of Terre Haute, Indiana, Vickie (Ralph) Connor, of Vincennes, Indiana, Jerry (Marcia) Whitehead and Cathy (Bill) Smith, all of Benton; and many fun-loving cousins.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 .m. with the memorial service starting at 1 p.m.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Makayla Andrews, 18, of Benton, IL, passed away Monday afternoon July 4, 2016 as the result of a motor vehicle accident in Randolph County.

She was born in Carbondale, IL on October 26, 1997.

Makayla was a 2016 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School.

She was truly loved and will be sadly missed by all.

Makayla is survived by her mother and father Loretta and Jeff Bearden, biological mother Kim Akin, biological father Shannon Braden; siblings Brooke Andrews, David Andrews, Lacey Akin and Ryan Akin; half sisters Marie Braden and Alisa Braden; grandmothers Beverly Howell and Kathy Braden and husband Gary; nieces and nephews Taven, Kalden, Phoebe, Sabrina, Josiah, Julius, Javen; several aunts uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with Pastor John Neace officiating. Burial will be at Brady Cemetery in Akin, IL. Visitation will be after 9 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

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