Allexander James (AJ) Wohlgemuth, 11 months, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2017 in Cardinal Glennon Hospital of St. Louis.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.  A balloon release will be held immediately following the service.  Burial will be at a future date in the Horse Prairie Cemetery of Sesser.

Allexander James (AJ) was born October 7, 2016 in Marion, IL, to Rochelle Wohlgemuth.

He lit up a room with his smile and he loved everyone. His family said he had several nicknames such as, Turnip, then he was known as our little monkey, and monkey man.  The family now calls him their Guardian Angel.  His laughter was infectious.  When AJ laughed, everyone in the room would laugh with him. He was innocent and loving.

Allexander James (AJ) is survived by his mother Rochelle; his grandparents Phyllis and Wes Yates of Benton; a brother Scott Woolard; a sister Maddison Pitchers; father-figure Sean Pitchers; uncle Jack and aunt Shannon Richards; cousins: Cheryl Rabacchi, Mackenzie Parshudie, Jackilynn and Jordan Richards.

He was preceded in death by: uncle Scott Wohlgemuth; aunt Patricia L. (Richards) Parshudie; and a cousin Timothy Marchiorello that lit his way to Heaven by only hours.

Memorial contributions may be made in care of Leffler Funeral Home, until a decision is made to which children’s foundation the monies will be donated.

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

Mrs. Kathleen (Collins) Lowery passed away peacefully on November 3, 2017 at Helia Healthcare Center in Benton at the age of 86.

Mrs. Lowery was born in Benton on December 12, 1930, the daughter of Clyde and Ethel Collins, who owned and operated several local restaurants in Benton. She attended Benton Township High School, where she was Homecoming Queen and named Miss Benton. She married Warren Mitchell in 1948, and was widowed in 1951 as a result of the Orient No. 2 Mine Disaster.

In 1953, she married Clarence “Red” Lowery and together they shared over 61 years of marriage together. Mrs. Lowery was part of the first graduating class of Rend Lake College in Ina, and she then attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s studies.

For nearly two decades, Mrs. Lowery was an educator at Benton Consolidated High School, where she taught English, reading, and literature. During her time, Mrs. Lowery was known as dedicated, caring and fun teacher who took interest in each student she met. Whether it was teaching one of the literature classics or participating in homecoming skits, she was always enthusiastic and a good sport. She helped many students succeed in school and earn their diploma, despite their background, economic struggles, or situation in life that may have prevented them. She found personal success in her student’s achievements and stayed connected with many throughout her life.

Mrs. Lowery was an active member of the Benton community. She was a member of the Illinois Education Association, and previously served on the executive board of the Franklin County Retired Teachers Association, making yearly trips to the state capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for issues for retired educators. She was also a past president of the American Association of University Women in Benton.

As a longtime member of the First Baptist Church, she served as a deacon and member of the church choir. She was also a member of the Lucy Helm Mission Circle, where she volunteered her time in service of others, whether it was delivering meals to those who were homebound, gathering supplies for families in need, or teaching Sunday school.

Together with her husband, Mrs. Lowery traveled all over the world, including to her favorite places of Spain, Mexico, the Bahamas and making frequent trips to Florida to visit her children and grandchildren. She was a gifted artist, whose paintings and drawings now hang in her family’s homes, and a talented writer, known for writing witty poems for faculty retirements and special occasions.

She also enjoyed boating on Rend Lake, tending to her garden and flowers, and caring for the many pets and animals that resided at her home over the past 40 years, including her most beloved dog, Rusty.

Above all else, Mrs. Lowery took pride in her family and loved spending time with them, along with her many friends. She will be remembered as someone who brought warmth, generosity, and kindness to all those around her.

She is survived by her children; Lynn Alligood and husband Bob, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Cindy Lowery of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Robert Lowery and wife Lisa, of Benton, grandchildren; Kathleen Wubker and husband Brian, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Olivia Lowery of Sister Bay, Wisconsin, Christopher Lowery of Springfield, Clarence Wade Lowery of Jacksonville, Florida, Ryan Lowery of Benton, and Mackenzie Lowery of Neptune Beach, Florida, great-grandchildren; Lillian Kathleen Warpinski, Sophia Wubker, Bennett Wubker, Oliver Reichel, and Christian Reichel, nephew; Bill Lowery of Benton, sister; Kay Cheek of Pinckneyville; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; parents; sister; Ramona Hill, and son; Clarence Clyde “C.C.” Lowery.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Benton, with Rev. Alan Newman and Rev. Jim Jenkel officiating. Burial will be in the Knob Prairie Cemetery near Akin.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour, at the church.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Benton/West City Ministerial Alliance or the American Humane Society, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

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

 

 

Muriel (Ishmael) Shaw, 96,  formerly of Sesser, IL.  passed away on October 29th, 2017

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Shaw, her parents and brother.

Muriel resided in Chicago, Springfield, Rock Island, IL and in Des Moines, IA. She was active in several lodges and loved traveling to Europe and the Holy Island.

She is survived by several nieces, nephews and their families.

A graveside service will be held at the Benton Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Friday November 3^rd, 2017.

Memorial Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Pate Funeral Home in Benton.  For more information, or to leave a tribute, visit their website at http://www.patefh.com/.

 

Ina Mae Heisner, a long time resident of Bisbee, AZ formerly of Buckner entered into eternal rest on October 15, 2017. She was born to Willie and Flora Overturf on March 16, 1930 in Buckner, IL.

She was a graduate of Benton High School.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Heisner, a daughter, Sandra Heisner, grandson, Zebulen Blake, son-in-law, Danny LaRue, her parents, Willie Overturf and Flora (Smith) Overturf, one sister and five brothers. 

She is survived by her daughters Deborah Mesa (Rolla, MO), Pamela Blake (Bisbee, AZ), Lara (James Polm) (Bisbee, AZ) and Rhonda LaRue (Bisbee, AZ); eleven grandchildren David (Lulu) Mesa (TX), Jamie Mesa (MO), Dallas Mesa (SC), Remo (Kelly) Blake (AZ), Carlos (Melissa) Lopez (AZ), Jeremy (Yvonne) Heisner (AZ), Angel Beach (AZ), Ricky (Katlyn) Beach (NJ), Christy Cardona (AZ), Tina (Bryan) Vanonese (AZ), Danny (Cheyenne) LaRue (AZ); one sister Wanda (John) Vleminekx (PA); 24 Great Grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

Ina was loved very much and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Memorial services were Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 3:00p.m. at the Church of Christ in Bisbee, AZ.

Graveside services will be on Saturday November 4, 2017 at 1 pm at Knights Cemetery in Buckner, IL. Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is handling arrangements.

 

 

Anne E. Otis, 82, of Thompsonville, IL, passed away at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2017, at Franklin Hospital in Benton, IL.

She was born on March 13, 1935, to Wilford  and Anne Bonebreak in Chicago, IL. In 2001, Anne married her loving husband, Bruce Otis and he survives. Anne was an avid reader, enjoyed a good movie, and loved working in her flower beds.

Anne is survived by her loving spouse, Bruce Otis; one daughter, Lisa (John) Strole and one brother, Bill Bonebreak.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilford and Anne Bonebreak.

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

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home with Brother Howard Johnson officiating.

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

Memorials may be made to Akin Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Carol Jane Tomaszewicz, age 66, of Valier, passed away at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, October 15, 2017 at her home.

Her wishes are to be cremated. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be at a future date.

Cremation services have been entrusted to the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Carol was born on April 23, 1951 in Sterling, IL, the daughter of Charles Eugene Richards and Jane Elizabeth (Adams) Richards.

She worked as a consultant for the Exeter Group, and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Sterling, IL.

Carol enjoyed her work and her home, but most of all shwww.lpfuneralhome.come enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her two sons: Alexander E. Tomaszewicz of Denver, CO, Nicholas E. Tomaszewicz and fiancée Amber Tucker of Christopher, IL; five grandchildren: Abram Tomaszewicz, Kaylynn Tucker, Courtney Salatas, Leo Tucker and Larry Salatas, all of Christopher; a sister Jo Ann Richards of Elkhart, IN; and two nephews.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Mr. Andrew Cordell Cairel, age 78, of Benton; passed away Friday, October 13, 2017 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at the First Christian Church, 302 South Main Street, Benton, IL with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial with full military honors, conducted by the Illinois National Guard, will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL, where Sons of the American Revolution Funeral Ritual will take place at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church.

Cordell was born on August 18, 1939 in Logan, IL, the son of Raleigh Cairel and Janet (Berry) Cairel. He married the former Barbara Jo Neal on September 12, 1960, and she preceded him in death on February 28, 1988. He would later marry the former Barbara Tedrow on July 3, 1990, and she survives.

Mr. Cairel served his country in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis, with the 82nd Airborne Signal Corps, where he received a Parachutist Badge. He was a member of the Thompsonville American Legion Post 1194.

His working career was in the Coal Mines. He formerly worked with Old Ben Coal Company at Number 9, 24, and 27 coal mines. He was a proud member of the U.M.W.A.

Cordell loved his Lord and Savior. He was an ordained minister, and was the former pastor of the Parrish Baptist Church from 1981 to 1988. Currently, he and his wife are members of the First Christian Church of Benton.

Cordell was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed shooting guns. He enjoyed honoring fellow veterans with assisting with military rites. He was a former member of the Benton Kiwanis and Gideons. Also, he is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution of Marion.

Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Surviving is his loving wife of 27 years, Barbara Cairel of Benton; his two sons: Frank Cairel and wife Felicia of Benton, and Derrick Cairel and wife Angelia of Benton; Barb’s two sons: John Rose and wife Judy of Benton, and Ron Rose and girlfriend Lisa Bradley of Benton; eight grandchildren: Ashley Cairel of Champaign, IL, Alexandria Cairel of Benton, Andrew Cairel of Benton, Kirsten Page and husband Bennett of Benton, Bailee Cairel of Benton, Amanda Hill and husband Dan of Madison, MS, James Rose of McLeansboro, Scott Rose of Benton; two great-grandchildren Eli Hill and Jackson Rose; a sister Janice Williams and husband Sam of Johnston City, IL; an aunt Martha Purcell of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Barbara Jo Cairel; and a sister Kitty Baker.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund, and will be accepted at the funeral home on Tuesday, and at the church on Wednesday.

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