Dorothy Mae Jackson, 100, of Highland, IN, passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2017 in Indiana.

She was born in Newaygo County, Michigan on October 25, 1916, the daughter of Sam & Maggie (Klock) Cousineau.

She married Rev. Lyle Jackson on March 21, 1936, and he preceded her in death on March 3, 1978.

Mrs. Jackson was a member of the New Life Church of God in Benton. She was a member for over 80 years of the Church of God headquartered in Cleveland, TN. Her husband and Mrs. Jackson pastored churches in different states for almost 40 years. She was a Sunday School teacher for at least 30 of these years. 

Mrs. Jackson is survived by her two daughters,  Myrna Keener of Chattanooga, TN, and Wilma Snedecor and husband Karl of Highland, IN, three Granddaughters;  Cindy Jones and  husband Jeff of Highland, IN, Starla Benjamin and husband James of Chattanooga, TN, and  Beverly Achata and husband Andy of Harrison, TN, five great-grandchildren; Andrew Jones Brooke Foertsch & husband Kevin, Alicia Benjamin Tyler Benjamin and Chloe Achata.

She is also survived by one sister, Marie VanPortfliet and husband John of Fremont, Michigan. 

Mrs. Jackson was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, by a Son-Calvin Jackson, by a Great-Grandson-Stephen Jones, by 1 Brother and 3 Sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 29th at the New Life Church of God in Benton with Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 1:00 P.M. Saturday at the Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Morton & Johnston funeral home of Benton.  For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.

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 .