BENTON — Dennis Leo Hefner, 69, passed away Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, at his home.

Dennis’ wishes were to be cremated.

Memorial celebration of life services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, in Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Burial will be in Logan Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion Post 280, Benton VFW Post 2671, and the U.S. Army National Guard. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Dennis was born on May 10, 1946, in Benton, the son of Leo Hefner and Irene (Miner) Hefner.

Dennis was a bit broker and started one of the first bit companies in Southern Illinois. During his life he also worked in telephone construction and was an over the road truck driver.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening and spending time with his family and friends. Through his bountiful garden that he grew each year, he would give away and share vegetables with his family and friends.

Dennis was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

He attended the Logan Church of God with his mother.

Dennis is survived by two aunts, Ramona Miner Toms of Logan; Ruby Hefner King of Mount Vernon; and numerous cousins.

Those cousins especially close to Dennis include Brenda Hutchcraft and husband, Gary, Lonnie Conner, Brian Hutchcraft, Mike Hutchcraft and Rickie Mace.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Irene (Miner) Hefner; paternal grandparents, Wilson and Nora (Williams) Hefner; maternal grandparents, Lee and Golden Meacham Miner.

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Dennis, visit www.lpfuneral home.com.

COELLO — Wayne R. Allen, 78, died at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, in Heartland Regional Hospital in Marion.

Wayne was born July 9, 1937, in Mulkeytown, the son of Revia Allen and Ferol (Johnson) Allen.

Wayne was a member of West City Church of God.

He was an Army veteran.

He married Myrtle (Wilson) Allen on June 18, 1960, and she survives of Coello.

He is also survived by his children, Debbie Ragan of Coello, Kimberly Allen of Christopher, Jimmy Allen and Liz Greenwood of Coello, and Kandi Elko of West Frankfort; two special sons-in-law, Mark Robinson and Pete Elko; grandchildren, Christopher and Marcie Ragan, David Ragan, Ronna Robinson, Scott (Ashley) Robinson, Travis Elko, Michaela Elko, Teyah Elko, Dustin Allen and Kailey Allen; great-grandchildren, Braxton Ragan, Maston Snider, Kenne Robinson, Myles Robinson, Kelisy Grob, Joey Robinson and Layla Flowers; and brother, Wilford Allen of Christopher.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law, Mike Ragan; brother, Bobby Jacoby; grandson, Kenny Grob; and one great-grandson, Korvin Robinson.

Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West City Church of God or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Benton, IL — Paul Alexander Neal, age 71, of Benton, passed away at 3:15 a.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at his home with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Alan Newman officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Paul was born on August 13, 1944 in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Dwight “Pug” Neal and Helen (Patrick) Neal. He married the former Beverley Mabry on December 6, 1968 and she survives.

Paul was an over-the-road truck driver, and a member of the First Christian Church–Disciples of Christ in Benton.

He enjoyed drinking coffee with his friends. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandson Trey.

Paul always said, “My kids and grand kids were my biggest accomplishment in life.”

Paul is survived by his wife of 47 years, Beverley Neal of Benton; two children: Bryan Neal and wife Stephanie of Benton, Aimee Neal of Benton; three grandchildren, Jade Neal, Dalton Neal, and Trey Keelin all of Benton; a sister-in-law Karen Foutch, whom he considered more to be like a sister, and her husband Rick of Du Quoin; a niece Shelley Webb, whom he considered more to be like a daughter, and her husband Dave of Ewing; several other nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by a sister: Sandra Evans and family of West Frankfort; and a daughter: Angie Rich and family also of West Frankfort.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law: Wilma Mabry; and two brothers-in-law: Buddy and Billy Mabry.

Paul requested that in lieu of flowers, 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 Paul, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

VALIER — Trudy Scarlett Crocker, 68, died at 9:19 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Herrin Hospital.

She was born Oct. 3, 1947, in West Frankfort to Dwight and Dorothy (Kidd) Bailor. She married Gary D. Crocker on May 4, 1968, and he survives in Valier.

Mrs. Crocker was a homemaker.

She was a member of Valier First Baptist Church and had earlier attended Valier United Methodist Church.

Other survivors include her daughter, Lisa and Shannon Gamble of Louisville, Kentucky; grandchildren, Garrett Gamble and Jordan Gamble; sister, Renea and Jim Bailor of Valier; nieces, Britaney Bailor and Bridgette Finley; and great-nieces, McKenzie Finley and Addison Grace Finley.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, in Valier First Baptist Church with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis, the Rev. Zach Waldis and the Rev. Steve Livingston officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the church or Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.

For more information, go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

Kyle Matthew Hansen, 47, of West City passed away Sunday morning, January 24 , 2016 at his home.

He was born on Nov. 29, 1968, the son of James Russell and Sandra (Dugger) Hansen.

He married Kimberly (Kleine) on October 29, 2004.

Mr. Hansen enjoyed working at the coal mines, yard work and playing music. He was a drummer. Mr. Hansen was employed through GMS for Gateway.

Mr. Hansen is survived by his wife Kimberly Hansen, of West City; mother Sandy Kern, of Buckner; five children Katelyn Fitzwater, of Mt. Vernon, Shane Hansen, serving in the U.S. Army, Kailen Hansen, of Christopher, Jarred Hansen and wife Stephanie, of Texas and Kody Hansen and wife Mary, serving in the U.S. Army; five grandchildren Jett, David, Chloe, Aris and Zelda; two brothers Darren Hansen and wife Pam, of Buckner and Dusty Forby, of Benton; mother-in-law Alice Shanks, of West City. He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 29 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Roger Webb officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 28 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

BENTON — Margaret Kelley, 89, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 22, 2016, in St. Mary’s Hospital in Mount Vernon.

Margaret was born July 27, 1926, in Whittington, the daughter of Albert and Dora (Whaley) Shockley.

She married Charles Roy Kelley on Oct. 1, 1949, in Piggott, Arkansas, and he preceded her in death on May 22, 2007.

Mrs. Kelley was a member of the Non-Denominational Church.

She had formerly served as city clerk of Benton.

Survivors include three sons, Robert E. Kelley, Russell E. Kelley Sr. and Russell Edward Kelley Jr., all of Benton; former daughter-in-law, Diane Holloway of Benton; and three nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Alva, Lindell and Stanley; and three sisters, Lena, Delia and Eva.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, in Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Kenion Coleman and Jeffrey Vogelzang officiating. Burial will be in Masonic-Odd Fellow Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

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

Roy Leon Pierce, age 73, of Benton, passed away at 9:47 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Mr. Pierce’s wishes were to be cremated with public no services.

Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Roy was born on October 26, 1942 in Franklin County, IL, the son of John Pierce and Gladys (Wingo) Pierce. He married the former Dorothy Ann Mott on April 23, 2015 and she survives.

Roy was retired from Coal Mine Construction. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War. He was a member of the V.F.W. Sesser Cox Post #4753 in Sesser.

He enjoyed rabbit hunting, fishing, talking to his friends on the phone, going to auction sales, and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Roy is survived by his wife Dorothy Ann Pierce of Benton; a daughter: Christy Lynn Savell and husband Charlie of Pinola, MS; four step-children: Mary Kaye Stevens and husband Kevin of Hurley, MS, Arlene Oliver and husband W.D. of Hurley, MS, Paul D. Casteel of Steeleville, IL, Darlene Beyer of Hurley, MS; thirteen grandchildren: Michael, Craig, Shawn, Brandon, Rodney, Lacinda, Amanda, Kenny, Kevin, John, Melissa, Stephanie and John; several great-grandchildren; four sisters: Modena Edwards and husband Jack of Johnston City, IL, Neoma Huffman and husband Don of Meridian, MS, Linda Duckworth of Scheller, IL, and Janet McQueen of Marion, IL; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son: Tracy Pierce; and a sister: Betty Loman.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Roy, visit www.lpfuneral home.com

Kenneth L. Clark, 81, of Sesser, IL passed away January 21, 2016 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Anna, IL.

Kenneth was born on September 12, 1934 in Sesser, the son of Frank Clark and Margaret (Basso) Clark.

He was a retired coal miner at Freeman 3 Mine and a member of the UMWA and the Sesser VFW. He served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.

He married Mary Ellen (Cockrum) Clark on July 28, 1954 and she preceded him in death on September 1, 2006.

Kenneth is survived by his children, Teresa and Don Studt, of Evansville, IN, Debi Bradley, of Sesser, Tammy and Nathan Colvin, of Sesser and David Clark, of Sesser; grandchildren Shawn and Rosanna Dover, of West Frankfort, Il, Kevin Dover, of Indianapolis, IN, Carissa and Kurt Stagner, of Sesser, David Clark II and special friend Nikki Ramey, of Sesser and Brittany and Jason Chapman, of Christopher, IL; great-grandchildren Meghan Clark, Evan Lay, Conner Dover, Morgan Stagner, Kensington Stagner, Marley Clark, Landon Chapman and Aleea Chapman; one sister, Carolyn Atchison, of Sesser. He was preceded in death by his paretns, wife and one brother Jerell Clark.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 25, 2016 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating.. Visitation will on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at the funeral home from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sesser VFW and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Joseph Lawrence Bodeck Jr., 72, of Christopher, IL passed away January 18, 2016 at his home.

He was born Nov. 29, 1943 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Joseph Bodeck and Amelia (Rudnicki) Bodeck.

Mr. Bodeck was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and worked for many years as a photographer for Olan Mills.

He is survived by his children, Daniel Bodeck, Jasper, GA, James and Alicia Bodeck, Lithia, FL; grandson Kyle Bodeck, granddaughter Allie Bodeck. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Joseph Bodeck.

Mr. Bodeck’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.

Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Beulah Mae (Lipe) Buntin, 93, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 23 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton. Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity.