Gordon Lewis Higginson, age 82, of Benton IL, passed away at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Helia Healthcare of Benton.

Mr. Higginson was born on November 4, 1934 in Wabash County, Illinois, the son of Leo Higginson and Caradena (Stadler) Higginson. He married the former Janet Bruce on April 24, 1953, and she survives.

He formerly worked for Ashland Valvoline Oil Company for 36 years until his retirement. He was a 52 year member of Pond River Masonic Lodge #244 in Greenville, KY. And he was a member of First Baptist Church of Thompsonville.

Gordon enjoyed quarter horses and trucks. He was known for his ability to fix anything and help anyone that asked.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Janet Higginson of Benton; three children: Stephanie Hobbs and husband Russell of Christopher, Bruce Higginson and wife Theresa of Benton, Beth Moore and husband John of Benton; four grandchildren: Jason Hobbs and wife Tiffanie, Kyle Hobbs, Shelby Biggs and husband Aaron, Taylor Moore; two great-grandchildren: Carson Hobbs and Tinley Hobbs; three sisters: Letha Michels, Lois Helm both of Mt. Carmel, IL, Dolores Elliot of Olney, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Donald Higginson and Bernard Higginson, and a sister Phyllis Hayes.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 28, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Rod Joplin officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Masonic Rites will be observed at 2:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Christopher Louis Coniglio, age 29, of Mulkeytown IL, passed away at 9:36 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017 at his home.

Christopher was born on May 20, 1987 in Pontiac, IL, the son of Gregg Allen Steimle and Christine Louise Coniglio.

Mr. Coniglio was a 2005 graduate of Murphysboro High School, and was employed in the Service and Tire Department at Carbondale Wal-Mart.

His family said, “He was the best father in the entire world. He was so very attentive and loving when it came to his children, and he always put his family first”. He was gifted with musical talents and enjoyed playing the guitar, drums, and saxophone. He was also skilled at carpentry, and enjoyed camping, fishing, gun safety, and video gameplay during his free time. He was a great person to have as a friend, and very compassionate and understanding to people from all walks of life.

Christopher is survived by his loving mother Christine Coniglio of Mulkeytown; his future-wife-to-be and mother of his two beautiful children, Rebeccah Vogt of Mulkeytown; his two children who were his world, Emily and Atticus Coniglio; two brothers: Matthew Kupcikevicius and wife Miranda of Mulkeytown, Nickolas Kupcikevicius of Joliet, IL; grandparents: Greg and Diana Steimle of Pontiac, IL, Kathy Coniglio of Hickory, NC, Frank “Chico” Coniglio and wife Teresa of Carbondale; step-grandparents: Kazys “Kup” Kupcikevicius and wife Jeanne of Bradley, IL; six aunts: Terry and Connie Coniglio, Dawn Wolfe, Rachel Francis, Krystal Coniglio-Sanders, Florence Caraway; uncle Andy Steimle; and nephew Joshua Kupcikevicius.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Rick Jackson officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Friends and family are welcome to gather after the services at the Greenwood United Methodist Church, outside of Christopher.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Christopher Louis Coniglio, and will be accepted at the funeral home or through the GoFundMe account set up in Christopher’s name: https://www.gofundme.com/hu42pp-funeral-expenses

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

 

 

 

Dorris B. Hart, 89, of Benton IL, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017 in Mt. Vernon.

She was bron in West Frankfort, IL on March 30, 1928, the daughter of Howard Kenneth & Marie (Dorris) Burkett.

She married William W. Hart, Jr. in 1947, and he preceded her in death on January 2, 1996.

Mrs. Hart was a longtime member of the First Christian Church, and a longtime member of the Franklin Hospital Auxiliary.

She is survived by several Nieces & Nephews.

Mrs. Hart was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband & by 1 Brother-Kenneth H. Burkett.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Monday, May 15th at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. There will be No Visitation. Those attending the service on Monday are requested to meet at the cemetery.

The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.

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

Alma Brown, 87, of Sesser IL,  passed away on Wednesday May 10, 2017 at Lavender Ridge in Mt Vernon.

She was born on July 13, 1929 in Franklin County, IL to Joe and Myrta (Nowland) Newbury.  She married Delbert Brown on August 11, 1948 and he preceded her in death on November 9, 2014.

Survivors include her children Linda (Terry) Miller of Sesser and Darrell (Charlotte) Brown of Sesser; 3 grandchildren Rich (Selena) Miller, Angela (John) Furlow, and Guy Brown; 3 great grandchildren Grady Furlow, Stella Furlow, and Cole Furlow; one step-great granddaughter Danielle Stroud; one sister Aline Root of Mt Vernon; and one brother Walter (Wanda) Newbury of Sesser. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

She was a member of the Sesser First Baptist Church. She had a passion for quilting, making porcelain dolls, doll clothing and many other crafts.  She had worked as a cook for Sesser Schools, worked at the sewing factory in DuQuoin, and retired from The Bank of Sesser in 1990.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters Mildred Bauman and Anita Martin, and two brothers Joe Frank Newbury and Tom Newbury.

Funeral services will be on Saturday May 13, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Burial will be in Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser.  Visitation will be on Saturday May 13, 2017 from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Horse Prairie Cemetery fund or the Carmi Baptist Children’s Home and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Beverly A. Howell, 72, of West City IL, passed away Monday morning, May 8, 2017 at her home.

She was born in West City, IL on December 4, 1944, the daughter of Clarence Eugene & Audrey (Bigham) Lindsey.

Mrs. Howell is survived by her seven children, Pamela Donelson and husband Robert of Creal Springs, Glenn Carmon and wife Melanie of Pascagoula, MS, JoLisa Carmon of West Frankfort, Terry Flener of West Frankfort, Brian Bearden and wife Lora of West Frankfor, Jeff Bearden and wife Loretta of Benton, Marcella Akin of Benton, and several

 

She is survived by her four siblings, Elva Hungate and husband Kenneth of Benton, Jimmy Lindsey and wife Glenda of West Frankfort, Keith Lindsey and wife Becky of Royalton, and Brad Lindsey and wife Tammy of Royalton

She was preceded in death by her Parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 12th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor John Neace officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. on Friday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

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

Jackie Roger Dale Walters, Sr., age 52, of West Frankfort, IL and formerly of Benton, passed away at 1:35 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Roger’s wishes were to be cremated with no memorial services.

Jackie Roger Dale Walters was born on April 1, 1965 in Benton, IL the son of Denzil J. Walters and Dorris (Graves) Walters.

Surviving are his three children: Roger Walters, Jr. and wife RaeAnne of West Frankfort, Misty Walters of West Frankfort, and Dustin Walters of West Frankfort; six grandchildren: Logan Michael Walters, Hayden Cole Walters, Noah Walters, Andrew Walters, Justin Walters, Kelsey Walters; three brothers: Brian Walters and wife Karen of Marion, IL, Terry Walters and wife Laura of West Frankfort, Mike Walters and wife Ginger of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Gary Strickland, Denzil J. “Pud” Walters, four grandchildren: Camron Daein Walters, and triplets Brooklyn Jade Walters, Brayden Dean Walters, Braxton Kylie Walters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Jackie Roger Dale Walters, Sr.; payments may be made to the “Go Fund Me” account set up on Facebook, or directly to the Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.