Valier, IL — Ellen June Scaggs, age 88, of Valier, passed away at 4:40 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Franklin Hospital Emergency Room.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Whittington Church, with Revs. Mark Minor and Greg Shelton officiating. Visitation will be from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Whittington Church. Local arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Graveside Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the Murphy Cemetery in Piedmont, Missouri, with Ellen’s son, Lester White officiating. Graveside services are under the direction of the Ruegg Funeral Homes, Inc., of Piedmont, Missouri.

Mrs. Scaggs was born on May 10, 1927 in Rend City, IL, the daughter of Lester Van Buren Bailor and Lena (Beavers) Bailor. She would marry Carrol T. “Jim” Scaggs, and he preceded her in death on November 3, 1995.

Mrs. Scaggs working career included being a cook, a manager at Wendy’s restaurant, an assembly line worker at McDonnell – Douglas, having worked on Project Gemini.

She was a proud member of Whittington Church, where she was head of the Whittington Senior Meal program.

Mrs. Scaggs enjoyed mowing her lawn, birds, fishing, working with the Senior Meal Program at Whittington Church, and especially spending time with her family.

Ellen is survived by her four children: Lester “Skip” White and wife Leonda of Benton, Virginia Marler and husband Keith of Bonne Terre, MO, Judy Scaggs of Valier, Barry Scaggs of Piedmont, MO; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers: Lester Bailor & J.C. “Doc” Bailor; two sisters: Ramona Bailor & Patsy Keller; two daughters-in-law: Carolyn White & Becky White; and a nephew: Jimmy Neal Carpenter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Whittington Church, 200 West Main Street, Whittington, Illinois 62897.

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

Arrangements are with Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

James A. Alexander Jr., 61, of Ewing, IL passed away on April 13, 2016 at his home in Ewing, IL.

He was born on August 19, 1954 in New York, the son of James A. Alexander, Sr. and Frances (Oshier) Alexander.

He had worked at General Tire.

James married Judith Alexander and she preceded him in death on Dec. 1, 2009.

He is survived by his children, Christopher and Mandy Shurtz, of Buckner, IL and Kenneth and Anna Shurtz, of Houston, TX; grandchildren Jami Collier, Raeann Guner, Christopher Shurtz, Jr. and Kenneth Shurtz; great-granddaughter Jazzlynn Collier; two sisters, Geneva Harmon, of Ewing and Mary and Randall Gobtop, of McLeansboro, IL, two brothers John Alexander, of Ewing and Robert Eugene Alexander, of Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one sister Rita Davis and two brothers Gerald “Harry” Alexander and Thomas Gratton Alexander.

Graveside funeral services will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 12 noon at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

Mr. Alexander’s wishes were to be cremated. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, in Sesser, IL, is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

BENTON — James E. “Sonny” Swingle, 76, of Benton, IL, passed away Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at his home.

He was born in Benton on January 9, 1940, the son of James Edward and Mary Ellen (Roberts) Swingle.

He married Phyllis Easter Swingle on April 2, 1960, and she preceded him in death on Dec. 9, 2012.

Mr. Swingle was a member of the First Baptist Church of West City, IL. He loved gardening, fishing and woodworking.

Mr. Swingle is survived by his daughter, Monica Combs and husband Robert, of Benton; granddaughters Ashley Amber Hosick and husband Joshua, of Logan, IL, Brittany Todich and husband Matthew, of Benton and Rachel Combs, of Benton; sisters Rose Baudison, of Benton, Gloria Bruce, of Centralia, IL and Roberta Isaacs, of Carmi, IL; one brother, Benny Swingle, of Herrin, IL; great-grandchildren Hailey, Makayla and Noah Hosick and Zachary, Bailee, Sammy Jo and Rosalie Todich.

Mr. Swingle was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a sister, Alice and a brother, Tommy.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with the Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home after 12 noon Sunday until the time of the service. Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Benton, IL — Myrna Kay Owens, age 72, of Benton, passed away at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center of Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Roger Webb officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Thursday until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m.

Myrna was born on June 29, 1943 in Benton the daughter of E.W. Simmons and Opal Gray (Douglass) Simmons. She married Michael Owens on November 23, 1963, and he survives.

Myrna was a legal secretary having worked for the Franklin County States Attorney’s office until her retirement.

She was a former member of the Benton Professional Women’s Club, a member of the Boneyard Boccie Ball Club, and was of the Methodist faith.

Myrna enjoyed bowling, crocheting, knitting, playing board games, and solving crossword puzzles. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, and especially spending time with her grandchildren and attending their baseball games.

Mrs. Owens is survived by her husband of 53 years Michael Owens of Benton; two sons: Doug Owens and wife Melissa of Sherman, IL, Steve Owens and wife Beth of Benton; five grandchildren: Mitchell Owens and Jared Owens, both of Sherman, IL, Josh Owens, Sam Owens, and Amelia Owens, all of Benton; a sister Joy Severs and husband James of Burlison, TN; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters: Lynda Crowell and Mary Nell Dunham.

Memorial contributions may be made to the SSM Hospice of the Good Samaritan, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Harold Kniffen, 84, of Ewing, IL, passed away Monday, April 11, 2016 at SSM Health Good Samaritan, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Harold was born on Sept. 20, 1931, in Spring Garden, IL, the son of Ray and Mary Ellen “Shorty” (Friar) Kniffen.

He married Delena (Harmon) and she preceded him in death on June 3, 2002.

Harold was a former mayor of Ewing. He owned and operated the Ewing Garage. He was a Mason and had served as Past Master and was very active in the lodge. He was also very active as a Shriner. His passions were antique cars and steam engines.

He is survived by his son, James Kniffen, of Merrionette Park, IL; grandchildren Stacy Paguet and husband John, of LaGrange, IL, Kelly Kniffen, of Chicago; great-grandchildren Owen James Paguet and Cameron John Paguet; brother Nick Kniffen. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Delena Kniffen; daughters Sharon Kay Kniffen and Sandra Fay Kniffen; son Ralph Edward Kniffen; one sister Thelma.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Johnston Funeral Home, in Ina, IL, with the Rev. Mike Kniffen and the Rev. Michael Lee Kniffen officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2016 at Johnston Funeral Home. Burial will be in Hams Grove Cemetery, in Belle Rive, IL.

Masonic rites will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Arthur Ford Baker, 85, of Benton, IL, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Good Samaritan Hospital, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Mr. Baker was born on April 6, 1931 in Champaign, IL, the son of Arthur G. and Louane (Ford) Baker. He married Suzanne George in 1958 and she survives.

He was a Korean War veteran, a member of the First Christian Church, in Benton, for more than 70 years where he was a Deacon Emeritus. He was a graduate of University of Illinois and was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He loved hunting and fishing.

Mr. Baker is survived by his wife Suzanne, of Benton, daughter Allison Myers and husband Rick of Metropolis, IL, son Dale Baker and wife Janetta, of Maryville, TN; sister Meridy Gillespie and husband David, of Chatham, IL; nephews Dan Aiken, Joel Aiken and Andrew Gillespie, nieces Paula Fuller and Kristin Mapes. Mr. Baker was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Fellowship Center Building Fund at First Christian Church, 302 South Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Arthur “Duke” Henry Duchene, 78, of Mulkeytown, IL, passed away April 10, 2016 at Herrin Hospital.

He was born August 19, 1937 in Mulkeytown, the son of Emile Duchene and Marie (Hubbard) Duchene.

He married Joyce Kay (Knight) on April 6, 2002 and she survives of Mulkeytown.

Mr. Duchene was a coal miner and worked at Orient 6. He was an Army veteran and served during the Vietnam era.

Mr. Duchene was a member of the UMWA and the American Legion in Christopher. He was an avid NASCAR fan and also liked to hunt and fish.

He is survived by his children, Ron and Lisa Williams, of Benton, IL, Rhonda Bush, of West Frankfort, IL, Lisa and Tony Rodriguez, of West Frankfort, IL and Stephen and Brittany Chirch, of Benton, IL; grandchildren Melissa Wade, of West Frankfort, Justin Williams, of West Frankfort, Morgan Williams, of Johnston City, IL, Branden Eubanks, of Benton, IL, Nathan Malec, of West Frankfort, IL, Tricia Malec, of West Frankfort, IL, Amanda Owens of West Frankfort, IL, Tasha Dirks of West Frankfort, IL, Brandi Bowling of West Frankfort, IL, Chelsea Williams of West Frankfort, IL, Layla Chirch of West Frankfort, IL, Phillip Parker Chirch of West Frankfort, IL.  He is also survived by several great-grandchildren and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and one son-in-law Kevin Bush.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher, IL with Brother Harol Whitlock officiating. Visitation will be on from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the funeral home.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com