Virginia “Ginny” Lee (Turner) Miller, 81, of Christopher, IL passed away September 2, 2015 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, IL.

Virginia was born May 29, 1934 in Du Quoin, IL, the daughter of Mary Delene Turner.

She married Phillip Dale Miller on June 19, 1981 and he survives of Christopher.

She worked as a cashier at Big John’s in Benton.

Virginia is survived by her husband, her chilcren Dan Head, of Parker, AZ, DeDe and John Boker, of Christopher, Mary Delene and Jeff Bagwell, of Zeigler, IL, Ginny Head, of Christopher and Deidre Meadows, of Herrin, IL; grandchildren Daniel Head Jr, Johnny Boker, Megan Rhodes, Hope Boker, Renee Delene Bagwell, Andy Bagwell, Ruthanne Bagwell, Steven Head, Cassie Meadows, Jacob Meadows, Bethany Meadows; great-grandchildren River Head, Rayne Head, Cody Boker, Alex Boker, Ben Boker, Linsey Cole; great-great granddaughter Aylah Mae; special nieces and nephews Sherry, Bobbie, Johnnie, Kathy, Jackie and many great nieces and nephews along with her Big John’s family.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Delene Turner, special uncle Ted Quinn, mother-in-law Helen Martin, cousin Oravle Mygatt, granddaughter Heather Danell Head and dear friend Alene Guess.

A graveside funeral service will be on Saturday September 5, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Hammond Cemetery, in Sesser, IL. A eulogy will be given by Diane Crisp. Burial will be at Hammond Cemetery.

Friends and family are asked to meet at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

William Paul Uhles, 95, of Benton, passed away Monday, August 31, 2015 at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Anna, IL.

He was born in Rend City, IL on May 11, 1920, the son of James Marshall and Nancy Elizabeth (Piercey) Uhles.

He married Virginia Jane Shaw on June 25, 1941 and she preceded him in death on September 19, 1995.

Mr. Uhles was a World War II veteran and served in the Army Air Corps.

He was a member of Collinsville Masonic Lodge. He retired from A. O. Smith after almost 30 years. He then moved to the old home place in 1980. He was cemetery supervisor at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton for 12 years.

Mr. Uhles is survived by five children, Larry Paul Uhles and wife Judy, of St. Louis, MO, Dennis Richard Uhles and wife Barbara, of Ava, MO, Janet Suzanne Hoge and husband Danny, of St. Jacob, IL, Jo Ellen Bauer and husband Dave, of Benton, IL and Jane Ann Lantrip and husband Mike, of Farmington, MO. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and one sister, Marjorie Lamastus, of Benton.

Mr. Uhles was preceded in death by his parents, wife, by a son Charles Keith Uhles, two sisters, Alyne Midyett and Irene Browning and by two half-brothers, Elmer and Roy.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial with military honors by the Benton American Legion and VFW will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Anna and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

Thompsonville, IL —  John S. Minier, 67, of Thompsonville, died Sunday, August 16, 2015 at his home.

Graveside Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2015 in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. There will be no public visitation. Per John’s request family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery.

Services are under the direction of the Leffler – Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

John was born on January 1, 1948 in Christopher, IL, the son of Robert V. “Pete” Minier and Blanche Mildred (Rice) Minier. He married the former Carla Wisely and she preceded him in death.

John was a truck driver and a farmer. He enjoyed being outdoors, and was an avid reader.

He received his bachelor’s degree from SIU in agriculture, and was a member of the B.P.O.E. 1234 in Benton.

Survivors include his two sons: Chad Minier and wife Jennifer of Waterloo, IL, Ryan Minier of Thompsonville; three grandchildren: Evan Minier and Ella Minier of Waterloo, Halle Minier of Benton; a brother Phillip Minier and wife Amy of Benton; two sisters: Donna Triyonis of Springfield, IL, Debbie Moehn and husband Mike of Mt. Vernon, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Minier was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Larry Joe Roberts, 58, of Sesser, IL passed away August 30, 2015 at his home in Sesser, IL.

Larry was born November 24, 1956 in Benton, IL the son of Larry Roberts and JoAnn (Broughton) and Bobby Gene Beaver, of Sesser.

He is survived by his mother JoAnn Beavers, a second mother Jo Ann Newcomb and Ben Haack, of Ozark, MO; brothers and sisters Steve and Jill Beaver, Christopher, Deanna and Allen Loss, Benton, IL, Renne Brock, Benton, IL; special aunt Carolyn Carter, Benton, IL and special caregivers Shawn Jame and Kim Lingle.

Special thanks to Centerstone (formerly Franklin-Williamson County Workshop) and to Francis Presswood, Larry’s longtime teacher, and to anyone who has been a part of Larry Joe’s life, and to Celtic Hospice

He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by Larry Roberts and Bobby Gene Beaver.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Brayfield Giblert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wedneday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Mitchell Cemetery, in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Centerstone VNR Client Activity Fund, 902 West Main West Frankfort, IL 62896

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

Herbert Ray Benedict, 82, passed peacefully in his sleep at his home, in Sesser, Illinois, on the morning of August 27, 2015.

A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral in Sesser, Illinois with the Rev. Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Interment at Paradise Cemetery will immediately following the service.

Herb was born to parents Samuel Clyde and Mamie Lemmon Benedict on August 12, 1933.

On November 17, 1950, he married the love of his life, Ceola Goforth, in Osceola, Arkansas. He then began a long career in the coal mines. In his spare time, he raised and enjoyed horses, shared his tremendous love with his children and grandchildren, and always offered a helping hand to anyone in need.

After 42 years in the coal industry, he retired from Amax Coal Company in 1993. After retirement, he and Ceola traveled the United States in their motor home. Then eventually spent every winter in Brownsville, Texas. However, he always came home in the spring to be with his family – for him, six months was long enough without them.

Herb is survived by his loving wife Ceola, two sons and a daughter; Rick Benedict and wife Sharon, Kenny Benedict and wife Rebecca, and Carolyn Davis and husband Wayne. Grandchildren; Ricky Benedict, Tim Benedict, Veronica Tripp, Joanna Miller, Emily Fitzpatrick, Chelsea Zettler, Chloe Benedict, Caleb Davis and their families including 14 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

Sandy Neal, 74, of Whittington, IL passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2015.

She was born in Steel City, IL on April 14, 1941, the daughter of John A. Logan and Opal (McCarty) Crisp.

She married Melvin Neal on September 26, 1958 and he survives.

Sandy’s top priority in life was spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandson. Sandy worked for Wal-Mart for 18 years and retired from managing the snack bar there. She was a wonderful wife, mom and homemaker.

Sandy is survived by her husband Melvin Neal, of Whittington, two daughters Beth Roberts and husband Jeff, of Whittington and Sherry Richardson and husband Stephen, of Benton; three grandchildren Jason Richardson and wife Katie, of Thompsonville, IL, Brittany Richardson, of Memphis, TN and Ethan Roberts, of Peoria; one great-grandson, Brody Neal Richardson, of Christopher, IL, one brother, Donald Crisp, of Benton, two sisters, Martha Carlton, of Benton and June Gaskey, of Hammond, IN.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by eight brothers and sisters, Clarence, Ray, John Robert, Wanda, Katherine, Roger, Keith and Joan.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Gary West officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2015 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery, in Whittington.

Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Lou Arondelli, 83, of Christopher, IL passed away August 17, 2015 at Lavender Ridge, in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Mary Lou was born September 25, 1931 in Christopher, the daughter of John Walker Proctor and Jennie (Short) Proctor.

She was a registered nurse and was a member of First Christian Church, in Christopher.

She married Robert “Bob” Arondelli on October 26, 1952 and he preceded her in death on January 8, 2010.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Susan and Tob Raben, Christopher, Sandy Jones, Christopher and Bob and Christie Arondelli, of Mulkeytown, IL; grandchildren Ricky and Kim Rowland, Tara Sales, Erin and Erik Moss, Bobby and Jamie Arondelli, Amanda Arondelli, McKenzie Arondelli, Heather Vercellino, Brooke Vercellino, Tiff and Jake Morhet, Todd Jones and Eric and Lisa Jones. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher with the Rev. Dan Ison officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser, IL.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to SSM Good Samaritan Hospice or to the First Christian Church in Christopher and will be accepted at the funeral home

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

THOMPSONVILLE — John S. Minier, 67, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at his home.

Mr. Minier’s wishes were to be cremated. Graveside funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, in Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.

Leffler-Poulson Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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

Marty McChesney, age 70, of West City, passed away at 1:50 a.m. Saturday, August 15, 2015 at her home.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at the Brady Cemetery, Akin, with Bro. Joe Zbinden officiating. There will be no visitation. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Arrangements are through the Leffler-Poulson Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. McChesney was born on July 15, 1945 in McLeansboro, Illinois, the daughter of Roy Daniel Smith and Emma (Callahan) Smith. She married Lyndell McChesney and he preceded her in death.

Marty worked as a dispatcher and secretary from 1979 – 2008 with the West City Police Department. She was an avid reader, and best known for reading entire books in one day. She enjoyed and was proud to have completed computer classes, having attended secretary school and receiving a degree in bookkeeping.

Mrs. McChesney was a member of the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include her son Mark McIntosh of West City; a daughter Edie McChesney Pennell of Buckner; a granddaughter Tamara McIntosh of West City; a great-granddaughter Hailey McIntosh of West City; caretaker and special friend Beverly Miller of Benton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers: General Callahan and Charles Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance for School Supplies.

The family would like to say ‘Thank You’ to Hospice of Southern Illinois, for all of their care and compassion.

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