Ted Grenco, 78, of Benton, passed away Monday morning, June 9, 2014 in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at First Baptist Church in Benton, with the Rev. Bill Carter officiating.

Entombment will be at a later date at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Benton or to the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

Dennis James Stewart, 57, of Du Quoin, IL, passed away at 4:07 a.m. on June 9, 2014 at Marshall Browning Hospital, in Du Quoin, IL.

Dennis was born May 30, 1957 in Lorain, OH, to Lorain, OH to Carol Kennedy, of Louisville, KY.  His parents were Jim and Ann (McDowell) Stewart and they preceded him in death.

He was married to Kathy (Fred) Stewart of Du Quoin and she survives.  In addition he is survived by one son, Robert Brown, of Du Quoin and one brother, Matt Stewart, of Louisville, KY.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Dennis worked as a truck driver for PTI Trucking.

His wishes were to be cremated with no funeral service.  Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is in charge of arrangements.  For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

 

 

 

 

Gerald “Harry” Archie Alexander was born April 12, 1962 and passed away on June 9, 2014 at his home in Coello surrounded by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father James Arthur Alexander Sr. and his mother Frances (Oshier) Alexander, youngest brother Thomas Alexander, older sister Rita Davis, Nephew James Hinton, and sister-in-law Judy Alexander.

Left to carry on his memory wife Wilma Roberts and step children; Michelle Irvin and partner Dave and their children Sidney, Alex, Julien, Emilee and Devon, Johnny Baxter and his wife Courtney and their children John Mathew and Tyler Baxter, Wanda Baxter and partner Kevin and her children Nathan, Jacob, Fatima, and Della.  His sister Geneva Harmon and her children Joseph Alexander and Geneva Alexander and her two daughters Mackenzie and Katlynn.  Brother James Alexander Jr. and his two Sons Chris Shurtz and his wife and children and Kenny Shurtz.  Sister and brother-in-law Mary Denise and Randall Gobtop and their children Doug Suhr and his wife and children, Starr Alexander and her children Charles and James, Jawn Jewel Warren and her husband Dwaine Warren and their children Laura Suarez and husband Carlos Suarez and their sons Ronnie and Carlos, Brother John Alexander and partner Debbie Winemiller and his three sons Eric Powell and his wife and children, Thomas Alexander and his wife and children, Michael Alexander and his wife and children, and one niece Jenny Chin and her husband Richard and their children.  And many many loyal friends

Funeral services for Mr. Alexander will be on Friday June 13, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Pastor Doug Burkhamer officiating.  Burial will be at the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, IL.  Visitation will be on Thursday June 12, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

This battle I did not lose, I simply went home.

The family would like to thank Dr. Morthland and staff, Dr. Pinede and staff, Hospice of Southern Illinois, friends and community members who showed their ongoing support.

Always strong, caring, loyal, tough yet devoted and faithful.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Mary Alice Page, 57, of Ewing, passed away at 6:02 p.m. Thursday, June 5, 2014 at her home.

She was born on Feb. 15, 1957 in Benton, IL, the daughter of George and Kathlene (Winemiller) Kays.

She married Gary Page on September 19, 1992, and he survives.

In addition to her husband she is survived by a daughter, Abby Reiger and James Smith, of West Frankfort and a step-son, Josh Page and wife Joni, of Ewing.  She is also survived by four grandchildren, Brett Reiger, Mathew Reiger, Morgan Reiger and Daegen Smith; a sister, Linda Roberts, of Ewing, nephew Chris Roberts and wife Toni, of Ewing, great nephew, Lucas Roberts, great niece McKinley Roberts, sister-in-law Linda Volz and husband Steve, of Benton, mother-in-law Maxine Page, of Benton and nieces and nephews Mike, Stacey and Tristan Stricklin and Josh, Jennifer and Logan Carlton.

Mrs. Page was preceded in death by her parents, by a sister, Brenda Roberts and by her father-in-law, Bill Page.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 8 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Bob Pankey officiating.  Burial will be at Phillips Cemetery in Ewing.  Visitation will be after 1 p.m. Sunday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Virginia Payne Melvin, 87, of Buckner, passed away June 3, 2014 at Burgin Manor, in Olney.

She was born January 8, 1926 in Asherville, MO, the daughter of Wiley Kelley and Anna (Metcalfe) Kelley.

Virginia was a homemaker and she enjoyed sewing, quilting and crafts.

She married Max “Red” Payne and he preceded her in death on July 2, 1993.  Later she married Hillary Melvin and he preceded her in death on Oct. 3, 1998.

Virginia is survived by a daughter, Karen Payne Don Shipley, of Calhoun, IL; grandchildren, Amy and Joshua Chapman, of West Frankfort and Mark and Kim Hefner, of Buckner and great-grandchildren Mark, Anthony and Emily.  She is also survived by one brother, Dean Kelley and by a former son-in-law, Rick Hefner, of Buckner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands and two brothers, Charles Kelley and William Kelley.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Thursday, June 5, 2014 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.  Interment will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, in Valier.

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

 

 

 

 

Virginia Elizabeth (Betty) Hedges, 76, formerly of Ewing, passed away with her family at her side on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at her home in Missouri City, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Ewing Baptist Church, in Ewing, IL with her brother, Bill Hedges, officiating.  Burial will be in Thurmond Cemetery.  Visitation will be after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Memorials can be made to ASPCA or to Ewing Baptist Church.

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