Obituary – Ruth E. Allen – Benton

Ruth E. Allen, 80, of Benton, passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at her home.

She was born in Benton, IL on May 29, 1933, the daughter of Cecil and Evah (Summers) Allen.

She was retired from human relations with the State of Illinois.

Ms. Allen is survived by a brother, Howard Allen, of Benton and a niece, Karen Sarver and nephew, Evan Allen.  She is also survived by friends and caregivers Lisa and Joelle Keener, both of Benton.  Also surviving is her best friend since childhood, Francis Dahm, of Tennessee.  She was preceded in death by her parents, by a sister, Dorothy and by three brothers, Lorron, Lloyd and Richard.

At Ruth’s request graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at Jackson Grove Cemetery, east of Benton, with Brother Jim Saunders officiating.  There will be no visitation and those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ruth’s name may be made to the Benton Food Pantry.

Obituary – Mauris D. Kern – Thompsonville

THOMPSONVILLE — Mauris D. Kern, 94, passed away Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, in Franklin Hospital in Benton.

He was born Sept. 29, 1918, in Ewing in Hamilton County to Alvie Earl and Grace (Fullerton) Kern. He married Pearline (Crawford) Kern on June 28, 1941, in Herrin, and she preceded him in death.

Mr. Kern is survived by one daughter, Martha Sutherlin of Greencastle, Ind.; two sons, Dennis (Mary) Kern of Whittington and Delbert (Carol) Kern of Thompsonville; grandchildren, Tim (Debbie) Sutherlin and Tom (Tina) Sutherlin, both of Greencastle, Ind., Eric (Misty) Kern of Ewing, Chad (Judy) Kern of Ennis, Texas, and Travis (Ashley) Kern of Thompsonville; 14 great-grandchildren, Erin, Emily, Katie, Kristen, Scott, Sean and Summer Sutherlin, Kalin and Elizabeth Kern, Triston and Payton Estep, Nate Kern and Trevor and Owen Kern; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilma and Eugene Upchurch and Dorothy and Claude Simmons; brother and sister-in-law, Hershel and Jane Kern; grandson, Shane Sutherlin; and son-in-law, Morris Sutherlin.

Mr. Kern graduated from Benton High School. He was a lifelong farmer and lover of John Deere tractors.

He attended Palestine Baptist Church most all of his life. He taught Sunday school classes, was church treasurer and deacon for more than 50 years.

Mr. Kern served on Corinth Water District Board. He loved his Lord and his family.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at Morton &Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Larry House and the Rev. Jeff Pulliam officiating. Burial will be in Masonic-Odd Fellow Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the funeral home.

Obituary – Mae Cavinder Miller – Valier

Mae Cavinder Miller, 99, died August 5, 2013 at 2:38 am, at her home in Valier surrounded the final week of her life by her family.

Mae was born to Edgar Lilliard and Carrie Ruth (Burkhart) Cavinder February 3, 1914 in Valier, IL. She was married to John Learned Miller May 27, 1933. He preceded her in death on October 8, 1983.

Mae is survived by a daughter Jo Ann (Miller) Girten of Valier, IL., daughter-in-law Vicki (Winchester) Miller of Key Stone, South Dakota.

Also surviving are grandchildren, Donald K. & Lyndy Girten of Benton, IL., Kelly (Girten) & Jerry Bate of Valier, IL., Cord & Lisa Girten of Valier, IL., Drake & Tabitha Miller of Benton, IL., Clay & Janice Miller of Carterville, IL., and Brandi (Miller) & Dan Tackett of Rapid City, South Dakota. A nephew she helped raise, Rennie & Karen Clark of Christopher, IL.

Surviving great-grandchidren are Chase Girten of Sesser,IL., Niki (Girten) Loyd of Scheller, IL., Ryan & Krystal Girten of Valier, IL., Kirsten (Johnson) & Ryan Goodisky of Belle Rive, IL., Codey & Jackie Girten of New York City, NY., Kaci Girten of Valier, IL., Trevor & Cady Girten of Wellington, Fla., Blaine, Makennah, & Madeleine Miller of Benton, IL., Zachary Miller of Carterville, IL., & Nash Tackett of Rapid City, South Dakota. Step great-grand children Jerry & Sandra Bate of Zeigler, IL., & Branon “Buck” Bate of Zeigler.

Surviving great-great-grandchildren are Kelsey Bate of Valier, IL., Addison & Sumer Harmon & Ben Loyd of Scheller, IL., Alyssa Girten of Christopher, IL., Step great-great grandchildren Dylon Kelly of Sesser, IL., Cody, Mikayla, Landen, Bella, Riley, & Brody Bate of Zeigler.

Mae graduated from Valier Community High School 1933, was a member of the Valier United Methodist Church since 1935, Eastern Star in Valier and Sesser, and Mates & Dates Square Dance Club in Mt. Vernon, IL. She was a homemaker and worked in Miller Electric with her husband Johnnie.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceeded in death by her son John Keith “Skip” Miller, sisters Dorothy Jacoby and Blanche Clark, brothers Earl and Harl Eugene Cavinder & special friend Estil Forth.

Services wil be at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser on Wednesday August 7, 2013. Visition will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with services following with Rev. Zach Waldis officiating. Internment will be at Maple Hill Cemetary Sesser.

Memorials may be made to Valier United Methodist Church or SSM Hospice of Illinois 2 Good Samaritan Way, Suite 325, Mt Vernon, IL. 62864.  Any memorials will be accepted at the funeral home.

Obituary – Roscoe Ernest “Ernie” Payne – Thompsonville

Roscoe Ernest “Ernie” Payne, 90, of Thompsonville, passed away Friday, August 2, 2013 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Galen Dalton, minister, officiating.  Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Payne’s name may be made to the Franklin County 4-H.

Obituary – Christena Summers – Benton

Christena Summers, 98, of Benton passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Burton Wills officiating.  Burial will be in Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Obituary – Patsy Canada – West City

WEST CITY – Patsy Canada, 74, passed away at 12:06 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013, in Heartland Regional Medical Center.

She was born Dec. 31, 1938, in Parrish, the daughter of Mildred Crawford. She married Jack Canada on June 24, 1954, in Marion, and he survives.

Mrs. Canada was a homemaker. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.

She also was an excellent cook, and according to her son-in-law, Scott, she fixed the world’s greatest baked beans. She was “Mimi” to several children.

Survivors include her husband, Jack Canada of West City; four children, Debbie Canada, Keith Canada and David Canada, all of West City, and Sue McClearin and husband, Scott, of Benton; two grandchildren, Jamie Gray and husband, T.J., of West City and Russell Gulley of Benton; great-grandson, Chase, who was her pride and joy; and sister, Doris Stewart and husband, Arnold, of Beecher.

She was preceded in death by her mother; and granddaughter, Amanda Gulley.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, in Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor John Neace officiating. Burial will be in Masonic-Odd Fellow Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

For those who wish, memorials may be made in Mrs. Canada’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice .

Obituary – Belva Madelyn (Stoffel) Vercellino

Belva Madelyn (Stoffel) Vercellino passed away at her home in O’Fallon, Illinois on Wednesday July 24, 2013.  Madelyn was born on August 4, 1927 to Rothel and Belva (Uhls) Stoffel, the youngest of six children.  The Stoffel home was located in the Rend City Area.

vercShe attended Mt. Pleasant Grade School and Graduated from Valier High School with the class of 1945.  After graduation, she enrolled in Missouri Baptist School of nursing where she became a Registered Nurse.

She married Joseph Vercellino in Shreveport, LA, on November 25, 1948.  A son was born to this union, but died at birth.

Surviving are two brothers, Rothel Eugene Stoffel of O’Fallon, IL and James Calvin Stoffel of Benton, IL, and several nieces and nephews.  Preceding her in death in addition to her husband, son, and parents, were a brother William Howard Stoffel of Nashville, IL and two sisters Evadine Stoffel of Colorado Springs, Co and E. Lorene Stoffel of O’Fallon, IL.

Funeral Services will be on Saturday July 27, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with the Brother Mark Miller officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday July 26, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois 305 South Illinois Street Belleville, IL 62220-2159.

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

Obituary – George Brazitis – Christopher

CHRISTOPHER – George Brazitis, 58, died Sunday, July 14, 2013, at Franklin Hospital in Benton.

George was retired from the city of Christopher Street Department.

He was born Jan. 9, 1955, in Chicago, to George Brazitis Sr. and Sophie (Zalesky) Christenson of Christopher.

George is survived by his children, Christopher Brazitis of Marana, Ariz., and Carrie Jakusz-Amhenst of Junction Wis.; grandchildren, Elicia Benowski and McKenna Benowski; and brothers, Carey Brazitis of Lake Charles, La.

He was preceded in death by his father.

George wishes were to be cremated with no public services.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

For more information, visit www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Obituary – Tina Louise Cockrum – Christopher

Tina Louise Cockrum, 48, of Christopher, passed away July 11, 2013 at her home.

She worked as a CNA and sold Avon and was a member of the Sesser Church of God.

Tina was born March 31, 1965 to Noble Lee Cockrum and Ellen (Graves) Cockrum.  She was preceded in death by her father and her mother survives.

Also surviving is a sister, Connie and John Halliday, Carterville, IL, and two nieces Kelli and Makenzie Halliday and several aunts, uncles and cousins.  Tina is also survived by her dog Mickey.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2013 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  Visitation will be on Sunday, July 14, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Horse Prairie Cemetery in Sesser, IL.

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

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

Obituary – Roy D. Barnhart – Buckner

BUCKNER – Roy D. Barnhart, 62, died Thursday, July 11, 2013, in St. Louis University Hospital.

Roy was a truck driver by occupation and served in the U.S. Marines.

He was born Aug. 18, 1950 to James Joseph Barnhart and Marion (Coan) Coleman. His parents preceded him in death.

He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Otis Coleman.

He was married to Sue (Butterfield) Barnhart and she survives of Buckner.

Other survivors include children, Justin Barnhart of Buckner, Tammy Miller of Buckner, Eric Barnhart of Oglesby, Jody Barnhart of Ina, and Roy Dale Barnhart Jr. of Buckner; 11 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, James Barnhart of Valier, Tony Barnhart of Pittsburg, Tina Claahan of LaSalle, Kelly Coleman of Valier, Shawn Coleman of LaSalle, Holly McLaughlin of LaSalle, and Sherry Hill Pheonix, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Daniel Barnhart.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at Valier First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Frank Senter officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher is in charge of arrangements.

For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News