Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
Dixie Louise Morrison McGinty, 79, of West Frankfort, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2015.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 21 at 11 a.m. at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mike Cash officiating. Burial will be in Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort . Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Dixie’s Benevolence Fund.
Kevin Lynn Biddle, 49, of Logan, passed away January 16, 2015 at his home.
He was born in Lawrenceville, IL on July 11, 1965, the son of Lester Biddle, Jr and Lena (Sanders).
Mr. Biddle was an over-the-road truck driver and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed working on his car and backhoe and camping. Mr. Biddle was a member of the Benton American Legion, the Benton Eagles and the McLeansboro Eagles.
Mr. Biddle is survived his four children, Heather Myers and husband Ryan of Whittington, IL, Lindsay Thomas and husband Jake, of Hopkinsville, KY, Kaitlyn Biddle, Logan, IL and Michael Sullivan and wife Regina, of Benton; two grandchildren, Lucas and Layla Myers; mother Lena Sanders, of Logan; brother L.W. Biddle and wife Michele, of Thompsonville, IL; sister Sarah Williams, of Logan, IL. Mr. Biddle is also survived by several nieces and nephews and his truck-driving companion, his dog “Sofe.”
Mr. Biddle was preceded in death by his father.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Brad Ryan and the Rev. Derrick Cairel officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, January 19, 2015 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.
BENTON — Margaret L. Piercy, 85, of Benton, died Thursday afternoon Jan. 8, 2015, in Franklin County Hospital.
She was born May 18, 1929, in Thompsonville.
She married Roy Piercy Sr., on Aug. 10, 1948, in Kentucky, and he preceded her in death Sept. 5, 2001.
Mrs. Piercy attended the New Life Church of God in Benton.
Mrs. Piercy is survived by seven children, Roberta Barnfield and husband, Gene of Benton, Russell Piercy and wife, Sharon, of Sikeston, Missouri, Randy Piercy and wife, Margaret, of Soperton, Georgia, Dennis Piercy and wife, Diane, of Marion, Les Piercy and wife, Barb, of Marion, Gary Piercy and wife, Dianna, of Benton, and Pam Barwick and husband, John, of Marion; grandchildren, Michelle Shurtz and fiancé, Scott Peavler, Cindy Schmechel, Kenny and Brandice Barnfield, Robin and David Reid, Wendy Piercy and Mike Boner, Amy and Jim Owens, Elizabeth Lane, Crystal and Robert Crews, Randall Piercy Jr., Sharlie Piercy, Melanie Downs, Nathan and Jessica Piercy, Vihn and Tracy Trann, B.J. and Lindsay Powell, Chris and Gena Blue, Thresa Piercy, Mike and Leslie Fitzpatrick, Randy and Kim Barnes, Garry Piercy Jr., Scott and Kim Piercy, Steve and Angie Piercy, John and Joni Barwick, Amber and Aaron Hoffman; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother, Bill Absher and wife, Dorie of Murphysboro; and sister, Phyllis Wilson and husband, Bob of West City.
Mrs. Piercy was preceded in death by her mother, Una Absher; her husband; a great-granddaughter, Brittani Shurtz; and by a great-grandson, Jacob. Boner.
Funeral services will be Sunday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, with Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday at the funeral home.
For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
Linda Flannigan, 76, of Mulkeytown, IL passed away January 6, 2015 at Du Quoin Nursing & Rehab Center.
Linda was born May 1, 1938 in Mulkeytown, IL, the daughter of Emmett “Dobber” Swisher and Verble (Hill) Swisher.
She married Raymond Flannigan on April, 6, 1957 and he survives in Mulkeytown.
Linda was a loving mother, military wife taking care of her family while her husband was gone to serve his country. She enjoyed her and Raymond’s world travels very much.
She worked as a medical transcriptionist, in Nashville, TN. She was a member of the Mulkeytown Christian Church.
Linda is survived by her children, David (Paula) Flannigan, McKinney, TX, Mark Flannigan, Mulkeytown and Tracy Flannigan, Mulkeytown; grandchildren, Shana Flannigan; great-grandchildren Avanna Hall and Dixie Hall; brothers and sisters, Charles “Dobber” (Judy) Swisher, Mulkeytown, Bob (Evelyn) Swisher, Coello, IL, Janice (Norm) Tilley, Du Quoin, Debbie (Jerry) Stanley, Mulkeytown. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services Friday, January 9, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mulkeytown Cemetery, in Mulkeytown.
In lieu of flowers donations can be to Mulkeytown Christian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Lorena L. Giacone, 93, of Christopher, IL, passed away Jan. 2, 2015 at Stonebridge Senior Living Center, in Benton, IL.
Lorena was born on July 31, 1921 in Christopher, the daughter of Louis Eure and Josephine (Giacomo) Eure.
Lorena was a homemaker and a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher and a former member of St. Andrews Alter Society.
She was married to Burt Kirchner, who preceded her in death and later married Louie Giacone, who also preceded her in death.
She is survived by a daughter, Joyce Lewis, Christopher, IL and two step-children, Robert Fabris, Christopher and Barry Giacone, Sesser, IL; grandchildren Trisha Eure, Christopher, Tiffany (Matt) Cripps, Peoria, Tracy (Duane) Thryselins, Christopher, Jeff Fabris, Christopher and Scott Fabris, Christopher; great-grandchildren Ellis and Brooke Akers and Damian and Rylie Cripps.
She was preceded in death by a son, Robert Kirchner, sister Margaret Mondoni and a brother, John Eure.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, in Christopher with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Saturday until 11:30 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Burial will be in Muller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL.
Gilbert Funeral Home, in Christopher is in charge of arrangements. For more information go to gilbertfuneralhomes.com
Roy Paul Porter, 88, of Waukee, Iowa and formerly of Christopher, IL, passed away on Dec. 27, 2014 at Village of the Legacy Point, in Waukee, Iowa.
Mr Porter was born on May 3, 1926 in Buckner, IL, the son of Russell Porter and Lillian (Heacox) Porter.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in World War II and the Korean War. Mr. Porter was 32nd Degree Mason and was a member of Marion Christian Church.
He married Betty J. (Rowland) on Nov. 8, 1946 and she preceded him in death on March 21, 2013.
Mr. Porter is survived by his children, Joyce Clingan, Urbandale, Iowa and Paula (Bruce) Leggett, Coeurd’Alene, Idaho; grandchildren, Melinda Davis, Angie and (Rusty) Lawler and Ryan Leggett; great-grandchildren Riley Lawler, Breckon Lawler, Maddox Lawler, Macy Davic, Bradley Leggett and Caleb Leggett.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2014 at Masonic & IOOF Cemetery, in Benton, IL. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice Care of Iowa by pone at 515-274-3400 or online.
Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher in in charge of arrangements. For more information visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com
CHRISTOPHER – Martha Marilyn Teel, 89, passed away Wednesday December 31, 2014 at the DuQuoin Nursing and Rehab Center.
She was born on Christmas Day in 1925 and lived in Franklin County area most of her life.
She is survived by four children Sherry (Larry) Bullock of DuQuoin, Forrest (Ann) Teel of Christopher, Winona Teel of Johnston City, and Taylor (Kim) Teel of Christopher. Seven Grandchildren Linaya Germann of Carbondale, Trevor Bullock of Herrin, Courtney Overturf of Royalton, Harrison Teel of Benton, and Mackenzie Teel, Shawn Teel, and Brianna Teel all of Christopher. She is survived by eight Great Grandchildren and one sister-in-law Edna Teel of Washington, IL.
Mrs. Teel was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 70 years Marvin Teel just six months ago. She was also preceded in death by her parents Opal and Ethel Flowers, one brother Norman Flowers, and two sisters Ruth Stritzel and Mary Boyd.
Mrs. Teel was a faithful member of the Greenwood United Methodist Church of rural Mulkeytown.
Although she worked outside the home at various times, her greatest passion was being a homemaker, wife and mother. One of her greatest interests was that of self-expression through painting and other forms of art. She had a special talent of making a painting or drawing come alive on paper and canvas. Her paintings are appreciated by many and treasured by her family.
Funeral services will be on Saturday January 3, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Greenwood United Methodist Church with pastor Dick Sullins officiating. Interment will be at the Ward Cemetery in Mulkeytown. Visitation will be on Saturday January 3, 2015 from Noon until the time of the service at 2:00 P.M. at the church.
Memorials can be to the Greenwood/Ward Cemetery or to the Greenwood United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the church.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com
CHRISTOPHER — Bill Hall, 80, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Bill was born March 6, 1934, in Kirbyton, Kentucky, to Burnett A. and Ora (Sims) Hall. He married Rhonda (Hendrickson) Hall on Nov. 7, 1957, and she survives.
Bill and Rhonda moved to here in 1964 to run Standard Oil Company. They then purchased it, changed the name to Hall Oil Company and were in business for 48 years.
Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Korean War.
He was a member of Shriners and a 32nd Degree Mason. He also was of Baptist faith.
He is survived by his children, Tim and Kim Hall of Buckner; grandchildren, Caleb Hall, Scotty Robinson and Ronna Robinson; great-grandchild, Kenne Robinson; sister, Martha Dejarnett of Bardwell, Kentucky; and nieces and nephews, Larry Dejarnett, Danny Dejarnett, Randy Dejarnett, Sandra Hill, Kay Hall VanAlshyn, Rod Hall, Scott Hall, Darla Hall Douglas, Rich Hall, Kenny Hall, Gerard Hall and Steve Hall.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Edwin & Eugene Hall.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday Jan. 2, in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan.1, at the funeral home.
For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
MULKEYTOWN — Terry Patchett, 78, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, at home.
Terry was born May 22, 1936, in Valier to Edmund and Lindy (Slaverio) Patchett. He was married to Mary Ennis (Snider) Patchett, and she preceded him in death May 6, 2011.
Terry was a coal miner at Zeigler 26 for 18 years.
Survivors include his children, Matt and Monaka Patchett of Mulkeytown, Mike and Mary Ann Patchett of Christopher and Beth Patchett and Micah Lewis of Eddyville; grandchildren, Andi Jo and Charlie Isom, David and Jin Patchett, Tiffanie and Dustin Young, Samantha and Levi Webb, Morgan Patchett and Gracie Fralick; great-grandchildren, Stephanie and Brandon Isom and Kase Michael Patchett; brother and sister-in-law, Marty and Saundry Patchett of Sesser; and special friends, Rudy and Jeanetta Roule.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
Funeral services will be at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities or Barnes Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home
For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
Mable LaDean Frost Picantine, 89, of Benton, passed away at her home on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014.
She was born in West Frankfort, IL on October 18, 1925, the daughter of Curtis and Lucy (Owens) Frost.
She married Lego “Beanie” Picantine on September 14, 1942 and he preceded her in death on June 14, 1999.
Mrs. Picantine was a homemaker.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of West City and was an active member of the Women’s Group at the church that often sang at area nursing homes and hospitals.
She is survived by one son, Ronald Willis and wife Barbie, of Benton and two daughters, Vivian Hammers and husband Leon, of Benton and Dee Mercer and husband Mike, of Herrin.
She was also the proud grandmother of Nikki and husband Mike Andrews, of Benton, Neil and wife Donna Cochrum, of Alabama, David and wife Pam Mercer, of Salem, Tracy and husband Todd Cornelius, of Herrin, Curt Willis, of Christopher, Tabby Martin, of Tennessee, Rob Willis and wife Tammy, of Du Quoin and Jeff Miller and wife Jessi, of Du Quoin. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends; a sister, Louise Koch, Herrin and a brother, Larry Frost, Benton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, by her loving husband, by a son, John R. Picantine, by two grandchildren, Kelsey Cochrum and Kyle Martin, by brothers, Reva Frost, Charles Frost, Paul Frost and Junior Frost and by sisters Pat Ingram and Wanda Newberry.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, 2014 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., to the First Baptist Church of West City or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
