Camella Marie Crandall, age 79, of Benton, IL, passed away at 8:38 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital of Mt. Vernon, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Marty & Joyce Huff officiating, with burial to follow in the Alto Pass Cemetery of Alto Pass, IL. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home.

Mrs. Crandall was born on May 3, 1945, in Michigan City, Indiana, the daughter of John Henry Woodrick and Inez Fay (Ackley) Woodrick.

She was a graduate of Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, having attained a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She also was a nurse for forty plus years.

Cammie enjoyed spending time with her grandkids. She also enjoyed spending time outdoors in the fresh air. She enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas with her brother. Cammie also loved the ocean and spending time at the beach. She enjoyed being with her family.

Cammie used to volunteer serving food at a homeless shelter.

Surviving are her two children: Celeste Marc and husband Mitchell of St. Charles, IL, Paul Milk and significant other Tammy Watson of Cape Coral, FL; five grandchildren: Nick Marc, Lauren Marc and Mitchell Marc, Morgan Milk and Mason Milk; a half-sister Tina L. Woodrick-Scurek of Michigan; two step-sisters: Belinda Motycka and Monica Knowles, both of Michigan; an ex-sister-in-law Jodi Milk of Kankakee, IL; and several cousins.

Mrs. Crandall was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands: Paul E. Milk and Leonard J. McWilliams; a brother John Calvin Woodrick; and a nephew John C. Woodrick, Jr.

The family prefers Memorial contributions be made in memory of Cammie, to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

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

Gloria Mae Phelps, 91, of West City passed away on Thursday evening July 4, 2024 at StoneBridge Senior Living Center in Benton.
She was born in West Frankfort, IL on January 31, 1933 the daughter of Emilo John & Nellie (Rainey) Bechelli.
She was married to John Phelps on August 13, 1955, and he passed away on December 5, 1995.

Mrs. Phelps was a Registered Nurse (RN) and worked for the state of Illionis.

Mrs. Phelps is survived by her:
2 Daughters:
Jo Sweet & husband John of Christopher
Terri West & husband Curt of West Frankfort
2 Daughter-in-laws:
Linda Phelps
Kim Phelps

Grandchildren:
Christopher Phelps & wife Veronica
Holly Queen & husband Abijah
Stephanie Brace & husband Aaron
John David Sweet & wife Jennifer
Audra Ursini & husband Preston
Andrew West
Noah West
Nathan West
Trinity Phelps
Daniel Phelps
Great-Grandchildren:
Israel Queen
Elizabeth Brace
Isaac Queen
Christian Queen
Tilly Sweet
Porter Sweet
Triton Brace
Eli Ursini
1 Sister: Pat Thornburg

Mrs. Phelps was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, 3 Sons-Jon D., Mark A., & Erik D. and 1 Brother-Fred Bechelli.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 20th at the Tower Heights Cemetery with Abijah Queen officiating. Burial will follow. There will be No Visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.
“We cannot do great things. Only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Martin Joe Kathalynas, II, age 34, of Benton, IL, passed away at his home on Monday, July 8, 2024.

Marty was born on October 18, 1989, in Herrin, IL; the son of Martin Joe Kathalynas and Crystal (Ferketich) Kathalynas.

He was a Benton Consolidated High School Graduate of 2008.

Marty worked as a Sequencing Manager at Continental Tire of Mt. Vernon, IL. He was also a member of Rend Lake Masonic Lodge #64 A.F. & A.M. of Sesser, IL.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad and his grandpa. He and his daughter enjoyed cooking together. He also enjoyed operating heavy equipment.

Surviving is his loving daughter Raelyn Kathalynas of Benton, IL; his loving parents Cris Doxsie and husband Jeff of Benton, IL, Martin Joe Kathalynas and wife Rhonda of Benton, IL; a sister Nichole Conaway of Canton, TX; step siblings: Steven Frey of Indianapolis, IN, Brittney Doxsie of Marion, IL; maternal grandmother Lillian Ferketich of West Frankfort, IL, paternal step-grandmother Linda White of West Frankfort, IL; Raelyn’s mother Rachel Smith of Christopher, IL; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Sue and Gene Kathalynas; maternal grandfather John Ferketich; paternal step-grandfather Royce White; and a sister Felicia Doll.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bill Hottensen officiating, with burial to follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, IL. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Leffler Funeral Home. Masonic Rites will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, prior to the funeral.

The family prefers. Memorial contributions be made in memory of Marty, to the STL Cure Sarcoma, P.O. Box 1703, Benton, IL 62812, stlcuresarcoma.org, and will be accepted at the Leffler Funeral Home.

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

Kathy Jean (Yadloski) Ahrendt, 64, of Goreville, passed away on Monday July 8, 2024 at her home.

She was born on September 24, 1959 in Christopher to William “Bill” and Doris (Hargraves) Yadloski. She married Chris Ahrendt and he survives of Goreville.

She is also survived by her children Zach Haithcoat of Kansas City, MO and Jennifer (Dustin) Haithcoat of Lawrence, KS; one granddaughter Sophia Haithcoat and two sisters Sue (Dave) Andress of Kansas City, MO and Lori (Roger) Gant of Mulkeytown and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Judith Shukites and one brother Chuck Yadloski.

Funeral services will be on Friday July 12, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Matthew B. Crain officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Miner’s Cemetery in Royalton.

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

Martha Ann Curry, 68, of Sesser, passed away on Friday July 5, 2024 at her home.

She was born on April 19, 1956 in Sparta, IL to Delmar and Wilhelmina (Sparling) Owens Sr. She married Robert “Bob” Curry and he survives of Sesser.

She is also survived by her children Tracy (Derek) Adams of Evansville and Ryan Curry of Herrin, IL; grandchildren Amelia Adams, Owen Adams, Jordan Curry and Ariana Curry and two sisters Diana Hargis of Sesser and Michelle Davison of Carbondale, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Robert Curry, two grandchildren Hayden Adams and McKinley Adams, one sister Donna Lynn Crews and one brother Delmar Owens Jr.

Martha’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.

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

Patricia “Pat” Hollada, 87, of Benton, IL, passed away on July 2, 2024 at her home.

Pat was born on January 26, 1937, in Benton, IL. She is a 1954 graduate of Benton Consolidated High School and was an avid Benton Rangers sports fan through the decades.

Pat attended SIUC where she obtained her bachelor’s degree, while participating in three-sports. At SIUC Pat played tennis two years, basketball four years and softball for four years.

Pat spent more than 35 years teaching at Benton High School and Sesser-Valier High School before retiring in 1993. After her retirement she worked as a part-time health-education instructor at Rend Lake College and also returned to SV and many other area schools to work as a substitute teacher.

During her teaching/coaching career, Pat served as an assistant track coach at Benton and coached basketball and track at Sesser-Valier. As a coach at SV, Pat was a pioneer in ushering in girls’ sports, which were non-existent in the early 1970s. Working to see that girls’ sports was on a level playing field with boys’ athletics was a goal and a passion that Pat worked for her entire life.
Pat also taught physical education, health and driver’s education at SV. Pat taught many SV students the driving skills they still use daily and also sat in the passenger seat for many students on their first attempt behind the steering wheel.

During her retirement Pat did not slow down, and to the contrary, actually became more active and involved. At the age of 70, Pat shined at the Huntsman World Senior Games held in St. George, Utah. One of more than 10,000 athletes from 30 nations that participated in the event, Pat competed in track and field and basketball. She won a bronze medal (third place) in the discus and she narrowly missed the medal round in the shot put, finishing in fourth place. In basketball Pat brought home a gold medal in what was called the “hot shot” – a shooting exercise where the participant tries to make as many baskets as possible during an allotted segment of time. Hollada barely missed bringing home two gold medals in basketball finishing in second place in the combined event of free throw and three-point shooting.

Pat also invented “Jett the Clown” and performed at countless birthday celebrations, holiday parties and in later years at area nursing homes. Spreading happiness and smiles as Jett the Clown was one of the true joys of Pat’s life.

Pat was also active in her community, serving as a board member at Benton Public Library and the Rend Lake Tourism Council. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at Franklin Hospital and an active member at Immanuel Baptist Church, in Benton.

Pat is survived by one brother, Bill, and wife Roberta, of Mattoon, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton, with Dr. Kirk Kay officiating. Visitation will at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, in Benton.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Pat’s memory to the Benton Public Library or the Franklin County Animal Shelter. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.