Obituary – Ronnie G. Williams – Benton

February 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Ronnie G. Williams, 71, of Benton passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

He was born in Chicago Heights, IL on September 7, 1941, the son of Ezra Harry and Lorraine Margaret (Hutchcraft) Williams.

Mr. Williams is survived by three children, Ron Williams and wife Lisa, of Benton, Rhonda Bush and husband Kevin, of Benton and Lisa Rodriguez and husband Tony, of West Frankfort.

He is also survived by grandchildren Melissa Wade, Justin Williams, Branden Eubanks, Morgan Williams, Nathan Malec, Tricia Malec and Amanda Owens, all of Benton and Tasha Dirks, Brandi Owens and Chelsea Williams, all of West Frankfort.

Also surviving are great-grandchildren Madyson Wade, Bradley Williams, Brilee Williams, Ethan Malec, Peyton Malec, Hollie Shelton, Blaine Bowlin and Kaden Owens.

Mr. Williams is also survived by one sister, Mary Lou Bezzler and husband Norman, of Indianapolis, IN; two brothers, Jack Williams, of Benton and Billy Williams and wife Betty of Dunnsville, KY and a very special cousin, Sidney Williams and wife Linda of Benton.

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harry.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Billy Williams officiating. Burial will be in Liberty-Ridlin Cemetery in Macedonia. Visitation will be from 9 a.m on Tuesday until the time of the service at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Obituaries

Obituary – John C. (Jack) Fornear – Sesser

February 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

John C. (Jack) Fornear, 77, passed away at 2:15 a.m. on Friday, February 22, 2013 at his home with his loving family at his side.

jack fornear picJack was born on October 15, 1935, the son of the late James W. and Mima C. (Silkwood) Fornear.

He was an educator in the Sesser-Valier school system for 39 years.  Jack received his Bachelor and Master Degrees in education from SIUC.  In 2003 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Sesser-Valier Unit School District No. 196.  The many students that he taught remember him with respect and admiration for his ability to combine firmness with understanding.

Jack had a keen sense of humor and always had an encouraging word for those around him.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed rabbit hunting, running his dogs, fishing and golfing.

Jack is survived by two sons, Jeff Fornear and friend Kim Simpson of Sesser, Steve Fornear and his wife Rebecca, of Olive Branch, a granddaughter Sierra Fornear and her friend Nathan Webb, of Sesser.  Also surviving is a sister Janice Murphy, of Mooresville, Indiana, a sister-in-law Peg Fornear, of Broughton, and his very special Lady Martha Hargis, of Sesser.  He is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends especially his hunting buddies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son John Richard, his brother James R. Fornear and a brother-in-law Tim Murphy.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser.  Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of service.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Good Samaritan Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Obituary – Charles Robert Williams – Benton

February 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Charles Robert Williams, 95, of Benton passed away Thursday morning Feb. 21, 2013 at the Stonebridge Senior Living Center, in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Jim Beaty officiating. Burial will be at Liberty Cemetery in Ewing.  Visitation will be from 12 noon until the time of service at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home, in Benton.

Filed Under: Obituaries, Uncategorized

Obituary – Mary Lou Overturf – Ewing

February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Mary Lou Overturf, 87, of Ewing, passed away Saturday afternoon February 16, 2013 at Stone Bridge Senior Living Center in Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 20 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Jerry Montgomery officiating. Burial will be in Thurmond Cemetery, Ewing.  Visitation will be after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Obituary – B. Gene Anderson – Benton

February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

BENTON — B. Gene Anderson, 69, died at 6:40 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at his home with family at his side.

The son of Lannie L. and Esther Galbraith Anderson, Gene was born Oct. 13, 1943, in Benton.

He attended Benton grade schools and then spent his junior high, freshman and sophomore years at DeKalb schools before his family returned to Benton, where Gene completed his junior and senior years at BCHS, graduating in 1961. It was during those DeKalb years that, at age 14, Gene accepted Christ as his personal savior.

In 1964, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two years in Germany. After returning to civilian life, Gene began working for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1987 as a rural letter carrier for Route 1 in Macedonia. Also during that time, he owned Anderson Wholesale in Thompsonville and Anderson Motors in Pittsburg.

In 1980, Gene was diagnosed with renal disease and, on Jan. 31, 1981, he began a 32-year journey of three-days-a-week kidney dialysis. He always looked at dialysis as a job, going three days a week for 32 years without vacation or sick days. He considered his paycheck to be “life.”

Gene was something of a celebrity among kidney dialysis circles in Illinois, being Mount Vernon nephrologist Dr. Steven Zelman’s longest living patient. The staff at Benton DaVeta Dialysis Center nicknamed him “Energizer Bunny.”

He was a loyal Benton Ranger and Rangerette basketball fan who attended most games. When declining health prevented that, he could always be found sitting at home listening to the games, play by play, on the radio. Also, for many years, he served as official scorekeeper for Rangerette basketball games.

Gene was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church, National/Illinois Rural Letter Carriers Association, Benton American Legion Post 280 and National/Illinois Society Sons of the American Revolution.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Sheila Lewis Anderson; son, Duane Anderson of Centennial, Colo.; daughter, Sherry Kay (Garrett) Collier of Benton; grandchildren, Megan Anderson of Centennial, Colo., and Kameron and Kendra Metzger of Benton; mother, Esther Taylor of Benton; sister, Sandra (Russell) Gant of Benton; brothers-in-law, Al (Glenda) Lewis of St. Paul, Texas, and Evan (Denise) Lewis of Thompsonville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lannie Anderson; stepfather, Cecil Taylor; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harrison and Thelma Lewis.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, in Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton with Pastor Sammy Simmons and Gene’s Sunday School teacher Larry Miller officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church Helping Hands Ministry.

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

Filed Under: Obituaries

Obituary – Tom Mygatt – Sesser

February 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Tom Mygatt, 70, of Sesser, died February 12, 2013 at his home.

Tom was born in Sesser the son of Everett and Mildred Mygatt.

Tom was a lifelong resident of Sesser and was a graduate of Good-Barren Township High School.

He was a member of the UMWA for 49 years and worked at Old Ben Mine No. 21 until it closed in 1990.  Tom was also the owner of Mygatt Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning.  He was also a past Cubmaster and president of the Sesser-Valier Booster Club.  He was a member of First Baptist Church in Sesser and a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge.

Tom married the former Janet Cockrum in 1961 and they shared 51 years together.

Tom was a NASCAR fan and traveled to numerous races around the country.  He also loved to travel around the country and visit his children and grandchildren and he loved spending time with his family.  Tom also loved country music and was an avid concert-goer.

He is survived by his wife Janet and children Thomas Mygatt, of New York, New York, Carrie Mygatt and domestic partner John Herrera, Seattle, Washington, Courtney Mygatt and wife Carrie, of Washington, D.C. and Cinnamon Denny and husband Chandler, of Chicago

Also surviving are two grandchildren, Brody Mygatt and Amelia Mygatt and one brother, Jack Mygatt and wife Bess, of Sesser.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Patricia Mygatt.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 1 p.m. at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating.  Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations can be made to Hope Lodge, 4215 Lindall Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108.

For more information go to www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

 

Filed Under: Obituaries, Uncategorized

Obituary – Leroy Milligan – Benton

February 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Leroy Milligan, 81, of Benton passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon.

He was born in Benton, IL on March 3, 1931, the son of Lonnie and Elizabeth (Harrison) Milligan.

He married Judy (Goodin) on May 3, 1957 in Benton and she survives.

Mr. Milligan was a retired coal miner, retiring from Freeman No. 6 Mine.  He was an Army veteran serving during the Korean War.

Mr. Milligan is survived by his wife Judy, of Benton, and five children, Jackie Houchin and husband Brian of Martinsville, IN, Dale Milligan, of West Frankfort, Janet Gordon, of Benton, Lonnie Milligan and wife Heather, of West Frankfort and Bobbie Lampley and husband Casey, of Benton.

He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Mr. Milligan was preceded in death by his parents, by a sister, Dorothy and by a brother, Merlin.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 16 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be after 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Filed Under: Obituaries, Uncategorized

Obituary – Brenda Jean Mitchell

February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Brenda Jean Mitchell, 69, of Springboro, Ohio passed away at 11:52 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in Ohio.

She was born in Thompsonville, IL on March 5, 1943, the daughter of Reuben and Margaret (Manis) Hughes.

Mrs. Mitchell was a graduate of Benton Consolidated High School.

She is survived by her husband, Carl Mitchell and daughters Carol Ney and Marilyn Mitchell-Heusner.  Also surviving are granddaughters Rachel, Heather and Kristen, grandsons Hunter and Aaron and sisters Melanie Kincaid and Merilee Jackson.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2013 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.  Burial will be in Mt. Etna Cemetery in Thompsonville. Visitation will be after 12 noon on Sunday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

 

 

Filed Under: Obituaries, Uncategorized

Obituary – Helen (Burzynski) Thompson

February 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

BETHALTO – Helen (Burzynski) Thompson, 98, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother passed away peacefully on February 2, 2013 in Edwardsville, IL.

Helen was born February 25, 1914 in Rend City, IL to Lawrence and Martha Burzynski. She married Glen O. Thompson on December 30, 1934. Helen was the third oldest of 12 children. She enjoyed quilting, bead-work and cooking. She loved her family very much.

Helen is survived by son Glen and Karen Thompson of Sparks, NV, and daughter Nita Darlene and husband Larry Duncan of Bethalto, IL; seven grandchildren, Greg (Eva) Duncan of Edwardsville, IL, Brad (Rondy) Duncan of Ottawa, IL, Brian Duncan of East Alton, IL, Scott (Rebecca) Thompson of Sandy, UT, Amy (David) Bona of Pleasanton, CA, Pam Thompson and Tom Thompson of Jerseyville, IL; six great-grandchildren, Kevin, Joey, Danny, Nathaniel, Madison and Cameron; three sisters, Stella Stewart, Ruth Grammer and Jane Cummings; three brothers, Lawrence (Kay) Burzynski, Marion (Ann) Burzynski, Butch (Jan’et) Burzynski and sister-in-law Billie Burzynski.

She was preceded in death by her husband Glen O. Thompson, her son William H. Thompson, her grandson Kevin D. Duncan, her parents Lawrence and Martha Burzynski, her sister Mary Isaacs and brothers Raymond, Stanley, John and Walter Burzynski.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, February 7 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Harl Ray Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, IL. Visitation will be after 11 a.m on Thursday, February 7 at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

Memorial contributions in memory of Helen Thompson can be made to First Baptist Church of Bethalto Building Fund. Online condolences and guest book can be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, Obituaries

Obituary – Robert Monroe Rentfro – Mulkeytown

February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Robert “Bob” Monroe Rentfro, 85, of Mulkeytown, passed away on January 30, 2013 at Avonlea Cottage, in Milan, IL.

rentfro

Bob was born on January 13, 1928, in Mulkeytown, the son of Barney Alva Rentfro and Sylvia (Kirkpatrick) Rentfro.

He married Anna L. (Nieukirk) in 1950 and she preceded in death in 1975. He later married Fern (Moberly) Ione (Geick) and she preceded in death in December 2001, he then married Billie (Chambers) Rentfro and she preceded in death in May 2011

He moved to the Peoria area to work for Caterpillar Inc. and retired in 1982 after 32 years of service

Bob enjoyed his retirement years at the Rentfro Lake property in Mulkeytown, IL.

He resided at Heritage Woods Assisted Living in Aledo, IL from the fall of 2011 until November of 2012. He then moved to Avonlea Cottage in Milan, IL.

He was past worshipful master and member of Taylor Lodge #98 in Washington, IL for 50 years. He was also a member of the Mohammed Shrine Hillbilly Clan, Fun Maker unit in Peoria, IL and was a lifetime member of the Izaak Walton League in Metamora, IL

He was a Charter member of the Germantown Hills Christian Church and a member of the Christopher Christian Church in Christopher, IL.

Bpb served in the United States Army where he received an honorable Discharge in 1948. He was a WWII veteran.

Surviving children include Roberta (Frank) Wiese of Washington, IL, Roger Rentfro of Washington, IL, Daniel (Susan) Rentfro of East Peoria, IL, Donna Fargher of Washington, IL, Patrick (Tracy) Rentfro of Aledo, IL, Patricia Rentfro of Washington, IL and David (Lyn) Rentfro of Mulkeytown, IL.

He is also survived by grandchildren Heather Corrior, David (Sarah) Wiese, Rachel Rentfro, Melissa (Jade) Miller, Jillanna Rentfro, Chad (Shea) Fargher, Bill Fargher, Josh McWilliams, Alana (Dan) Colcord, Curtis (Heather) Rentfro, Amanda Rentfro, Jessica Rentfro and by 16 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Eileen Baer.

A memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday February 7, 2013 at the Highview Christian Church 403 James Parkway in Washington, IL 61571, Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m. at the church

A second memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 1o a.m.. at the Mulkeytown Christian Church in Mulkeytown, IL. Visitation will be from 9 a.m.. until the time of the service at 10 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be at the Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown.

Gilbert Funeral Home Christopher IL is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial Donations may be made to Mulkeytown Cemetery Association or to Avonlea Cottage where he recently lived and was lovingly cared for by the staff for the past two months.

For more information visit our web site at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

Filed Under: Christopher News, Franklin Co. News, Obituaries
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