James “Jim” Robert Steckenrider, passed away on February 17, 2023, at the age of 78. He suffered a long battle against Parkinson’s Disease. He faced the disease with strength and courage. Despite the pain, Jim fought hard until the end. He was a caring and loving, husband, father and papa to his family.

Jim was born September 30, 1944 in Christopher, IL to Ford and Edna Steckenrider. On June 19, 1976 he married the love of his life, Carolyn (Baldwin). He was U.S. Navy Veteran serving from 1962-1968 on board the USS Ethan Allen.

Jim will forever be known as a hard worker and provider for his family. He made many good friends while working at Inland Steel Coal. Also, in his lifetime he owned and operated several small businesses including a motorcycle shop in Raleigh, NC, a used car lot, auto racing parts store and equipment rental business all in Benton. However, Jim’s most successful venture was the small tractor business he started in 1987 that grew into a very successful excavating business known as Midwest Petroleum and Excavating. He retired from excavating in 2005.

In his younger years, Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman but his favorite hobby was dirt car racing. He was well known across Southern Illinois dirt tracks and was affectionately referred to a “Grandpa”. He loved watching his son, son-in-law, and two grandsons out on the track.

Giving to others was his love language. He was always giving someone a hand up by offering them a job, helping with unforeseen circumstances or just being a friend. Jim was a good Christian man that loved the Lord and serving others. He attended Grace Awakening Church.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Ford and Edna Steckenrider.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn; children Jeff Wiggs (Sarah), Jill Lampley (Steve) and Jami Dial (Eric); his grandchildren Olivia Jones (Jacob), Sydnie and Sophie Lampley, Jaxton and Jagger Wiggs, Riley Dial; his brothers Ray and Charles Steckenrider. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 South Main Street, Benton, IL.

Visitation will be Monday, February 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. at Pate Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at Pate Funeral Home, with Pastor Ken Petty officiating. Burial will follow immediately after the funeral at Mulkeytown Cemetery with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the Navy Honors Team.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Grace Awakening Church Building Fund are appreciated.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.patefh.com

Matthew A, Hoffsuemmer, age 87, of Benton, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023, at his home.

Private Family Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2023, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Father Urban Osuji officiating.

Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the services.
Mr. Hoffsuemmer was born on June 13, 1935, in Chicago, IL, the son of Mathew Hoffsuemmer and Elisabeth (Scheibel) Hoffsuemmer. He married the former Carol Brookman on February 12, 1956, and she preceded him in death on March 9, 2000.

Matt formerly worked in electronics, warehousing, and retail.

He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton.

Mr. Hoffsuemmer enjoyed woodworking and made several grandfather clocks. He even made his own casket, which he will be buried in. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving are his children: Patricia “Pat” Miller of Morgantown, KY, Michele Schweizer of Rochelle, IL, Barbara “Barbi” Dragoo of St. Louis, MO, Randy Hoffsuemmer of Brooksville, FL; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Mathew and Elisabeth Hoffsuemmer; his wife Carol Hoffsuemmer; a son Russell Hoffsuemmer, and a granddaughter Debra.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St.Joseph Catholic Church, 506 West Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

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

Bradley “Brad” W. Murphy, 31, of Thompsonville, passed away at 8:45 p.m.,on Friday, February 10, 2023, at his home in Thompsonville.

He was born on August 9, 1991, to Karl Murphy and Ronda (Isaacs) Taskoski in Herrin, IL.

Brad was a loving father, son, brother and uncle. He enjoyed working on computers, phones and listening to music. He especially loved spending time with his son, Ashton.

Bradley is survived by his son, Ashton Paul Murphy of Benton; his father, Karl Murphy of Thomopsonville; his mother, Ronda Taskoski of Benton; his sister, Melinda (Jason) Martin of Thompsonville; five uncles, Justin Isaacs, Bennie Isaacs, Everette Isaacs, Aden (Mary) Isaacs and Fred (Cathy Wece) Isaacs; his aunt, Ruby Arview; three nieces and nephews, Keenan Martin, Jalyn Martin and Kendall Martin; his companion, Alicia Braggs; and many cousins and friends.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S.Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023, from11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Following the funeral service, burial will take place in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Thompsonville, IL.

Memorials may be made to Ronda Taskoski for care for Brad’s son, Ashton Murphy and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Elizabeth (Libby) Elaine Overbey passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 2:22 A.M. at the age of 89.

She was a longtime resident of Benton, IL and a member of the First Baptist Church in Benton.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Chapin Overbey, daughter Linda Sue Overbey-Chandler and 3 grandsons.

Mrs. Overbey is survived by four daughters, Joyce Ann Overbey-Cooper, Carol Arlene Overbey, Paula Gail Overbey and Diann Elaine Overbey-Brady, all of Benton. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Rev. Jim Jenkel, the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Benton officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

She is loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

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

Gene Merritt “Bird Dog” Philp, 82, of Sesser, Illinois, passed away at 6:05 am February 12, 2023 at Salem Township Hospital in Salem, Illinois. He was born April 10, 1940 in Mount Vernon, Illinois to the late Merritt and Ileeta (Walker) Philp.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Susan Philp Baier and husband, Eric of Fort Wayne, Indiana; siblings, Elizabeth Moore and husband, James of Mount Vernon, James Philp of Waltonville, Illinois, and Mary Susan Philp and husband, Orin Heend of Arlington, Virginia; longtime friend of 11 years, Joann Walker of Waltonville; and several nieces and nephews.

Gene served in the United States National Guard. He was a retired coal miner and active in the operation of the Philp Family Farm. He worked for Consolidated Coal at Burning Star #4 in Cutler, Illinois. Gene was a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 1825, Mount Vernon Elks 819, Moose Lodge of Mount Vernon, Waltonville AmVets #148, and American Legion Post 280 in Benton. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Gene was a loving father, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed.

A Greeting of Family and Friends will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville. A Memorial Service will begin at 12:00 pm with Mr. Marty Mills officiating. Inurnment will take place at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville at a later date. Memorials may be made in Gene’s honor to Knob Prairie Cemetery or the Waltonville Alumni Association.

Frances Lenore Summers (Avery), 86, of Benton passed away Monday morning, February 6, 2023 at her home.

She was born in Meeteetse, Wyoming on October 21, 1936, the daughter of Freeman & Ruth (Sadler) Summers.

Frances was a Beautician, and a retired Illinois Corrections Officer.

Frances is survived by her:
4 Children:
Rowdy Young & wife Amy of Goreville
Laurie Sheppard of Valier
Lisa Bell
Michael Young & wife Christal of Brownsboro, AL
Grandchildren:
Harrison Young
Amelia Young
Brittany Bell
Jacob Young & wife Johanna
Zachary Young
Sydney Young

1 Brother: Ron Summers & wife Kay of Thompsonville
Sister-in-law: Cindy Summers of Missouri
Frances was preceded in death by her Parents and by 1 Brother-Roger.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 9th at the Morton & Johnston Funerla Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Jacob Wesley Sanchez, 28, of Peoria, IL, passed away on January 30, 2023, in Nashville, TN. He was born October 11, 1994, in Carbondale, IL, to Rodrigo and Christy (Cockrum) Sanchez. He graduated from Dunlap High School in 2013 and worked in IT at Genesco, Inc. in Nashville.

Jacob is survived by his girlfriend, Nikki Lepretre and their son, Jayce Hunter Sanchez, both of Metamora, IL; his parents, Rodrigo and Christy Sanchez of Peoria, IL; his sister Ashley, brother Tristen, and paternal grandmother DeEtta Sanchez.

He is survived by his aunts and uncles – Staci (Jim) Hood, Valier, IL; Wendy (John) Kirkpatrick, Madison, AL; Annette (Alexander) Loya, Cancun, Mexico; Rafael (Rocio) Sanchez, Mexico City, Mexico; as well as cousins, Derek and Courtney Hood, Kensi, Kade, and Kylie Kirkpatrick, Alejandra and Rodrigo Loya, DeEtta, Christian, and Andrea Sanchez, and Nichole and Ian Langevin.

Jacob was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Billy and Linda Cockrum, and his paternal grandfather, Rafael Sanchez.

Being loved by Jacob was an amazing gift. His infectious laugh, uncanny sense of humor, tender heart, and presence will be missed greatly by all who loved and knew him. He treasured the time spent with his two-year-old son. He referred to Jayce as, “the best thing he ever did,” and often bragged that his son was, “the epitome of perfection.”

Visitation will be held at Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser, IL, on Saturday, February 11th from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 PM with Brother Larry Cook officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association (HOIDSA). Please designate in the notes section that your donation is “In Memory of Jacob Sanchez.” HOIDSA Donation Link
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Melody Lynn Hays, 64, of Christopher, passed away on Friday February 3, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

She was born on February 25, 1958 in Melrose Park, IL to Arthur and Dimple (Overturf) Kerley. She married Rick Hays on June 15, 1974 and he survives of Christopher.

She is also survived by her children Rick (Sara) Hays of Opdyke, Nik Hays of St Louis and Amanda (Ryan) Petrea of Salem; Grandchildren Brylin Hays, Ahnalynn Hays, Kirstie (Michael) Allison, Mataya Petrea, Zyan Petrea, Kollyn Petrea and Mak Petrea; one sister Debi (Joe) Shovan of Valier and one brother Lindell Kerley of Christopher.

Melody was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws and grandson, Jaxon. Melody was a loving Christian wife, mother, and grandma. She had a talent for singing and she loved to use that talent to worship her Lord and Savior. She opened her arms and home to many people throughout the years and was always willing to give love, hugs, and an open ear to anyone in need. Melody‘s pride and joy were her three children and her grandchildren. She loved supporting them in all they did. She was an example for all in what living a Christian life meant. She and Rick were meant to be and were each other‘s best friends and soulmates, having been married for 48 years. Melody will be greatly missed here on earth, but we know she is rejoicing in heaven with her loved ones, and we will see her again.

Funeral services will be on Thursday February 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with her son Pastor Rick Hays officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday February 8, 2023 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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