Ruth “Ruthie” A. McCollum, 79, of Benton, passed away at 5:10 p.m., on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at her home in West City, IL.

She was born on January 22, 1943, to Billy and Laura (Knight) McCollum in Bell City, MO. She was employed at the Pizza Shack for 31 years, and most recently as a cashier at Benton Wal-Mart, so she could continue to see all of her favorite customers.

Ruthie was a die hard Elvis fan and collector. She enjoyed hunting for a great deal at rummage sales and turning her finds into DIY projects. An avid reader, she loved to learn about Native American culture and even wrote a novel that she said was guided by her Indian spirit. She collected turquoise jewelry, with the color always being reflected throughout her home and clothing. Nobody could beat her at a game of trivia, and she also liked playing glow bingo with friends.

Her favorite places to visit were Anna Maria Island, Scotland, and Graceland.

Ruthie will be remembered for her silly sense of humor, imaginative storytelling, and the immeasurable love she gave to her family and friends.

Ruthie is survived by her brother, Gary Michael (Jolene) McCollum; sister-in-law Dixie McCollum; six nieces, Erin Wright, Amanda Bleichner, Rhonda Thorne, Cindy Kinsey, Kelly Carr, and Michelle McCollum; five nephews, Robert Bleichner, Ryan Bleichner, Justin McCollum, John Acord, and Mark Acord; a cousin, Gail Stallion; two special friends, Isabel Smith and Pam Kerley; many great-nieces and nephews including Victoria and Magnolia Atchison, Addison Anastasi, Samuel Anastasi, Elliette Fletcher, and Rowan Fletcher.

Although she had no living children, she considered everyone who worked for her at the Pizza Shack to be her kids and reminisced about them often.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Billy M. and Laura V. McCollum, her daughter, Teri Shannon McCollum who was stillborn, her brother, Steven McCollum and her sister, Loyce Bleichner.

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

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022. from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Ruthie’s wishes were to be cremated.

Memorials are suggested to the SIH Cancer Institute.

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

Kenneth Leon Lewis, of Sesser, Illinois, was born on August 30, 1929 and died June 3, 2022 at Greentree in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Born to the late Thurman and Verna (Graham) Lewis, he was the seventh of eight children. He grew up in rural Sesser, Illinois. Kenneth married Vivian Wilson of Bonnie, Illinois in Arkansas in 1950. They celebrated 71 years of marriage last June 18.

Kenneth loved Jesus and his family. Having accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was a child. He was a long time member of Valier First Baptist Church. He served in several positions within the church including serving as a deacon and chairman of the building and grounds committee. Kenny and Vivian faithfully entertained the senior adults each fall with a wiener roast.

His working career included being a technician for Southern Illinois Breeding Association, later consolidated with Illinois Breeding Cooperative. Following, he worked for World Color Press in Sparta, Illinois. He always enjoyed farming and being outdoors in the field or gardening. Many commented about his beautiful weed free garden.

Kenneth is survived by his sons; Roger (Frances) of Ozark, Missouri; Steve (Tricia) of Pinckneyville, Illinois; Terry (Cheryl) of Sesser, Illinois, and David (Debi) of DuQuoin, Illinois. He is also survived by her grandchildren Angela Hester, Becky Halloran, Crystal Jones, Jennifer Norris, Brian Lewis, Laura Alte, Kelly Marden, Alison Wiswasser, Kristi Dinges, Kenneth (Kent) Lewis, Nathan Dinges, Tarah Davis, and Adam Lewis. He is survived by 30 great-grandchildren. One brother, Harl Ray Lewis of Valier, Illinois, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife Vivian and their son Kendall Lewis, parents, Thurman and Verna Lewis, Sisters: Eileen Veach and Mable Cockrum, Brothers: Everett, (twins) Darrel and Farrel, and Leslie.

Friends and family may call Tuesday, June 7, 2022, from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Valier First Baptist Church, with service to follow immediately at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Horse Prairie Cemetery, Sesser, Illinois. Memorials may be sent to Valier First Baptist Church, 212 W. Main St., Valier, IL 62891.

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

Thelma Nadine (Austin) Norris, 76, of Benton “Went to be with the Lord” on Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Mrs. Norris was born in Granite City, IL on August 24, 1945, the daughter of Curtis & Elisa (Orrick) Austin.

She married Grant Norris on September 23, 1967, and he preceded her in death on October 22, 2006.

Mrs. Norris was a member of the West City Church of God. She loved doing crafts, she loved her church & her family and spending time with them and working in the yard. She really enjoyed genealogy.

Mrs. Norris is survived by her:
2 Daughters:
Kim Wyant & husband Terry of Benton
Susan Atkins of Benton

2 Granddaughters:
Ashley Atkins of Benton
Brittany Atkins of Carbondale & fiancè Thomas Meier
Twin Sister: Velma Perryman of Thompsonville
Sister: Evelyn Heath of Paducah, KY
Sister-in-law: Freda Austin of Berwick, IL
Brother-in-law: Jerry DeWitt of Rockford, IL

She is also survived by several Nieces & Nephews

Mrs. Norris was preceded in death by her Parents, 5 Brothers-Curtis Eugene, Charles, Duane, Glenn “Bud” & Lloyd, and 2 Sisters-Naomi Ruth & Duene.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 4th at the West City Church of God with Pastor Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Saturday at the church.
For more information or tosend online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Phillip Michael Kramer, age 73, of Benton, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at his home.

Mike was born on March 10, 1949, in Benton; the son of Fred Kramer and Mary Lou (Cook) Kramer. He was married to the former Ramona Craft; and they were married for 10 plus years, until their divorce.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the Shiloh Cemetery of Whittington, with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
He was a retired coal miner, last working for Crown 2 Mine of Farmersville, Illinois; and he was a member of the U.M.W.A.

Mike enjoyed watching NASCAR, his favorite drivers were Davey Allison and Dale Earnhardt. He liked his firearms; and enjoyed having a beer with his friends. Most of all he enjoyed having breakfast with his grandkids.

Mike was also known for many years for hosting 4th of July pickings at his home.

He is survived by his son Mathew Kramer and wife Kailyn of Logan; two grandchildren Mattilyn and Brayden Kramer of Logan; a step-son Shane Craft of West Frankfort; special cousin John Kramer of Benton; two nieces: Maria Medders of Benton, Marina Baine of Ewing; three great-nieces: Erica DePoister, Molly Bird, Holly Bowlder; a great-nephew River Kearney; and his ex-wife Ramona Rice and husband Chuck of Benton; several other cousins, friends and families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Kandis McGraw.
Memorial contributions in Memory of Mike, may be made to the family.

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

Ann Smart, 86, of St Peters, MO, passed away on May 23, 2022 at Barns-Jewish Hospital in St Louis, MO.

She was born on December 15, 1935 in Sesser, IL to Victor and Venetta (Menzel) Yung. She married Donald Ray Smart and he preceded her in death on November 13, 1986.

She is survived by her daughter Sherry (Paul) Behle of Weldon Spring, MO; two grandsons Tom (Katrina) Behle of Lake St Louis, MO and Bob (Lauren) Behle of Ballwin, MO; five great grandchildren Karissa, Chase, Trent, Brooke and Ryan and one brother Robert Yung of Bourbonnais, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister Mary Lou Hammonds and one brother Woody Wilson.

Funeral services for Ann will be on Tuesday May 31, 2022 at Noon at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Larry Cook officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at Noon. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

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

Varlyn Verlane Bruce Stanley, 82, of Marion and a former Benton resident passed away Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Parkway Manor in Marion.

She was born in Benton, IL on September 25, 1939, the daughter of Cleadus & Dena Mae (Baldwin) Gosnell.

She married William Henry Bruce, and he preceded her in death on June 19, 1986. She then married Vernon Stanley and he died November of 2012.

Mrs. Stanley enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She loved the outdoors, her dogs, birdwatching, hunting and traveling.

Mrs. Stanley is survived by her Children:

Duane Bruce of Benton
Penny Bruce Wisely of Benton
Anita Bruce of St. Charles, MO
Renee Bruce Walther & spouse Annie of Denmark
Bobby Bruce of Benton
Megan Holderfield & spouse Dylan of Marion
10 Grandchildren & 9 GreatGrandchildren
1 Brother: Garel Dean Willis & wife of South Carolina

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husbands, by a Son-Billy, by a Sister-Gladys Mae Shaw & by a Brother-Glendell Gosnell.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. TUESDAY, May 31st at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 1 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

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

Charles Linn, 89, of Benton passed away on Monday evening May 23, 2022 at Carrier Mills Nursing & Rehab.

Mr. Linn was born in West Frankfort, IL on May 7, 1933 the son of Charles O. & Maudie (Sanders) Linn.

Charles married Jeanine Page on November 3, 1955 in Chicago, IL. He was a loving husband, wonderful companion and best friend. They enjoyed 66 1/2 years together.

Mr. Linn was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving during the Korean War.

Mr. Linn is survived by his:

Wife: Jeanine (Page) Linn
Daughter: Lana Kay Bain
Several Nieces, Nephews and Grandchildren
6 Great-Great-Grandchildren

Charles was preceded in death by his Parents, 4 Brothers & 1 Sister.

Graveside funeral services will be held on Friday, May 27th at 10:00 A.M. at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton with Ray Minor officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Benton American Legion Post #280 & VFW Post #2671. There will be No Visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com