James Edward Motsinger, 72, of Christopher, passed away on Tuesday July 25, 2023 at DuQuoin Rehab and Nursing.

He was born on June 24, 1951 in DuQuoin, IL to Virgil and Flossie (Key) Motsinger. He married Julie (Jordan) Motsinger and she survives of Christopher. He is also survived by his son Robert (Brooke) Motsinger of Idaho; grandchildren Griffin Motsinger, Garrett (Alexis) Motsinger and Graham Motsinger and one great granddaughter Journey Motsinger all of Idaho; one sister Myra McWhirter and two brothers Rick (Mary) Motsinger and Michael Motsinger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Linda Brown and five brothers, his twin Robert, Ronnie, Carl, Larry and Timmy.

James was a truck driver and a Vietnam Veteran, serving in the United States Navy.

His wishes were to be cremated with no services at this time.

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

Roland Santor, 84, of Ewing passed away Friday morning, April 7, 2023 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Roland was born in Plattsburgh, NY on September 26, 1938 the son of Victor & Irene (Montville) Santor.
He married Joyce (Lance) on September 23, 1966.

Mr. Santor was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and had received his 3rd Degree. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge, Benton Elks, Laborers Local 773 & Laborers Local 186 in Plattsburgh, NY. He was also a volunteer Fireman in South Plattsburgh, NY. In his last years of work, he worked at IDOT and also worked UMWA Mine Construction.

Mr. Santor is survived by his:
Wife: Joyce Santor of Ewing
Children:
James Neal Wangler & wife Janie of West Frankfort
Virginia Lynn Cox & husband Randy of West Frankfort
William Todd Santor & wife Michelle of Ewing
5 Grandchildren:
Jennifer Lynn Collins of DeSoto, IL
Megan Elizabeth Wylie of Joliet, IL
Haley WIngo of Christopher, IL
Deryck Bates of Mascoutah, IL
Ryder Lee Cruz Santor of Ewing
5 Great-Grandchildren:
Brianna Lynn Hoskins
Riley Lynn Wylie
Parker James Wylie
Addlyn Hope Holdern
Jaxson Michael Allen Holdern
1 Sister: Yvonne Liggett & husband Marion of Mt. Sterling, KY
1 Brother: Gerald Santor & wife Connie of Plattsburgh, NY
Numerous Nieces & Nephews

Mr. Santor was preceded in death by his Parents, 3 Brothers-Gordon, Leeward & Ralph, Sister-Alverta, Niece-Sandy Santor and 2-Nephew-Randy Santor & Dennis Liggett.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 12th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Benton with Father Urban Osuji officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Dorotha Lee Howard-Bailey, age 92, of Harrisburg and formerly of Benton, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at her home.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Trent Duncan officiating. Burial to follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m. at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Dorotha was born on April 4, 1931, in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Lewis Barnfield and Tena (Roper) Barnfield. She married Daniel J. Howard on April 17, 1949, and he preceded her in death on December 7, 1987. Dorotha would later marry Earl G. Bailey on November 8, 2002, and he passed away on September 14, 2022.
She was a graduate of Benton Township High School Class of 1949. Her working career was as a cook with Akin Grade School, where she worked for over 30 years, until her retirement.

Dorotha was a member of North Benton Missionary Baptist Church and for the past twenty years she and her late husband Earl attended McKinley Baptist Church of Harrisburg.

She enjoyed worshipping her Lord and Savior at both North Benton and McKinley Baptist churches.
Dorotha also enjoyed dining and visiting with friends at Golden Circle Senior Citizens of Harrisburg. She also enjoyed gardening. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving are two sons: Ted Howard and wife Patty, Jim Howard and wife Becky, both of Benton; grandchildren: Tracy Lee Norris and husband Brian of Benton, Illinois, Wesley Clay Beaty and wife Jessica of North City, Illinois, Christie Pacha and husband Ken of Bloomington, Illinois, John D. Howard and wife Sarah of Marion, Illinois, Matthew G. Howard and wife Sarah of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Nathan Beaty and wife Katrina of Ewing, Illinois; ten great-grandchildren: Mason, Madi, Logan, Olivia, Isaac, Caleb, Ella, Aiden, Trevor and Chase; a sister Jean Rose of Cadiz, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two husbands.
Memorial contributions may be made to the North Benton Baptist Church, or to the Golden Circle Senior Citizens of Harrisburg.

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

Hazel M. Price, 103, passed away peacefully August 16, 2022 at her daughter’s home in Marion, IL.

She was born on August 26, 1918. She was the daughter of Lee and Lena Rea, Benton. She had lived at Heritage Woods in Benton for several years where she enjoyed the many friendships there and the kindness shown to her by everyone. She always loved participating in their bingo and playing checkers and cards until she was no longer able to play because of her eyesight.

Hazel was a woman of great faith and was always willing to express this to many others. She was a member of East Benton Baptist Church for many years and was presently a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Benton.

She was married to Troy Chance and had two daughters, Sandra and Mary Lou. He was tragically killed in a mine accident in Benton. Several years later she married Albert Price who succeeded her in death in 1989. Family was very important to Hazel and she enjoyed spending time with all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by the following family members: Daughter, Sandra Long, Marion, Step-Daughter, Berta Price, West Frankfort Grandchildren, Scott (Rae) Long, Springfield, Tera (Ryan) Keller, Benton and Ofallon, Il Todd (Michele) Thomas, Benton and Steve (Kristy) Long, Marion Great-Grandchildren , Allison (Nick) Long, Springfield, Samantha Long, Springfield, Josie Long, Oxford, Mississippi, Caroline Keller, Oxford, Mississippi, Courtney Keller, Oxford, Mississippi, Carlianne Keller, Benton, Chase Thomas, Benton, Kyle Thomas, Benton, Bailey Long, Marion and Brody Long, Marion. Her son-in-law Terry Thomas, Benton and her loving nieces, Billie Wyant, Benton and Sharon Smothers, Florida

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Lena Rea , husband Troy Chance, husband Albert Price sisters, Dorothy Smothers and Ruth Ann Garrett of Benton and recently her daughter, Mary Lou Thomas, Benton.

A private burial service will be held at Masonic Odd fellows Cemetery in Benton, Saturday, August 20, 2022.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com