Joy Griffith, age 65, of Harrisburg, IL and formerly of Benton, IL, passed away at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, April 21, 2024, at the SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Joy was born on September 29, 1958, in Benton, IL; the daughter of Leslie F. Hammond and Wilma (Storey) Hammond. She was first married to Victor Earl Cardwell, and he preceded her in death on April 12, 2003. She would later marry Tim Griffith, and he survives. She formerly worked as a cook at several Benton area restaurants. Joy...

Mrs. Marjorie Lee McCarty, age 87, of Logan, passed away at 2:40 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Marjorie was born on March 23, 1937, in East Peoria, Illinois; the daughter of Henry Madison Moore and Mildred Lorine (Roberts) Moore. After her father passed away her mother would later marry Dale Jamerson. Marjorie married James R. “Ike” McCarty on February 23, 1957, and he preceded her in death on June 8, 2000 She formerly worked with...

Allen Michael Piercy, age 29, of Thompsonville, passed away at 3:35 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the SSM St. Louis University Hospital. Allen’s wishes are to be cremated. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at a future date. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements. Allen was born on June 6, 1994, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the son of Garry Lee Piercy and Sheila (Lowery) Piercy.  He married the former Emily Rose Willmore on August...

Shelby Jean Seals, age 84, of Benton, passed away at 5:05 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Ed Endsley officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Mrs. Seals was born on September 28, 1939, in Benton, Illinois;...

Clarence Allen “Tike” Lampley, age 70, of Benton, passed away at 10:15 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Jim Muir officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Tike was born on April 19, 1953, in...

William Keith Covey, age 66, of West Frankfort, passed away at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at his home. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Rick McClintock officiating. Burial services will follow in the Gilead Cumberland Cemetery of Simpson, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Saturday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. William was born on May 5, 1957, in Decatur, Illinois;...

Janice Marie Simpkins, age 73, of Benton passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Helia Healthcare of Benton, IL. Janice’s wishes are to be cremated. There are no additional services planned at this time. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements. Mrs. Simpkins was born on September 27, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois; the daughter of David L. Rogers and Corine E. (Corcoran) Rogers Knitter. She married George Simpkins on November 28, 1985, and he...

Stephen Buxton Hopkins, Jr., age 82, of Benton, Illinois; died Tuesday morning at his home. His wishes are to be cremated with a Celebration of Life to be scheduled at a future date. Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the cremation arrangements. He was born on January 12, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Stephen Buxton Hopkins, Sr., and Margaret (Simpson) Hopkins. His father passed away when he was six years old. His mother would later marry Bert Blow. Stephen was...

Charles Gale Ray “Johnny” Harris, age 74, of Benton; passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024, at his home. Graveside services will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, IL, with Rev. Mark Minor officiating.  Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton. Mr. Harris was born on December 12, 1949, in Benton, Illinois, the son of Herman Harris and Helen...

Mr. John William “Bill” Gwaltney, Sr., age 77, of Benton, IL; passed away at 12:06 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the Anchor Assisted Living in Marion, Illinois. Graveside Services with Military Honors by the Benton American Legion Post #280, Benton V.F.W. Post # 2671, and the U.S. Army National Guard, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 12, 2024, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, IL.  Brother Bob Brockett will officiate. The family requests...