Barbara Jean Forsythe, age 80, of Benton, passed away at 5:28 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.    Barbara was born on March 23, 1946, in West Frankfort, Illinois, the daughter of Gene and Colleen (Hungate) Woodrow.    She was a retired cook from Benton District 47.    Barbara enjoyed golfing, eating out, attending flea markets in Nashville, TN, shopping trips to Chicago and she enjoyed watching car races. ...

   Judith Lee Stipes, age 80, formerly of Benton, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Barrington, Illinois. She lived a life full of love with her family and friends. Her greatest gift to the world was her kindness and the ability to see the best in people. She was resilient and touched many as a source of selfless giving.    Judy was born on July 4, 1945, in Channahon, Illinois, the daughter of Erwin and Myrtle (Wilkenson) Hewitt. She married Carl Wayne Stipes on ...

James Leon Robinson, age 85, of Sesser, Illinois, passed away at 4:35 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital of Evansville, Indiana. Leon was born on October 8, 1940, in Marietta, Mississippi, the son of Kenny and Flocie (Pharr) Robinson. He married the former Judy Mimalene Thompson on May 28, 1960, and she survives, on May 28th, they would have been married 66 years. Leon was a coal miner. He worked at Old Ben #24 until he retired in 1996. He was also a member of ...

John Wayne Kramer, age 71, of Benton, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton, IL.John was born on August 23, 1954, in Benton, IL, the son of Albert Kramer and Louise (Cook) Kramer.He was a retired coal miner. His working career in the coal mines was with Old Ben Coal Company, and he last worked at Night Hawk Coal in Perry County, IL.He was a member of the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Christopher, IL.John enjoyed going to dirt track races, building, ...

JoAnn Rose, age 92, of Benton, passed away at 6:06 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. Her children were by her bedside as she made her entrance into glory. Mrs. Rose was born October 21, 1933, in Benton, IL, the daughter of Leroy Campbell and Alberta (Beatty) Campbell. Her life took her to many different places like Indiana, Wyoming, California, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida, but Benton was always home for her. Besides making a home ...

Marilyn Jean Murphy, age 70, of Benton, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2026, at her home in Benton, IL. Marilyn was born on January 4, 1956, in Franklin County, IL, the daughter of Leon “Pee Wee” Murphy and Jean (Rankin) Murphy. She was a retired Flight Attendant with United Airlines. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton, IL. Marilyn enjoyed flamingoes. Her favorite color was pink, and she loved anything that was colored pink. She loved Halloween, it was ...

Louetta Tollison, age 89, of Benton, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton. Mrs. Tollison was born March 1, 1937, in Buckner, IL, the daughter of James Franklin Moss and Margaret Ann (Heacox) Moss. She married David Tollison on May 29, 1992, and he preceded her in death on December 5, 2019. She retired after 46 years with Walmart in West City. She was also the former owner and operator of Lou’s Country Kitchen of Benton. Louetta was a ...

Laura Ruth Stewart, age 69, of Benton, passed away at 8:59 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Herrin Hospital Emergency Room. Laura was born August 6, 1956, in Benton, Illinois; the daughter of Harry Stewart and Miriam Jane (Whaley) Stewart. She was a graduate of BCHS Class of 1974 where she was an outstanding student and an Illinois State Scholar. In 1974 she was the first female athlete from BCHS to place in the State of Illinois Track and Field Competition, taking third place in the ...

Daniel Duane Brown, age 71, of Benton, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at his home. Dan was born December 5, 1954, in Louisiana, Missouri; the son of Duane Harvard Brown and Martha Jean (Walton) Brown. He retired from Aire-Master of America. Before working with Aire-Master, he was known as “Dan the Schwan’s Man,” where he worked for Schwan’s home delivery. He formerly attended the Mulkeytown Christian Church. Dan enjoyed playing golf, riding bicycles, and ...

Christopher Scott Osborn, age 35, of Benton, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Benton. Christopher was born October 13, 1990, in Litchfield, IL, the son of Kenneth Gene Osborn and Sandra Lou (Pully) Osborn. He enjoyed junking, building things, woodworking, and especially enjoyed playing the guitar. Surviving is his father Kenneth G. Osborn and bonus mom Lisa Ann Osborn of Benton, IL, five children including Summer, Andy, Parker, Oliver, and Ellie; his paternal grandfather Clyde ...