Sharon I. McKee

Mrs. Sharon “Sherry” (Parkhill) McKee, age 81, of Benton, passed away at 4:20 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab of Benton.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the First Baptist Church, 201 South Main Street, Benton, Illinois; with Rev. Jim Jenkel 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. Saturday at the church. Leffler Funeral Home of Benton; is in charge of the services.

Sharon Imogene McKee was born on October 19, 1938 in Taylorville, IL, the daughter of Paul West and Naomi (Lewis) West.  She would marry Loren Parkhill on November 10, 1956, and he preceded her in death on September 9, 1996.  She would later marry Garey Dysart McKee on May 25, 2002, and he survives.

Sherry formerly worked for Rend Lake College in the Mining Department, Old Ben Coal Company and Zeigler Coal where she was a CPR Instructor of Emergency Treatment. She also worked as an EMT and was an EMT Instructor where she also taught CPR and other emergency treatments throughout Southern Illinois. Her last employment before she retired was as a Teacher’s Aide at Benton Grade School District 47.

Sherry was a proud, active member of the First Baptist Church of Benton, where she was the Choir Director for 25 years, having directed many Christmas and Easter Cantatas; retiring from her duties in 2016. She was a member of the Franklin County Arts Association.

She enjoyed working and worshiping with her church family, and she enjoyed cooking, especially for Garey.

Surviving is her husband Garey D. McKee of Benton; a son Danny Parkhill and wife Tammy of West Frankfort; a daughter Jennifer Keener and husband Jeff of Murphysboro; three grandchildren: Dustin Parkhill and wife Alisha of Benton, Brandy Parkhill of Benton, Andy Johnson and wife Paige of Vienna; eight great-grandchildren: Hattie Claire, Brecken Hawk, Brooklynn, Adrien Lane, Serenity Sky, Laureli, Amberlynn, Kennedy Alyse; two sisters: Paula Fulenwider and husband Ron of Jonesboro, IL, Gaye Adams of Vicksburg, MS; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband Loren Parkhill; and a brother-in-law Mike Adams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 201 South Main Street, Benton, Illinois 62812; and will be accepted at the church.

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