All Obituaries

JAMES R. LUSTER, 76, of Benton passed away Saturday morning, May 23, 2020 at his home. He was born in Benton, IL on June 16, 1943, the son of William & Margaret (McGuire) Luster. He married Carolyn Sue (Kramer) on August 8, 1964 in Benton, IL and she preceded him in death on March 15, 2018. Mr. Luster retired from GTE after 43 years.  He was an avid collector of telephone equipment & memorabilia.  He was an avid gardener and loved hummingbirds. Mr. Luster is survived by...

MARJORIE LAMASTUS, age 95, formerly of Benton, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at Eden Retirement Center in Glen Carbon, IL. She was born on September 1, 1924, in Rend City, IL, the daughter of James Marshall & Nancy Elizabeth (Piercey) Uhls. Mrs. Lamastus is survived by her stepson, Terry Lamastus and wife Karen, step-daughter, Cynthia Ferguson and husband Ronald, nieces, Lana Randolph, Janet Hoge, Jo Ellen Bauer, and Jane Lantrip, and nephews, Larry Uhles, Lindell Midyett,...

Sherman E. Browning, 91, of Macedonia passed away Friday morning May 8, 2020 at his home.  He was born in Macedonia, IL on December 29, 1928, the son of Fred Paul & Elsie Jane (Barnfield) Browning.  He was a Benton High School graduate and attended SIU. He worked at Caterpillar in Peoria and for Ford Motor Company in Chicago. He was drafted and served in the Korean War.  His first marriage was to Marlene Bennett and they had two children Cindy & Doug. He went to...

Jeffery "Joe" Mitchell, 63, of Lenzburg passed away Wednesday evening April 22, 2020. Mr. Mitchell was born in Christopher, IL on September 5, 1956, the son of Gene & Gladys (Bigham) Mitchell. He married Debbie (Ponsetti) on October 21, 1977 in Benton, IL. He was a wonderful husband, father & grandfather. He was a Coal Miner, and loved collecting coal mining stickers. Mr. Mitchell is survived by his: Wife: Debbie Mitchell of Lenzburg 2 Sons: Jeffery L. Mitchell & wife...

Joseph Leonard Bivona, age 85, a resident of Spaulding, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, April 12, 2020, at Lewis Memorial Christian Village in Springfield, IL.   Born February 17, 1935 in Hammond, Louisiana. He was the son of the late Leonardo Bivona and Carmella Skifano. Mr. Bivona was a U.S. Army Veteran stationed in Korea at the tail end of the Korean Conflict. Joseph is survived by his wife Virgilene of 58 years, son Joseph (Diana) Bivona, Jr. and grandchildren...

Robert Stephen Benns, 61, of West City died Friday, April 10, 2020 in Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. He was born October 21, 1958 in Benton, the son of Lyman and Margaret (Smith) Benns. He lived his entire life in Franklin County where he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He is survived by one sister, Mary Anne Kline of Benton; four brothers, Lyman Jr. and wife, Jane Benns of West City; James and wife, Beth Benns of Benton; Dennis and wife Valerie Benns of Valier and Michael Benns of...

REV. JAMES R. AKIN, 88, of West Frankfort passed away Sunday morning, April 5, 2020 at his home. He was born in Benton, IL on November 29, 1931, the son of Raymond & Ida (Launius) Akin. He married Rosalie Marie (Brookshire) on October 14, 1954, and she preceded him in death on September 5, 2005. He served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1951-1955. Rev. Akin is survived by his: 4 Children: James Allen Akin of West...

Richard Lee Chinn 69, of Benton went to be with the Lord at 10:28 p.m. on April 4th, 2020. He passed away after an extended battle with Cancer at home surrounded by members of his loving family.  He was born to David Chinn and Phillis Ann Howard in Stanton Missouri on November 16th of 1950. He was a man of many talents. He was the supervisor of several businesses, throughout his life as well as being a semi driver and heavy equipment operator. Richard loved to Golf, Fish and take...

Virginia Browning Genisio Stoffel, 93, of Benton passed away on March 22, 2020 in Benton. She was born in Valier, IL on September 20, 1926, the daughter of H. L. & Hazel M. (Mackey) Browning. She married Barnie Genisio on April 29, 1945 and he preceded her in death on January 5, 1994. She then married James "Calvin" Stoffel on October 22, 1994 and he survives.  Virginia was a member of the Order of Eastern Star LeRoy A. Chapter #350 in Marion, IL. Virgina was also a...

Donna L. (Coleman) Finn, 84, of Benton passed away Wednesday evening March 11, 2020 at Parkway Manor in Marion. Mrs. Finn was born in West Frankfort, IL on December 30, 1935, the daughter of John R. & Lucille (Britton) Coleman. She married Lowell Finn on February 23, 1957, and he preceded her in death on January 27, 1998. Mrs. Finn was a member of the West City Church of God. She worked at the Fashion SHop in West Frankfort for 28 years. Then worked for Barton & Collins in Benton...