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Morton and Johnston Funeral Home, 410 S Main Street, Benton, IL (2026)

04/25/2026

Carol Jean Edwards (Gibbs), age 87, of Ewing, Illinois, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026. She was born on September 8, 1938, in McLeansboro, Illinois.

Carol was the devoted wife of 67 years to the love of her life, Melvin Edwards. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and unwavering love.

She was a proud and loving mother to Kevin Edwards and Kent Edwards. Her legacy continues through her cherished grandchildren, Meghan (Kevin) Uhls and Seth (Amanda) Edwards, and her nine adored great-grandchildren: Harper Woods, Rayna Uhls, Rogue Uhls, Sutton Uhls, Raylan Edwards, Ralph Edwards, Stoic Edwards, Willow Womble, and Marlow Womble.

Carol found her greatest joy in being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved deeply and showed it in countless ways—through her cooking, her sewing, and the care she poured into her family. She had a special love for flowers, a strong faith in God, and a heart devoted to serving those she loved.

Above all, Carol loved her husband fiercely, a love that stood as a beautiful example to her family for generations.

A Funeral service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, Illinois. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Carol will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

04/23/2026

Betty June Davis, 87, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 16, 1938 in Hamilton County, Illinois to John Carl and Lizzie Frances (Cutwright) Biddle.
She was a graduate of McLeansboro High School in 1957 and married the love of her life Neal J. Davis in 1961. He preceded her in death on July 14, 1997. They lived in Thompsonville, IL.
She worked for Joan-Claire Dress Factory and Ted’s Ladies Apparel, finally retiring from The VF Outlet in West Frankfort, IL.
Betty was known for her warm heart and gentle nature that touched the lives of many. She will be remembered for her Christmas Scavenger hunts, her green thumb, and always having a pot of coffee ready. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, riding on side by sides, hosting dinners, taking bus rides to the casinos, baking cakes for family members birthdays, playing card games. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
She is survived by her daughter, Ruth Ann LaBuwi; her grandchildren, Ashley (Shaun) Freeman, Jenna (Brock) Rich, Landon LaBuwi; and great-grandchildren, Alexis Freeman, Spencer Freeman, and Re*****on Rich; niece, Linda Harris; traveling partner Ike Ebersold; special friend Jerry Barnfield.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Neal Davis, and her sisters Jean Shank, Lucille Wilkerson, Marietta Waller.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday April 25th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Bro. Larry Miller officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer Association in her memory.

04/20/2026

Ruby Lucille Grammer Talley, 91, of Benton, IL passed away at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 9:33 A.M.

Ruby was born May 8, 1934 in Benton, IL to Archie & Stella (Bradford) Grammer.

She work at Holiday Inn for a time, then as a caregiver to many. She looked forward to her travels every summer with her sister Sharon, nieces & friends. She loved to play Rummy with her daughters, which she won quite often. Ruby was a strong, independent, fiesty woman. She will be forever loved and deeply missed.

She is survived by her children; Pete Talley of Clarksville, TN, (Linda) Greg Mandrell of Benton, IL, (Karen) Jeff Karas of Rochelle, IL, (Cheryl) Monti Summers of Benton, IL, Jowana Talley of Benton, IL, Olen Talley of Benton, IL, Mike (Karen)Talley of Wylie, TX and bonus son Jimmy Vanhorn or Highland Park, TX. Her surviving siblings; Darroll (Judy) Grammer of Eddyville, KY, Sharon (Stan) Moser of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Carolyn Williams of Benton, IL. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren; Amy Renyard, Amanda Dawson, Dean Mandrell, Tiffany Talley, Misty Summers, Ashley Talley, Allan Talley & Amber Talley Ramos, along with 15 great-grandchildren.

Ruby was preceded in death by her siblings, 8 brothers-Billy Grammer, John Grammer, Lonnie Grammer, Carl Grammer, Charles Grammer, Don Grammer, Archie Grammer & Carroll Grammer, 1 sister- Ramona Grammer Tasky, her parents Archie & Stella Grammer, son-Robert Lee Talley, great-grandson-Alexander Banks, 2 brothers-in-law-Curtis Williams & Ed Tasky, sister-in-law-Ruth Grammer and former husband Pete Talley.

She was the heart and foundation of the family. A devoted mother of 8 and a proud great-grandmother of 15. Her life was defined by her unwavering dedication, selflessness and boundless love. For those she cherished most, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchilren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 23rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Rick Grammer officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home

04/19/2026

Wanda E. Storey, 94, of Benton passed away Thursday morning April 16, 2026 at Fifth Seasons in Benton.

She was born on December 22, 1931 in Sesser, IL the daughter of Raymond & Ruth (Veach) Bennett.

She married Lowell Storey on December 17, 1960 and he preceded her in death on July 21, 1996.

Mrs. Storey was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She loved being a Teacher. She loved sewing, reading, landscaping and hummingbirds.

Mrs. Storey is survived by her:

Granddaughter: Katlyn Newman & husband Travis

Grandson: Holden Storey & fiancée Cheyanne

Daughter-in-law: Robin Storey

2 Great-Grandchildren: Aiden & Clayton

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, Son-Mark K. Storey and Brothers-Donald Bennett & Farrel Bennett.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday April 24th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

03/27/2026

Dorothy Nolen was born in Williamson County, Illinois on August 14, 1927 to Oscar Bearden and Florence Jarvis Bearden.

She married Elvis Nolen on May 25, 1984. They shared more than thirty happy years. She never stopped loving and missing him.

She is survived by her daughter Janis Reed Thomas (Skip), her grandson Brandon Mandrell (Alex) and her precious great-granddaughter Harper Mandrell. Also surviving are other family members Melissa Schultz (Will), Rocky (Sarah) Thomas, Skipper Thomas, Mica Thomas, Megan (Aaron) Robinson and all of their children.

She loved her family so much and was so proud of them. They always came first in her life.

She graduated from Vergennes High School and later took business classes at Benton High School through SIU.

She worked from a dictaphone at home for a time for Dr. Swinney, he was trying to help her cope with the loss of her son.

She served in the Browning Township Office for twenty eight years. She served twelve years as Bookkeeper and Office Manager and sixteen years as Browning Township Supervisor.

She was a member of Jackson Grove Baptist Church. She loved music and sang for many years in the First Baptist Choir.

She enjoyed cooking for family and friends. She won two cooking contests through the Southern Illinois Newspaper. She was famous for her “Cajun Chicken”.

Dorothy was a kind, generous and selfless woman. She helped many people with her cooking during sickness and death.

Her parents preceded her in death along with brothers Kenneth and Mickey Bearden, sisters Eva, Margaret and Eunice, husbands-Lloyd Reed, Graydon Clem and Elvis Nolen and son-Marvin (Butch) Reed whom she adored.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 31st at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Kevin Bullard and Glenn Poshard officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jackson Grove Baptist Church.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

03/27/2026

Charles Henry Lance, 74, of Benton passed away on Wednesday afternoon March 25, 2026 at SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

He was born in Benton, IL on July 13, 1951 the son of Charles Leo & Etta Mae (Fitzpatrick) Lance.

He married Elaine (Piggott) on November 23, 1986 and she survives.

Mr. Lance was a skilled Automotive Mechanic and loved taking antique cars to sales and auctions.

Mr. Lance is survived by his:

Wife: Elaine Lance

2 Daughters:

Cynthia Maxey

Kathleen Manera

Grandchildren:

Logan Maxey & wife Ashton

Brooklyn Frey

1 Great-Granddaughter: Elliana Grace

1 Sister: Kathy Braden & husband Gary

Niece: Karla Lumpkin

Nephew: Shannon Braden

Niece: Stephanie Montgomery

He is also survived by several Great-Nieces & Great-Nephews.

Mr. Lance was preceded in death by his Parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 29th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Mike Jeter officiating. Visitation will be after 2:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Family.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

03/18/2026

Ruth Ann West, 82, of Herrin, and a former Benton resident, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion.

Ruth was born in Benton, Illinois on March 15, 1944 the daughter of John Logan & Merle I. (Kerley) Davis.

She married Danny West on February 14, 1990, and he survives.

Mrs. West is survived by her:

Husband: Danny West

Son: Scott Hefner

Grandson: Logan Hefner & Sage

Brother: Tom Davis

She is also survived by several Nieces & Nephews and many special Sister-in-laws & Brother-in-laws.

Mrs. West was preceded in death by her Parents, John & Merle Davis, Daughter-Terri Hefner and Brother-Kenneth Davis.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:00 P. M. on Monday, March 23rd at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Burial will follow. There will be No Visitation, those attending the services are requested to meet at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to a local Animal Shelter or to the American Cancer Society.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

03/17/2026

Janet Elaine Payne-Wilson

Janet Wilson, 88, of Benton passed away Thursday morning, March 12, 2026 at home. She was born in Chicago Heights, IL on January 9, 1938, the daughter of Gale and Hazel (Parrish) Sneed She and her family relocated to Ewing when she was in the 5th grade.

Janet married Robert (Bob) Payne on October 28, 1955. He preceded her in death February 15, 2011. After graduation from Benton High School she worked various jobs including a law office and a local bank. Janet managed the showroom and office duties of her husband Bob’s business, Pinson and Payne, later becoming Bob Payne Plumbing in Benton. Later she enjoyed the office duties of a Benton real estate office.

In 2013, Janet reconnected with a former classmate from Ewing Grade School, William Wilson. Later that year she and Bill married on September 28, 2013 and he survives.

As a young woman she loved singing with the Sneed Sisters and the gospel group The Psalmaneers. She was an active member of the Whittington Baptist Church and had many friends there. She was a great cook and made amazing pies. She enjoyed the church senior meals and quilting group.

Janet is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Gayla Dial (Bryan) of Riverview, FL and Mrs. Robin McAfoos (Tom) of Thompsonville, IL. She is also survived by a sister, Judy Smith (Tom) and brother-in-law John Payne (Barbara) all of Benton, IL.

Also surviving are three grandchildren: Rachel (Gostowski) Valosik (Jim) of Nashville, TN, Jason Gostowski (Kate) of Woosburn, KY, and Jessie (McAfoos) Fedyniak (Alec) of Sierra Madre, CA.

Janet was blessed with four step-children: Julie Brannan, Missoula, MT, Carla Brannan, Gillette, WY, Jane Todd, Carrollton, IL, and Cathy Wilson, Eldred, IL.

Step-grandchildren include George (Christina) Dial, children Kinsley and Lincoln, Clarksville, TN and Amy (Hector) Quintero, and daughter Annalise, Dover AFB Delaware.

Many great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren were also loved by Mrs. Wilson.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Ronald Newcomb, and Carolyn and Ronald Lynch. She was also preceded by an infant brother Milford Lee.

She will be greatly missed by her church friends and her extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday April 6th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. on Monday at the funeral home.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

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