https://www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com/

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

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

03/17/2026

Lynial Lee “Lyn” Jennings, Jr., 59, of Benton passed away at 7:30 P.M. Sunday March 15, 2026 at his home surrounded by his boys.

He was born in West Frankfort, IL on April 20, 1966 the son of Lynial Lee & Sharon Lou (Miller) Jennings.

Mr. Jennings was a construction worker. He loved to fish, play cards, shoot pool and bowl (having bowled a 300 game). He also loved NASCAR. His favorite car was a 1996 Camaro. He accepted Jesus as his personal Savior on November 20, 2025. He enjoyed getting together with The Mermaid Club and his card friends.

He is survived by his:

Sons:

David Jennings & his children Paige & Jaden of Benton

Andrew Jennings of Benton

Jonathan Snyder (Van) and their son Graysen of Benton

Mother: Sharon Davis of Conyers, GA

Father: Lynial Jennings of Byron, GA

Brothers & Sisters:

Marla (Daniel) Sullivan

Billy Davis

Johnny (Tina) Davis

Robin (Jerome) Morgan

Lisa (Rodney) Smith

Carla Jennings

Tyler (Jennifer) Jennings

Katelyn Jennings

He was preceded in death by his Brother-Ronnie Davis

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, March 27th at the Royalton Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Herrin City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. on Friday at the church.

For those who wish Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

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

03/10/2026

Marshall Ray Girtman, 67, of Sesser, Illinois, formerly a resident of Benton, Illinois passed away peacefully at his home on March 8, 2026, surrounded by his family.

He was born July 23, 1958, to Charles and Thelma “Margaret” Girtman in Marion, Illinois. He married the love of his life and best friend Linda Lou “Toms” Girtman on August 20, 1983. Marshall owned and operated “Marshalls Body Shop” on Route 34 in Benton, Illinois for 20 years. Marshall was a husband, father, papa and friend. Marshall always enjoyed his friends and grandkids stopping by for a visit. He spent summer days sitting on the porch watching his grandkids play in the yard. He loved his dog, Sally. Marshall has always enjoyed all things Harley and never passed up an opportunity to take his bike for a ride.

He is survived by his son Steven (Katlyn) Girtman, daughter Melinda (Derek) Flatt, son Marshall Girtman, Jr.; his nine grandchildren Emily Cardwell, Hannah Cardwell, Kaisley Girtman, Tatum Girtman, C**t Girtman, Mia Cooper-Girtman, Kristen Girtman, Sarah Girtman, Ben Girtman; his siblings Beverly O’Conner, Ellen Girtman, Daniel (Robin) Girtman, Marcia (Bob) Bartlett and Gwen Jones.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Linda Lou Girtman, his mother Margaret and father Charles, his siblings Margaret “Charlene” McGlone, Elza “Mae” Yarbor, Charles “Douglas” Girtman, Barbara “Darlene” McCourt, Dennis Girtman and his granddaughter Gretchen Cardwell.

A Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 12th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

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

03/09/2026

Debbie Gibbs, 74, of Benton passed away Saturday morning March 7, 2026 at Helia HealthCare of Benton

She was born on April 22, 1951 in Chicago, IL the daughter of Lindell & Ruth (Underwood) Gibbs.

Debbie loved walking around, lottery, bingo and loved animals especially dogs. She loved Ann’s grandkids like her own.

Debbie is survived by several Nieces & Nephews.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, 5 Brothers-Richard, Leroy, Larry, John & Lawrence and 3 Sisters-Brenda, Bertha & Ann.

Services will be held from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 15th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.

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

03/09/2026

Ann M. Gibbs

A Life Filled with Strength, Kindness, and Unconditional Love

Ann M. Gibbs, age 68, of Benton, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, at her home.

Ann was born on January 19, 1958, in Christopher, Illinois. She later made Benton her home, where she built her life, raised her family, and created countless memories with the people she loved most.

She spent many years working in healthcare, dedicating herself to caring for others. Whether it was family, friends, or patients, Ann had a natural way of making people feel cared for, comforted, and valued.

Ann was known for her strength, kindness, and the unwavering love she had for her family. Life brought its share of struggles, but she faced every challenge with determination and courage. She had a generous heart and was always willing to help someone in need. She also had a wonderful sense of humor, and her laugh was so distinctive and joyful that it could be recognized in any room. Those who knew her will remember her for her warmth, her resilience, and the way she always put the people she loved first.

In her free time, Ann enjoyed playing cards, ceramic painting, camping, buying and selling online, playing bingo, traveling, and visiting with friends and family. She especially treasured time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her endless pride and joy.

Ann is survived by her loving children: Heidi Beppler and husband Kirby; Shane Wells; Van Snyder and husband Jon; and Levi Moore and wife Nicole. She also leaves behind twelve cherished grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Amanda Snyder; her brothers, Leroy Gibbs, Larry Gibbs, Richard Gibbs, John Gibbs, and Lawrence Gibbs; and her sisters, Bertha Presutti, Brenda Mitchell, and her sister Debbie Gibbs that passed away on March 7th 2026.

Ann will be remembered for her strength, generosity, and the unconditional love she gave so freely to those around her. Her greatest legacy lives on through the family she loved so deeply and the countless memories they will carry with them forever.

Services will be held at Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton on March 15, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A meal will follow at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Benton. All who knew Ann are welcome to attend and celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family simply encourages those who knew Ann to come, share memories, and celebrate the life she lived.

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

Morton and Johnston Funeral Home

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

03/18/2026

03/17/2026

03/17/2026

03/10/2026

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category