The Obituary Section

Marilyn Murphy

, Illinois

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. Marilyn enjoyed flamingoes. Her favorite color was pink and she loved anything that was colored pink. She loved Halloween it was her favorite holiday. She also enjoyed beautiful sunsets and she loved her dogs. Surviving is a daughter Michelle Shaffer of Washington three grandchildren all of Washington a halfbrother Bill Murphy of Florida. Funeral Mass will be held at 1000 a.m. Friday April 10 2026 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Benton with Rev. Father Urban Osuji officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Francis Care Animal Shelter 6228 Country Club Road Murphysboro IL 62966. Due to Marilyns love for pink if you feel so…

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Joann Rose

, Illinois

JoAnn Rose age 92 of Benton passed away at 606 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 for her six children JoAnn worked outside of the home as a Radiology Tech for over 30 years. Part of her working career was with the Franklin Hospital of Benton. JoAnn was a lifetime member of the First Christian Church of Benton and enjoyed attending and worshipping with her church family. Her pride and joy was her family. Family was everything to her. Her thoughts were always…

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John Kramer

, Illinois

John Wayne Kramer age 71 of Benton passed away on Tuesday March 24 2026 at the Franklin Hospital of Benton IL. 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. John enjoyed going to dirt track races building and fabricating things he was considered a gear head. Most of all he enjoyed spending time and visiting with friends. Surviving is a son John Christopher Kramer of Southern Illinois two grandchildren Elena and Declan Kramer of Denver CO a special cousin Matt Kramer and wife Kailyn and children Matti and Brayden of Benton IL his lifelong friends Bob and Cindy Britton of Benton IL his cats Buddy and Molly and several nephews and cousins. Mr. Kramer was preceded in death by his parents a son Jacob R. Kramer a…

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James Robinson

, Illinois

James Leon Robinson age 85 of Sesser Illinois passed away at 435 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 the UMWA. He enjoyed working. He loved gardening hunting and fishing You would find him every Tuesday at Tuesday Sales in Sesser. One of his greatest accomplishments in life took place on March 17 2026 when he professed his faith and trust in his Lord and Saviour and was saved. Surviving is his loving wife Judy Robinson of Sesser IL three…

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Laura Stewart

, Illinois

Laura Ruth Stewart age 69 of Benton passed away at 859 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 discus. This was quite a feat due to womens competition being still a oneclass system. Her accolades in high school womens track and field would help her compete collegiately at Illinois State until an injury ended her career. Laura formerly worked as a server and trainer with Red Lobster. She also for 35 years was the highest nonpaid key volunteer with the Special…

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Jeanette Tate

, Illinois

Mary Jeanette Tate age 79 of Benton passed away at her home at 1158 p.m. Thursday February 12 2026. Mrs. Tate was born December 25 1946 in Buckner Illinois the daughter of James Neal Morrison Jr. and Della Stalorites Morrison. Jeanette was a member of the West City Church of God. She enjoyed going to church and worshipping her Lord and Savior. Her working career consisted of 25 years working as a legal secretary for Bill Hart 20 years with IBEW Local 702 and with Attorney Paula Newcomb. She is survived by two sons Jason Lisa Tate of West Frankfort IL and Andy Megan Tate of Herrin IL two grandchildren Austin Tate and wife Mallory of St. Augustine FL and Madison Tate of West Frankfort a brother James Morrison III and wife Karen of Benton IL and several nieces nephews and her church family. Funeral Services will be held at…

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Gary Tucker

, Illinois

Gary Dale Tucker born on August 23 1951 passed away peacefully at Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville Indiana on February 20 2026. Gary dedicated much of his professional life to Hamilton County Schools where he spent most of his career at Hamilton County Preschool. There he was affectionately known as Mr. Gary to generations of young children and their families. His warm presence and kind spirit made him a beloved figure outings to Walmart or other local businesses were frequently interrupted by excited cries of Mr. Gary Mom theres Mr. Gary a testament to the lasting impact he had on those he served. After retiring Gary continued his passion for children by babysitting his younger grandchildren. He often joked with his characteristic humor The pay isnt good but the benefits are great. His love for family extended beyond his immediate circle he cherished time spent with friends and…

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Daniel Brown

, Illinois

Dan was born December 5 1954 in Louisiana Missouri the son of Duane Harvard Brown and Martha Jean Walton Brown. He retired from AireMaster of America. Before working with AireMaster he was known as Dan the Schwans Man where he worked for Schwans home delivery. Dan enjoyed playing golf riding bicycles and watching the news. When he was younger he enjoyed deer hunting. Surviving are his children Daniel John Brown and wife Amanda and their children of Bremerton Washington Jeremiah A. Breckenridge and children of Benton Illinois Joseph Brown and wife Kindall and children of Frankfort Illinois Brittany N. Brown and children of Ethridge Tennessee Michael a. Brown of Murphysboro Illinois two brothers David Leroy Brown of Hot Springs South Dakota Randall Donald Brown of Cape Girardeau Missouri and many nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 100 p.m. Saturday March 14 2026 at the Leffler…

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Louetta Tollison

, Illinois

Louetta Tollison age 89 of Benton passed away at 330 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 Lous Country Kitchen of Benton. Louetta was a member of the Steel City Baptist Church and enjoyed attending and worshipping with her church family. She enjoyed spending time taking care of her grandkids baking pies and cakes for her family. She had many requests at family get together and church dinners for her famous pineapple upside down cake. Surviving is a daughter Jean Ann Williams and husband Stanley of Benton IL…

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Christopher Osborn

, Illinois

October 12, 1990

Christopher was born October 13 1990 in Litchfield IL the son of Kenneth Gene Osborn and Sandra Lou Pully Osborn. 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 Osborn of Brighton IL brothers Kevin Osborn of Benton IL Steven Osborn of Murphysboro IL Michael Millsap of Brighton IL and James Millsap of Shiloh IL stepsiblings Mindy Crain of Benton IL Brian Vreeland of Benton IL Megan Kay of Benton IL several aunts uncles cousins nieces and nephews. Christopher was preceded in death by his mother Sandra Lou Pully Weston grandmother Juanita Osborn maternal grandparents Harvey and Katherine Pully. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 300 p.m. Monday March 2 2026 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton with Pastor Alan Newman officiating. Visitation will be from 100…

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