U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
ADELLE HOPSON
Benton - Adelle Hopson, 83, died at 6 a.m. Monday, July 7, 2003, in her home.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 10, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Shrewsbury Cemetery in Mill Shoals, Ill. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to the funeral home.
Mrs. Hopson was born in Marshall County, Ky., on Sept. 5, 1919, the daughter of Walter and Victoria (Darnell) Starks.
She married Carroll Hopson in 1938, in Morganfield, Ky. He survives.
She was employed for several years at Airtex in Fairfield and later worked at the Franklin Hospital in Benton in the Dietary Department for 14 years, and was a member of the East Benton Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Carroll Hopson of Benton; two sons, Jerry Hopson of Centralia and wife Georgia, Richard Hopson of Roseville, CA and wife Rosa; three granddaughters, Janet, Anna and Lisa.
Mrs. Hopson was preceded in death by her parents and 13 brothers and sisters.
SOPHIE T. CZYZ
Sesser - Sophie T. Czyz, known also by her nickname, Cookie Bushia, 92, died on Monday, June 30, 2003, in Carbondale Memorial Hospital.
Visitation is from 3 until 8 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2003, at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, Sesser, where Father Steven Poole will officiate at a brief ceremony during visitation. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.
Mrs. Czyz was born on Feb. 22, 1911, in Chicago. She married Walter S. Czyz, and he preceded her in death.
She was of the Catholic faith, and a homemaker who enjoyed gardening and baking cookies.
Survivors include four children, Nancy and Jack Valente of Sesser, Robert and Peggy Czyz of Franklin, Tenn., Walter and Noreen Czyz of Yorkville and Therese and Ron Van Dyck of Maggie Valley, N.C.; 11 grandchildren, including Geno and Tony Valente; 15 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Stella Austin.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters, Julia and Mary and one brother, Joe
RUDY JOE SANDERS
Royalton - Rudy Joe Sanders, 53, of Royalton died at 6:28 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at his home.
Rudy was born Dec. 27, 1949, in Christopher to Joe and Dolores (Dryden) Sanders. He married JoAnn Chamness June 29, 1984, in Royalton. She survives in Royalton.
Other survivors include his mother and stepfather, Dolores and Kenneth Brandon of Hurst; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kari and Ryan Schriber of St. Louis, Mo., and Billie Jo Sanders of Royalton; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Kathy Jackson of Royalton; two grandchildren, Ashley and Ryan Jackson of Royalton; a brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Jodi Sanders of Hurst; a very special aunt, Mary Barnett of Freeman Spur and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
His father, Joe Sanders preceded him in death.
Rudy was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Royalton and the Shack Club in Royalton. He was a coal miner who last worked at the Freeman United Crown Three Mine in Farmersville and had worked at Old Ben Number 26 Mine in Sesser.
Funeral services for Mr. Sanders will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2003, at Vantrease Funeral Home in Royalton with Reverend David Sorensen officiating. Burial will be at Blairsville Cemetery. Visiting hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Sanders may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene in Royalton or Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc.
EARL R. HIGGERSON
Benton, IL - Earl R. Higgerson, 50, of 724 Sheridan Drive, died at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 1, 2004 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, with Dr. Orville S. Lester officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Masonic rites performed at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Higgerson was born on March 25, 1954 in Peoria, IL, the son of Earl L. and Helen L. (Hirsch) Higgerson. He married the former Beth Ann Ruck in Navarre Beach, FL on April 5, 2003 and she survives.
He was a correctional officer at the Big Muddy River Correctional Center, a member of the AFSCME Local 1336, and a volunteer fireman with the Benton Fire Department. He was a member of the DuQuoin First Baptist Church, Benton Masonic Lodge, Benton Elks Club, Boneyard Boccie Club, and the Benton Country Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Nathan and wife Carrie Higgerson, Waterloo, IL, a daughter, Leah and husband Shane Anderson, St. Peters, MO, a step-son, Ian Oller, Morrisonville, IL, his mother, Helen Higgerson, DuQuoin, a brother, Larry and wife Terry Higgerson, DuQuoin, a niece and nephew, Kelley and Lance Higgerson, both of DuQuoin.
Mr. Higgerson was preceded in death by his father.
For more information or to sign the memorial guest register visit www.hobbsjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
LARRY C. ROONEY
Benton, IL - Larry C. Rooney, 45, of 1104 Fairland St., Benton, Illinois and formerly of Corry, PA., died unexpectedly on Friday, March 26, 2004 in the Franklin Hospital in Benton, Illinois.
He was born on April 22, 1958 in Corry, PA, the son of Wallace W. and Marcella M. Lowe Rooney of Corry, PA.
Mr. Rooney was raised and educated in Corry, graduating from Corry Area High School in 1976. As a young man he was in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. While in high school he was on the football and wrestling teams. He then served for four years with the U. S. Navy aboard the LST Spartansburg County ( # 1192). Following his discharge, he returned to Corry and worked on oil drilling rigs in the area before moving to Mannassas and Fairfax, Virginia where he held different jobs. In 1999 he moved to Benton, Illinois where he was the Sexton of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles, woodworking and playing his guitar.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Clarence Lowe and his paternal grandparents, James I. and Ruth Rooney.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his life long companion, Sheila Conner of Benton, IL. By a daughter, Brianna Rae Rooney of Benton, IL.
His maternal grandmother, Wilma Lowe Bashline of Meadville, PA. A sister, Bonnie Stanley and her husband, Ray, of Norfolk, VA. A brother, Robert Rooney of Corry, PA. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Bracken Funeral Home, 315 N. Center St., Corry, PA. on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and may attend a funeral service there on Thursday at 11 a.m. Rev. Karen B. Anderson, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Corry, PA will officiate. Burial will be made at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Larry C. Rooney Memorial Fund, c/o Bracken Funeral Home, 315 N. Center St., Corry, PA. 16407.
MARY LOU KRAMER
Whittington, IL - Mary Lou Kramer, 75, of Whittington, died at 2:15 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2004, at her home. She was born in Benton, on May 26, 1928, the daughter of Alva and Pearl (House) Cook.
She was retired as Deputy Court Clerk of the Appellate Court in Mt. Vernon.
She is survived by a son, Mike Kramer, of Benton; a daughter, Kandis McGraw, of Benton; three grandchildren: Maria Medders, Marina Baine, and Mathew Kramer, all of Benton; four great-grandchildren: Molly, Holly, Erica, and River; two brothers: Lowell "Bud" Cook of Marion, and Bob Cook of Benton; three sisters: Louise Kramer, Peggy Womble, and Elaine Lucini, all of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents and by an uncle, Omar House.
Private family funeral services will be held on Friday, with the Rev. Mark Minor officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Johnston Funeral Home in Whittington is handling the arrangements.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Whittington.
ERMA PARINI JOHNSON
Royalton, IL - Erma (Parini) Johnson, 83, of North Main Street, Royalton, Illinois died at 7:18 p.m., Monday, March 29, 2004 at her home.
Erma was born April 25, 1920 in Bush, Illinois to John and Angela ( Badini) Parini.
She married Elbert Clarence Johnson in 1940 in Kentucky. He preceded her in death November 6, 1973.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews, including, John Parini of Springfield, Gary Parini of Bush; Donna Wilson and her husband, George of Bush and Sheila Morse and her husband, Carlos of Marion.
Her parents and three brothers, Premo, Cedo and Deno Parini also preceded her in death.
Mrs. Johnson was of the catholic faith and a homemaker.
Funeral services for Mrs. Johnson will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 1, 2004 at Vantrease Funeral Home in Royalton with her friend, Sister Naomi Carter officiating.
Burial will be at Miners Cemetery east of Royalton. Visiting hours are after 9:00 a.m., Thursday at the funeral home until the hour of the services.
C.J. SUMMERS
Benton - C.J. Summers, 76, of Benton passed away at 11:50 a.m. Saturday, May 29, 2004, at the Franklin Hospital in Benton.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with the Rev. Bruce Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & OddFellows Cemetery in Benton. Friends may call after 11 a.m. on Wednesday to the funeral home.
He was born on October 25, 1927, in Benton, the son of Charles Wesley and Ethel (Crider) Summers.
Mr. Summers was a member of the North Benton Baptist Church. He retired as Golf Course Superintendent of the Benton Country Club after 47 years.
On October 19, 1958, he married Thelma J. (Jones) Summers, and she survives.
Also surviving are nieces and nephews, Gary Reynolds and wife, Bette, of Benton, Donna Lampley of Benton, James Summers and wife, Jeanette, Kenneth Summers and wife, Cindy, of Carmichaels, Pa., Lois Bish and husband, Ed, of Melrose Park, Gwen Kaiser of Melrose Park, and Barbara Buda of Austin, Texas; great-nieces and great-nephews, Nancy Graser and husband, Paul, of St. Charles, Mo., Nancy Wilson and husband, Bruce, of O'Fallon, Mo., Cindy Bishop and husband, Raymond, of McHenry, Joyce Cadwallader and husband, Robert, of Amasa, Mich., Brandon Reynolds of Benton, and Danielle Reynolds of Benton; and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Britton of Melrose Park.
Mr. Summers was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Samuel and Chancey; and one sister, Thelma Morgan.
REV. FORREST B. RICHARDSON
Sesser - Rev. Forrest B. Richardson, 82, of Sesser died at 6:30 pm. Saturday, May 29, 2004 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Marion.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at the Logan Church of God, Logan, with the Rev. Bob Richardson and Pastor Melton Nelms officiating. Burial will be in the Logan Church of God Cemetery, Logan. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 1 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, 301 S. Main Street, Benton, and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church.
Rev. Richardson was born Oct. 1, 1921, in Mt. Vernon, the son of Thomas Dewey Richardson and Bessie (Uselton) Richardson. He married the former Mary Louise (Abney) on April 18, 1945, in Crown Point, Ind., and she survives.
He was a decorated U.S. Army veteran of World War II; among his awards are the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star. He was an ordained minister for the Church of God. He was a pastor of seven churches in Illinois.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five sons and three daughters, Forrest W. Richardson and wife, Diane, of Marion, Katie Roach and husband, Artie, of Logan, Burt Richardson and wife, Jill, of Herrin, Jim Richardson and wife, Judy, of West Frankfort, Marty Richardson and wife, Lyn, of West Frankfort, John Richardson of Sesser, Nellie Jones and husband, John R., of Christopher, and Jeanne Crnokrak and husband Bill, of Johnston City; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mildred Shores of Quincy; one brother, Joe Richardson of Idaho; one half-sister, Frances Hartman of Montclair, Calif.; two half-brothers, and several nieces and nephews.
Rev. Richardson was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Harold and John Richardson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Church of God Children's Home and will be accepted at the funeral home.
