Army. He worked for Bean Farms, which later became Hood Farms, for 28 years.
Mr. Sweet is survived by his wife, Martha Sweet of West City; daughter, Martha Willis and husband, James, of Benton; son, John Sweet Jr. and wife, Jo Lynn, of Benton; six grandchildren, Michael Sean Eubanks of Benton, Holly Marie Queen of Christopher, Matthew Miller of West Frankfort, Stephanie Brace of Christopher, Joni Dawn Eubanks of Benton and John David Sweet of Pittsburg, Kan.; two grandchildren, Israel Jacob Queen and Elizabeth Dawn Brace; four sisters, Dorothy Walker of Texas, Margaret Kent of Benton, Nadine Volner of Lesterville, Mo., and Ina Weber of Missouri; three brothers, Rev. Joe Charles Tripp of Paragould, Ark., (Jim) Howard Sweet of Champaign and Carl Sweet of Pesotum; several nieces and nephews, and special cousins, Carmen Barnfield and sisters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, by one son, Rodger, and by three brothers and one sister.
ELSIE ALEEN KAEMPER
Akin - Elsie Aleen Kaemper, 89, of Akin, died at 2:55 p.m. Thursday, May 20, 2004, at her home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, with Dr. Pat Patterson and Rev. Robert Mallicoat officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Kaemper was born Oct. 21, 1914, in Cutler, the daughter of James R. and Julia Ann (Thompson) Craig. She married Emil Kaemper on Oct. 19, 1937, and he preceded her in death on April 23, 1983.
She was a homemaker and a member of the Akin Missionary Baptist Church where she served as church secretary, treasurer and Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening.
She is survived by two grandchildren, Gary and Elizabeth Kaemper, Belleville, and Carol and Pat Patterson, Richmond, Va.; four great-grandchildren, Lori and Gary Landoll, Toledo, Ohio, Lee and Laura Kaemper, Sedalia, Mo., Keith and Marla Patterson, Houston, Texas, Clark and Erin Patterson, Houston, Texas; three great-great-grandchildren, Aleksey Kaemper, Michael and Christopher Landoll, three sisters, Annabelle McDonald, St. Louis, Cleta Bollman, Campbell Hill, Grace and Wilbert Ehlers, Campbell Hill; a brother, Paul and Tomoko Craig, Oklahoma City, Okla., and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Kaemper was preceded in death by her parents, a stepson, Delbert Kaemper; two brothers, Loren and Nelson Craig; and two sisters, Lydia Adams and Edna Hopkins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Akin Missionary Baptist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.
RONALD LESTER DAVIS SR.
Royalton - Ronald Lester Davis, Sr., "Mr. Chaney" 66, of Royalton died at 8:45 a.m., Friday, May 21, 2004, at his home.
Ronald was born Dec. 5, 1937, in East St. Louis to Lester Lloyd and Anita (Engelen) Davis. He married Virie Stacey April 23, 1957, in Covington, Ky. She survives in Royalton.
Other survivors include, one daughter and son-in- law, Babetta and Ralph Halleran, and a son and daughter-in-law, Ronald L. and Ramona Davis, Jr. all of Royalton; four granddaughters, Christina Halleran and her fianc/, Mike Brandon, of Sikeston, Mo., Jennifer Buie and her husband, James of Mulkey-town, Cassandra Halleran and her special friend, James Jackson of Mulkeytown and Racheal Davis and her fianc/, Shane Hilliard of Royalton; two grandsons, David Davis and his fianc/, Jamie Menckowski, and Daniel Davis and his fianc/, Dawn Monroe, all of Royalton. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Ronald was a member of the First Baptist Church in Christopher. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Marion Masonic Lodge, the Shriners Club of Williamson County, the Sword of Bunkerhill and Aniad Temple of East St. Louis.
He was the former owner/operator of "Chaney's Superette" in Marion for 29 years where he was known as "Mr. Chaney." He also was the former owner/operator of "Ron's Mobile Home Service" in Royalton.
Funeral services for Mr. Davis will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, at Vantrease Funeral Home in Zeigler. Burial will be at St. Aloysius Cemetery, east of Royalton. Visiting hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home where masonic rites will be held at 6:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Davis may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
ALICE VENTRESS
Christopher - Alice Ventress, 76, Christopher died at 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 21, in Franklin Hospital.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 24, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, with the Rev. Gene Fox officiating. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery in Buckner. Friends may call to the funeral home after 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 23.
She was born Dec. 31, 1927, in Christopher, the daughter of Theodore and Sylvia (Swain) Furlow, who preceded her in death.
She married Ralph Ventress on June 19, 1947, in Zeigler, and he survives.
Mrs. Ventress served as a teller at the Bank of Christopher between 1944 and 1989.
She is survived by two nieces and two nephews.
MILDRED MATHIS
Plainwell, Mich. - Mildred Mathis, 88, of Plainwell, Mich., a former Benton resident, died Friday, May 21, 2004.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 24 at the Logan City Cemetery with Pastor Jack Wolfe officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton.
Mrs. Mathis was born July 15, 1915, in Buckner, the daughter of Frank and Lula Tate. She married Leo Mathis, and the couple moved to the Plainwell area where she worked at the paper mill, then later as a beautician, and in the 1970's as a clerk at the Dime Store in Otsego.
Mildred was a life member of the Eastern Star, bowled on several leagues and was in many golf tournaments at Eagle Creek. The last two years she has lived at the William Crispe Home and Life Care after caring for herself until she was 86.
She is survived by a son, Leonard and Karen Mathis, Plainwell, MI, two granddaughters, Lauren and Jenna Mathis, Plainwell, MI, and a sister, Eulon Roach, Logan, IL.
Mrs. Mathis was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a sister, Lillian Glenn.
Memorial contributions may be made to the William Crispe Senior Home and will be accepted at the funeral home.
PEGGY ANN WOMBLE
Benton - Peggy Ann (Cook) Womble, 65, of Benton, died at 3:20 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2004, at her home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Whittington, with the Rev. Mark Minor and the Rev. Dale Carson officiating. Burial will be in the Shiloh Cemetery in Whittington. Friends may call at the Johnston Funeral Home from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Peggy was born June 21, 1938, in Whittington, the daughter of Alva and Pearl (House) Cook.
She retired from Wal-Mart. She then became manager of Casey's General Store in Benton, a job which she dearly loved. She worked long hours, going in very early to open the store. She loved her fellow employees, and her customers, whom she looked forward to seeing.
Peggy is survived by her two daughters, Victoria "Vickie" Baker of McLeansboro and Valerie Kay Henderson of Benton; one son, Douglas Womble and wife, Sherry, of Benton; nine grandchildren, Victor Ray Owens Jr. of Mt. Vernon, Casey Matthew Owens of Mt. Vernon, Chal/t Nicole Conner of Galatia, Sheyanne McMahon of McLeansboro, Ciara Jade Henderson of Benton, L. Cortez "TEZ" Henderson III of Benton, Dustin Wade Womble of Thompsonville, McKenzie Taylor Heard of Benton and Emily Elizabeth Womble of Benton; one great-granddaughter, Kali Rea Owens of Opdyke; two sisters, Louise Kramer and Elaine Lucini, both of Benton; two brothers, Lowell "Bud" Cook of Marion and Bob Cook of Benton; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by a sister, Mary Lou Kramer.
MILDRED ROBERTA MEADOWS
Christopher - Mildred Roberta Meadows, 71, of Christopher died at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at the Carbondale Memorial Hospital.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, officiated by Pastor Donnie Colson. Burial will be in the Zeigler City Cemetery. Visitation will be after 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Meadows was born Sept. 19, 1932, in Stonefort, the daughter of William Perry and Minnie M. (Johnson) Armstrong. She was married to Jesse James Meadows Sr., and he preceded her in death on April 16, 1988.
A homemaker, Mrs. Meadows was survived by her children, Jessica Roberts Stritzel of Coello, Jesse James Meadows Jr. of West Frankfort and William E. Meadows of Carbondale; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and four sisters, Bessie Mathis and Jean Jelly, both of Wichita, Kan., Minnie Poe of West Frankfort and Lillie Mae Ousterdock of Chicago.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and six sisters.
ROBERT O. ADAMS
West City - Robert O. Adams, 76, of West City died at 3:47 a.m. Thursday, April 15, 2004, at his home.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with the Rev. Ron Cremeens officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the West Frankfort VFW. Those attending the service are requested to go directly to the cemetery.
The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois Inc.
Mr. Adams was born Sept. 18, 1927, in Christopher, the son of Emery Adams Sr. and Margaret (Yates) Adams.
Mr. Adams was retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service. He was a lifetime member of the West Frankfort VFW.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by three brothers and two sisters.
THELMA (SMITH) FOWLER BEHYMER
Whittington - Thelma (Smith) Fowler Behymer, 90, of Whittington, died at 6:03 p.m. Thursday, April 15, 2004, at her home.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Thompsonville. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Behymer was born April 17, 1913, in Rosebud, Ill., the daughter of Thomas A. Smith and Myrtle G. (May) Smith. She first married Grover Fowler, and he preceded her in death in May of 1971. She later married Frank Behymer, and he preceded her in death in October of 1988.
She was a retired seamstress, having worked at the Joan Claire Dress Factory and the West Side Laundry prior to her retirement. She was a member of the International Ladies Garment Worker's Union and attended the First Baptist Church in Thompsonville.
She is survived by four sons, Norman and Dorothy Fowler, Mt. Vernon, Dennis and Donna Fowler, Thompsonville, Jack and Nancy Fowler, McLeansboro, and Albert and Susan Fowler, Yorkville, Ill.; four daughters, Freda and Jim Broadway, Benton, Virginia and Jim Smith, Whittington, Marilyn and Tim Planz, The Dalles, Ore., and Debra and Zulfiqar Ahmed, Johnston City, 29 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Freda Olson, Moline, and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Behymer was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, a daughter, Pauline Swensen; five grandchildren, Jeff Garbo, Tina Fowler, Timmy Fowler, Jimmy Smith and Gary Dale Wintz; a great-grandson, Charles Garbo; four brothers, one sister; and two step-sons, James Roscoe Fowler and Robert Fowler.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospice or the Charles Garbo Memorial Scholarship Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.
PAUL 'GENE' THREEWITT
Benton - Paul "Gene" Threewitt, 77, of Benton, died at 5:10 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2004, at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Arrangements are pending at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.
BEVERLY JANE FLACK
Zeigler - Beverly Jane Flack, 57, of Zeigler died at 12 p.m. Sunday, April 18, 2004, at her home.
Beverly was born Oct. 31, 1946, in Du Quoin Billy Dayton and Lillian Lucille (Jones) Ray. She married Rodney Flack Aug. 9, 1975, in Christopher. He survives in Zeigler.
Other survivors include her mother of Marion; two daughters, Cindy Ray of Zeigler and Shelly Ray of West Frankfort; a step-son, Rocky Flack of Du Quoin; three grandchildren, Brett and Cody Ray of West Frankfort and Ryan Flack of Nashville; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbara and Michael Rolla of Christopher and Betsy and Darrell Hurley of Marion; a brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Martina Ray of Belleville; and three nephews and their wives, Rodney and Terry Hale of Palestine, Michael and Valerie Rolla of Carbondale, and Billy and Jonna Rolla of Benton.
She was preceded in death by her father and a granddaughter, Alexia D. Ray. Beverly attended the Zeigler First Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and a member of the Zeigler Eagles and American Legion Auxiliaries.
It was Beverly's wishes to be cremated. Memorial services for Mrs. Flack will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 20, at the First Baptist Church in Zeigler with Brother David Lindgens officiating. Family and friends should meet at the church just prior to 11 a.m. Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family or to the First Baptist Church of Zeigler. Envelopes will be available at the church or may be mailed to Vantrease Funeral Home, P.O. Box 111, Zeigler, IL 62999.
Vantrease Funeral Home in Zeigler is in charge of the arrangements.
