U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
CAROLETTA FERN GILLEN
Benton - Caroletta Fern Gillen, 64, of Benton died at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at her home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home with Pastor Rod Joplin officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery, Benton. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Gillen was born June 19, 1939 in Benton, the daughter of Floyd and Lois (Muir) Williams. She married Donald Gillen on Nov. 18, 1962 and he survives.
She was a retired LPN and a member of the New Life Church of God.
She is survived by her husband, Donald Gillen, Benton; a daughter, Anmarie and husband Troy Holden, Benton; two grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Austyn Holden, Benton; a sister-in-law, Gail Works, Benton; two nieces, Michelle Lampley, Christopher, and Lisa Champlin, Benton; and a nephew, Scott Williams, West City.
Mrs. Gillen was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Richard Williams.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA TIP Hospice or the New Life Church of God and will be accepted at the funeral home.
EDITH MAE SHANNON
Formerly Hanaford (Logan) - Edith Mae Shannon passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2004, in her 93rd year.
Edith was born Dec. 18, 1911, in Hanaford, which is now known as Logan to David and Mary Ann (Oyston) Cutty. She was married on Dec. 31, 1943, at her brother's home in Buckner, by her brother, to Joseph James Shannon. He preceded her in death in 1984.
She was the oldest and longest tenured member of St. James Episcopal Church in Marion. She was a life member of the Eastern Star, having received a 50-year pin, and was a former Grand Officer in Illinois. She was a 1930 graduate of Benton High School and was the first in her family to graduate.
Aunt Edie, as she was known by her family and friends, is survived by two nieces, Elizabeth Hegedus of Woodbridge, Va., and Nora M. Kirkpatrick of Lake of Egypt; and two nephews, George Rees of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Carl Willis of Columbia, Mo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, the Rev. Walker Cutty, Elizabeth Rees and Margaret Willis, all from Durham or New Castle, England. Three nieces, Harriet Phillips, Florence Rath and Earline Willis, and one nephew, David Willis, also preceded her in death.
Children, and their positive and caring being, were a most important feature of her life. She raised Mary Charlet like a daughter, as well as love for Mary's son Joshua.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at St. James Episcopal Church in Marion, with Father Richard Swan and Father Chuck Walthall officiating. Burial will follow at Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton.
Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the St. James Episcopal Church, 301 E. Thorn Street, Marion. The Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Church in honor of Edith's caring presence to our community. Memorial envelopes are available at the church the day of the service or at the funeral home.
JOHN RICHARD TEDESCHI
West Frankfort - John Richard Tedeschi, 67, of West Frankfort died Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at home peacefully surrounded by his family.
Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benton, with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Ceme-tery in Benton. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday to the Parker-Reedy Funeral Home in West Frankfort.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benton.
John was born on Nov. 4, 1936, in Hazel Park, Mich., to John Tedeschi and Stephanie Hadrovich. He married Gayla Sue Mabry on Aug. 30, 1957, in West Frankfort.
John is survived by his wife, Gayla of West Frankfort; son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Lori Ann Tedeschi of Benton; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Tony and Dee Dee Tedeschi of Wheaton; five grandchildren, Dominick, Sesley Ann, A.J., Joey, and Tommy; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Richard White of Arena, Wis.; half-sisters and brother-in-laws Laura and Bill White of Mt. Vernon, and Marilyn and Ray Wood of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benton.
John was well known within the community as he and Gayla owned and operated Mabry's Paint & Glass in West Frankfort from 1981 to 2000. Additionally, John served the community in his role on the Franklin County Board from 1976-1986. He served as chairman of the Franklin County Jail Commission, which oversaw construction of the new Franklin County Jail facility. John also served in the Illinois National Guard, as a police officer for the city of West Frankfort, and on the Franklin County Board of Review.
WILLIAM H. 'BILLY' EATON
Benton - William H. "Billy" Eaton, 42, of Benton died at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at his home.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 23, at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton, with Pastor Russell L. Wycoff officiating. Those attending the service on Friday are requested to meet at the cemetery. The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The Eaton family wishes to extend a special thank you to Hospice of the Good Samaritan for all their assistance.
Mr. Eaton was born in Mt. Vernon, Ind., on June 12, 1961, the son of William Howard and Louellen (Shelton) Eaton.
He attended the New Beginnings Assembly of God Church in West Frankfort.
Billy is survived by his mother, Louellen Eaton of Benton; three sisters, Linda Wilcox and husband, Richard, of Benton, Anna Fitzpatrick of Benton, and Leona Burnett and husband, Bill, of Portland, Ore.; one brother, David Eaton and wife, Aparecida, of Atlanta, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father.
RONALD DALE MADDOX
Sesser - Ronald Dale Maddox, 63, from Sesser died Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at his home.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, at the First United Methodist Church in Sesser. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.
He was born to Edna and Densil Maddox on Jan. 29, 1941. He is survived by his wife, Baiba; his mother, Edna Maddox Roussin of Sesser; sister, Margie Crouch and husband, Marshall, of Wasco, Calif.; and brother, Vernon Maddox of Sesser.
He married Susan Jones on Dec. 20, 1963, to which two daughters were born, Angie and her husband, Jim Rayer, of Columbia, S.C., and Tina and her husband, Jeremy Vaught, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.
On Nov. 26, 1976, he married Baiba Kisle Johnston, who has two daughters, Sheila and husband, Jody Martin, of Marco Island, Fla., and Leslie and husband, Jeff Carson, of Benton; seven grandchildren, Daniel and Lyla Rayer, Breanna Vaught, Jonathon and Samantha Martin, Joshua and Matthew Carson; and several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Ron graduated from the Sesser school system. He graduated from SIU in Carbondale with a degree in political science. After graduation, he was employed by FDIC as a federal bank examiner. He was president of the Ina State Bank and First Federal Savings and Loan of Herrin.
He was a former business owner in Sesser; he just recently retired. He also served in the Air Force.
Ron's passion was his family and God. He lived his religion on a daily basis. He enjoyed playing golf and playing the stock market.
He was an outstanding athlete during high school and was well known by coaches and other athletes in Southern Illinois. He was all-conference in both basketball and football. He held the record for most points scored in a single basketball game; he scored 50 points against McLeansboro in 1959, and this record stood for many years. He also had the longest run from the line of scrimmage for a quarterback with a 98-yard run in 1958.
As good of an athlete as he was, he was an even better human being. The world is a little worse off today than it was yesterday. He will be greatly missed by all.
ETHEL A. (WIGGS) 'GRANNY' WAYMAN
Rockford - Ethel A. (Wiggs) "Granny" Wayman, 90, of Rockford, died at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2004 in P.A. Peterson Center for Health.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 26, at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, with Barry Barkley and Ryan White officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Mrs. Wayman was born Feb. 15, 1914, in Benton, the daughter of Fred and Rose (Parrish) Wiggs. She married Grover F. Wayman in Benton on Feb. 22, 1930, and he preceded her in death on June 12, 1970.
She had lived in Rockford since 1987 moving from Woodstock where she had resided since 1954. While living in Woodstock, she was housekeeping supervisor for Woodstock Memorial Hospital where she had been employed for 21 years. She retired in 1979. She had formerly been employed by Hawthorne School in Woodstock.
Granny was a great influence on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family can only hope that everyone should be fortunate enough to have a mother and mother-in-law like Ethel.
Survivors include her son, Bill (Esther) Wayman, Rockford; grandson, Larry (Corrinn) Wayman, Roscoe, Ill.; great-grandsons, Wesley and A.J. Wayman, Roscoe; sister, Edna Wilkerson, Benton; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mrs. Wayman was predeceased by her parents, husband, brothers, Delmar and Charles Wiggs, sister, Helen Davis, and granddaughter, Phyllis Wayman Aarstad.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family or to Unity Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home.
LIZZIE FRANCES BIDDLE
Benton - Lizzie Frances Biddle, 99, of Benton died at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2004, in the Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery in Akin. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.
Lizzie was born Jan. 10, 1905, in Macedonia, to Henry and Mary Caroline (Hamblin) Cutwright. She was married to John Carl "Mike" Biddle on Aug. 26, 1922 in McLeansboro. He preceded her in death on Aug. 12, 1975.
She was a housewife and a member of Little Spring Primitive Baptist Church. She loved being with her friends and family. She made beautiful quilts and enjoyed gardening.
Surviving are three daughters, Lucille Wilkerson and husband, Don, of Florida, Marietta Waller of Thompsonville and Betty J. Davis of Benton; a son-in-law, Cloyd Shank of Florida; six grandchildren, Cloyd Shank Jr. and friend, Cathy, Rick Shank and wife, Meredith, Linda Harris and husband, George, Bobby Shank and wife, Judy, Gary Sims and wife, Carol, and Ruth Ann LaBuwi and husband, Jim; 11 great-grandchildren, Carrie Shank, Sarah Shank, Bobby Shank, Carrie Shank, Jamie Shank, Cassie Shank, Rebecca Shank, Eric Harris, Ashley Quindry, Jenna LaBuwi, and Landon LaBuwi.
Mrs. Biddle was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband, by one daughter, Yuma Jean Shank; by a brother, William John Cutwright; and by two sons-in-law, Bob Waller and Neal Davis.
NORA OPAL SAMUELS KALLER
Florence, Ala. - Nora Opal Samuels Kaller, 94, of Florence, Ala., died April 21, 2004.
The memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at the First Presbyterian Church, 224 E. Mobile St., Florence, Ala. Services will be conducted by Dr. Larry Baskin, Dr. Donald W. Kaller and Pastor Tim Constien. Interment will be in St. Louis, Mo., at Laurel Hills Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Florence for the Hispanic Ministry. Greenview Funeral Home of Florence is directing the arrangements.
Nora was born Jan. 5, 1910, in Johnston City, Ill., the seventh of eight children born to Nelson and May Watson Samuels. The family moved to Benton, where she spent her childhood. She moved to St. Louis in her late teens and married Harry W. Kaller on Feb. 5, 1929.
She was active in sports, coaching basketball in high school. She loved ice-skating, but fishing was her favorite hobby. She was known for her love of nature, for actively caring for other people, for her sense of humor and for her enthusiasm for life.
She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian churches served by her son in St. Louis and Florence. Most recently she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Florence.
She was at home at Regency Villa Assisted Living in Florence for nine years. Gratitude is expressed to the staff for their loving care and concern, and to the staff of Hospice of the Shoals as well.
She is survived by her son, the Rev. Dr. Donald W. Waller and his wife, Geraldine P. Kaller, of Florence, and her daughter, Nancy Ann Kaller Constien and her husband, Roland H. Constien of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Anita Kaller of Florence, Lisa K. Luck of Cookeville, Tenn., Janet K. Geerlings of Chattanooga, Tenn., Elizabeth Kaller of Atlanta, Jeff Kaller of St. Augustine, Fla., Tim Constien of Douglasville, Ga., Paula C. George of Spring Lake, N.C., Mike Constien of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Christa C. Eakes of Boone, N.C.; 18 great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.
MADELINE UHLES
Franklin County - Mrs. Madeline Uhles, 88, a lifelong resident of Franklin County, passed away at 1:15 a.m. on Monday morning, April 26, 2004, at Maryville Manor in Maryville.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, with Greg King, minister of the Benton Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Friends may call after 6 p.m. Tuesday to the funeral home.
Mrs. Uhles was born June 12, 1915, south of Benton, the daughter of Charles and Josephine (Dillon) Ezell.
On Aug. 3, 1935, she married Ralph S. Uhles, and he preceded her in death in 2001. They resided at their home in rural Benton their entire married life.
Mrs. Uhles was a retired seamstress, having worked for ILGW in Benton. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Benton and was a charter member of the Franklin County HEA.
She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Lynda and Lee Portinga of Collinsville; four grandchildren, William "Bill" Ralph Uhles and wife, Norma, of rural Benton, Sandra Ramey and husband, Barry, of Sesser, Susan Portinga Sullivan and husband, Ed, of Overland Park, Kan., and Nathan Portinga and wife, Cherie, of Augusta, Ga.; 11 great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Matthew and Mark Uhles of rural Benton, Chris and Nikki Ramey of Sesser, Joe, Tim, Sarah and Caroline Portinga Sullivan of Overland Park, Kan., and Jonathan and Christian Portinga of Augusta, Ga.; a very special brother- and sister-in-law, Harold and Cleo Uhles of Merrillville, Ind.; many beloved nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Olivia McCready of Palm Bay, Fla.
Along with her parents and husband, Mrs. Uhles was preceded in death by one son and daughter-in-law, Rudy and Jean Uhles of rural Benton; one brother, Hansel, of rural Benton; and two sisters, Marjorie Davis of Palm Bay, Fla., and Lela Gunter of West Frankfort.
