U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
ERNEST WADE 'MIKE' MARSHALL
Benton - Ernest Wade "Mike" Marshall, 69, a retired emergency medical technician in New York, now of Benton, passed away Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Northwest Christian Church in Decatur, with Pastor Allen Payne officiating. There will be no visitation as Mr. Marshall donated his body to medical research.
He was a naval veteran, serving during the Korean War. He was an avid bowler, read extensively and never missed watching "Jeopardy."
Mike was born in Decatur on Sept. 24, 1935, the son of Harry A. and Rose A. (Weaver) Marshall.
Surviving are his daughter, Audrey Marshall of Yonkers, N.Y.; a granddaughter, Taylor Ashley Pippa, also of New York; one sister, Deletta and Allen Payne of San Jose; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Edwin D. Knight of Benton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and four brothers.
Mr. Marshall lived in an apartment on East Webster Street in Benton, and had many friends and family there. He bowled at the Benton Bowl for years and knew everyone personally at the Benton Public Library.
Mike had a very special sense of humor and caring that will be missed by all who knew him.
RICHARD A. 'COCONUT' NEAL
Benton - Richard "Coconut" Neal of Benton died at 5:15 a.m. Friday, July 23, 2004, at his home with his wife and family by his side.
A memorial service will be held at 8 p.m. Monday, July 26, at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. A private family burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, with military rites performed by the Benton American Legion and V.F.W.
Mr. Neal was born March 1, 1947, in Benton, the son of Carnell and Margaret Juanita (Fielden) Neal. He married the former Cathy Barbeiro on May 23, 1970, in Hanford, Calif., and she survives.
Mr. Neal was a 1965 graduate of BCHS and a Vietnam veteran who served for four years in the U.S. Navy. He was a coal miner for 17 years at Old Ben Coal Mine No. 21, a prison guard for Illinois Department of Corrections, and was currently employed by IDOT. He was an avid fisherman whose fish were as big as his next story, but most of all he adored playing with his two grandchildren, Aaron and Kiley.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Tiffany and husband Todd Lucas, Benton; a son, Cameron Neal and his girlfriend Amy Brown, Benton; two very special grandchildren, Aaron Paul Lucas and Kiley Mae Neal; and his father, Carnell Neal, Bay City, Ill. Mr. Neal and his family had a very special caregiver and friend, Shelley Webb, from Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Mr. Neal was preceded in death by his mother.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Southern Illinois or the Benton Ministerial Alliance and will be accepted at the funeral home.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, father and friends.
MILDRED McCLENDON
Benton - Mildred McClendon, 95, of Benton died at 3:02 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at Severin's Intermediate Care Home in Benton.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. The Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Benton and to the Benton Public Library, and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.
She was born in Chester on June 19, 1909, the daughter of Austin and Martha Ann (Anderson) Reynolds.
Mrs. McClendon served as librarian at the Benton Public Library for 33 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Benton for more than 65 years.
She is survived by her daughter, Marthann R. Cavender of Vandalia, Ohio; son, David Keith McClendon and wife, Ruby, of Benton; two grandsons, Michael Cavender of Princeton, N.J., and David Cavender and wife, Dianah, of Miamisburg, Ohio; two great-grandchildren, Sarah and Matthew; brother, Raymond Reynolds of Marion; sister, Noramae Shaffer of Naperville; and stepmother, Rachel Reynolds of Marion.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by several brothers and one sister.
VIRGINIA RUTH RHODES
Zeigler - Virginia Ruth Rhodes, 81, passed away at the home of her daughter in Zeigler on Monday, July 26, 2004.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, at the Jubilee Tabernacle in DeSoto, with Brother Danny Norman officiating. Burial will be in McKinney Hill Cemetery. Davis Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday to the church.
She was born Aug. 24, 1922, in Peircetown. She lived in Franklin County all her life and was a homemaker.
Mrs. Rhodes was a long time member of the Jubilee Tabernacle Pentecostal Church in DeSoto.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Earl Rhodes; one son, James Mize of Zeigler; two daughters, Sue Mason and Ruth Mize, both of Zeigler; grandchildren, Carol Peterson of Albert City, Iowa, Melissa Plasters of Christopher and Christal Martin of Marion; great-grandchildren, Mandy Hoffsuemmer of Zeigler, PF2 Josh Peterson, stationed in South Korea, A/3 Jacob Peterson of Cheyenne, Wyo., Jamie Peterson of Albert City, Iowa, Ashley Hoffsuemmer of Christopher, Brent Martin of Marion, and Jessica Daniel of Christopher; two nieces, Betty Tiler of Royalton, and Cheryle Carey of Colp; and a nephew, Bill Carey of Colp.
Mrs. Rhodes was preceded in death by her mother, Emma (Tanner) Carey, her father, William Carey, one son, John Mize, and one brother, William Carey.
ELIZABETH W. "BETTE" BURTON
Lincoln Park, Mich. - Elizabeth W. "Bette" Burton, 83, of Lincoln Park, Mich., died Sunday, July 25, 2004, in Riverview, Mich.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 30, at the Shilow Cemetery in Whittington, officiated by Brother Brad Ryan. There will be no visitation. The Johnston Funeral Home in Ina is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Burton was born Nov. 15, 1920, in Benton, the daughter of Judge S.M. and Blance (West) Ward. She married William Dwight Burton on Nov. 11, 1938, in Wickliffe, Ky., and he survives.
Also surviving are three sons, John Burton of Mattoon, James Burton of Trenton, Mich., and Dr. Whitney Burton of Forest Grove, Mich.; two daughters, Martha Patrick of Holidaysburg, Pa., and Barbara Tesnovich of Wyandotte, Mich.; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one sister, Phyllis Smith of Crestwood.
Mrs. Burton, a member of the Christian Church in Benton, was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and three brothers.
MILDRED MATTIE BRUZAS
Formerly Christopher - Mildred Mattie Bruzas, daughter of Pete and Mary Louise Reynolds Riva, was born Nov. 25, 1922, in Mound City, Ill. She departed this life Wednesday, July 28, 2004, in St. John's Hospital, Lebanon, Mo., at the age of 81 years, eight months and three days.
On Sept. 4, 1939, she was united in marriage to Bruno Bruzas, and to this union two daughters were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Dave Owens; her husband, Bruno, on May 6, 1990; and a daughter, Joyce Barker, on March 11, 2003.
Mildred is survived by a daughter, Judy McCarty, and her husband, Dave, of Danville; a son-in-law, Richard Barker of Hot Springs, Ark.; four grandchildren, Robert Barker, and his wife, Elizabeth, of Lebanon, Mo., Lana Campbell, and her husband, Mike, of Clever, Mo., David Macari, and his wife, Stacie, of Danville, and Jon McCarty, and his wife, Marie, of Wheaton; six great-grandchildren, Abram Barker, Arielle and Lauren Campbell, Jessica Chandler, Isaiah and Phineas McCarty; a sister, Evelyn Merritt, of Fenton, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Ted Bruzas, and his wife, Charlene, of Avon, Ind.; several nieces and nephews, including Alvin and Phyllis Kirkpatrick, of Redding; a special friend, Edna Vorhees of Lebanon, Mo.; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised by her mother and stepfather in Christopher, Illinois where she attended Franklin Elementary School. After she and Bruno were married, they made their home in Chicago Heights for a few years, before returning to Christopher and purchasing a farm. Through the years, Mildred was a devoted and hardworking homemaker and she and Bruno lovingly raised their daughters and their granddaughter, Lana. In 1989, she and Bruno moved to Lebanon, Missouri.
Mildred attended the St. Andrew Catholic Church, Christopher, for many years.
She enjoyed ballroom dancing and particularly liked doing the Polka. In her spare time she enjoyed playing cards, watching game shows on television, cooking and caring for her dog, Lassie. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Mildred was a loving mother grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends.
Graveside service and burial for Mildred M. Bruzas will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004, at the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery in Christopher, with Father Steven Poole officiating, under direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Christopher.
TONYA M. HASTINGS
Formerly Ewing - Tonya M. Hastings, 46, of Ina and a former Ewing resident, died at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at the Mattoon Health Care Center in Mattoon.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina. Burial will be in Coal Banks Spring Cemetery in Marion. Visitation will be at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina after 9 a.m. on Saturday until the time of services.
Tonya was born in Chicago on April 19, 1958, the daughter of Bill and Helen (Essinger) Hastings.
Tonya had worked for the U.S. Postal Service. She had also worked at Burton's Cafe in Whittington and Wal-Mart in Benton.
She is survived by her father, Bill Hastings and wife, Ernestine, of Metropolis; and her aunt, Lina Milstead and husband, Jake, of Raleigh. She was preceded in death by her mother and by her grandparents, Howard and Ora Hastings, and John and Charlotte Essinger.
JOHN CLIFTON BOYD
Benton - John Clifton Boyd, 20, beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, special and dear friend, left forever the trials of this world, to find eternal peace and joy on Monday, July 26, 2004, at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 30, at the First Baptist Church in Benton. Speakers will be the Hon. Loren Lewis and John Markley. Burial will be in the Hammond Cemetery in Sesser. Poulson Funeral Home of Benton is handling the arrangements. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday to the church.
John was born Jan. 31, 1984, in Carbondale, to Loren W. Boyd Jr. and Cheryl (Clifton) Boyd. John was a graduate of Benton Consolidated High School and was of the Baptist faith.
Left to remember him all of the days of their lives are parents, Loren and Cheryl Boyd of Benton; sister, Heather, and niece, Autumn, of Mt. Vernon; brother, William, and sister-in-law, Leslie; nephews, Tyler and Hunter Boyd, all of Troy; maternal grandparents, John and Lucille Clifton of Arlington Heights; special and dear friend, Meredith Montgomery of Ewing; uncles and aunts, Steve and Carolyn Boyd, Jeff and Chris Boyd of Sesser, Luanne Clifton of Palentine; and cousins, Steve, Cassie and Willie Boyd, all of Sesser.
He was preceded in death by an uncle, Craig F. Clifton; special great-uncle, William E. Boyd; and paternal grandparents, Loren and Vera Boyd.
Memorials may be made to the Lake Benton Baptist Camp; envelopes will be provided at the church.
John was a kind, generous and loving boy who had difficulty finding his path in life, but was as loved and cherished by his family as any person who has walked this earth.
John's wish since childhood was to be an organ donor. His family honored that wish and now, because of John's gift, the lives of other people will continue.
WILLIAM A. 'BILL' MUIR
Sesser - Surrounded by his family, Willliam A. "Bill" Muir, 87, of Sesser entered into eternal rest at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.
Mr. Muir was born in Sesser on Aug. 1, 1917, the son of Harrison and Nettie (Walls) Muir.
He married Geraldine (Shepard) on Oct. 21, 1939, in Morganfield, Ky., and she preceded him in death on Feb. 14, 2000.
Survivors include four children, Mary Ann Baker and husband, Howard, of Morris, Ala., Linda Howell, and husband, Gary, of Sesser, Billy Muir and wife, Roberta, of Benton, and Jim Muir, and wife, Lisa Kay, of Sesser.
Mr. Muir is also survived by eight grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren, Col. Howard B. Baker, stationed in Okinawa, Mary Brazier of Mount Olive, Ala., Bruce Baker of Gardendale, Ala., Jamey VanZandt of Mt. Vernon, Lyndsay Muir of Carbondale, Mackenzie Muir of Highridge, Mo., Caleb Muir of Benton, Bailey Muir of Benton; step-grandchildren include Becky Przygoda of Pinckneyville, Frank Leffner of Ashley, Josh Conner of Carbondale, Ginger Conner of Sesser, Chuck Brewer of Mesa, Ariz., Goldie O'Connor of Meza, Ariz., and Michelle Brewer of Brentwood, Tenn.
He is also survived by one brother, Lester Muir and wife, Helen, of Racine, Wis., and by 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Clyde Muir, and two sisters, Helen Muir and Hazel Muir.
Mr. Muir worked for more than 40 years as an underground coal miner, last working at Old Ben Mine 21, near Sesser, where he worked for 25 years before retiring in 1983. He also worked at Old Ben mines at Valier, Buckner and Coello. He was also a 40-year member of the United Mine Workers and served as an official for UMWA Local Union 1124 where he was a member of the mine committee and a pit committeeman.
Mr. Muir also served on the school board at Sesser Unit School District and was a 50-year member of the Sesser Church of God, where he was a Sunday school superintendent and teacher.
Mr. Muir loved to work in his yard, was an avid walker and most importantly was a pillar to his family. His work ethic was unmatched in his children's eyes, and his strength, character and belief in God was evident until the very last moment of his life.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with the Rev. Tim Melvin officiating. His son, Jim Muir, and his grandson, Jamey VanZandt, will also offer eulogies during the memorial service. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. and from 7 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.
In lieu of flowers Mr. Muir asked prior to his death that memorial contributions be made to the Maple Hill Cemetery Fund or the Sesser Church of God. Donations will be accepted at the funeral home.
THOMAS J. DICKERSON
Benton - Thomas J. Dickerson, 80, of Benton died at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, at the Harrisburg Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10, 2005 at the First Church of the Nazarene, Benton, with Pastor Michael Davis officiating. urial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Kirkwood, Mo. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Dickerson was born Dec. 30, 1924, in Pauls Valley, Okla., the son of Thomas Watson and Kay (Dunn) Dickerson. He married the former Shirley Maxine Parker on July 17, 1944, and she survives.
He was a retired Deputy Sheriff in Jefferson County, Mo., worked as a truck salesman and maintenance man with Feld Truck Leasing in St. Louis and had worked at Bonnifield Trucking Company, West Frankfort. He was a World War II Army veteran, a member of the 303rd Division Infantry, a forty year member of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Beulah Masonic Lodge, Mt. Vernon, IN, a member of the Moolah Shrine Temple, St. Louis, MO, a member of the Tibetan Terrier Club of America, and a ham radio operator (WA0OTU).
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Dickerson, Benton; a daughter, Sharon Webb, Benton; a son, Thomas Dickerson and wife Mary, Wadesville, Ind.; five grandchildren, Amy Jolley and husband Jeff, Carmi, Tommy Neal Dickerson, Seattle, Wash., Christopher J. Dickerson, Troy Yates, West Frankfort, Kenny James Shelton, West Frankfort and Kathy Shelton, Paducah, Ky.; two great-grandchildren, Haley and Hunter Jolley, Carmi; two sisters, Mildred DeArman, Visalia, Calif., and Louise Jones, Pauls Valley, Okla.; a brother, Curtis Dickerson, Duncan, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Gary Curtis Dickerson, and a grandson, Gregory Thomas Dickerson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis.
FRED E. ISAMINGER, JR.
Formerly of Benton - Fred E. Isaminger, Jr., 93, of Tuscola died at 2:50 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005, in the Manor Care Health Care Center in Decatur.
Graveside services for Mr. and Mrs. Isaminger will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Masonic & OddFellows Cemetery in Benton. The Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home of Tuscola is handling the arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to Kemmerer Village, Route 1, Box 12C, Assumption, IL 62510, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 405 Pine St., Suite A., Normal, IL 61761.
Mr. Isaminger was born Dec. 14, 1911, in Walnut Ridge, Ark., the son of Fred E. and Goldie (Kercheval) Isaminger. He married Harriet E. (Layman) on Nov. 21, 1942, in Benton. She preceded him in death on Jan. 1, 2005.
Mr. Isaminger received his bachelor's degree in education from the University of Illinois in 1935. He was a member of the Acacia Fraternity. He also was a member of the former First Presbyterian Church of Tuscola, and was a member of the Tuscola United Church of Christ.
He worked at the Shell Oil Company refinery in Roxanna from 1936 until 1946. He was a Linotype operator for the Detroit Press from 1946 until 1952, and retired in 1976 from USI Chemical Company in Tuscola, where he worked as a maintenance supervisor.
Survivors include one daughter, Martha Ann Schwarze and husband, R.D. of Decatur; a granddaughter, Jane Burnett and husband, Ian, of Western Springs; and two great-grandchildren, Colin and Alec Burnett.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
