Morton and Johnston Funeral Home

08/24/2026

View Roxanne Grace Perkins's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/21/2026

View Patsy "Pat" Jean (Rice) Towle's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

07/29/2026

Marvell (Jean) McCoy, 87, of Benton, IL passed away on July 27, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of dedication to her family and Jesus, her Savior.

Jean was born to Charlie and Jewell Smothers and has a fraternal twin, Dean Smothers, who also resides in Benton. She married the love of her life, Earl McCoy, in October of 1957 and had two boys; David (Annette) McCoy and Steven(Renee) McCoy.

Jean had a laugh that could warm any room. Her lively spirit and sweet demeanor were undaunted even by many years of illness. In life, she enjoyed the outdoors and was known to spend much of her free time at Rend Lake skiing or camping. She was a faithful church member and Sunday school teacher and loved Jesus with all her heart. She was an avid reader and loved to travel the world, which she did for many years with her mother and sister.

Jean loved being a grandmother, she was blessed with 5 grandchildren; Melanie(Elijah) Barnfield, Amanda(Malcolm) Obourn, Jonathan(Cherrish) McCoy, Steven McCoy, and Ethan McCoy. She was also blessed with many great-grandchildren one, of whom, even bears her name.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; Charlie and Jewell Smothers, her sisters; Carol Ann and Charlene Graham; and her husband; Edward Earl McCoy.

Visitation will be at Morton & Johnston funeral home on Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 10 AM- 12PM. Gravesite services will be held immediately following visitation at Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse for Operation Christmas Child.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

07/09/2026

Danny Neil Hoge, 72, of St. Jacob, IL passed away at this home on Friday morning July 3, 2026.

He was born May 5, 1954 in East St. Louis, IL the son of Walter & Dorothy Hoge

He married Janet Uhles.

Mr. Hoge grew up in Collinsville, IL. He retired from the Boeing Corporation in St. Louis.

Mr. Hoge is survived by his wife, Janet Hoge. He is also survived by Brothers-in-law & Sisters-in-law and other relatives & friends.

He was preceded in death by his Parents.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 9th at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton with Dennis R. Uhles officiating. Internment will follow. There will be No Visitation, those attending the service are requested to meet at the cemetery.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit

Morton and Johnston Funeral Home provides funeral and cremation services in Benton, Illinois with compassionate care and guidance when you need it most.

06/25/2026

Marilyn Lois (Conner) Ing went to her final resting place in Heaven on June 23, 2026 at 8:29 P.M. at Carbondale Memorial Hospital.

Marilyn was born to Raymond & Ollie (Page) Conner on March 4, 1943 at 4:00 A.M.

Marilynn married Eugene (Gene) Ing on August 18, 1962 and after a long wait they adopted Wanda Faye (Ing) Sides in 1973 and Terry Wayne Ing in 1976. They were the joy of her life. She was mostly a stay-at-home mom & wife and occasionally did odd jobs like delivering the Benton Evening News with her sister Joyce & working at Wills Drive Inn.

Marilyn’s happiness came from her 6 grandkids & 14 great-grandkids and her 2 children Wanda & Terry.

Marilyn is survived by her:

Daughter: Wanda (Ing) & husband Rodney Sides

Grandkids:

Nikki Benedict & wife Brittany

Conner (Benedict) Pabst & husband Robert

Ryan Benedict & partner Tyler Lewis

Jerry Ing

Trystin Massa & Jacob Storey

Jaydin & Victoria Dooley

Great-Grandchildren: Mia & Luke, Layla, Maddie & Asher, Josie, Braxton, Jace, the newest addition is Blaze, Riley, Gauge, Zoey, Reagor & Keaton.

She is also survived by lots of Nieces & Nephews and Great-Nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her son and all 5 of her siblings: Donald & Billie Conner, Cecil Conner, Oscar & Myrl Conner, Joyce & Winston Slack and Carolyn & Mugg Johnson.

She loved her Ladies Group at the church and playing Phase 10 with them, eating tacos, eating fresh vegetables from the garden & sewing.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 26th at the Sesser Church of God, corner of Elm & Yung Street in Sesser with Pastor Harol Whitlock & Pastor Walter Rexing officiating. Visitation will be after 9:00 A.M. on Friday at the church. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser following the service.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

06/23/2026

Mark Duran Samuels was a true muckraker, a passionate journalist who owned newspapers, published newspaper, edited newspapers, wrote opinions for newspapers and sold advertising for newspapers. His work took him across the United States and once to Cuba with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Paul’s request. Mark died June 4, 2026 and was laid to rest in a private service on June 12, 2026.

Mark earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University, his Master’s from University of Illinois, and attended one year at the Simmons Law School at Carbondale.

A good bourbon, an interesting book, an early morning tee time, and a flat billiards table with responsive cushions made Mark a happy man.

He could sight read music at an early age; sang Tenor and later Baritone. He played guitar and probably bought, swapped, and played more trumpets than Maynard Ferguson!

Several close relatives preceded Mark in death including his Mother, Lois (Bryant Samuels) Jenkins and Elmer Jenkins of Benton. Maternal grandparents John and Anita Bryant of West Frankfort, Paternal grandparents Wayne “Teenie” and Nellie Samuels of Benton, and Wayne Richard Samuels of Benton.

Mark has a sister who loved him very much; Lyndy Girten and husband Donnie Girten of Benton, his nephew Codey Girten and wife Jacqueline who live in California with their daughter Cynthia, and he spent time together in the last weeks of his life with his nephew, Trevor Girten of Benton talking about their shared interest in billiards and reading. Mark bought Trevor his first trumpet.

I hope he felt it clearly, how deeply he was loved, even after goodbye.

Mark shared the same love and kindness toward animals that his Mother did. After his death, his faithful fury cat, Baby Love Mona Lisa, was adopted by a family friend who was grateful to have her.

If you feel so moved, Franklin County Animal Control is always in need of donations for their fur babies! It would be a blessing for the animals and a way to honor Mark. Donations can be made to the Franklin County Animal Shelter ,13163 Oddfellows Lane, Benton, IL 62812, 618-438-9197

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

05/21/2026

Joe (Joseph Henry) Bortoletto departed this world on May 15, 2026 at the age of 74. Joe passed suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in West Frankfort IL. Joe was born in Christopher, IL , October 26, 1951 to Joe and Florence (Curry) Bortoletto.

Joe lived a life marked by joy, authenticity, and an unmistakable energy. Known by the nickname “Speedy” while growing up in Benton, Illinois, Joe seemed to do everything quickly, he was a speed reader, a fast learner, and a quick wit who rarely slowed down. He had an incredible ability to absorb information, often reading a 500-page book in just a few hours while remembering nearly every detail. As a junior in high school, he scored at the reading comprehension level of a college senior, a reflection of the intelligence and curiosity that stayed with him throughout his life.

He was a graduate of Benton Consolidated High School, class of 1970. Joe attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science in only three years. After college, he met his wife, Annette Alexander. The two were married on December 20, 1980, at First Baptist Church in Mattoon, IL. Together they built a life centered on family.

Joe and Annette first lived in Bloomington, Illinois, before eventually settling in Manteno, Illinois, where they opened and operated a State Farm insurance agency together for 30 years. After the passing of his wife Annette on May 15th 2023, Joe returned to Southern Illinois and bought a house in West Frankfort. Through his work and everyday life, Joe had a remarkable gift for connecting with people. He could talk to anyone about anything, making others feel comfortable and valued almost instantly.
Above all else, Joe was a devoted husband and a loving father to his three sons, Adam, and his twin sons John, and Robert. He always put his family first and took great pride in being a steady and caring presence in their lives.
Joe truly embodied the spirit of a Renaissance man. His knowledge seemed endless, and his interests ranged from cars and history to books and lifelong learning. No matter the circumstance, he carried himself with warmth, humor, and optimism. He was almost always in a good mood and made it his mission to put others at ease. Joe’s intelligence, kindness, and vibrant personality left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Ending:
Joe is survived by his sons, Adam of Cedar Lake, Indiana and John of St Louis, Mo and Robert and daughter in law, Barbie and granddaughters, Nettie and Dottie of Maryland Heights, Mo. His older brother John and his wife Peggy, of Montgomery, Texas. Joe’s niece Gina and her husband Justin Locascio of Boston, MA. Cousins, Scott and Jennifer Pearce and Joe and Sally Pearce of Marion, IL. Special friend and companion, Sandra Evans of West Frankfort, IL.

There will be a memorial service held on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 pm at Morton and Johnston funeral home in Benton, Illinois.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

05/15/2026

Evan F. Burgess, 88, of West City, IL passed away on May 10, 2026 at his home.



He was born in Benton, IL on October 4, 1937 the son of Raymond & Helen (Rhine) Burgess.



Mr. Burgess was a retired Coal Miner from Freeman United #6.



He is survived by his; son Thomas Burgess of Royalton, IL, 2 grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild, several great-grandchildren, brother Larry Burgess of Henderson, Nevada, special nephew Danny Burgess & wife Lea of Benton, IL.



Mr. Burgess was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother-Kenneth Burgess and sister-Wilma Imogene Burgess Simpson.



Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, May 15th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Jones Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.



For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

05/11/2026

James Ralph Dean, 94, of Sesser, IL passed away on Wednesday May 6, 2026, at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.

He was born in Chilhowie, Virginia on July 26, 1931 the son of James Horton & Mary Bradley (Hicks) Dean.

He married Emma Sue (Ratcliff) on October 21, 1952. They would have celebrated their 74th Anniversary this year.

He was an Army Veteran and a steel worker, retiring from Northwestern Steel & Wire in Sterling, IL. They moved to Sesser, IL 30 years ago. He was a member of the Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church. He was a great fisherman, and at last count he had cleaned over 44,000 fish. He was a great family man who enjoyed playing games such as Dominos, Rook, and Phase 10. As of six months ago, he was still very active in their garden and flowerbeds.

Mr. Dean is survived by his:
Wife: Emma Sue Dean of Sesser
4 Children:
James Eddie Dean & wife Susan of Johnston City, IL
Dianna Marie Laaker & husband Kenny of Sterling, IL
Lisa Lynnette Wiersema & husband Mark of Chadwick, IL
Christopher Joel Dean & wife Terri of Macedonia, IL
10 Grandchildren
14 Great-Grandchildren
8 Great-Great-Grandchildren
2 Sisters: Betty Haga Chilhowie, VA
Mary Carrico & husband J.W. of Marion, VA

Mr. Dean was preceded in death by his Parents, a Great-Grandson, 2 Sisters-Sis & Frances Ann and 2 Brothers-Paul Dean & William Dean.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 11th at Bear Point Free Will Baptist Church in Sesser with Pastor Larry Cook & Pastor John Hollis officiating. Family Burial with Military Rites by Sesser VFW Post #4753 will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Monday at the church.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

05/02/2026

Kelly Dawn Abney, 47, of Benton passed away on Thursday evening April 30, 2026 at her home.

She was born in DuQuoin, IL on July 3, 1978 the daughter of Steve & Connie (Hanner) Patten.

Kelly was an outdoor person. She loved roses, dragster racing, playing dice games and lottery tickets.

She is survived by her:

3 Daughters:
Kara Abney & Megan Abney of Benton
Alexis Abney & Deondray Branch of Benton
Makayla Abney & Tyler Ehlers of Red Bud, IL

1 Grandson

1 Sister: Anna Lampley & husband Steven of Benton

Kelly was preceded in death by her Parents.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Monday, May 4th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. A Funeral service will be held at 7:00 P.M. with Pastor Rick McClintock officiating.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com