Jeralyn Benjamin
Jeralyn K. Benjamin, 61, of Shelbyville, passed away at 1:23 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Gibson City Area Hospital.
A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Patrick Church of Merna, with Monsignor Gregory Ketcham officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, where the rosary will be recited at 3:45 p.m. Cremation rites will be accorded after the visitation. Interment will be at Friends Cemetery in Bentown immediately following services.
The family requests that floral gifts be omitted. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
She was born Aug. 14, 1953 in Gibson City, daughter of Jene and Elaine Hale Johnson. She married Kevin J. Benjamin on April 14, 1973 in Colfax.
Surviving are her husband, Kevin, of Shelbyville; her children, Justin (Michele) Benjamin of Tecumseh, MI and Denise (Chad) Carlton of Heyworth; four grandchildren, Riley Benjamin and Tyler, Brock and Megan Carlton and her parents, Jene and Elaine Johnson of Saybrook. Also surviving are her brother, Graig (Judy) Johnson of Saybrook; her sister, Stacey (Brian Huang) Johnson of Normal; nieces, Hallie Johnson of Saybrook and Abby Johnson of Urbana and nephew, Bryce Johnson of East Peoria.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Ed and Ethel Hale and paternal grandparents, Wilbur and Avonelle Johnson.
Jeralyn worked at State Farm Insurance Company in Bloomington for over 30 years, retiring in June of 2012 as an anyalyst.
She enjoyed boating with friends and family, traveling with her husband and spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren.
Robert Lockwood
Robert “Bob” E. Lockwood, 80, passed away at 7:27 p.m. on Aug. 7 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal.
His funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington with Deacon Ron Heiniger officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the memorial home.
Interment will be in Park Hill Cemetery in Bloomington. Memorials may be made to the Community Cancer Center in Normal.
Bob was born on Feb. 5, 1935 in Bloomington, a son of Robert L. And Lucille Dewyer Lockwood. He married Virginia M. Frank on Sep. 17, 1960 in Tremont, Ill. She survives.
Also surviving are a son, Robert “Charlie” of Towanda; two daughters, Cynthia A. (Michael) Cook of Carlock and Rebecca Lynn (Ken Taczy) Lockwood of Huntley, Ill.; two sisters, Elizabeth (Herb) Litwiller of Bloomington and Barbara (George) Joseph of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren, Benjamin (Ashley) Lockwood of Bloomington, Ashley N. Lockwood of Towanda, Brandon Cook of Carlock, Douglas Cook of Carlock, Kalyn Taczy of Huntley and Nathan Taczy of Huntley; and a great grandson, Dalton Lockwood of Bloomington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Katherine Lockwood and a sister, Helen Lockwood.
Bob grew up in Bloomington and was a graduate of Bloomington High School. He worked for the City of Bloomington in the Refuse Department and retired after 38 years of service. In addition, he was also self employed with R.E. Lockwood Refuse.
He enjoyed antiquing and auctions as well as camping and fishing with his friends and dogs. He was an old car enthusiast and purchased his special car that he has had since 1953.
Affectionately nicknamed “Putt Putt”, he will be missed by his family and friends.
Online condolences and memories of Bob may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
William Sullens
William Merle Sullens, 81, Chatsworth, died at 3:12 p.m. Aug. 7 at his residence in Chatsworth.
Mr. Sullens was born July 28, 1934 in Hot Springs, Arkansas the son of Ruby and Easter Yates Sullens. He married Sandra Gosteli on Jan. 21, 1981 in Fairbury, Ill. She survives in Chatsworth.
Other survivors include his children, Richard Sullens, Fairbury, Easter (Patrick Fairley) Stanbary, Hollywood, Fla., Carol (Timothy) Sanderson, Tulsa, Okla., Catherine Bessen (Matthew) Toohill, Fairbury, Lourdes Charlene (Darren) Roelfs, Hudson, Gregory (Monica) Sullens, Fairbury, Jennifer Drury, Addison, Ill., Jeffrey Drury, Aurora, Ill., 21 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one grandson.
Mr. Sullens served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
Per his request cremation rites have been accorded without services. The family suggests memorials be given to the charity of their choice. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is assisting with arrangements.
An online guest registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
