RONALD GENE BAERG
BENTON, ILLINOIS
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Ronald Gene Baerg, age 86, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton, Illinois.
Mr. Baerg’s wishes are to be cremated. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.
Ronald was born on August 11, 1940, in Shafter, California, the son of George and Addie Mae “Janice” (Bewley) Baerg. He first married the former Vineta Dunford, and she preceded him in death on February 1, 2017. He would later marry the former Donna Odam and she survives.
He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Thompsonville, Illinois.
He volunteered at 3ABN of Thompsonville, to pray with people over the phone. He thoroughly enjoyed helping others by praying with and for them, sometimes he would answer 20 calls per day Monday through Thursday. Besides being with his family, helping others through the prayer line with 3ABN was the most important part of his life. Per Ron’s request, 3ABN was trying to work out the details through Franklin Hospital on how to get him a phone line to be able to continue his ministry of praying for those with their needs in their spiritual and personal lives.
While living in Glendale, Arizona he was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and preached on an Indian Reservation. Through his faith in God, he ministered and traveled to Nigeria and Jerusalem.
His working career as a truck driver had many memorable trips, hauling logs in central and northern California. He also hauled concrete to Phoenix, Arizona during the construction of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball stadium.
Ronald enjoyed owning hot rods, off road jeep riding, racing motorcycles on both flat track and in the desert. He was also a private airplane pilot. He was a loving husband and especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, who he dearly loved.
Surviving is his wife that he called her “his sweet one” Donna Baerg of Benton, Illinois, children including: Mick Baerg and wife Diana of Columbia, Kentucky, Brendon Baerg and wife Gina of Desert Hills, Arizona, Dr. James Sheppard and wife Audrey of Texas, Bekki Frey and husband Thomas of Tunnel Hill, Illinois, Penny Rich and husband Richard of Goreville, Illinois, Chadwick Ganz of Arizona; grandchildren: Brendon, Brian, Ben “BJ” and wife Ari, Jon, Will, Christina, Dylan,
Alijah, Lucas, Zach, Greyson, Annika, Rebekah, Hannah and significant other Darren, Noah and significant other Amber, Alicia and husband Adam, and Charlee; great-grandchildren: Zander, Nicholas, Phoenix, Carter, Everly, Parker, Wrenley, Aspen, Eco and Maverick; a sister Sharon Lane of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; his cats Rudy and Nicky.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and a sister Linda Wilkerson.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Thompsonville, Illinois with Pastor Terry Shelton officiating.
Memorial Contributions, In Loving Memory of Ronald, may be made to Ron and Donna Baerg to assist with final expenses, and may be mailed to 3ABN, C/O Ron and Donna Baerg, P.O. Box 220, West Frankfort, Illinois 62896.
To give condolences to the family online, or to share memories of Ronald, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Baerg’s wishes are to be cremated. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.
Ronald was born on August 11, 1940, in Shafter, California, the son of George and Addie Mae “Janice” (Bewley) Baerg. He first married the former Vineta Dunford, and she preceded him in death on February 1, 2017. He would later marry the former Donna Odam and she survives.
He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Thompsonville, Illinois.
He volunteered at 3ABN of Thompsonville, to pray with people over the phone. He thoroughly enjoyed helping others by praying with and for them, sometimes he would answer 20 calls per day Monday through Thursday. Besides being with his family, helping others through the prayer line with 3ABN was the most important part of his life. Per Ron’s request, 3ABN was trying to work out the details through Franklin Hospital on how to get him a phone line to be able to continue his ministry of praying for those with their needs in their spiritual and personal lives.
While living in Glendale, Arizona he was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and preached on an Indian Reservation. Through his faith in God, he ministered and traveled to Nigeria and Jerusalem.
His working career as a truck driver had many memorable trips, hauling logs in central and northern California. He also hauled concrete to Phoenix, Arizona during the construction of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball stadium.
Ronald enjoyed owning hot rods, off road jeep riding, racing motorcycles on both flat track and in the desert. He was also a private airplane pilot. He was a loving husband and especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, who he dearly loved.
Surviving is his wife that he called her “his sweet one” Donna Baerg of Benton, Illinois, children including: Mick Baerg and wife Diana of Columbia, Kentucky, Brendon Baerg and wife Gina of Desert Hills, Arizona, Dr. James Sheppard and wife Audrey of Texas, Bekki Frey and husband Thomas of Tunnel Hill, Illinois, Penny Rich and husband Richard of Goreville, Illinois, Chadwick Ganz of Arizona; grandchildren: Brendon, Brian, Ben “BJ” and wife Ari, Jon, Will, Christina, Dylan,
Alijah, Lucas, Zach, Greyson, Annika, Rebekah, Hannah and significant other Darren, Noah and significant other Amber, Alicia and husband Adam, and Charlee; great-grandchildren: Zander, Nicholas, Phoenix, Carter, Everly, Parker, Wrenley, Aspen, Eco and Maverick; a sister Sharon Lane of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; his cats Rudy and Nicky.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and a sister Linda Wilkerson.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Thompsonville, Illinois with Pastor Terry Shelton officiating.
Memorial Contributions, In Loving Memory of Ronald, may be made to Ron and Donna Baerg to assist with final expenses, and may be mailed to 3ABN, C/O Ron and Donna Baerg, P.O. Box 220, West Frankfort, Illinois 62896.
To give condolences to the family online, or to share memories of Ronald, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
HOPE HALE
EWING, ILLINOIS
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Hope Hale, age 86, of Ewing; went to be with her Lord and Savior at 2:05 a.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Deaconess Illinois Crossroads Hospital of Mt. Vernon.
She was a retired secretary from Joy Manufacturing in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Over the years, Mrs. Hale and her husband faithfully attended the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton, Illinois, the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church of Sesser, Illinois, and in latter years the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church of Ewing, Illinois, until their health failed them.
Hope enjoyed bowling, gardening, and helping at youth camp in the kitchen at Camp Hope. Most of all she loved spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Jim Hale of Ewing, Illinois; her loving children: Scott Hale of Ewing, Illinois, Terri Kranawetter and husband Lloyd of Christopher, Illinois, Kenneth Hale of Ewing, Illinois; three grandchildren: Matt Jones and wife Betsy of Nashville, Tennessee, Chad Jones of Tampa, Florida, Zack Hale and wife Megan of DuQuoin, Illinois; four great grandchildren: Charlie Jones, Tommy Jones, Meelah Hale and Aurora Hale; a sister June Yates of Benton, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Allen Hale, and two brothers: Irvin Cope and Dale Cope.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Hope Hale, to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the graveside service.
To give condolences online, or to share memories of Hope, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
She was a retired secretary from Joy Manufacturing in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Over the years, Mrs. Hale and her husband faithfully attended the First Free Will Baptist Church of Benton, Illinois, the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church of Sesser, Illinois, and in latter years the Rescue Free Will Baptist Church of Ewing, Illinois, until their health failed them.
Hope enjoyed bowling, gardening, and helping at youth camp in the kitchen at Camp Hope. Most of all she loved spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Jim Hale of Ewing, Illinois; her loving children: Scott Hale of Ewing, Illinois, Terri Kranawetter and husband Lloyd of Christopher, Illinois, Kenneth Hale of Ewing, Illinois; three grandchildren: Matt Jones and wife Betsy of Nashville, Tennessee, Chad Jones of Tampa, Florida, Zack Hale and wife Megan of DuQuoin, Illinois; four great grandchildren: Charlie Jones, Tommy Jones, Meelah Hale and Aurora Hale; a sister June Yates of Benton, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Allen Hale, and two brothers: Irvin Cope and Dale Cope.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Hope Hale, to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and will be accepted at the graveside service.
To give condolences online, or to share memories of Hope, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
AMY ELIZABETH SANCHEZ-BENNETT
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Amy Elizabeth Sanchez-Bennett, passed away peacefully to be with Jesus, on September 23, 2026, at 4:46 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, Illinois, surrounded with lots of love by her daughter Valencia, her mother Lynda, and sister
Tina.
Amy was born on October 10, 1975, in Panama City, Republic of Panama to Enrique and Lynda Sanchez. Later they moved to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania where her dad worked for Piper Aircraft. Then they moved to Florida and eventually back to Panama.
In 1984, at the age of 9, Amy began attending school in Benton, Illinois, where she graduated from Benton High School in 1993. In high school, Amy was a spirited Rangler Girl then cheerleader and voted homecoming maid of honor her senior year. She was
also a contestant in the Miss Teen Rend Lake Pageant where she won trophies for best dress, most photogenic and first runner up!
After high school she attended John A. logan College and later moved to Dallas, Texas where she was a secretary at Ross Perot Systems and was a contestant and first runner up in the Miss Dallas pageant which took her on to the Miss Texas USA pageant
in Brownsville, Texas in 1998 along with Eva Longoria who also competed. While in Dallas, Amy met the man she married and moved to England. While in England, she enrolled in the London Academy of Performing Arts and performed on stage in several
productions.
Amy had many talents, some of which were singing, dancing, acting, playing piano by ear and writing songs that she sang on a CD that she created and produced. She also designed and sewed beautiful baby and lady’s clothes for her business, “The Moth and The Butterfly. She also made beautiful greeting cards and was a talented floral arranger and she always had a lovely fresh bouquet of flowers on a table in her tidy home.
She also enjoyed traveling to many exotic places across the world.
Amy is survived by her beautiful daughter Valencia Sanchez Esposti and friend Billy, her father Enrique Sanchez and wife Lupe, her mother Lynda Bennett Sanchez, sister Dr. Christina Dothager and husband Shane, her brother Aron Sanchez and wife Deidra,
Aunt Marlene Webb, Uncle Jim Bennett, Uncle Rod Bennett and wife Lisa, Aunt Cathy Bennett, Aunt Yariela Anciaux, Uncle Joaquin Sanchez and wife Mariela, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Though her eyes are closed, Amy’s sight will live on by being a donor to Mid America Transplant Services.
Amy was of the Baptist faith.
To give online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Amy, go to www.lpfuneralhome.com.
Tina.
Amy was born on October 10, 1975, in Panama City, Republic of Panama to Enrique and Lynda Sanchez. Later they moved to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania where her dad worked for Piper Aircraft. Then they moved to Florida and eventually back to Panama.
In 1984, at the age of 9, Amy began attending school in Benton, Illinois, where she graduated from Benton High School in 1993. In high school, Amy was a spirited Rangler Girl then cheerleader and voted homecoming maid of honor her senior year. She was
also a contestant in the Miss Teen Rend Lake Pageant where she won trophies for best dress, most photogenic and first runner up!
After high school she attended John A. logan College and later moved to Dallas, Texas where she was a secretary at Ross Perot Systems and was a contestant and first runner up in the Miss Dallas pageant which took her on to the Miss Texas USA pageant
in Brownsville, Texas in 1998 along with Eva Longoria who also competed. While in Dallas, Amy met the man she married and moved to England. While in England, she enrolled in the London Academy of Performing Arts and performed on stage in several
productions.
Amy had many talents, some of which were singing, dancing, acting, playing piano by ear and writing songs that she sang on a CD that she created and produced. She also designed and sewed beautiful baby and lady’s clothes for her business, “The Moth and The Butterfly. She also made beautiful greeting cards and was a talented floral arranger and she always had a lovely fresh bouquet of flowers on a table in her tidy home.
She also enjoyed traveling to many exotic places across the world.
Amy is survived by her beautiful daughter Valencia Sanchez Esposti and friend Billy, her father Enrique Sanchez and wife Lupe, her mother Lynda Bennett Sanchez, sister Dr. Christina Dothager and husband Shane, her brother Aron Sanchez and wife Deidra,
Aunt Marlene Webb, Uncle Jim Bennett, Uncle Rod Bennett and wife Lisa, Aunt Cathy Bennett, Aunt Yariela Anciaux, Uncle Joaquin Sanchez and wife Mariela, and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Though her eyes are closed, Amy’s sight will live on by being a donor to Mid America Transplant Services.
Amy was of the Baptist faith.
To give online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Amy, go to www.lpfuneralhome.com.
"Homegrown people Taking Care of Hometown People".
Owned and operated by a Benton born and raised family.
Marty, Alisa, Zeb, and Delaney Leffler
Owned and operated by a Benton born and raised family.
Marty, Alisa, Zeb, and Delaney Leffler
