Norman Earl Benton

Norman E. Benton, age 98, of Marion, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at his home in Marion.

Norman was born May 01, 1924 in Steelville, Missouri, a son of Joseph S. and Hanna L. (Fischer) Benton Sr. Norman grew up in Steelville Missouri and joined the US Navy during WWII from 1942-1946. He served on the Command Destroyer in the Atlantic Fleet as a Yoman Third Class. He married Imogene L. Pritchett on November 03, 1951 in Piggott, AR. He moved to Cahokia, IL and worked as Heavy Equipment Operator and moved to Marion, IL in 1961 and continued working from IUOE Local #513. He retired in 1985 from E.T. Simonds Construction. Norman enjoyed being outdoors hunting morel mushrooms, fishing, and archery. He also delighted in fixing and building things. Norman was a St. Louis Cardinal Baseball number 1 fan. He went to his first game at Sportman's Park in St. Louis. He went to many games in Bush Memorial Stadium and a few games in the new Busch Stadium. Playing cards and Bingo were happy pastimes and traveling on cruises with his wife and spending time with his family also brought great happiness to his life. Norman was a member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion and the Marion Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of Marion VFW and American Legion and IUOE Local #513.

Normans family is very grateful for the fantastic care he received from VA Home Base Primary Care, including his caregivers Moya Cook, Donna Wall, Joyce McElmurry, Stephanie Mandrell, Trishyn Grounds and Bonnie Snyder. Also the loving care the family received from the nursing staff of Hospice of Southern Illinois.

He is survived by three children, Michael L. Benton of Richmond, TX, Patricia A. Bock of Riverview, FL, and Michelle L. (Ron) Loyd of Marion, IL; five grandchildren, Jennifer L. Benton, Lindsay M. Patel, Sgt First Class Ryan T. Bock (Iris) US Army, Leslie N. Benton, and Micaela J. Taylor (Matt Long); and ten great-grandchildren, Ashni S. Patel, Arya S. Patel, Cesar Trejo, Cayden Bock, Natalie Trejo, Emmalyn J. Bock, Avani S. Patel, Jonah R. Taylor, Aidan S. Patel, Finley John Benton-Warren and one more on the way. He is preceded in death by his wife Imogene L. Benton ; his parents, Joseph S. and Hanna L. Benton Sr. ; and four siblings, Joseph S. Benton Jr., Edna M. Koeing, Alice A. Wainscott, and Noel P. Benton (Twin to Norman).

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 11th, 2022 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 1:15 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery with Father Brian Barker officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion with Full Military Honors.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Southern Illinois or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, Illinois 62959.