Janet Marie Benbenek

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Janet Marie Benbenek, 56, of Carbondale, formerly of Du Quoin, passed away at 2:37 a.m., Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Janet was a member of the First Christian Church in Pinckneyville and had been the church pianist. She was a 1970 graduate of Pinckneyville High School and she had attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She also had attended Gradwohl Institute at St. Louis, Mo. She was an avid reader, did latch hook rugs, and her family was most important to her.

She was born September 17, 1952 at Du Quoin, the daughter of Joseph J. and Leona (Fulk) Benbenek.

She is survived by her mother - Leona Benbenek of Du Quoin, one sister - Joy Whitson Upton of Du Quoin, four brothers - John Whitson and wife Betty of Auburn, Jerry Whitson and wife Marian of Du Quoin, Jeffrey Benbenek and wife Joyce of Edwardsville, and Jim Benbenek of Du Quoin, aunts, uncles, great aunts, numerous cousins, several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and one nephew - Greg Whitson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Rev. Tom Harvengt and Bro. Raymond Baggott officiating.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Du Quoin.

In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorials to American Heart Association, Greg Whitson Memorial Fund, or donor's choice and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.