Frances P. Wheat of Benton

Frances P. Wheat, 94, of Benton, passed away at 6:07 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2018, at the Hitz Memorial Home in Alhambra, Ill.

She was born March 18, 1924, in Murphysboro to David and Ethel (Glube) Levy. On July 18, 1944, she married James Elton Wheat Jr. Frances retired as a bookkeeper from Lampley Electronics.

Mrs. Wheat was a member of First United Methodist Church in Benton, the local Red Hat Society and the Benton Garden Club. She was a former Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and Lincoln School PTA president. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed gardening, floral arranging, and attending social gatherings with family and friends.

Frances is survived by her three sons, Kenneth Wheat and wife Jan of Collinsville, J. David Wheat and wife Carole of Hamilton, Ohio, and Phillip Wheat and wife Patricia of Springfield; one sister, Bernice Pollack and husband Don of Cinncinati, Ohio; six grandchildren, David Wheat and wife Megan of St. Jacob, Amy Wheat of Orlando, Fla., Chris Wheat of Hamilton, Ohio, Mathew Wheat and wife Deanna of Charles City, Iowa, Geoff Wheat of Springfield, and Jessica Huff and husband Josh of Springfield; nine great-grandchildren, Leah and Eric Wheat, Declan, Liam and Elise Wheat, Karleigh and Keagan Wheat, and Rowen and Rosalind Huff; and one niece and three nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Ethel Levy; husband James Elton Wheat Jr., and a brother-in-law, Newton L. Wheat.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St. in Benton.

Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 23, 2018, at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in Murphysboro with the Rev. Lee Lovett officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Benton and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be given at patefh.com.