Clifford Benefield

ANNA, Ill. -- Clifford Leo Benefield, 84, of Anna died Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Ill.

He was born April 9, 1924, in Thebes, Ill., son of Claude and Nettie Benefield. He and Minnie Lou Schiro were married in September 1951 in Piggott, Ark.

Benefield was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Anna. He retired from Bunny Bread, where he worked 40 years.

Survivors include his wife; nine children, Leah Glasco, John Benefield, Stephen Benefield and Clara Trexler, all of Anna, Mary Aleks of Mississauga, Canada, Paul Benefield of Lick Creek, Ill., Jim Benefield of Channahon, Ill., Tom Benefield of Alto Pass, Ill., Bob Benefield of Jonesboro, Ill.; a brother, Bobby Benefield of Kentucky; 23 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, a great-grandson, a brother and four sisters.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. The rosary will be recited at 5:30.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Monsignor Dennis Schaefer officiating. Burial will be in Anna Cemetery.