RAYMOND E. BENEFIELD

THEBES, Ill. -- Raymond E. Benefield, 70, of Thebes died suddenly Monday on arrival at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 17, 1930, at McClure, the son of Ray and Bertha Groves Benefield. He married Donna Parks on Nov. 3, 1957. She survives.

He attended First Free Will Baptist Church at Olive Branch, Ill. He was retired from CPC International in Pekin, Ill. He enjoyed fishing and gardening.

He also is survived by two sons, Lance Benefield of Oregon City, Ore., and Lyle Benefield of Pekin; three daughters, Lori Delaware of Pekin, Lyn Hodgson of Green Valley, Ill., and Leigh Benefield of Springfield, Ill.; his mother, Bertha Benefield of Thebes; a brother, Don Benefield of Thebes; two sisters, Elizabeth Benefield of McClure, Ill, and Pauline McGee of Brunswick, Ohio; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, a brother and his father.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill., and Thursday until the funeral hour.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Curt Alderson officiating. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery at McClure.