Betty June Forby

Betty June Forby, 88, of Benton, died at 5:35 a.m. Saturday, May 24. 2014, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Mrs. Forby was born on July 27, 1925, in Alto Pass, the daughter of Gus Elkins and Maude Ethel Miller Elkins.

She married Paul E. Forby on Aug. 27, 1943. He preceded her in death on Jan. 1, 2008.

She worked as a nurse's aide at Franklin Hospital in Benton prior to her retirement. She was a member of the Steel City Baptist Church. She was also a housewife.

Surviving relatives include three sons, Sen. Gary Forby of Benton, Mike Forby and wife Glenda of Benton and Eric Forby and wife Amy of Fairview Heights; eight grandchildren, Lisa Black and husband Mike of Benton, Justin Forby of Benton, Jeremy and Mackenzie Fleetwood, both of Benton, Dustin Forby of Benton, Melissa Cole and husband Kevin of Christopher, and Jake and Zack Forby, both of Belleville; three great-grandchildren, Hannah Forby of Benton, and Trey and Chase Cole, both of Christopher; one brother, Norman J. Elkins of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Forby was preceded in death by her husband; a granddaughter, Melissa Forby; one sister, Myrtle Pender; and three brothers, Clifford, Fred and Frank Elkins.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Benton, with Pastor Joe Zbinden officiating. Burial was in Cobden Cemetery in Cobden.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

<p style="text-align: center;">Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.

Betty June Forby