James T. Hester

James T. Hester, 62, of Mt. Vernon, passed away peacefully, at 9:50 p.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at his home. He was born December 24, 1955, in Mt. Vernon, the son of Gale and Wilma R. (Hawkins) Hester. On November 18, 1978, in Mt. Vernon, he married Cheryl L. Benjamin, and she survives him in Mt. Vernon. Mr. Hester was a retired Lineman with Tri-County Electric Cooperative, working for 41 years. He was also a farmer for his entire life. He was a graduate of Mt. Vernon Township High School, and was a member of Meadowbrook Christian Church. He loved to farm and travel, and loved spending time with his grandkids. In addition to his wife, Cheryl L. Hester of Mt. Vernon, he is survived by one son, Matthew Hester and wife Alicia of Mt. Vernon; one daughter, Sarah Talley and husband Caleb of Mt. Vernon; four grandchildren, Craig and Cambree Hester, and Irvin and Joel Talley, all of Mt. Vernon; four brothers, David Hester and wife Nancy of Dix, Charles Hester and wife Kristi of Woodlawn, Ronald Hester of Mt. Vernon, and Larry Hester and wife Jade of Mt. Vernon; three sisters, Marjorie Degenhart and husband Bill of Mt. Vernon, Shirley Lee and husband Chris of Waterloo, and Barbra Garner and husband Kevin of Mt. Vernon; his great aunt and uncle, Walter and Ann Pogue of Mt. Vernon; two sisters-in-law, Debbie Phillips and husband Ted of Dix, and Netje Benjamin of Nashville, Tennessee; one brother-in-law, Aaron Benjamin and wife Tonya of Dix; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gale and Wilma Hester; In-laws, Irvin and Nell Dean Benjamin, and brother-in-law, John Benjamin. Funeral services for Mr. Hester will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at Boyd Christian Church, with Mike Sheets, Benton Fitzjerrells, and Bill Degenhart officiating. Burial will follow at Boyd Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, November 26, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the church. Memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or to the Meadowbrook Christian Church, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the funeral home's Facebook page.

James T. Hester

December 24, 1955 - November 21, 2018