Brenda Joyce Heifner - Benton, IL Brenda Joyce Heifner, 70, of Benton, IL, died at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at Franklin Hospital, Benton, IL. Mrs. Heifner was born on July 16, 1941 in Christopher, IL the daughter of Earl Rea and Athna (Kostopoulis) Eckles. She married John Heifner on February 23, 1974 and he survives. They enjoyed 38 years of marriage together. Brenda was a resident of Macedonia for 33 years. She was an artist, homemaker and member of the Plasters Grove Freewill Baptist Church, Thompsonville, IL. She loved fishing and also raised dogs. Surviving relatives include her husband, John Heifner, Benton, IL, four children, Cynthia Mix, Carbondale, IL, George (Kim) Robles, Thompsonville, IL, Terrie Nevarez-Allen, McLeansboro, IL, Tammy Heiman, Benton, IL, twelve grandchildren, Leigh Ann (Matthew) Blackburn, Ashley Mix, Ariel Mix, Abrina Mix, Brandon Robles, Kelly Robles, Austin Robles, Andrew Robles, Jesse Nevarez, Kiersten Heiman, Jase Heiman, Macy Fritcher, three step-grandchildren, Cassie Garrett, Elizabeth Thomas, Christopher Shumate, several great-grandchildren, one sister, Carolyn (Jerry) Wilson, West Frankfort, IL, one brother, Keith Eckles, St. Louis, MO, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James (Patti) Heifner, Akin, IL, Carlton (Dixie) Heifner, Benton, IL, Darlene (John) Roberts, West Frankfort, IL, Barbara Wyant, West Frankfort, IL and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mrs. Heifner was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, Omar Eckles, one great-granddaughter, Lavera Robles, and an uncle, Frankie. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February16, 2012 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory, Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Bro. Gilbert Evans officiating. Burial will be in the Brady Cemetery, Akin, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the Heifner Family, C/O John Heifner, 406 N. Tenth St., Benton, IL6 2812 and will be accepted at the funeral home. Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.