Harry Stewart - Benton, Illinois Harry Stewart, 81, of Benton, IL died at 6:37 p.m. Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the Franklin Hospital, Benton, IL. Mr. Stewart was born on November 24, 1929 in Benton, IL the son of Alex Stewart and Stella (Pusch) Stewart. He married the former Miriam Whaley on July 16, 1954 and she survives. Harry grew up in West City, IL the son of immigrant parents and was an All-State football player for Benton High School. While he received more than 80 college football scholarship offers, he chose to attend the University of South Carolina where he was a three year starter as offensive and defensive tackle. During his senior year of college, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean conflict. At the time he had received draft letters from every professional American and Canadian football team, however his military service prohibited him from pursuing a career in professional football. Upon discharge from the Army, he finished his teaching degree at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Harry taught high school and coached football at both Herrin High School and Benton Consolidated High School. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1986. Harry began his political career on the Benton City Council where he served as Finance Commissioner. He then served on the Franklin County Board representing District 2 for 16 years, 12 of which he held the position of county board chairman. Harry was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Boneyard Boccie Ball Club, Benton American Legion, and Benton Elks. He loved the game of football and made it his lifes mission to help provide the same opportunities football had afforded him to his players and students. The ultimate compliment Harry Stewart could give another coach is that your players play hard for you and his players played hard for him all the way to the end. Surviving relatives include his wife of 57 years, Miriam Stewart, Benton, IL, three children, Lex and Shannon Stewart, Benton, IL, Laura Stewart, Bloomington, IL, Kelly Stewart, Benton, IL, three grandsons, Alex and Christy Stewart, Benton, IL, Jon Pulliam, Benton, IL, Landon Stewart, Benton, IL, two great-grandsons, Daniel Stewart Hobbs, Braxton Stewart, two nephews, Steve Stewart, Benton, IL, Nick Stewart, Jr., Marion, IL, one niece, Jane Stewart-Lau, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and several great-nieces, great-nephews. Mr. Stewart was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Steve and Nick Stewart, two sisters, Anna OConnell and Stella Perino, and niece, Iris Hampleman. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, IL. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Joseph Trapp officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton, IL with military rites performed by the Benton American Legion and V.F.W. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Harry Stewart Football Scholarship Fund, c/o Benton Consolidated High School, 511 E. Main St., Benton, IL 62812 and will be accepted at the funeral home. Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.