Ralph Eugene Paxton, 92, of Benton, IL, died 3:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at the Illinois Veterans Home, Anna, IL. Ralph was born on July 10, 1922, in Benton, IL, the son of John Quincy and Laura (Malcolm) Paxton. He married his wife Dorothy (Scarborough) Paxton in 1945 and she preceded him in death on January 16, 2002. Mr. Paxton served in the United States Army in WW II as a Signal Corpman. He was employed at Orient 2 mine for 40 years and was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Benton. He was preceded in death by his parents John & Laura Paxton, his wife, Dorothy Paxton and one sister, Edith Mundell. Surviving relatives include his children, David Paxton (Glenda) of Conroe, TX, Cindy Rose (Gary), Cibolo, TX, three grandchildren, Shawn Paxton (Sheila) of Goldsboro, NC, Heather Paxton of Evansville, IN and Camala Turnage (Nathan) of Universal City, TX, seven great-grandchildren, Shaylah, Ayden and Vanessa Paxton, Jordan Cunningham, Hope Bonds, Tristan Ary, and Cooper Turnage, sister-in-law, Alice Marie Odom of Sparta, IL, and several much loved nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, March 6, 2015 at Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory, Benton. Funeral Service will be held 1 p.m., Friday, March 6, 2015 at the funeral home with Rev. Shane Smith officiating and assisted by Marty Spears. Burial with military rites by the Benton American Legion Post 280, VFW Post 2671 and the National Guard Honors Team will follow services at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery, Benton. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Benton, IL.