Kenneth Dempsey Jr.

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Kenneth Dempsey Jr., 83, Benton, died at 4:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon.

He was born in Carrier Mills on June 17, 1926, the son of Kenneth Dempsey Sr. and Lillian (Ray) Dempsey.

He married Syble Lee (Milburn) on Oct. 30, 1946, in Marion, and she survives.

Mr. Dempsey was an Army veteran.

He was a member of the West City Church of God.

Mr. Dempsey was a coal miner for 35 years, retiring from the Brushy Creek Mine.

Mr. Dempsey is survived by his wife, Syble Lee Dempsey of Benton; three children, Connie Morris and husband Ray of Benton, Janet Morris and husband John of Galatia and Patrick Dempsey and wife Kay of Benton; six grandchildren, Shannon Morris and wife Dana of West Frankfort, Rachel Morris of Benton and fiance Mark Bennett of Alabama, Jennifer Tucker and husband Kenneth of Sikeston, Mo., Sarah Kerley and husband Chris of Benton, Joshua Morris and wife Kelli of Harrisburg and Justin Morris of Galatia and fiancee Tracy Sweat of Harrisburg; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Ruth Absher of Carrier Mills.

Mr. Dempsey was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bill and Bob; and a grandson, Lucas Morris.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Pastor Harol Whitlock and friends Jim Moake and Larry Hulfacker officiating.

Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery in Carrier Mills. Visitation will be after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.