BENTON – Mrs. Catherine Jane Wiggs, age 73, of Benton, passed away at 12:35 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, at her home.
Catherine was born on February 17, 1952, in Henderson, Kentucky; the daughter of James Allen White and Mary Pauline (Slayton) White. She married Charles Edward Wiggs on October 2, 1984, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Charles preceded her in death on January 22, 2025. Together they shared 40 years of marriage.
She and her late husband, Charles, owned and operated Wiggs Bicycles of Benton. She also previously worked at Aisin, Continental Tire and Mark Twain Boats.
Catherine and Charles attended the Logan Church of God. After Charles passed away, Catherine attended and worshipped her Lord and Savior at the West City Church of God.
She enjoyed taking people to church with her, and she also enjoyed taking people to lunch. Catherine liked to stay busy working, spending time with family, and living at and enjoying being on the lake. She and her late husband, Charles, enjoyed playing dominoes with their friends, Arnold and Daisy Moore.
Surviving is a step-daughter, Pat Cantrell of Benton, IL; two sisters: Madeline “Carol” Vandom and husband Buddy of Benton, IL, Teresa Avants of Pinckneyville, IL; a brother, Thomas Lynn White of Benton, IL; grandchildren: Charity Clark and husband Jeff of West Frankfort, IL, John Odle and wife Rosa of Clermont, FL, Matthew Odle of Benton, IL; great-grandchildren: Hannah Grace Clark, Makaela Joy Clark, Micah Jentzen Clark, Josiah Jahaziel Clark, Rowan Chase Odle, Finley Renee Odle; nieces and nephews including: Stacey Sheets and husband Eric of Opdyke, IL, William Vandom and wife Holly of Benton, IL, Tim Vandom and wife Dawn of Benton, IL, Jamie White of Christopher, IL, Rhiannon Hart of Marion, IL, Ezekiel Avants of Illinois; and special great-nephews: Lincoln and Clark Sheets and Fisher and Sawyer Vandom.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers: Charles Allen White and James D. “Red” White; a niece, Amy White; a nephew, James White; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Charles Fred Wiggs and Mildred O. (Waldrum) Wiggs; and a brother-in-law, Bill Wiggs.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, IL, with Rev. Harol Whitlock officiating. Burial will follow in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, IL. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
The family prefers memorial contributions be made to the West City Church of God and will be accepted at the funeral home.
The family would like to say a special “Thank You” to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Home Health Therapists, and the 24-hour caregivers including Heather C., Heather D., Annie, Sharon, Nevaeh, and Yolanda.
To give condolences online to the family, or to share memories of Catherine, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.
