BENTON - Gene Mandrell, 84, passed away at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013, in V.A. Medical Center in Marion. He was born Sept. 14, 1928, in Benton, the son of Leslie Rufus and Bonnie Mae (Eldridge) Mandrell. He married Eddyth Bullington July 2, 1949, in Benton, and she survives. Mr. Mandrell was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Church of Christ in West City. He worked most of his life as a Carpenter. Mr. Mandrell is survived by his wife, Eddyth Mandrell of Benton; son, Brad Mandrell and wife, Becky, of Benton; daughter, Pam Robin-son and husband, Dave, of Benton; seven grandchildren, Angela Jones and husband, Ira Donald, of Mandeville, La., Jeff Mandrell of Lex-ington, Ky., Lee Mandrell and wife, Kristy, of Florissant, Mo., Lana Mandrell of Energy, Pat McClerren of Washington, Bridgett Thacker of McLeansboro, Kelly Robertson and husband, Jeremy, of Benton; 13 great-grandchildren, Brittney, Haley, Abi, Noah, Patrick, Cassie, Morgan, Gabriella, Rachel, Cameron, Destiny, Nick and Damion; twin brother, Jack Mandrell and wife, Mary Louise of Pekin; brother, Curtis Mandrell and wife, Beverly of Benton; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Mandrell was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother. Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24, in Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with Minister Steve Reeves officiating. Burial will be in Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton, with military rites conducted by the Benton American Legion and VFW Posts, and National Guard. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.