Benjamin Franklin "Benny" Harrison

Benjamin Franklin "Benny" Harrison, 72, of Hurst, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at S.I.H. Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.
Benny was an over-the-road truck driver for numerous trucking companies in southern Illinois. He was also a Police Officer for S.I.U. Carbondale and the City of Hurst. He served as the Hurst Fire Chief in the 1980's. He was a proud member of the Hurst Masonic Lodge.
Benny was born August 2, 1953 in Murphysboro to Benjamin Franklin & Jane Eyre (Russell) Harrison.
Benny is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Benji, III & Kim Harrison of Carterville, IL; two daughters and son-in-law, Jennifer Engel of Hurst, IL and Cheri & Stewart Childress of Blairsville, IL; grandchildren, Jessica Creek and husband Josh, Nick Childress and Charlotte Madden and husband Daniel; great grandchildren, Sophia Lingafelter, Gemma Lingafelter, and Lyla Dawley; brother and sister-in-law, Bobby & Joyce Harrison of Lake of Egypt, IL; sister and brother-in-law, Becky & Bill Gottschalk of Hurst; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in Herrin with Rev. Greg Parker officiating. Visitation will be 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Blairsville Cemetery in Cambria, IL. Memorial donations may be made to the Hurst Fire Department, P. O. Box 146, Hurst, IL 62949-0146; envelopes will be available at the funeral home.