Benton Evening News, Dec 11,1967
 
E E Eskew, 72, Benton Barber, Dies Today.
    
    Elbert E (Blondie) Eskew, 72, of 412 South Stotlar, Benton, died at 6 a.m. today in Franklin Hospital.  He has been sick several months.
    Mr. Eskew was a barber.  He had worked only part-time in recent years.
    The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Mitchell Funeral Home, with the Rev. Charles Hausser officiating.
    Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellow Cemetery in Benton.  The body will be at the Mitchell Funeral Home after 2 p.m. Tuesday.
    He was the son of Jesse G. and Mary Lida Johnson Eskew.
    A veteran of World War I, Mr Eskew was married to the former Essie Darnell.  She survives.
    He was a member of the North Benton Baptist Church, Benton Barbers' Local 677, American Legion and World War I Barracks 308.
    Other survivors:
    Two daughters, Mrs Jean Shew, Silvis, Ill, and Mrs Joyce Freeman of Joliet; three sons, Jack Eskew of Peoria, Jesse W Eskew of Joliet and Curt Eskew of Denver, Colo; two sisters, Mrs Dora Ragsdale of Buncombe, Mrs Hattie Bundy of Benton, and nine grand-children.

Contributor's note:  this obit has several errors, including spelling of his name, Elbert Edmon Escue, and his father Jesse G Escue, sons Jack Escue, Curt Escue & Jesse W Escue,  Elbert was born and raised in Buncombe, Johnson Co, IL.  His home was on top of Ferne Clyff at one point, getting their water from the spring in the cave below.