The bodies of 27-year-old Robbie Bethel and his 23-year-old brother, Steve, were found in a strip-pit pond less than 24 hours after a hat and boot belonging to Robbie were found in the pond.
The two brothers were reported missing by the family Sunday evening when the two failed to return from deer tracking in the Crenshaw Crossing area which is about seven miles northwest of Marion.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Department began to search the rugged territory Sunday evening. The search was concentrated on the many caves and mine shafts in the area since the men had discussed exploring one of the caves.
The Department of Mines and Minerals, a state mine rescue team, the Franklin County Emergency Service, tracking dogs from the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) and area volunteers all aided in the search.
The Sahara Coal Company also sent a drill to the site which was used to probe into some of the abandoned mine shafts in the area.
The first real clue in the search was discovered Wednesday afternoon when game wardens and divers scouting the strip pit pond in a boat saw the partially submerged boot and the fully submerged hat which were later confirmed as belonging to Robbie Bethel.
Officials then announced that the land search would be abandoned and that divers would search the strip pit pond where the boot and hat were found.
Eleven divers spent a chilly Thursday morning searching the area but were hampered by the murky waters and the many trees and branches in the pond.
The search was concentrated in the area where the hat and boot had been found. The items were discovered about 200 feet apart.
But according to E. Erie Jones, Director of the ESDA, the bodies were found “quite a distance” from the boot and hat.
The first body was found about 1:30 and the second body was discovered around 3 p.m.
John Will, Conservation Police officer, said a sonar device was used to locate the second body.
It was speculated that Steve accidently fell into the strip pit pond and that Robbie attempted to rescue him. Since Robbie’s boot was found unlaced, officials believe he may have been attempting to take the boot off before diving into the water.
“In my judgment the boot was unlaced in an effort to take it off,” Jones said. “We don’t know if it was removed before he went into the water or while he was in the water. We may never know.”
Williamson County Sheriff Jerald Kobler said it appeared Steve had slipped down the steep embankment of the pond and fell into the water and his brother went to his rescue.
He said he had no reason to suspect foul play but could not make an official judgment until the findings of an autopsy are known.
The bodies were taken to Herrin Hospital where autopsies will be performed.
Volunteers Thanked by the Bethels
It was like a tearful reunion this morning when the family members of Robbie and Stephen Bethel came from their homes and gathered at a Marion funeral home to offer their thanks to the many people who helped search this week for the missing brothers.
Reading from a prepared statement, the Rev. Donald Bethel with his wife, Sarah, and daughters-in-law Betsy and Debora who are the wives of Robbie and Stephen, by his side, said that on behalf of the Bethel family he was expressing much gratitude and love to all who helped both day and night look for his misting sons.
“We thank everyone for their outpouring of Christian spirit,” the Reverend said as he fought back the tears.
Not wanting to leave anyone out who may have participated in the search for the missing brothers, the Rev. Bethel simply thanked all the volunteers who participated and even those were turned away. Officials thanked by the Bethel family included E. Erie Jones, director of the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency; Brad Evilsizer, director of the Department of Mines and Minerals; Tom Redickas, Williamson County director of the ESDA; and all the police and rescue units who helped find the men who had been missing since Sunday.
Sarah Bethel offered a special thanks to the members of the media who she said had been “very sympathetic and worked in a considerate manner,” with the family during the ordeal.
Debora Bethel, wife of Stephen, also thanked everyone who helped in the search and said she didn’t know until now how many people cared for her husband.
“God took him for a reason. If Stephen was going to die somewhere I know it would have been in a place like that,” Debora said referring to her late husband’s love for the outdoors.
Betsy Bethel, wife of Robbie, echoed her sister-in-law’s emotions and said “I feel Robbie is with the Lord and I’m in peace.”
Robert Bethel Obituary
Robert “Robbie” Justin Bethel, 27, 802 E. Browning, Marion, was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m. Thursday as a result of drowning.
He was born Feb, 22. 1955 in Carbondale to the Rev. Donald H. and Sarah E. Bowling Bethel who survive. He was married to the former Betsy Jane Brown on May 24. 1975 and she survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Noah Japheth, age 5, and Lucas Jonah, age 3, both at home; paternal grandmother. Mrs. Jewell (Elma) Bethel; one sister, Mrs. Dennis (Jodi) Speer of Dixon; three brothers, William Bethel, Thompsonville, Lester Bethel, Cheltenham, Mil., and the Rev. David Bethel of Joliet and a foster brother, the Rev. James Wright, Energy.
Mr. Bethel was employed by the United States Post Office. He served in the United States Army from 1974-75. A member of the Second Baptist Church, Mr. Bethel was a deacon and Sunday School teacher.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Baptist Church with the Revs. James E. Bryant and David Hancock and Dr. Robert Wagner and Dr. Charles Howard officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery Visitation will be held after 3 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church and from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bethel Memorial Fund.
Mitchell-Hughes was in charge of the arrangements.
Stephen Bethel Obituary
Stephen Jeffrey Bethel, 24, 423 S. Court, Marion, was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m. Thursday as a result of drowning.
He was born July 9, 1958 in Marlon to the Rev. Donald H. and Sarah E. Bowling Bethel who survive. He was married to the former Debora Gall Edwards in Marion on July 28, 1979 and she survives.
Also surviving are one sister, Mrs. Dennis (Jodi) Speer of Dixon; three brothers, William Bethel of Thompsonville, Lester Bethel of Cheltenham, MA, and the Rev. David Bethel of Joliet; and a foster brother, the Rev. James Wright of Energy; and paternal grandmother, Mrs. Jewell (Elma) Bethel.
Mr. Bethel was a laboratory technician at the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative and owner of Bethel Gunsmithing. He attended Trinidad St. Junior College and earned a degree in gunsmithing, and John A. Logan College where he studied to be a machinist. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Baptist Church with the Revs. James E. Bryant and David Hancock, Dr. Robert Wagner and Dr. Charles Howard officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Marion and from noon until 2pm Sunday at the church.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Bethel Memorial Fund.
Mitchell-Hughes was in charge of the arrangements.
(Extracted from Marion Daily Republican article dated November 5, 1982)