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Recent Obituaries: Nancy Claire Henderson

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Nancy Claire Henderson
Nancy Claire Henderson, 86, of Sullivan, IL went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.
Funeral services will be held at 3pm on Sunday, May 5th at Smyser Christian Church, rural Gays. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Smyser Cemetery, rural Gays. Memorials may be made to Smyser Christian Church. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation of Kathy, with SBL Hospice, for her loving care.
Nancy was born March 1, 1938, to George and Lucille Johnson of Windsor. Nancy lost her father in WWII at age 6. Lucille raised Nancy and her siblings, Jim and Joyce, and after they graduated college, she married Fred Hammer who loved the family as his own. Nancy graduated as valedictorian at Windsor High School and went on to attend the University of Illinois where she earned her teaching degree in Home Economics.

Nancy married Dane Cole Henderson on August 9, 1959 in a double wedding, alongside her sister, Joyce, who married John Henderson, Dane’s brother. Nancy and Dane had four children: Cindy (Mitch) Daily, Randy (Jody) Henderson, Sherrie (Eric) Grohler, Lyle (Carolyn) Henderson; 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 more on the way. Nancy spent her life lovingly caring for and raising her family and she was her happiest when spending time with them. She worked for 15 years at RR Donnelly to help provide for the family. Nancy loved flower gardening, mowing her beautiful lawn, and camping. She enjoyed traveling with Dane in their RV throughout the southern states, spending most winters there.

She served all of her adult life as a member of Smyser Christian Church where she was a beautiful example of humble faith. Her faith has continued on through her children and grandchildren.
Nancy is survived by Dane, her loving husband of nearly 65 years. Rarely were the two apart from each other and they could always be seen holding hands.

While we celebrate Nancy’s life here with us, we rejoice in her eternal life with Christ.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Sara Rutledge

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Sara Rutledge

Sara D. Rutledge, 78, of Sullivan, passed away 12:35 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2023, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the New Life Church in Sullivan or to the donor’s choice.

Sara was born on December 24, 1944, in Glasgow, KY; the daughter of William B. and Willion Dean (Powell) Hurt. Sara married George W. Rutledge on September 21, 2012, in Decatur; he preceded her in death on January 19, 2022.  Sara graduated from Vidal Sassoon Academy in London, England. She was a hair stylist and owner of Sara’s Brush N Dry. Sara was a member of the New Life Church in Sullivan.

She is survived by her son, Todd (Jackie) Maxedon of Sullivan; grandson, Cody (Maddie) Maxedon of Ft. Myer, FL; great-granddaughter, Mila Maxedon; niece, Anita (Tom) Key of Sullivan; special sister-in-law, Diana Hilliard of Sullivan; step-sons, Darryl Rutledge of Joliet and Jeffrey Rutledge of Charleston; step-daughters, Georgina Y. Rutledge of Romeoville and Venetia E. Rutledge of Joliet. Sara is also survived by her step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

ALAH Boys’ Basketball Finishes Season

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•March 17, 2021•
by Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team finished the season with five-straight wins for a league-leading 8-1 Lincoln Prairie Conference record and a 12-2 overall record to end the season.
The Knights knocked off Clinton Tuesday, March 9, Cerro Gordo/Bement the following night and then defeated Warrensburg-Latham 84-54 Friday to end the season.
Against the Broncos, the Knights cruised to a relatively easy win.
For ALAH, Jamison Rocke scored a game-high 29 points to go with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Wyatt Romine contributed 20 points and ripped down a team-leading eight rebounds.
Austin Plank drained eighteen points and had a game-leading seven steals. Read More

February Students of the Month

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Seth Rakestraw

•March 17, 2021•
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School recently announced the February Students of the Month as Seth Rakestraw and Toby Kemper.
Seth Rakestraw is an eigth grade student and is the son of John and Angie Rakestraw. Seth participates in Scholastic Bowl and is interested in music. He plans to pursue a career in music after high school.

Toby Kemper

Toby Kemper is a senior and is the son of Ron and Viola Kemper. Toby has been involved in Eco Team, Art Club, Physics Club and Band. After high school Toby would like to make a career of wildlife photography.

Webinar Series Offers Keys to Embrace Aging

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•March 17, 2021•
Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator
U of I Extension

What you do today influences your future. Learn how to take care of yourself now, to embrace aging and mature gracefully, successfully and with increased longevity. University of Illinois Extension will be presenting the webinar series “Keys for Embracing Aging” using the videoconferencing platform Zoom. This program is a free 12-part series designed to help aging adults develop strategies for taking care of themselves through the years. The session will be held on Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, beginning March 25 through April 29 and September 2 through October 7. Sessions cover topics including positive attitude, nutrition, socialization, brain health, stress management and safety. Attend all 12 sessions, or simply drop in on the sessions that fit your schedule. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week 3-30-2014

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moultriemomentauterburnhopk

Pictured above are Mrs. Phama Arterburn holding her baby grandson Jason Paradee on her 89th birthday on May 4, 1974. Standing are Lois Arterburn Bowen, Elsie Bowen Hopkins and Susan Hopkins Paradee. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728-4085.

Illinois politics 101—a game of debits and credits

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By Jim Nowlan

In China, politics and government operate on two parallel tracks that merge when politics needs to trump government. In Illinois, we have the vestiges of a similar political-governmental system, which is slowly dying out.
When I taught at Fudan University in Shanghai, there was a president of the university (governmental). Across from his office, literally, was the office of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Secretary Read More

Local woodworker showcases craft at Arcola’s newest senior living community

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Hochstetler's custom-made work featured in display rooms

by Keith Stewart
Of the News Progress in Sullivan

Will Roger's FolliesFor local woodworker and craftsman Kenny Hochstetler, who owns Yoder's in Sullivan, new opportunities are a lot like  planting seeds.
"I'm like a farmer when he plants his corn; he hopes to get a crop," said Hochstetler. "And I'm not going to get anything if I don't plant seeds."
Why the craftsman is talking about seeds when he's working with wood has to do with Read More