•February 6, 2019•
The Sullivan boys’ basketball team placed sixth in the Central Illinois Conference Tournament Saturday.
The Redskins lost to Shelbyville 68-43 and finished the tournament 1-2.
Senior Caden Ellis led the team with 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Read More
Donna Whitaker
Donna M. Whitaker, 80, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:08 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.
Celebration of Life services were held at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Henderson and Pastor Al Rennert officiating. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More
Donna M. Whitaker
Donna M. Whitaker, 80, of Sullivan, passed away 3:08 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Celebration of Life services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Henderson and Pastor Al Rennert officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Ambulance Service or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mrs. Whitaker was born July 25, 1938 in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Edgar B. and Eula F. Fry Eversole. Donna was a homemaker and helped her husband on the farm. She also worked at area grain elevators during harvest. Donna was an accomplished pianist and organist and had played the piano at the Allenville Christian Church and Jonathan Creek Christian Church. Donna had been active in Home Extension and her and Joe enjoyed going on the U of I Extension farm bus trips. Donna was a member of the Home Extension, Allenville Christian Church, Sullivan First United Methodist Church and Jonathan Creek Christian Church. Donna married Joseph A. Whitaker on June 7, 1959 in Westervelt, IL and he survives.
Also surviving are her sons David W. (Sharon) Whitaker of Narvon, PA and Keith A. (Laura) Whitaker of Sullivan; grandchildren Kirk (Sherelle) Whitaker of Charleston, Parker Whitaker of Sullivan, Cansas Buckalew and Jack Buckalew, both of Monticello; great-granddaughter Amelia Whitaker of Charleston and a son-in-law Brent Buckalew of Monticello.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Pamela Buckalew and brother James Eversole.
Donna’s family would like to thank Dr. Bukhari, Mason Point, Courtyard Estates, St. Mary’s Hospital and the Sullivan Ambulance Service for their compassionate care.
Nina Martin
Nina Tabor Martin, 72, of Sullivan, passed away at 5:02 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2019 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. A visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday, February 1 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. A private graveside service will be held in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan with her family. Public memorial services will be announced at a later date in both Sullivan and the Chicago area.
Nina was born January 10, 1947 in Decatur, a daughter of Purvis Francis and Roberta Morris Tabor. She married Philip H. Martin July 10, 1971 in Decatur. Read More
Polly Shaw
Alice ‘Polly’ Shaw, 84, of Sullivan passed away at 11:46 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019 in The Crossings At Victory Station in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Celebration of Life services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25 in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Charliam Renner officiating. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
SHS art student Imogene Stidaham (L) and art teacher Melissa Nichols show student artwork.
•January 30, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress
More than 100 colorful and imaginative pieces of artwork from Sullivan High School students were displayed for public viewing at Stifel Company offices January 16.
The works were created in last semester’s drawing class taught by art teacher Melissa Nichols. Attractively arranged on the walls were creations in ink, pencil, colored pencil, water colors and oils.
Most were on paper, but a few drawings were done on corrugated tin. A pink octopus drawn on the rippled tin was especially interesting as the tentacles appeared to undulate over the tin.
Maggie McLaughlin drew a woman’s portrait in all black ink except for bright green eyes. There was a hint of the French pointillism style in the background. Read More
•January 30, 2019•
Applications are now available for the 2019 Irrevocable Scholarship Program through the Sullivan American Legion Post 68.
This program offers one $1000 four year annually renewable scholarship with the application deadline Friday, March 29, 2019.
High school seniors who will be graduating from public high schools in Moultrie County and high school seniors who are descendants of members in good standing of the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 may request a copy of the application packet from their high school counselor at Okaw Valley and Sullivan high schools.
An eligible student may also contact Sullivan American Legion Post 68 at 217-728-4612 or contact Michael Keown, secretary Irrevocable Scholarship Trust, at 217-855-1949.
•January 30, 2019•
Decatur Memorial Hospital Patient Transportation has added a route in Sullivan. They provide rides for adults and children (with accompanying adult) to and from Sullivan and various DMH Decatur locations.
To schedule a ride, or for more information, call 217-876-2191.
•January 30, 2019•
After reporting a five percent increase in spring-to-spring enrollment a year ago, Eastern Illinois University’s enrollment has jumped another seven percent from spring 2018 to spring 2019. According to official 10th-day data from the university, the university’s spring 2019 enrollment sits at 7,503 students—487 more than the previous spring semester.
The increase follows a familiar trend for the university, which once again has seen considerable boosts to its freshman, graduate, and dual-credit enrollments.
Of notable significance to EIU’s spring 2019 10th-day enrollment snapshot:
• EIU’s degree-seeking graduate enrollment for spring 2019 reached 1,454 students—its highest point in nine years for the spring semester and a 5.5 percent increase over spring 2018’s numbers. Read More
•January 30, 2019•
Two informational meetings in regard to the next phase of Okaw Valley schools efforts to revitalize buildings begin with a 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 meeting at OVHS.
Superintendent Kent Stauder announced the public information meetings in a letter to parents and guardians of OV students this week.
The first meeting is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 13 at Okaw Valley High School in Bethany, and the second is slated for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Okaw Valley Middle School in Findlay. Each meeting will be held in the buildings’ cafeteria before breaking out into different rooms.
The superintendent explained the proposed project includes construction of a new gymnasium to attach to the current gym at the high school, a new entryway into the front of the middle school and new playground equipment at the elementary school.
Earlier this month, the OV Board of Education approved a resolution to put the question to voters on the April 2 ballot to issue $6.5 million in school building bonds to finance this project.
These meetings are intended to provide the community with information about the proposed projects, give residents a chance to provide feedback and ask questions.
The project architect Damien Schlitt of BLDD, will be present to discuss building plans and how much it could cost. Tom Crabtree of the investment banking firm Stifel will also be present to discuss financing and the impact on local taxpayers.