ETML Summer Reading Program Kickoff
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First Responders of M.C. school supply drive
•June 4, 2025•
The first responders of Moultrie County are looking for donations to assist in the acquisition of school supplies for Sullivan, Bethany, and Lovington Elementary Schools. These donations can be monetary and/or physical supplies, as listed by each school district. The monetary donations will assist in the purchase of school supplies, as well as needs requested from each school district.
Read more: First Responders of M.C. school supply driveSullivan High School band director: Grammy music educator
Nomination an honor, testament to his students
•June 4, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Sullivan Schools 2024-2025 Interim Band Director, Chris Keniley, has been selected as a quarterfinalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award. This is a significant honor recognizing his contributions to music education. When asked about the nomination, Chris shared, “I didn’t know how significant it was; I learned more after I got a letter a month ago saying that I had been nominated, and could I fill out a few more details about what I’ve done at the school.” There is supplemental material he needs to submit, a video interview, and he will find out later this summer if he made the top 10. “I’m hoping for that, because you receive a grant for your school music program. I think that would be the greatest thing in the world. I’m doing what I can to help students achieve success. Although I am now handing the torch over to someone else, that was my mission this year.”
Read more: Sullivan High School band director: Grammy music educatorGospel Series: King performance
•June 4, 2025•
On Sunday, June 8th, at 6:00 p.m., renowned Gospel singer Rick Allen King will be performing at the Allenville Christian Church, 201 S. Allen Street in Allenville. Rick began his musical journey singing with his mother at age six. Still a young boy of twelve, he started singing professionally and has shared the stage with many leading artists in Gospel Music. Even now, Rick sings his songs for concerts, churches, banquets - any event where good Gospel Music is appreciated. For more information, visit his website at http://rickalanking.com.
Fellowship and light refreshments will follow after the concert, with love offerings welcomed.
Alzheimer’s awareness fundraiser
•June 4, 2025•
On June 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Heritage Woods of Sullivan will be holding an Alzheimer’s Awareness Fundraiser. Hot dogs, chips, cookies, and bottled water will be provided for a nominal $5.00. These lunches will be prepared in “to go” fashion, making for a quick lunch break while raising funds for Alzheimer’s awareness. Questions? Call (217) 728-4300.
Windsor Book Club
•June 4, 2025•
On Thursday, June 5th, at 6:00 p.m. in the meeting room, the Windsor Storm Memorial Public Library Book Club will be meeting.
This month’s conversation and tea will be about their May selection, “Wild Dark Shore,” by New York Times bestselling author Charlotte McConaghy. You can also check out a copy of their June title of choice, “The Book Club for Troublesome Women,” by Marie Bostwick.
For more information, see the Library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stormlibrary, or send an email to WindsorLibraryJess@Gmail.com.
Sign collision at Agri-Fab
Photo submitted
In the late afternoon of Saturday, May 31st, there was a single-vehicle accident, with the vehicle making contact with the Sullivan Agri-Fab factory signage located at the factory frontage on Hamilton Street. Per Sullivan Police Department’s Chief of Police, Andrew Pistorius, the airbag was deployed in the incident, and the driver refused medical treatment. No further information is available at this time.
Recent Obituaries: Barbara Johnson
Barbara J. Johnson, 93, of Bethany, passed away 12:02 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Arthur Home in Arthur.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Wednesday, at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will take place in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Mt. Zion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Food Bank or to the Sullivan High School Football Program.
Barb was born September 11, 1931, in Newman; the daughter of Frances Marion “Pat” and Leone (Trulock) Fonner. She married Donald A. Johnson on May 11, 1952, in Dalton City; he preceded her in death on March 30, 2005. Barb accomplished one of her goals in life when she graduated from Lake Land College in 1974 with her LPN degree. She was one of the first EMTs in Bethany. Barb was a member of the Dalton City Christian Church. Her next love in life was watching football. Barb always enjoyed going to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events where she would passionately cheer them on.
She is survived by her daughters, Bonnie Bell of Hammond and Sue (Dave) Price of Atwood. Barbara is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 4 brothers and 1 sister.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Recent Obituaries: Ramona L. Lesley-Hertlein
Ramona L. Lesley-Hertlein, 96, of Sullivan, passed away at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday May 27, 2025 in the Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Celebration of Life services will be at 12 p.m. Monday June 2, 2025 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Rob Roy officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Bethany United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Ramona was born December 2, 1928 in Shawneetown, the daughter of Gordon and Beulah Hatcher Ozee. She had worked at the Bethany Grocery Store, Peters Market in Decatur, Svendsen Florist in Decatur and the Sullivan Senior Center Ramona married Robert ‘Bob’ Lesley on September 13, 1947 and he preceded her in death on April 17, 1977. She then married Eugene ‘Gene’ Hertlein on May 10, 2011 in Bethany and he preceded her in death on April 23, 2014.
Surviving are her daughters Helen (George) Levi of Effingham, Patti (Rieck) Kendall of Sullivan and Brenda Kirk of Sullivan; sister Doris Murphy of Shelbyville, brothers Roger Ozee of Shelbyville and Larry (Judi) Ozee of Arcola; grandchildren Lori (John) Thomas, Jennifer Levi, Alison Yoder, Kari (Troy) Rogers, Katy (Bryan) Fogerson, Adam, (Leann) Lesley, Michael (Marci) Kirk, Alyssa Kirk and Erin (Tim) Fricke; twelve great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, five brothers and a sister.
SES 4th graders “Living Wax Museum” impresses
Student’s project entertaining and informative
•May 28, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Wednesday, May 14th, Sullivan Elementary School 4th-grade students from Mrs. Wilson’s, Mr. Campbell’s, Mrs. Smith’s, and Mr. Friese’s classes wowed with their end-of-year “Living Wax Museum” project, which was open to the public. Each student chose a person they admired, whether alive or deceased, to represent---in character. After extensive research about their person, they created outlines, essays, flash cards, tablet presentations, wardrobes, posterboards, and props. They then practiced their public speaking skills and delivery in a class dress rehearsal before show time. Researching an individual and transforming themselves into that person, then speaking as that person to others in the first person is no small feat, but these 4th graders handled it with style and enthusiasm and were well prepared.
