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Recent Obituaries: Barbara Johnson

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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

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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

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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.

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Poppies of Remembrance and Sacrifice

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Pictured is Donna Arendell, with the Sullivan American Auxiliary, greeting customers with Memorial Poppies at Kirby Foods on Friday, May 23rd. Each year, millions of Americans wear these poppies in memory of American service members who lost their lives in war in service to their country, and to assist those Veterans who are now hospitalized or in rehabilitation, suffering from wounds and illnesses. The red poppy is a recognized symbol of sacrifice and remembrance.

Marrowbone Public Library Summer calendar of events

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•May 28, 2025•

Marrowbone Public Library will soon begin its “iRead 2025” summer reading program, which will run from June 5th through to July 5th, with July 5th being the “Summer Reading Carnival.” Reading rules: All books must be checked out overnight to count; you may read as many books as you like, but no more than thirty (30) books total will be counted (For adults, no more j=than twelve); books checked out must be at or above your reading level; participants through Kindergarten may count books that are read to them; audiobooks count as one (1) book; and to attend the Carnival, thirty (30) books must have been read and counted.

Every book (or 50 pages) read equals a chance to win a special prize. Every five books read equals a window tag and small prize or coupon, and when youth participants reach thirty (30) books read, they will receive a Library carnival Ticket. Adult prizes: every book read equals a chance to win a special prize, and every three books read equals a small prize.

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Lovington Public Library June programs

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•May 28, 2025•

The sign-up deadline for the “Sign up for Summer Reading” program is June 30th; stop in and get signed up before time runs out to participate in this fun and educational program.

June 2nd, 16th, and 30th - Needle night from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. If you would like to learn to crochet, knit, needlepoint, or sew, participants are there who can help. If you already sew and want to commune, come join the group. 

June 3rd - Story time from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. This month, we will be reading “My Dad” by Anthony Brown and singing songs.

June 6th - Kids craft time from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. This month, we will be making Father’s Day Cards. 

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Bear places second at 1A State

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Riane Bear finished as the runner up last Saturday at the IHSA Class 1A State Track and Field Finals at EIU. Her jump of 5’4.5” earned her the 2nd place in a well contested battle with the champion from El Paso, Aubrey Phillips.  Also for the Lady Redskins, Devon Richardson finished in 13th place with a long jump of 5.01 meters and 25th place in the triple jump with a 9.93 meter finish. The 4 x 100 relay of Mya Dyer, Avery Renfro, Grace Crothers; and Kelsie Hodge finished in 38th place in 53.10. 

ETML “Summer Reading Theme”: Level Up at Your Library

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•May 28, 2025•

Submitted by Laura Davison

Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library is launching its “Level Up at Your Library” summer reading program. It all begins with our Summer Reading Kickoff party on May 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., free and open to the public, with all ages welcome. At the party, there will be two inflatables, an obstacle course, and a slide. There will be snow cones, cotton candy, face painting, and crafts for the children. 

Summer reading starts the week after school is out, and children started reading on May 26th for prizes. Registration is open now. There will be an open registration on May 30th at the party, as well. You can register online using the QR code on any of our flyers or the link that is posted on our Facebook page, which has a Google form to fill out as well. Another option is to come into the library or call during business hours. 

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Remembering who we are………60

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Who’s Here?

•May 28, 2025•

by Janet Roney

First, it was one dog; then two; then three more. Soon, every dog in town was barking. I guess hikers don’t often walk through Allenville. 

We were a curious sight as our family trudged along the old Charleston Road on our hike to Mat-toon. Our backpacks, topped with sleeping bags and a tent, towered over our heads; canteens clat-tered at the kids’ sides; and a stuffed animal peered out of a pocket in Cynthia’s pack. 

A dozen men and boys were milling about or leaning on a car in a yard ahead of us. More were draped over the fenders, peering under the hood. All held an open beverage can except for the man who was actually working on the engine with a wrench. When we got even with them, they spotted us. Their banter and laughter stopped.

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