Michael Welch
Michael B. Welch, 64, of Lake Whales, Florida passed away at 2:55 p.m. Saturday June 7, 2025 in the Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida.
Arrangements are incomplete at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.
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Obituaries 6-11-2025: James Myers
James Myers
James L. Myers, 87, of Dundee, Florida passed away at 9:11 a.m. Friday June 6, 2025 in Winter Haven Hospital, Winter Haven, Florida.
Arrangements are incomplete at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.
Obituaries 6-11-2025: Violet Lillico
Violet Lillico
Violet M. Lillico, 88, of Bethany, passed away 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Sullivan Healthcare and Senior Living.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services Thursday, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Rural Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Bethany Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry: 312 West South Water Street, Bethany, IL 61914
Read MoreA Look Back…6-11-2025
2015
Okaw Valley’s baseball team took home a fourth-place state trophy from the tournament in Peoria.
Zachary Coon was awarded a scholarship by the Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association Foundation. Coon graduated from Sullivan High School in the spring of 2011 and attended Lake Land College to study building construction technology before transferring to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he worked towards his bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in business administration.
The Lovington Grade School eighth grade class promotion ceremony was held with the following students promoted: Isaac Ashenfelter, Gabriel Hallford, Paul Brodnansky, Jon Marquis, Kyle Carnahan, Dalton McDaniel, Veronica Chambers, Caleb Nettles, Adam Day, Taylor Powell, Hunter Day, Daniel Reedy, Ciara Emrick, Jessica Renfro, Molly Fort, Angela Robinson, Lauren Foster, Alexia Stanley, and Katelynn Gingerich.
Read MoreLovington “Junefest” schedule of events
•June 11, 2025•
On Friday, June 13th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Lovington will hold its Alumni Banquet at the Family Life Center. From 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., Country Sky and Eddie’s Taco Truck will be outside the East End tavern.
On Saturday, June 14th, from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., the sausage pancake breakfast will be held at the Firehouse. From 9:30 a.m. until noon, the Car Show will be held in the business district with the Lovington Rec Ball grilling lunch.
Read more: Lovington “Junefest” schedule of events Read MoreMoultrie County CEFS food pantry
A lifeline to county residents
•June 11, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Many are aware that the local Sullivan CEFS office is involved in, or directs, numerous programs that support Moultrie County residents: Sullivan, Arthur, Allenville, Gays, Dalton City, Bethany, and Lovington. Of note is its Food Pantry, which serves monthly food boxes, consisting of 4-5 meals per box, to between 180 and 220 families every month, and will deliver these food boxes to the homebound. This program is funded via private donations as well as in-kind donations from grocers and other food suppliers. During the summer growing season, the Illinois Extension donates produce as well. CEFS includes recipes when they can to help recipients maximize their food boxes, and especially when items like venison are distributed. So far this year, CEFS has been assisting primarily young families and the elderly, but those groups and numbers are subject to change. And although it’s a monthly food box, if you are still struggling to put food on the table, the CEFS office can still help.
Read more: Moultrie County CEFS food pantryOther items are available if requested, such as infant formula (and a referral to the Women, Infants, and Children program, if needed), personal hygiene products, diapers, and, when available, household cleaning products. CEFS Food Pantries’ biggest needs right now are cash donations and canned proteins, such as chicken.
Read MoreSullivan Electronics Recycling event much needed by community
SES 2025/2026 registration
•June 11, 2025•
Online registration opens July 17th. In-person registration opens July 23rd, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Kindergarten and new family registration events will be held on July 23rd at 5:30 p.m., July 24th at 3:00 p.m., and July 25th from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Fish for free June 13-14
•June 11, 2025•
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has set June 13 through 16 as Illinois free fishing days for 2025. During these four days, anglers can fish without purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp, or inland trout stamp in Illinois. The goal is for non-anglers to discover or rediscover the fun of fishing and to introduce children to the activity.
Groups and organizations that need fishing equipment and educational materials can complete the online form and IDNR will furnish materials while supplies last.
Outside of the free fishing days, Illinois requires anyone over the age of 16 to have a fishing license to fish. Exclusions apply to active-duty military and people with disabilities. Standard fishing licenses can be purchased for $15 at vendors throughout Illinois or online. Learn more about fishing in Illinois at ifishillinois.org.
Bethany senior potluck
•June 11, 2025•
The Bethany Senior Citizen Potluck will be held on Wednesday, June 18th at 11:00 a.m. at the Bethany library, located at 216 W Main Street. Meatloaf will be furnished. All are welcome.