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Recent Obituaries: Betty June Harl

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Betty June Harl

Betty June Harl, of Newman, formerly of Sullivan and Charleston, passed away 11:35 p.m. Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Newman.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2023, at French Cemetery, Allenville. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Betty was born June 11, 1933, in Lovington; the daughter Vernon and Ester (Breckenridge) Newberry. She married Kenneth W. Harl on April 3, 1955, in Sullivan; he preceded her in death on October 7, 1996. She attended Home Church in Charleston. Betty enjoyed shopping and hanging out with her grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Mary (Steve) Smallwood of Westfield, Valerie (Duane) Kauffman of Oakland and Sandy (Denny) Kerschner of Newman; brother, Glen Newberry of Lovington. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 brothers and son-in-law, Mike Elam.

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

Recent Obituaries: Patrick Jerome “Sam” Slaughter

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Patrick Jerome "Sam" Slaughter

Patrick Jerome "Sam" Slaughter, 75 of Sullivan, IL, passed away at 7:10 AM on Sunday, September 24, 2023, in his home.
A Celebration of Sam’s life will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 5 East Jefferson, Sullivan, IL. Inurnment with Military Rites will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 2, 2023 in the Camp Butler National Cemetery near Springfield, IL. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Sam was born on March 19, 1948, in Taylorville, IL. He was the son of Thomas Keith and Helen Virginia (McCormick) Slaughter. He married the love of his life, Sharon Ann (Bringle) on October 31, 1970, in Mattoon, IL.
Sam is survived by his wife, Sharon of Sullivan, IL, two daughters, Kaye (Billie) Stain of Texas and Ann (David) Wirey of Texas, five grandchildren: Alicyn (Jared) Ferguson, Mason Stain, Catherine (Joshua) Anderson, Hannah Stain, Chloe Wirey, two great grandchildren, Somara Ferguson and Cameron Anderson, three brothers, James (Dolores) Slaughter of Hinsdale, IL, Phillip (Betty) Slaughter of Mattoon, IL and Mark Slaughter of Mattoon, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Connie (Paul) Kimrey, and two brothers, John Thomas “J.T.” (Linda) Slaughter and Frank Slaughter.
His family meant everything to him, especially his brothers and nephews. They were an unbreakable pack and had a bond like no other.
Sam was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School in 1966. He participated in multiple sports such as wrestling, football, and track. He held the high school pole vault record for many years.
After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army. The sacrifices he made while serving in Vietnam during this time are commendable and led him to co-found the Veterans Protective League in Springfield, IL later in life. Through this organization he passionately advocated for veterans’ rights and worked tirelessly lobbying for their needs.
In 1970 he joined the IBEW Electrical Apprentice Program. In 1974 he graduated and became a journeyman wireman. He was a proud member of IBEW Local 146 in Decatur. Later in his career he worked for JLAllen in Tuscola, IL as a project manager. His trade carried him across the country, each location a new adventure.
Anyone that knew Sam knew he was generous and giving to a fault and wholehearted in his efforts to help those in need.
Sam, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother will forever be remembered by his sharp shooting, his suspender dancing, his wooden toe, his milkshakes and his tuna canopies. He was a grand visionary, a storyteller, a talented artist, a dispenser of wisdom, and an entrepreneur. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

Senior Expo Held In Person for First Time Since 2019

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photo by Crystal Reed
Senior Expo Held In Person for First Time Since 2019
Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. held their Senior Expo on Friday, September 22 at the Sullivan American Legion. This year’s expo was the first in-person expo since 2019. In recent years it had been a drive thru event due to COVID. The event was attended by 130 people this year. The Senior Expo had 23 tables representing different service organizations and businesses, a bake sale, bingo and prize drawings. Griffin’s Barbecue served brunch to attendees. Agri-Fab and HydroGear donated money towards the cost of the meal. Sullivan High School Student Council served food, delivered plates and drinks to participants, cleaned up and ran bingo cards and prizes.

photo by Crystal Reed
Bingo!
Jonathan Boyd, branch manager at First Mid Bank and Trust, calls out bingo at the Senior Expo on Friday, September 22 at the Sullivan American Legion.

Windsor High School Homecoming Court

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Windsor High School Homecoming Court
Windsor High School recently announced their 2023 Homecoming Court. Pictured left to right (Back Row): King Candidates Brody Hendrickson, Daxten Bartimus, and Billy Evetts, Junior Attendant John Cook, Sophomore Attendant Tayven Vaughn, and Freshman Attendant Brody Barnard. (Front Row): Queen Candidates Ainslie Eident, Aubree Brown, and Lillian Cole, Junior Attendant Aubrey Carter, Sophomore Attendant Cameron Carey, and Freshman Attendant Zoey McDaniel. Homecoming Coronation is Saturday, September 30th at 7:30 pm at the High School, and the public is welcome to attend.

Agri-Fab Employees Volunteer at Habitat Build

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photo by Crystal Reed
Agri-Fab Employees Volunteer at Habitat Build
Agri-Fab employees have been volunteering their time at the newest Habitat for Humanity build in Sullivan. They have done a variety of tasks at the site as the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity gets closer to finishing the home. Other outreach that Agri-Fab does in the community include food drives and monthly blood drives. Pictured are a few employees at the build site: Brianna Buttrey, Stephanie Collins, Chris Schaefer and Nicholas Brown.

OV Golf Teams Compete at Lincoln Prairie Conference Golf Meet 

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•September 27, 2023•

The Lincoln Prairie Conference (LPC) Golf Meet for both boys and girls golf was held on Tuesday, September 19 at Moweaqua Golf Course. Teams that competed were Sullivan, Arcola, Blue Ridge, Okaw Valley, Villa Grove and Tri-County. Okaw Valley Girls Golfers were Rissa Montgomery, a senior with a 96, Kaya Forlines, a freshman with 110, Brylee Baker, a sophomore with 117, Kate Stauder, a sophomore at 129,  Annabelle Cheathan, a junior with 137 and Erin Harris, a freshman with 138. The final team score for the OV girls was 452. An all conference award went to Montgomery of Okaw Valley in fifth. Okaw Valley girls golf came in second during the meet. 

In the boys LPC meet schools competing were Sullivan, Arcola, Blue Ridge, Cerro Gordo, Heritage, Okaw Valley, Villa Grove, LSA and Tri-County. Okaw Valley had Gibson Dickens, a senior with 85, Braden Montgomery, a sophomore with a 92, Tucker Montgomery, a sophomore with a 99, Chase Creviston, a junior and Grady Sparks, a junior both with a 100, Cannon Bernstein, a senior with 108. An all conference award was given to Dickens of Okaw Valley in fourth.

Haegen, Lady Redskins Win Conference Title in Golf

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Sullivan Boys Golf took second in the Lincoln Prairie Conference Meet last week. Team members are (left to right): Camden Watkins, Caden Saul, Drew Woolen, Brett Bushue, Daniel Downs, Cameron Crowe

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Sullivan’s Girls Golf Team won the LPC Conference Meet last week. Members of the team are Shae Ellis, Kate Bushue, Ruby Haegen, Hannah Righter, Devon Richardson, Taylar Mercer.

•September 27, 2023•

The Lady Redskins golf team has been dominant all year long. They proved that last week at the Lincoln Prairie Conference Tournament hosted at the Moweaqua Golf Course. The boys golf team had a strong showing as well picking up second place.

Ruby Haegen led the lady golfers shooting an 80 on the day and picking up the individual conference championship title. Shae Ellis and Hannah Righter tied for second behind Haegen, each shooting a 90. Kate Bushue and Devon Richardson finished 7th and 8th, respectively. All five Lady Redskin golfers were named all conference. Read More

Sullivan High School National English Honors Society Induction 2023

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Sullivan High School National English Honors Society Induction
Sullivan High School’s National English Honors Society recently held an induction of new members. New inductees pictured are Riane Bear, Anyssa Coffer, Emily Crosier, Mae Dawkins, Logan Fleener, Aubrey Gingerich, Jalen Herschberger, Jonathan Iacobazzi, Landon Jesse, Kharli Kelly, Eiley Poe, Madi Shonkwiler, Naveah Wilson, Alexia Tull, Raymond Yang. Not pictured are Kate Bushue and Devon Richardson.

Cami Badman’s Honors English III Student Letters To The Editor (Continued from Sept. 13 issue)

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•September 27, 2023•

Cami Badman‘s SHS letters provided this special section for News-Progress readers in partnership with Sullivan Community School District 300. Thank you to Sullivan Schools for expecting excellence and to these letter-writing students for delivering.

Letters to the Editor written by Cami Badman‘s Honors English III students at Sullivan High School explored controversial subjects with maturity and logic. 

Badman opened the school year challenging these 20 students to present well-rounded arguments for student-selected controversial subjects and letters to the editor. 

Throughout history, letters to newspapers about important topics have crafted public opinion into pivotal changes in society in an age of electronic dominance and sound-bite arguments. Exploring topics in depth brought some interesting and convincing results. 

Students explored a wide range of topics ranging from discontinuing the penny to gun control.  Read More

SOV Tame Broncos to Extend Winning Season

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photo by Greg Floyd
Dexter Parrish with one of his three runs. He had 63 yards rushing in the game.

•September 27, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins put the Cerro Gordo-Bement Broncos to pasture last Friday with a dominant win of 59-7. The stampede by the Redskin offense started early and continued all four quarters with 7 different players finding the end zone throughout the night.

On just the second play of SOV’s first possession, junior ball carrier Aian Fryman did what he does best, taking his first carry of the night 82 yards for the first of his three touchdowns. The Broncos tried to respond with a methodical offensive possession that moved them down the field 72 yards within their own five yard line. The Redskin defense held strong with key tackles coming from seniors Landry Still and Hayden Moody and junior Elijah Beeler. The drive would result in a turnover on downs. Read More