Author Archives:

Recent Obituaries: Terry J. Phillips

News Progress Posted on by

Terry J. Phillips, 69, of Mattoon, passed away 10:01 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

          Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Scholarship for Cole Burrell.

          Terry was born June 15, 1956, in Decatur, the son of Joe and Betty Jean (Chapman) Phillips. He married Terry Joanne Davisson on December 30, 1989, in Sullivan; she survives. Terry was an advertising account executive for the Cromwell Radio Group for many years. Terry also broadcasted various sporting events throughout the years. He was a member of the Lovington First Church of God. Terry was a super St. Louis Cardinals fan and an avid bingo player. He loved to organize family get togethers and going to cookouts. Terry had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed sharing his talent. He also liked to organize Gospel sings. Terry was a man who liked to be in the know of what was going on around the area and loved to stop in at new restaurants when they would open up.

          He is survived by his wife, Terry Joanne Phillips of Mattoon; sister, Jenny of Assumption; brother, Lance Bryant of Cowden; special cousin, Theresa (Brad) Miller of Centralia; siblings-in-law, Vickie (Jim) Hayes of Charleston, James “Jimmy” Davisson of Mattoon and Jane (Doug) Culver of Altamont; nieces and nephews, Charlie Hayes, Tiffany (Chris) Markham, Lucas (Kayla) Hayes, Jen (Matthew) Westerhof and Cole Burrell; special extended family, Becky (Kyle) Strait, Joshua (Walter Combs) Davis and Kenny (Leta) Davis. Terry is also survived by several cousins.

          He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Rev. James C. and Virginia Davisson; brother-in-law, Mark Burrell; niece, Kristina Marie Burrell; cousin, Dale Chapman and 1 infant sibling.

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

Recent Obituaries: Colleen Brewer

News Progress Posted on by

Colleen Brewer, age 69, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, at DMH, with her loving sister and brother-in-law by her side.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Todd’s Point Cemetery, rural Findlay. Memorials may be made to Moultrie County PAWS: PO Box 961 Mattoon, IL 61938

American Legion Memorial Day ceremony

News Progress Posted on by


•May 27, 2026•

by DM Williamee 

In the early morning hours of Monday, May 25th, the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 held a Memorial Day ceremony at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan, as well as at their Legion Hall, available for all to attend. The Legion’s Color Guard, Firing Squad, Chaplain, as well as Scouting America Troop number 39, somberly marched down East Water Street toward the cemetery, with police escort. The ceremony was solemn and reverent, which brought to the forefront that Memorial Day is a tribute; that it represents national unity, and the ceremony, as well as the day itself, is a tribute to the over one million U.S. service members who have died in the line of duty since the Revolutionary War. 

Read More

Lunch on the lawn

News Progress Posted on by

On Wednesday, May 20th, both Lovington parents and grandparents join with their students at Lovington Grade School for the family-bonding ‘Lunch on the Lawn’ annual gathering, which signifies the end of the school year with a fun, picnic-style meal, leaving plenty of room for active kiddos to burn off calories and energy.

Sparrow’s annual bike giveaway

News Progress Posted on by

Last Wednesday at the Lovington school Lunch on the Lawn, Sparrows Unlimited held their yearly bike and gift card giveaway. All kids who attend Lovington grade school were entered to win a bike from Sparrows. The winners are as follows: Pre-K/K: Raiden Hutchcraft and Autumn Brown; 1st/2nd grades: Kane Comp, Carley Cummings; 3rd/4th grades: JW Shepard and Scarlett Franklin; and 5th/6th grade: Colton Harris (Pictured) and Sophie Utsler. The 7th/8th graders entered to win a $50 gift card, and the winners were Isaiah Shields and Jaselyn Helmuth.

Sparrows Unlimited is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Lovington, Illinois, that was established in 2016. The organization is dedicated to community outreach, assisting local families in need, and providing resources like children’s coats and holiday support.

Burgers and Brats

News Progress Posted on by


•May 27, 2026•

by DM Williamee 

On Saturday, May 23rd, Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church held its annual ‘Burgers and Brats’ event, and Elvis was in the building! Just kidding, it was Dennise Ozier playing the king of rock-n-roll for the entertainment of locals driving by, and many a horn was honked in humorous recognition. Chip Hagen and Ellowyn Hagen were also at the roadside waving signage and wearing their delightful hotdog hats, enticing locals to stop and enjoy the goodies. Last year, this event helped raise funds that enabled the church to assist 56 children and eighteen families in Moultrie County who were facing food insecurity, and enjoy a holiday meal with a gift certificate from Sullivan’s local Kirby’s grocery store.

SHS Class of 2026

News Progress Posted on by

For Sullivan High School’s graduation Class of 2026, the Class President was Zaden Hussong, who also gave the official welcome. SHS Class Valedictorian was Mae Dawkins, and the Salutatorian was Madilyn Shonkwiler. A total of 77 students graduated this year, and 73 walked in the graduation ceremony. Graduation was held Sunday, May 17th.

SBL providing physicals

News Progress Posted on by


•May 27, 2026•

Sarah Bush Lincoln will provide sports physicals to athletes from Sullivan schools and the Okaw Valley school district. Sports physical clinics will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m.) on Wednesday, June 3rd, and on Wednesday, August 5th at the SBL Sullivan Clinic, 7 Hawthorne Lane, Sullivan.

“We’re proud to offer these sports physicals as a way to give back to our local schools and support student-athletes,” SBL Vice President of Practice Management Brooke Zerrusen said. “By donating the fee to the schools’ athletic booster clubs, we’re helping strengthen programs that mean so much to our communities.”

The cost is $20 per physical. All fees from the June 3rd clinic will be donated to the Sullivan Sports Boosters, and fees from the August 5th clinic will be donated to the Okaw Valley Sports Boosters. Appointments are required and can be made by calling (217) 728-8441. These physicals do not meet the kindergarten, sixth, or ninth grade physical requirement. For more information, visit https://www.sarahbush.org/sportsphysicals/.

Poppies to honor those who gave all

News Progress Posted on by

On Friday, May 22nd, Ruth Keown, Vice-President of the Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit 68, greeted the public at the entrance to the local Post Office, distributing Memorial Poppies. Each year, millions of Americans wear these Memorial Poppies in memory of American service members who lost their lives in war while serving their country, and to assist those Veterans who are now hospitalized or in rehabilitation, suffering from wounds and illnesses. Memorial Day poppies distributed by the American Legion symbolize the ultimate sacrifice made by service members and are a tribute to those who lost their lives in war. Wearing the poppy is a way to honor the fallen and ensure their bravery is never forgotten.

Remembering Who We Are…111

News Progress Posted on by

The Battle of  Sullivan’s Island


•May 27, 2026•

by Janet Roney

Two hundred and fifty years ago on June 1, 1776 (this coming Monday), a British fleet of nine warships carrying 300 cannon and seven regiments with 2,200 British soldiers, arrived in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. At the time, Charleston was as important to southern colonial trade as New York City was to the northern colonies. After scouting out the city’s only defense which was an unfinished fort on Sullivan’s Island at the entrance to Charleston’s harbor, the British believed it would be an easy victory and ordered the patriot rebels in control of Charleston to surrender. The British were in for a surprise.

Read More