Michael Duvall
Michael Christian Duvall of Aurora, Illinois, passed away at the age of 50 on November 24, 2025.
Read MoreObituaries 12-3-2025: Michael Duvall
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Obituaries 12-3-2025: William Daily
William Daily
William Lewis “Bill” Daily, 99, of Sullivan, passed away 12:19 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga.
Read MoreA Look Back…12-3-2025
2015
Agricultural technology has undeniably come a long way since its humble beginnings, perhaps more so in recent decades than at any other time in its history. But this year could mark the advent of one particular technological wonder in agriculture that, before now, hadn’t quite taken off: the drone.
Sullivan Middle School students greeted the One Book, One Sullivan novel unveiling with a standing ovation on November 25. “Michael Vey-The Prisoner of Cell 25” by Richard Paul Evans was announced to the school-wide assembly following a trailer prepared by the One Book, One Sullivan group for the second year in a row.
The Secret Santa of Sullivan was presented a check of $500.00 from Sullivan IGA last week. Accepting on behalf of the community-wide help organization were Greg Foster and Police Chief John Love. IGA Manager Pat Stinson presented the annual donation. Chief Love said that 100 people had signed up for Secret Santa.
Read MoreCity approves health insurance, discusses zoning changes
•December 3, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
Sullivan city employees will have Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance during 2026 under a plan approved last week by the city council. The council learned health insurance costs would be rising 6.1 percent under the new plan, a lower-than-expected increase. The lower rate is partially because Sullivan had only five claims the previous year, costing more than $50,000. We need to go ahead and get this done,” said Mayor Mike Mossman.
Read MoreOne Book, One Sullivan selects book of the year
•December 3, 2025•
Sullivan’s One Book, One Sullivan group at Tuesday’s announcement at Sullivan Middle School. Front row, L-R: Mrs. Rebecca Powell, Noah Davis, Ezekiel Walk, Edith Gibbons, and Mrs. Rikki Ray. Center, L-R: Bentley Meadows, Gideon Walk, Hazel Crothers, Nora Becker, Ava Warren, Libby Wall, Scarlett Perrott, and Aubrey Fultz. Back row, L-R: Violet Cohan, Mitchell Wesselman, Emma Drake, Sarah Windhorst, Michaela Blickensderfer, and Charlotte Martin.
by DM Williamee
On Tuesday, November 25th, in the Sullivan Middle Gymnasium, the air was crackling with excited energy as students and other attendees awaited the announcement of the book selected by the students of One Book, One Sullivan as this year’s community read. One by one, student members stepped up and took the mic, sharing information about the book, the author, why this book was significant, and chosen by the group as this year’s read.
Read MoreSanta’s coming to Lovington
•December 3, 2025•
On December 14th, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Santa Claus will be at the Lovington American Legion Post #429, 1985 State Highway 32, Lovington. Each child will receive a gift from Santa, with cookies and drinks provided by the Lovington Women’s Auxiliary.
Pastor Fender retirement celebration
•December 3, 2025•
The Sullivan First United Methodist Church, 216 W Jefferson St, Sullivan, invites the public to attend Pastor Mike Fender’s Retirement celebration on December 14th. Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m. with a celebration at 11:00 a.m. in Friendship Hall.
Holiday shopping event
•December 3, 2025•
The Sullivan American Legion, 8 East Strain Street, Sullivan, is hosting a Holiday Shopping Event on Friday, December 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be home-crafted items, direct sales, Christmas greenery, baked goods, boutique items, and more. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
Those interested in having a booth at the Holiday Shopping Event can contact Tina Bolsen at (217) 620-8185. Highway Heartburn will be in the parking lot serving smashburgers.
Letters to Santa
•December 3, 2025•
The News Progress will be printing Letters to Santa in our December 17th issue. If your child would like to write a letter to Santa, it can be e-mailed to santa@newsprogress.com. It must be received by noon on Wednesday, December 10th.
Recent Obituaries: Michael Christian Duvall
Michael Christian Duvall of Aurora, Illinois, passed away at the age of 50 on November 24, 2025.
Michael was born on March 22, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Donald Edward and Sandra Paulette (Woolridge) Duvall.
Michael graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in June 1993. He attended Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he became a member of the Gamma Zeta chapter of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. Michael ultimately received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University in May 2007.
Michael was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and a life-long sufferer of the Chicago Bears. He was a self-proclaimed band nerd and a fan of all manner of music from Metallica to John Williams. He loved playing the drums and once proclaimed, "My Awesome God gave me a drum to bang."
Michael was a born-again Christian who loved God and knew his final home is in Heaven.
Michael is survived by his loving parents, Donald E. and Paulette (Woolridge) Duvall; sister, Marcee C. Duvall; brother, Matthew C. Duvall; and nephew, Jacob R. Duvall.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Thomas E. Duvall and Bette A. (Bock) Duvall; maternal grandparents Oscar Woolridge and Imogene (Elzy) Woolridge.
Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan, Illinois. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Memorials are suggested to the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.