Geo. Auten
Geo. Marion Auten, 97, of Sullivan, passed away on the evening of his birthday, Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Odd Fellows Rebekah Home - Harmony Center, Mattoon, Illinois.
Read MoreObituaries 9-2-2026: Geo. Auten
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A Look Back…9-2-2026
1966
Four teacher education scholarships were awarded to Moultrie County residents according to Delmar Elder, county superintendent of schools. Recipients were Linda Hall, Donna Purvis, Greg Lane, and Fred Martin.
Mr. and Mrs. John George Hardy and Mr. and Mrs. John Mosser attended the Windsor Homecoming.
A used 1964 Buick Wildcat, 4 door Sedan with power steering and brakes, white tires, and tinted glass, was $1,966 at Stubblefield & Son in Sullivan.
Read MoreSullivan Backyard Bluegrass Festival grows from front-yard idea to national draw
•September 2, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
When Ed Herschberger first considered holding a bluegrass festival at his family’s Sullivan property, he thought a couple hundred people would make the first event a success.
About 800 showed up.
Eight festivals later, the Backyard Bluegrass Festival has grown into a two-day event that Herschberger estimates draws 1,200 to 1,500 people each day, with visitors traveling from neighboring states and across the country.
The festival will return Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11-12, at 790 Souther Road in Sullivan. Admission is free, although donations are accepted. This year’s event will be the final festival with free admission before organizers move to a ticketed format in 2027.
The idea began with the Herschberger family’s own experiences attending bluegrass festivals.
Read MoreBethany firefighter Curt Robinson to retire after 26 years
•September 2, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
From left: Assistant Chief/Paramedic Curt Robinson, Fire Chief/Paramedic Michael Jennings and Assistant Chief/Paramedic Student Markus Deel.
After 26 years of answering calls and serving in roles ranging from firefighter to fire chief, Curt Robinson is preparing for his final shift with the Bethany Fire Protection District.
Robinson, who currently serves as assistant fire chief, will be recognized during a retirement gathering from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Bethany Fire House.
His career began as a volunteer firefighter. Robinson later earned his EMT-Basic certification and continued his education to become an EMT-Intermediate while moving through the department’s ranks as lieutenant, captain and assistant fire chief. He served as fire chief from 2008 to 2010.
Read MoreBlood Drive Sept. 19
•September 2, 2026•
A Blood Drive in honor of Riley Machine will be held at the Sullivan American Legion on September 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org (Enter Sponsor Code SULLIVAN) .
In March 2026, Riley survived an accident that left him fighting for his life. Blood was prepared for him at every step, giving his family comfort they desperately needed, even though he never ultimately needed a transfusion. Now, his family is hosting a blood drive to pay that gift forward. Join them to honor Riley’s resilience and give hope to others.
The Sullivan American Legion is located at 8 East Strain, Sullivan.
Allenville concert series
•September 2, 2026•
Allenville Christian Church will host a concert featuring Still Waters on September 12th at 6:00 p.m. at the Allenville Christian Church, located at 201 Allen Street in Allenville. Snacks and fellowship time will follow this family-friendly gospel series concert.
Still Waters it is a mixed quartet from Lovington and Atwood consisting of Sara Rawlins, Shari Schable, Dennis Garmon and Bill Schable. The quartet comes together to reach out to people thru music to tell of the love, grace, hope and forgiveness of God
A love offering will be taken. For more information, contact Pastor Bob Vail at (217) 254-3433.
Office closed on Labor Day
•September 2, 2026•
The Moultrie County News Progress will be closed on Monday, September 7th, in observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend. All advertising and news items are due by noon on the previous Thursday (September 3rd).
Recent Obituaries: Marjory Queen
Marjory Queen
Marjory J. Queen, 87, of Bethany, passed away August 31, 2026, at her home.
Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2026, at Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Bethany or to the Marrowbone Public Library, Bethany. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Marjory was born on July 4, 1939, in Sidell; the daughter of Clarence V. and Rachel E. (Guthrie) Goodall. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with her Bachelor’s degree in teaching. Marjory went on to teach in the local schools for many years. She married Paul K. Queen on June 6, 1970; he preceded her in death on January 7, 2015. Marjory was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bethany.
She is survived by sisters, Carol L. Wock of Urbana and Catherine K. Allen of Lebanon; nieces and nephews, Bradley Allen of Edwardsville, Becky K. Grob of Lebanon, Catherine (Uwe) Goodall-Heising of Berlin, Germany, and Andrea (Milyon) Goodall-Trulove of Portland, Oregon.
Marjory was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Charles W. Goodall.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
2026 Windsor Harvest Picnic
Sixth annual Tommy Houser Memorial Golf Outing continues his legacy in Sullivan
•August 26, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Six years after the first golf outing was held in memory of Thomas M. “Tommy” Houser, his family continues using the annual event to help others in ways they believe would have mattered to him.
The sixth annual Tommy Houser Memorial Golf Outing will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Sullivan Country Club in Sullivan. The outing has reached capacity and is full for golfers, but community members are welcome to stop by during the day to visit, donate and support the event.
For Houser’s wife, Elizabeth, the purpose extends well beyond the golf course.
“I wanted to give back in ways he would want me to,” she said. “We do so much good in his name.”
Houser died Feb. 27, 2020, at age 52. His law enforcement career spanned more than 31 years, beginning with the Sullivan Police Department and continuing with the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police.
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