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Recent Obituaries: Peggy Harmon

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Peggy Dorothea Harmon, 75, of Arthur died Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana surrounded by her family. Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 am on Saturday at the Arthur United Methodist Church with Pastor Jill Bunker officiating. Visitation will be 5-7p.m. Friday at the church and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will follow at the Arthur Cemetery. Shrader Funeral Home, Arthur, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the Arthur United Methodist Church, Backpack Program and Arthur EMT Association.

Peggy was born on August 4, 1950, in Decatur, the daughter of Glen and Muriel (Casteel) Harmon.

Peggy graduated from Arthur High School in 1968 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University and master’s from Illinois State University. 

Peggy dedicated 37 years of her life to teaching at Greeley and Centennial Elementary Schools in Streator, Illinois. A passionate reader herself, she found great joy in teaching her students to read and fostering a lifelong love of learning in the classroom. During her years in Streator, Peggy also pursued a variety of artistic hobbies and was actively involved in the American Red Cross, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), and the Streator United Methodist Church.

Peggy was a cherished sister, aunt and great-aunt who brought joy and magic to every family gathering. She never missed a big or small moment and had a special tradition of encouraging the nieces and nephews to create a piece of artwork annually as they grew up – a treasured memory for all.  

Peggy was also a proud member of the Casteel “Cousins Crew” and shared a lifetime of adventures and traditions with her 19 first cousins – from making apple butter as a child, to annual family reunions and traveling the world together.  

After retirement Peggy returned home to Arthur. She embraced her retirement years with many adventures – traveling on cruises, bus tours and attending quilting retreats in Oblong with friends. She lovingly made quilts for her great-niece and nephews and spent many autumns working at The Great Pumpkin Patch in the Bridle Shop. 

A devoted member of the Arthur United Methodist Church, Peggy gave generously of her time by helping with Wednesday youth group and community dinners, participating in Bible studies, visiting nursing home residents and lending a hand to those in need. 

Survivors include her sister, Joyce (Steve) Jurgens of Arthur; nephew and nieces, Andrew (Crystal) Jurgens of Janesville, Wisconsin, Laura (Michael) Griffin of Madison, Wisconsin, Mary (Jordan) Knepp of Sycamore, Illinois; great niece and nephews Samuel and Matthew Jurgens, Grace and Grant Griffin, and Leo Knepp and several cousins.

She will be remembered as a loving sister, cousin, aunt, great-aunt, teacher and friend – someone whose warmth, kindness and joyful giving spirit touched countless lives. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.hilligossshraderfh.com 

Keep pets safe this Halloween 

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•October 15, 2025•

Halloween is an annual celebration that many children and adults look forward to each year. From the mysterious and the macabre to the goofy and gregarious, Halloween speaks to people in many different ways. And with the opportunity to accumulate several pounds of sugary treasure after a few hours of trick-or-treating, is it any wonder celebrants love Halloween? While Halloween hijinks may be ideal fun for plenty of ghosts and ghouls, companion animals may not be so enthusiastic come October 31. In fact, Halloween can be a source of stress and even dangerous for many pets. Here are some things pet parents should keep in mind before Halloween.

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Sullivan Seniors ‘Dine with a Doc’

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Photo by DM Williamee

On Tuesday, October 7th, the Mid-Illinois Senior Services hosted their monthly ‘Dine with a Doc.’ Their guest speaker was Taylor Cook, APRN, with Sarah Bush Lincoln. Taylor works at the SBL Sullivan Clinic and presented on how to prepare for a visit with your healthcare provider. Tips included bringing a list of current medications, how to address health issues at home, as well as writing down any questions you may have for your provider before your appointment. Taylor, who holds a multitude of advanced nursing and care certifications, is a local to the area and has a passion for providing the best possible care for her patients. 

SMS 8th graders: docent-guided tour at Historical Society

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Photo by DM Williamee

On Wednesday, October 8th, Sullivan 8th-grade Middle Schoolers were treated to a docent-guided tour of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society. It was impressed upon them that stories come to life through objects, pictures, and experiences. Moreover, the importance of museums was stressed in that they protect history and culture, so that knowledge is not lost, as well as connect communities and inspire the future, among the innumerable other benefits of museums. The experience was as interactive as it was guided, with questions and answers and thought challenges throughout the tour.

Mental health matters: learn how to respond when someone needs aid

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•October 15, 2025•

Mental health and substance use issues are common. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. From 1999 to 2016, 630,000 people died from drug overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Give someone in your community a hand by learning how to recognize and respond when someone might need help with the free Mental Health First Aid workshop offered by the University of Illinois Extension and the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center.  Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based program, where participants learn and practice a five-step action plan to identify common signs and symptoms of someone coping with mental health or substance use problems and how to help. Gain skills to feel confident interacting with a person in crisis and leave with resources to connect the person with appropriate care. Topics also include trauma, addiction, and self-care. This training is open to the public and is appropriate for anyone in the agricultural community. Participants will build skills by practicing with real-world, agriculturally based scenarios.

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LLC: “Education that Fits Your Life” Strategic Plan

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•October 15, 2025•

Submitted by 

Aaron Wendt, LLC Communications/Engagement Coordinator

Lake Land College recently unveiled a bold new strategic plan, “Education that Fits Your Life,” designed to reshape how students access and experience higher education. The plan lays the groundwork for many new college-wide initiatives that will provide students with crucial personalized support and empower them to balance their academic goals with their busy personal lives by providing more customer-centric schedules and learning options.

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Okaw Valley Homecoming Court

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The 2025 Okaw Valley Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, October 18th, in the OVHS gym from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with coordination prior to the dance at 6:45 p.m.

The 2025 Homecoming Court: Front - Freshman Attendant Jonnie Hart, Junior Attendant Sophia Tice, Queen Candidates Kate Stauder, Aubree McBride, Ava Harshman, and Reese Bruns, and Sophomore Attendant Ellie Fitzgerald. Back - Freshman Attendant Jonathan Cazel, Junior Attendant Kwame Calhoun, King Candidates Braden Montgomery, Brady McQuilling, Wyatt Hildebrandt, Tucker Montgomery, and Sophomore Attendant Cole Holthaus.