John Butt, Jr.
John Henry Butt, Jr. of Sullivan, passed away at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026 , in his residence.
Read MoreObituaries 5-13-2026: John Butt, Jr.
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Obituaries 5-13-2026: Stanley Davis
Stanley Davis
Stanley Poole Davis was born in Festus, Missouri on a hot August 10, 1941, just a few months before the United States was plunged in World War II. 84 years later, on December 6, 2025, he closed his eyes in sleep for the last time on this earth as he opened his eyes in Glory to greet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Read MoreA Look Back…5-13-2026
2016
Moultrie County Courthouse computer systems grew slower and older, prompting the County Board Building and Grounds committee to recommend an upgrade. County Clerk Georgia England reported Quality Network Solution (QNS) findings at the regular meeting. Slow access and crash problems prompted QNS to look further into the problems within the system. They discovered servers from 2001, 2003, and 2006 were in use beyond their capacity.
Those attending the No Job Left Behind session at Yoder’s Kitchen in Arthur learned the value of the Talent Management Pipeline. Guest speakers Vicky Haugen, executive director, and Kim Kuchenbrod, Workforce Development of Vermilion Advantage, presented the Talent Management Pipeline program. Several businesses were in attendance, including Hydro-Gear, Agri-Fab, GSI, IHI Turbo, Moultrie County Counseling Center, Masterbrand Cabinets, and several school officials and business teachers.
Read MoreHelmeth receives Amtryke
River Helmeth received an Amtryke from the Sullivan AMBUCS at their fundraising cookout last Saturday, May 9th, in the Kirby Foods parking lot. River rode her new Amtryke for the first time like a pro as her mom Stephanie, looked on. With a big smile and look of determination, River showed everyone how well she could ride.
Shuman Farm designated a Sesquicentennial
•May 13, 2026•
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has designated the Shuman farm as a Sesquicentennial Farm. To qualify as a Sesquicentennial Farm, a straight or collateral line of descendants must own the agricultural property for at least 150 years. The family received this historical distinction to their farm after their application for designation as a Sesquicentennial Farm was approved.
Read MoreSHS/SMS library gets a revamp
by DM Williamee
L- R: Grant Wade and Andrea Gerhard from HICF, Principal Nathan Ogle, and Library Aide Julie Parrish.
Sullivan High and Middle School students will notice some changes when they return to school after this summer, most notably a modernized revamp of their library. The library is currently a small, utilitarian space compared to what students will find when they return to classes this fall. Principal Nathan Ogle, lead of the project, shared the new floor plans, layout, furniture, and modernization in the design of the coming space, which were all impressive and reflected a great deal of detailed planning.
Read MorePersonal Assistant Training rescheduled
•May 13, 2026•
Soyland Access to Independent Living (SAIL) has rescheduled Personal Assistant Training for people interested in working as a Personal Assistant. The training will be held in Shelbyville on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Shelbyville SAIL office, 1604 West Main Street. Personal Assistants are employed by people with disabilities to perform household chores and personal care tasks in their homes and are paid by the State of Illinois through the Department of Rehabilitation program. Participants in the training must be registered in advance and arrive by 1:00 p.m. Those who complete the training will have their names added to both the SAIL referral list and the INCIL statewide registry as potential employees for people with disabilities to hire.
There is still time for interested candidates to sign up but you must be registered to attend. For more information about the Personal Assistant Training or to sign up for the training contact Emily Dobson at 217-876-8888, 800-358-8080 or edobson@decatursail.com.
American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony
•May 13, 2026•
On Monday, May 25th, on the Sullivan Square beginning at 8:00 a.m., American Legion Commander Rick Read will be organizing a parade of Honor Guard and Color Guard members, as well as American Boy Scouts, who will be marching to Green Hill Cemetery. There will be a prayer by a local minister, a speaker, and the Honor Guard will fire a 21 Gun Salute, with Taps being played to conclude the program. Next, they will move to the American Legion War Memorial and hold a prayer and 21 Gun Salute. These brief, meaningful, and significant events are open to the public to attend; it makes a difference for family members who have lost relatives, as well as to the Veterans who served alongside those who gave all in service to their country.
Recent Obituaries: Brian Porter
Brian Porter
Brian K. Porter, 55, of Sullivan, passed away 6:35 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital, Mattoon.
Graveside services will be held 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Richland Cemetery, Boyleston, IL. Memorials may be made to the Sarah Bush Cancer Center in Mattoon. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Brian was born on January 9, 1971, in Fairfield; the son of James and Betty (Allison) Porter. He attended the Solid Rock Chapel in Sullivan. Brian was an avid sports fan with the Dallas Cowboys as his favorite football team, the St. Louis Cardinals as his favorite baseball team and #77 “The Hurricane” Carson Hocevar as his favorite NASCAR driver. Brian also enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. He loved spending time with his family, with his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews being his whole world. He was their biggest supporter and biggest fan.
Brian is survived by his sister, Teresa (Mark) Thrasher of Sullivan; nieces and nephews, Kristen (Phil) Mosser of Decatur, Leah (Waylon) James of Mattoon, Jacob (Jerica) Thrasher of Sullivan and Marissa (Chris) Davis of Sullivan. He is also survived by 8 great-nieces and great-nephews.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Robert “Robbie” Porter.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Let’s plant a tree!
•May 6, 2026•
Shelby and Moultrie County Soil & Water Conservation Districts and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with 14 Shelby County 4-H members and two Cloverbuds on Friday, April 3, for a hands-on tree planting project. Together, the group planted a total of 50 native oak trees—25 at the Lone Point Recreation Area near Findlay and 25 at the Bo Creek Recreation Area near Sullivan.
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