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Recent Obituaries: “Jay” Lane
“Jay” Lane
JH “Jay” Lane passed away peacefully at 7:22 a.m. Sunday, December 12, 2021, at his home in Lovington with family members at his side. He was 85 years old.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at Keller Cemetery, Lovington. The family requests face masks to be worn and to practice social distancing for the graveside services. Memorials may be made to the Lovington Ambulance Service. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Jay was born April 16, 1936, to James Delbert and Lois (Linville) Lane in Scottsville, KY. He and the former Lovina Kirkwood were married February 1st, 1956 and they were blessed with three daughters, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jay was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and father-in-law and a devoted family man who enjoyed nothing more than the time he spent with his girls and their children.
He owned Lane Siding and Seamless Gutters for many years. Jay loved vacationing with his family in their motorhome and he also logged countless hours and miles being a “baton Dad” as each of his daughters were competition baton twirlers. He could always be found in the stands proudly holding trophies and medals as they were awarded. When not traveling to baton contests or working, you could often find Jay with his charcoal grill. He could grill almost anything, but his specialty was his golden “Lake Shelbyville Chicken.” Jay also loved to fish and did so every opportunity he could, but his family always came first.
Jay is survived by his wife Lovina; daughters, Diane Gore of Lovington, Beverly (Mike) Dillow of Jackson, MO, Pamela (Charles) Allen of Mims, FL; grandson, Heath Meece of Mims, FL; granddaughter, Angela Gore and great-grandson, Logan Emel both of Lovington; sister, Carolyn (Oliver) Walker of Sullivan and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three older brothers, Roger, Aubrey and Willie.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com.
Recent Obituaries: Richard W. ‘Dick’ Sowers
Richard W. ‘Dick’ Sowers
Richard W. ‘Dick’ Sowers, 91, of Bethany, passed away at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at Aspen Creek in Sullivan with his family by his side.
A Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2021 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Chip Sanders officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Following the service military rites will be conducted by the Bethany American Legion. Burial will be at a later date in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church or the Bethany American Legion. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Sowers was born on January 10, 1930 at Greenup, Illinois, the son of Hobert and Bertha Hutson Sowers. Dick worked for and retired from the Village of Bethany. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bethany, the Bethany American Legion and was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Dick was a woodcarver, loved camping, fishing and playing cards. He proudly served in the U. S. Army during the Korean conflict and had participated in the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. and that trip meant a lot to him.
Dick married Wanda Tipsword on August 21, 1954 at Toledo, Illinois and she survives. Also surviving are his children Steve Sowers (Melody) of Bethany and Nancy Mueller (Gene) of Bethany; six grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter and a sister Pat Hayden-Titus of Greenup.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Pete, Kenny, Jim, Randy and Bill and one sister Betty.
The Sowers family would like to extend a special thanks to the Aspen Creek Staff for the wonderful care given to Dick during his stay there.
Recent Obituaries: Peggy Shipman
Peggy Shipman
Peggy Shipman, 87, of Harrison, Arkansas, formally of Sullivan and Lovington, went to her heavenly home on Monday, December 6, 2021 at North Arkansas Regional Hospital in Harrison.
A Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Mike Fender officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Peggy was born on February 23, 1934 in Moultrie County, Illinois, the daughter of Earl and Nettie (Slover) Freese, who preceded her in death. Peggy graduated from Sullivan High School in 1952. She married the love of her life, Larry Shipman on September 19, 1957. They were married for 62 wonderful years and their life was full of adventure and fun. They were always together, spent winters in Texas, and enjoyed time with family and friends. Larry preceded her in death on July 23, 2019.
Peggy is survived by her daughter and son in-law, Debbie (Shipman) and Kevin Olinger of Wisconsin, her sister Nancy (Freese) Hostetler of Pennsylvania, niece Tammy (Hostetler) Royer of Pennsylvania, and a host of dear friends and family.
Local Law Firm Raises $20,000 for Land of Lincoln Legal Aid
•December 8, 2021•
The law firm of Bolen Robinson & Ellis, LLP (BRE Law) is celebrating founding partner Jon Robinson’s Year of Jubilee, or fiftieth year practicing law, by raising and donating funds to support Land of Lincoln Legal Aid.
Says BRE Law partner Drew Hickey, “Jon sets the standard for integrity, hard work, and tenacity. All of us at the firm are enriched by his vast experience and brilliant legal mind.” The firm, along with many of Jon’s friends, colleagues, and former clients, chose to honor Robinson’s fiftieth year practicing law through a giving campaign for Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, which provides free civil legal services to low-income persons, senior citizens, veterans, and active military personnel in 65 counties in Central and Southern Illinois. Read More
Sullivan plays Windsor Stewardson Strasburg
Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan plays Windsor Stewardson
Strasburg
Sullivan lost to Windsor Stewardson Strasburg last Tuesday night at home. That night was also Military Appreciation Night.
Sullivan Blue Dolphins Participate in Home Meet
•December 8, 2021•
Sullivan Blue Dolphins participated in a home meet on November 13. The high point winners were as follows: In the open division for the girls: 1st Madalyn Booker, 2nd MacKenzie Erixon, 3rd Lilly Graham. In the open division for the boys: 1st Ethan Schmohe, 2nd Matthew Wesselman & Isaac Chambers, 3rd Miles Kersten. In the 13-14 year olds for the girls: 1st Emily Crosier, 2nd Zoe Conlin, 3rd Libby Henry. In the 13-14 year olds for the boys: 1st Johnathan Iacobazzi, 2nd Liam Donovan, 3rd Carson Swinford. In the 11-12 year olds for the girls: 1st Alivia Melvin, 2nd Cadence Schmohe, 3rd Ellie Lehman. In the 11-12 year olds for the boys: 1st Grant Martin, 2nd Henry Wooler, 3rd Jaden Miller. In the 9-10 year olds for the girls: 1st Claire Standerfer, 2nd Emma McCain, 3rd Kiley Grooms. In the 9-10 year olds for the boys: 1st Eli Crosier, 2nd Tyson Schmohe, 3rd Rowdy Fayhee. In the 8 year old and younger for the girls: 1st Scarlett Perrott & Hope Connor, 2nd Michaela Blickensderfer, 3rd Avery Hess. In the 8 year old and younger for the boys: 1st Tyler Blickensderfer, 2nd Mack Pogue,3rd Braxton Gilbert.
Santa in Bethany 2021
Photo by Crystal Reed
Bethany Royalty and Santa Claus
Bethany royalty took a moment to pose with Santa when he came to Bethany on Saturday, December 5. From left to right: Junior Miss Bethany Raegan Russell, Little Miss Bethany Abby McQulling, Santa,Young Miss Bethany Bristol Wilderman and Miss Bethany Calista Clark.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa Hug
Brinley Burns hugs Santa Clause at the Depot in Bethany.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa at the Depot
Santa Claus visited the Depot in the Bethany last Saturday. The event was moved inside due to weather. Pictured are Abel and Slade Ellis.
Illinois State Scholars
Photo by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley High School Illinois State Scholars
This year’s scholars are Evelyn Ashley, Savannah Hagerman and Mikhayla Ward.
Photo furnished
ALAH Illinois State Scholars
This year’s scholars are Jace Green, Sarah Rafferty, Reggie Edmonds, Max Allen, Delaney Gillis, and Jacob Duzan.
Photo furnished
Sullivan High School Illinois State Scholars
This year’s scholars are Skyla Palmer, Clayton Schmohe, Aaron Stutzman and Alyssa Thompson.
Lake Land College Offering a Second-Chance Presidential Scholarship Opportunity
•December 8, 2021•
Lake Land College recently announced it will reopen the Presidential Scholarship opportunity to qualifying 2021 high school graduates who did not enroll at Lake Land in Fall 2021.
The Presidential Scholarship is available to eligible in-district high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for up to two consecutive academic years and is available to graduates who enroll in Lake Land College in the fall following high school graduation.
With this initiative, Class of 2021 Presidential Scholars who did not enroll in college or attended another college this fall now have a second opportunity to take advantage of the scholarship to continue their education at Lake Land beginning in January. This is a one-time opportunity and will only be available for the Spring 2022 semester. Read More