Karen Neathery
Karen M. Neathery, 63, of Bethany, passed away at 1:10 a.m. Friday, January 30, 2026 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Read MoreObituaries 2-4-2026: Karen Neathery
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Obituaries 2-4-2026: Karon Lawson
Karon Lawson
Karon Lawson, 88, of Decatur, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at her home.
Read MoreObituaries 2-4-2026: Johnna Howard
Johnna Howard
Johnna L. Howard, 73, of Sullivan, passed away at 11:13 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026 in Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Read MoreObituaries 2-4-2026: Crystal Harl
Crystal Harl
Crystal R. Harl, 65, of Sullivan, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in Sullivan.
Read MoreObituaries 2-4-2026: Cathy Gerould
Cathy Gerould
Cathy Jayne Mulvaney Gerould, age 66, of Mattoon passed away on January 26, 2026 at Carle Foundation Hospital.
Read MoreObituaries 2-4-2026: Janet Crandall
Janet Crandall
Janet Wise Crandall, 96, of Cerro Gordo, IL, passed away peacefully at 6:30 a.m. on January 27, 2026, at Heritage Woods, Sullivan, IL. Born on January 21, 1930, in Decatur, IL, Janet was the beloved daughter of Ralph and Gladys Wise.
Read MoreObituaries 2-4-2026: Betty Bushert
Betty Bushert
Betty E. Bushert passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Bethel Oaks Assisted Living Center in Viroqua, WI at the age of 101. She was born on December 30, 1924, the daughter of Ralph and Cecelia (Shively) Lehman of Sullivan, Illinois. She had two brothers, Sam and Don and one sister, Kathleen. She graduated from Sullivan High School in Sullivan, IL in 1943.
Read MoreA Look Back…2-4-2026
2016
One Town, One Million Dreams initiative for Sullivan was presented to 120 Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development luncheon guests, January 29th. Executive Director Stephany McMahon addressed the crowd in the First United Methodist Church banquet hall, explaining SCED’s new initiative. “We hope to inspire each of you to brainstorm what dreams you have…” McMahon challenged the group. “By sharing our dreams, we hope to nurture many to fruition in 2016.”
The 2016 Sullivan School District Spelling Bee was held on Wednesday, January 27th, in the Sullivan High School Commons. Students in grades 4-8 earned the privilege of representing their grade level at this spelling bee. The six winners and two alternates who are moving on to the Moultrie County Bee are Lara Herschberger (5th), Zachary Kursell(5th), Aastha Patel (6th), Alyssa Thompson(6th), Reagan Crouse (7th), and Brett Johnson (7th). The alternates are Maggie McLaughlin (8th) and Zoe Walton (7th).
Read MoreEmpower Academy’s Dance hosts preview showcase
This year’s team is made up of 29 dancers who range in age from 5 to 17 and come from Sullivan and surrounding towns. Members include (in no particular photo order): Adalee Foster, Addi Finn, Alayna Ard, Alayna Young, Aubrey Young, Aubrie Payne, Blair Camp, Brinnley Hobbs, Caroline Hobbs, Claire Kelly, Gianna Krieger, Hadlee Blakey, Harper Smith, Josslyn Brown, Kaylee Hostettler, Knox Weakly, Lexi Yoder, Lucille Pope, Mara Inman, Miah Voegel, Sophie Elliott, Sophie Foster, Synthea Doss, Tiffany Hostetler, Tinley Krieger, Vaeda Spencer, Zoe Lynch, and Zola Krieger. Empower Academy’s Dance Director is Melissa Krieger.
Sullivan’s First United Methodist has interim pastor
•February 4, 2026•
by DM Williamee
Beginning on January 1st through to June 2026, Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church has an interim pastor, Mike Smith, a busy man. Pastor Smith is a retired UMC pastor with over fifty years of pastoral experience in local churches, serving in numerous conference leadership roles through the years. After retiring in 2020, he was appointed by three different bishops to serve several churches that needed short-term, transformative leadership. He has also developed an innovative/experimental program for churches to turn their stories around, with five churches currently engaged. He is also a part-time professional (certified) tour guide for Chicago, writes a blog, speaks at conferences, and has published a book (with more writing in the works) titled “Teaching the Preacher to Curse.” His wife Jie is the pastor of the Mansfield United Methodist Church, and they have three daughters and four grandchildren.
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