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Recent Obituaries: Larry Williams

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Larry Williams

Larry D. Williams, 66, of Waynesboro, Pa., formerly of Illinois, died at 9:45 p.m. EST, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020.
A private family graveside service with military honors and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Larry was born Dec. 21, 1953, in Joliet, Ill., a son of Floyd and Imogene Gill Wallace. He was a veteran and had served as post commander of American Legion Post 429.
Surviving are his daughters, Tammy (Andy) Williams of Waynesboro, Pa. and Mackenzie (Tristin) Gingerich of Arthur; grandsons Caiden, Ben, Alex, Christian Williams, and Myles Gingerich, and granddaughter Olivia Williams; sisters Diana (Tim) Champion, Alberta (Timmy) Banning, Leona Williams, and Becky Williams, all of Decatur and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Ronnie Williams and Floyd “Willie” Williams.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations may be made to the family.
Contact Tammy at 240-422-2877 or Mackenzie at 217-552-2231 for information on donations.

Recent Obituaries: Floyd William Seelow

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Floyd William Seelow
Floyd William Seelow, 91, of Paris, Missouri, formerly of Perry, passed away at 4:10 a.m. October 27, 2020, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.
Private family graveside services will be held November 4, 2020, at the Smyser Cemetery in Gays, Illinois, with celebration of life services in Perry held at a later date.
Mr. Seelow was born July 7, 1929, in Shelby County Illinois, the son of Fred and Bertha Hubner Seelow.
He married Pauline Daily on March 15, 1950, in Mattoon, Illinois and she preceded him in death on August 22, 2004. He later married Ruth Forbis on October 24, 2009, in Paris and she survives.
Other survivors include: one son, Alvin (Nancy) Seelow of Williamsburg, three daughters; Lois (Tom) Razzano of Sullivan, Ohio, Brenda Greenlee of Davenport, Iowa, and Linda (Don) Merritt of Carthage, Illinois; two step daughters, Linda Henderson of Monteray, California and Patty (Brent) Motter of Kirksville, Missouri, two step sons; Mike Forbis of Mexico and Gary Forbis of Hallsville, two brothers; Francis Seelow of Lovington, Illinois, and George Seelow of Garden City, Michigan, one sister; Lois Whitaker of Eureka, Illinois, 10 grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren.
Floyd was preceded in death by two sons, Carroll and infant Phillip Seelow; one daughter, Karen Seelow; one step son, Steve Forbis; son-in law, Bob Greenlee and one brother, Morris Seelow.
Mr. Seelow moved from Illinois fifty years ago and was a member of the Perry Christian Church where he served as elder,  later an honorary elder, and taught Sunday school. He enjoyed farming, Bible study, traveling and especially spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons.
Memorial Contributions my be made to the Perry Christian Church, P.O. Box 476 Perry, MO 63462 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl. Memphis, TN 38105.
Online condolences may be made at www.bienhofffuneralhome.com

Candidate Forum Held Last Wednesday

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•October 28, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development and Moultrie County News Progress co-sponsored a candidate forum last Wednesday evening at the Little Theatre on the Square. The moderator for the event was Amanda Standerfer, and time keeper was Laurrie Minor. A video of the forum may be found on the News Progress Facebook page.
The first part of the forum was for Moultrie County Board. Gary Smith was the first to speak. He is a lifetime resident of Moultrie County and was raised on a farm south of Lovington. He went to school in Lovington and graduated from Lake Land College. Upon graduation he began working at the grain elevator in Lovington and finished his 45 years at the elevator, retiring in early October.
He has been mayor of Lovington for more than 20 years as well as the fire chief in Lovington and president of Habitat for Humanity of Moultrie County. Read More

Obituaries 10-28-2020: Charlie Ruppert

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Charlie Ruppert

Charlie Ruppert, 82, of Sullivan, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Sunday October 25, 2020 in his residence.
There will not be any formal services and cremation rites will be accorded. Memorials are suggested to Moultrie County PAWS or Shriners Hospital for Children. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Read More

Sullivan City Council Hears Proposal

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•October 28, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council heard from Pat Stinson, Sullivan IGA store manager about the city’s liquor ordinance. He wants the council to change the ordinance where employees have to be 21 to scan alcohol to 18 years old.
“Most nights I have one 21 year old employee in the building after 5:00 and they run back and forth all night scanning alcohol,” he said. Stinson said that he has an employee that just turned 21 that he schedules ever other weekend 4-9 just to scan alcohol.
He went on to note that there are cameras on every register, back room and service desk. They have 32 cameras in the local store.
The city attorney Andrew Bequette, was present to answer questions. He said that you can restrict the times that the younger person can scan alcohol or serve alcohol in a restaurant. Read More

Co-op Swim Team Places Fifth

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Submitted photo
The Sullivan Coop Swim team during the IHSA Swimming Sectional at Centennial High School in Champaign Saturday: (L-R) Kaydence Kennedy, Audrey Summers, Lilly Graham, Gabrielle Spain, Madalyn Booker

•October 28, 2020•
by Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Sullivan Coop Swim team competed in the IHSA Swimming Sectional at Centennial High School in Champaign Saturday
“Sullivan girls’ swim team worked hard training this season,” said coach Nichole Hendry, “and despite limited competition before hand swam PR’s and earned fifth place out of 18 teams at sectionals. Sullivan Coop had some amazing swims Saturday. Read More

Food Pantry Candy Fundraiser Makes Changes

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Devon Flesor Story and Ann Flesor Beck pictured with some of the baskets that can be purchased as part of the candy sale to benefit the Moultrie County Food Pantry.

•October 28, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen will be accepting Christmas candy orders from Sullivan, Moultrie County, and surrounding county residents this year from now through November 16. Usually the fundraiser is held at Cathrine’s Gallery but due to COVID-19 they are taking mail orders instead of holding an in-person event. All Christmas candy orders will be delivered to Cathrine’s Gallery for pick up on December 16th. Read More

County Board Candidate Profiles

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•October 28, 2020•

Gary Smith

I have been a life-long resident of Moultrie County. My past civic duties include being the Village Trustee of Lovington, Mayor of Lovington, President of Central Illinois Municipal Officials Association, Moultrie County Board Member, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); some current duties are the Lovington Fire Chief, President of Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity, Sons of the American Legion, and Okaw Honor Fire Guard.
Having recently retired after 45 years managing the grain elevator in Lovington, I would like to focus more on giving back to the community. As a Moultrie County Board member, I will listen to everyone’s thoughts and my vote will be what is best for the citizens and wellbeing of Moultrie County. I have a proven record of working with the public in all aspects of my past career and civic experiences. Read More

Fire Safety Day

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Photo by R.R. Best
Fire Safety Day
Chelsea Lindley with Frank the Fireman during the Fire Safety Day event held last Saturday morning at the intersection of Hamilton and Jackson Streets. The event included fire trucks and ambulance on site for viewing, the fire prevention trailer for home safety tips, meet and greet with local firefighters and paramedics and more.