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Recent Obituaries: Gertrude Jane Shirey

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Gertrude Jane Shirey

Gertrude Jane Shirey, 98, of Sullivan, passed away 2:56 a.m. Thursday, August 22, 2019, at Mason Point, Sullivan.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2019, at the Southern Baptist Church, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Southern Baptist Church, Sullivan, or to the Mason Point Activity Fund. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Gertrude was born October 30, 1920 in Boone, NC; the daughter of William Harrison and Lena (Williams) Carlton. She married Renos F. Shirey in 1944; he preceded her in death in 1979. She was a member of the Southern Baptist Church, the Rebekah Lodge and the Ladies Auxiliary American Legion. She received a Sullivan Volunteer Award and Gertrude was known for her locally famous homemade rolls.
Gertrude is survived by her son, Glen David (Crystal) Shirey of Sullivan; daughter, Eva (Kenneth) Miller of Sullivan; grandchildren, Erick Miller of Sullivan and Clint Leonard of Findlay; great-grandchildren, Anna and Langston.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 infant daughter, Mary Lee, 1 grandson, Michael Leonard and 4 brothers.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Newspaper Owner Named Chair for State Funeral for WWII Veterans

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•August 21, 2019•
Bi-partisan initiative to request the President of the United States designate final salute to greatest generation of service members
Well-known newspaper owner, journalist, and community leader John Galer is the new Illinois state chair for the State Funeral for World War II Veterans, the nonprofit announced today.
He leads the Prairie States’ bi-partisan efforts to request the President of the United States to designate this final salute to greatest generation of service members.
“It’s really a privilege to be part of this project,” said Galer. “My grandfather served in World War I and my father in World War II. Military service runs through several generations of my family. This is my way to honor them and all of those who served.”
Galer currently owns and publishes 10 community newspapers in central Illinois. A native of Hillsboro, he started in the newspaper business in 1972. Galer received the Illinois Press Association Distinguished Service Award in 2017. He also gives his time to numerous civic, foundation and charity organizations. Galer also is a member of Image Hillsboro, a nonprofit seeking to revitalize the town through a myriad of economic and community initiatives. Read More

Senior Expo Returns

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•August 21, 2019•

Senior Expo is coming to the Sullivan American Legion Friday, Sept. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sponsored by Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. the annual event offers a variety of vendors with a free lunch from Griffin’s BBQ Crew Catering, LLC.
State Representative Brad Halbrook and Senator Chapin Rose are sponsoring lunch at 11:30 a.m.
Bingo at 1 p.m. is provided by First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust of Sullivan.
Those interested in more information should call 217-728-8521.

Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk

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•August 21, 2019•
By Ted Walk
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300

It was great to welcome students back into our buildings this past week. I wanted to take an opportunity to express how grateful we are to work with the students in the Sullivan School District.
During the first day back, there were so many wonderful things that I was able to witness. We had students volunteering for many different tasks.
There were students who were greeting new students. Others were helping pass out schedules. There were students helping others find and open lockers. Read More

Bid Packets for County Tax Sale Available

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•August 21, 2019•
Moultrie County, as Trustee, has completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2015 and prior real estate taxes. The County, as Trustee, will now offer for sale the real estate obtained to the public. They will offer approximately four items through a sealed bid auction sale. All sealed bids must be in the Moultrie County treasurer’s office located in the Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main Street — Suite 10, Sullivan no later than the close of business on September 20, 2019. Read More

Obituaries 8-21-2019: Wirt White

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Wirt White

Wirt L. White, 95, of Lovington, passed away at 8 a.m. Saturday August 17, 2019 in his residence.
Celebration of Life services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Rodney Houser officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the services. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Read More

School is in Session and the Sounds and Sights of Summer are Fading

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Sullivan Blue Dolphins give big to the food pantry

•August 21, 2019•

The summer of 2019 started out wet, too wet for some in Bethany. Then of course central Illinois got hit with a heat wave.
All along the way events of the season were celebrated in spite of the weather.

Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan Post 68 Commander Bob Sims and Melanie Byers unveil the memorial boulder marking the Walk of Honor.

Findlay, Lovington, Bethany, Sullivan and Windsor enjoyed great summer gatherings. Although officially summer continues through Sept. the start of school ends most vacation festivities
Time to hit the books.

Findlay Walleye Festival was enjoyed young, old, big and tall.

Bethany parade led by Boy Scouts and first responders

Fun at Sullivan Fourth of July Celebration Carnival

Community band at Wyman Park , Sullivan

Congressman Visits Marina

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•August 21, 2019•

Congressman John Shimkus will visit Lake Shelbyville on August 27th hosted by Sullivan Marina & North End Pub & Grill.
Congressman Shimkus has been made aware of the need to dredging on the north end of the lake. The lake is silting in a far more rapid rate than originally predicted.
Lunch will be served at 1:00 pm followed by guest speakers from Army Corps, Sullivan Tourism, mayor of Sullivan and other state officials. The public will also have a chance to share the importance of Lake Shelbyville to the community.

Getting Students to and from Schools Safely is a Challenge

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Photo courtesy Kevin Landrus
It is not okay to pass buses on left while dropping children off at school.

•August 21, 2019•

Schools are in session and safely getting students to and from class is a challenge.
Getting drivers to pay attention to giant yellow buses stopped for children is one of the biggest challenges for transportation.
“The greatest risk to your child is not riding the bus but approaching or leaving one,” Kevin Landrus, Sullivan school district transportation director, explained.
He emphasized that 97% of all school transportation fatalities happen within a 10 foot perimeter outside the bus.
Police Chief Andy Pistorius noted patrols were picking up with the start of school.
“Schools have cameras on the buses to record violations,” Chief Pistorius said. After the school contacts the department with the video evidence, police issue the citation.
“It’s a pretty hefty fine and immediate three month license suspension,” Pistorius said of the serious nature of the crime.
“People get impatient and want to go around buses on the left while unloading at the school, and that is also a no-no,” the chief continued.
Landrus believes there are two main reasons people pass stopped school buses. Read More