John Sharp
John William Sharp, 88, passed away June 9, 2020, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial with military rites by Sullivan American Legion Post #68 was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or Central Christian Church in Seymour, Ind. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
Bethany High School spring awards were handed out.
In baseball the Mustangs had two players winning two awards apiece; Kevin Bowser was best pitcher and best offense award winner.
Scott Seeley was most improved and sportsmanship award winner. Adam Gurchiek was best defense and Shane Martin recognized for hustle.
In softball Amy Bagley was Most Valuable Player and highest batting average with .609.
Sam Ozier won best defense; Rebekah Steimel, most improved; Wendy Munch, best sportsman; and Jesi Brumleve the hustle award.
Track - Katie Phillips and Justin Lutz MVPs while Darla Gill won the sportsmanship award.
The Sullivan Country Club Ladies Golf Assn. held its annual meeting and awarded Jan Daily two brandy snifters from Slazenger Co. for her hole in one from last season. Her winning shot was on the fourth hole.
Behind the badge has two, now familiar, Moultrie County deputies joining the sheriff’s office. Gary Carroll of Bethany and Chris Sims of Sullivan. Read More
Droneography R.R. Best
Rally Supports LGBTQ Pride
A group rallied in front of Sullivan Church of God June 14 in support of Chierstan Burns who served as a youth leader there until she was dismissed for coming out as bisexual.
June 28 is the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ traditions. June is Lesbian,Gay Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride month. Burns posting was in honor of the observation and prompted the church’s action when it caught the attention of the church’s pastor.
On June 11 the Church’s board of elders, it’s pastor, and other church leaders held a meeting, requesting Burns resignation over the posts. She refused, but was told she could no longer serve as the church’s youth leader.
The peaceful group stood in support of Burns and the sex based discrimination while services were conducted Sunday
•June 17, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Their May 23 wedding date was postponed but on Saturday, June 13 at 11:30am Shania Whitrock and Bradlee Todd were united in marriage in the first wedding at New Life Church since its closure in March.
To the skirl of a lone bagpiper Shania was accompanied to the pink and silver balloon-decorated altar by her father-in-law to be, Leslie Todd.
Her attendants were twin sister Brooke Whitrock, Mary Canroy, Suzzanne Reimer and Kelsey Knopp.
The attendants wore pink chiffon, floor-length gowns and carried bouquets of multi-colored summer flowers. Read More
Photo by Jason Brown:
Paige Robinson slashes toward the basket during the 2018 Final Four in Normal.
•June 17, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
When Okaw Valley alumnus Paige Robinson selected which collegiate basketball team she wanted to play for after high school, she wanted to join a university basketball team that had a chance to win a national championship.
Last season, in her freshman year, Robinson was part of a 35-0 Drury University that made it to the Final Four. She thought that she might have the opportunity for a dream season in her first year. But the Panthers lost 69-60 to Lubbock Christian in the NCAA-II semifinals to end their season.
This season, as the No. 1 ranked team in the NCAA-II, the Panthers defeated Lewis 77-55 for their fourth straight Great Lakes Valley Conference title and again headed into the NCAA-II undefeated (32-0). Read More
Larry Jones
Lawrence L. ‘Larry’ Jones, 75, of Arthur, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 3:35 a.m. Sunday, June 14, 2020, at Carle Hospital in Urbana.
Private family services will be Friday, June 19, 2020, in the Arthur United Methodist Church with the Rev. R. Bruce Weiman officiating. Burial will be in Arthur Cemetery. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Read More
James Matlock
James E. Matlock, 87, of Decatur, died June 10, 2020 in his home.
Funeral services were 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020, in First Baptist Church of Moweaqua. Burial with full military honors was in Jacobs Cemetery in Moweaqua. Read More
Photo by Barry Morgan
Townwide Tradition
The Boy Scout Cook out on IGA parking lot is a tradition that goes along with Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sales. On Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 Sullivan opened up to one of the largest Townwide Sale crowds ever and the cook out went on. Due to COVID 19 restrictions boys scouts were replaced by scout leaders and fathers at the grills with everyone enjoying the food and friendship.
•June 15, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 15th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 50s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts.
To date 577 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 15 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. Of the 15 Moultrie County citizens affected by this virus, 12 have been released from isolation.
Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include: Fever, Fatigue, Dry cough, Chills, Body aches, Headache, Sore throat, Loss of smell or taste.
Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or a bluish color in the lips or face.
If an individual is ill with symptoms associated with coronavirus and needs medical or emergency care, they should notify their physician or emergency medical service providers of their symptoms prior to arrival.
For more information on the Moultrie County Health Department’s news, events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth.
Raymond Emel
Raymond “Kent” Emel, 79, of Sullivan, passed away 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 9th, 2020, at Mason Point, Sullivan.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 15, 2020, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, with Military Rites following the service by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Monday at the funeral home. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Sullivan Senior Center, Moultrie County Illinois PAWs, Sullivan VFW or to the Sullivan American Legion Post #68.
Kent was born February 7, 1941 in Sullivan, the son of Bill Emel and Dorothy (Matheson) Craig. He served in the United States Air Force. Kent married Sharon Craig on September 26, 1964 in Sullivan; she survives. He attended the Oak Grove Baptist Church in rural Bethany. Kent was the owner of Ham’n Egg Restaurant and Sharon’s Family Restaurant. He also worked at Caterpillar for 31 years. He was well known for his fried catfish, poppy seed dressing and biscuits and gravy. He was a VFW Quartermaster. His favorite days were spent in his jon boat on the Tennessee River, in Kentucky, with a fishing pole in his hand. He enjoyed tinkering in the garage, spending time with his family and visiting his daughter and her family in Arizona.
He was the man that could fix anything, a dedicated husband, father and grandfather and a true American Veteran. Kent had the deepest love and respect for his family and Country; and he will be missed more than words can say.
Kent is survived by his mother, Dorothy Craig of Sullivan; wife, Sharon Emel of Sullivan; daughter, Becky (Renie) Fawson of Kingman, AZ; brothers, Roger (Ann) Emel of Bethany, Ron (Linda) Emel of Bethany, Dick (Barb) Emel of Bethany, Bob Emel of Sullivan and J.R. (Catherine) Craig of Sullivan; sisters, Anne (Charlie) Tegarden of Kingman, AZ, and Cindy (Joe) Taber of Sullivan; grandchildren, Zane Fawson and Valen (Brennan) Cassidy of Kingman, AZ; great-grandchildren, Payton, Carter and Kentleigh Cassidy.
Kent was preceded in death by his father; special nephew, Chad Loy; and aunt, Pat Burcham.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com