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Recent Obituaries: Steven Booker

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Steven Booker

Steven R. Booker, 68, of Sullivan, passed away Sunday June 7, 2020 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Private family services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Fred Leeds officiating. Visitation will be from 1 - 2 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in the Findlay Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Findlay American Legion. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Steve was born October 27, 1951 in Decatur, the son of Richard and Beverly Gramblin Booker.
He had been the manager for Tate and Lyle ( formerly Livergood) Elevator in Findlay and had worked for Continental Carbonic in Decatur. Steve was currently a part time dispatcher for the Sullivan Police Department. Steve was a U. S. Navy veteran and a member of the Sullivan Gun Club. He married Sue Dixon on June 5, 1982 in Findlay.
Surviving are his wife Sue of Sullivan; sons Corey (Sarah) Booker of Findlay, Logan (Talia) Booker of Sullivan; daughter Jennifer (Stewart) Landreth of Toledo; goddaughter Melissa (Nathan) Wall of Quincy; grandchildren Payton and Grayson Booker and Austin and a sister Jeannie (Bob) Ashley of Bethany.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step father Ken Puleo and mother-in-law and father-in-law Juanita and George Dixon.

Lone Point Campground Now Open At Lake Shelbyville

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•June 5, 2020•
Lake Shelbyville - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville would like to announce
Lone Point Campground is now open. Lone Point Campground is 100% reservable and campers
must have a reservation through R1S prior to setting up on a campsite. Campers are reminded to
follow CDC guidelines while recreating at Lake Shelbyville.
Lone Point Group Camp is also open and available by online reservation. Group camp
reservations must be 2 weeks in advance and no greater than 1 year in advance. The group camp is
available for single site first come, first served camping when there are no reservations posted.
For campsite availability or to make a reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. Reservations
by phone at 1-877-444-6777 are scheduled to resume on July 1, 2020. For additional information,
please call the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217)774-3951.

Menu 6-3-2020

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, June 8 - Sausage and Gravy, Mini Potato Bakers, Warm Fruit Compote, Biscuits, Fruit Juice
Tuesday, June 9 - Taco Salad w/Meat, Cheese Beans, Lettuce, Tomato, Sour Cream & Taco Sauce, Sliced Peaches, Taco Chips, Pudding
Wednesday, June 10 - Pepper Beef over Brown Rice, Peas and Carrots, Warm Cinnamon Baked Apples, Whole Grain Wheat, Fresh Fruit
Thursday, June 11 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Breaded Tomatoes, Dinner Roll, Mandarin Oranges
Friday, June 12 - Roasted Pork Loin, Baked Beans, Sicilian Veggie Mix, Apricots, Whole Grain Wheat, Graham Crackers

What Can Local Athletes Look Forward To?

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•June 3, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports

As stay at home restrictions are relaxed and summer activities begin, what are local athletes looking forward to?
Below we asked Sullivan Athletic Director Ryan Aikman three questions in a short interview about sports, summer camps, and preparing for the unknown during a crisis.
News Progress: With the new guidelines of working out but not more than ten people at a time, is SHS going to open its weight room, etc.? Read More

Regional Office of Education #11 Recognition of Excellence Awards

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•June 3, 2020•
The Regional Office of Education #11 is pleased to announce the 2020 Inaugural ROE #11 Recognition of Excellence Award Recipients.
The Regional Office of Education #11 requested nominations from each school district within the region seeking to highlight a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 educator who has modeled excellence in education.  Nominees included exceptionally skillful and dedicated individuals who have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers.  They also play active and useful roles within their communities as well as schools; often distinguishing themselves as leaders.  Their most important quality is their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. Read More

Liberal Arts Colleges in Peril; Can They be Saved?

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•June 3, 2020•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

There are 4,000 degree-granting colleges and universities in our nation: community colleges, private liberal arts colleges, regional and urban public universities, and graduate research centers. I have taught within each type; each has its strengths and makes distinctive contributions to society.
Yet I have a soft spot in my heart for the liberal arts college, of which there are 700-800 in the U.S. With 500-2,000 students each, the schools offer a personal approach rarely found elsewhere. Rather than specialize the mind, these schools broaden and enlarge the mind.
Illinois has more than its share of these colleges, from Rockford down to McKendree in Lebanon. They were often started in the 19th century by Yankee ministers who believed in the civilizing influence of higher education, and before the development of public colleges. Read More

Courthouse Buzz

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Photo by R.R. Best
Courthouse Buzz
The buzz around the Moultrie County Courthouse last week surrounded a hive of bees in one of the ornamental trees on the courthouse lawn. Beekeeper Steve Buxton (left) came to the rescue. Rick Matthews cut the limb the hive was attached to and Buxton transported the population to Buxton Farms west of Sullivan where he uses them to help with pollination.

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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The aerial photo of Dalton City was taken in Nov 1946. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.