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Places at Pork Expo
Mallory Batman of Sullivan won her class and was third overall in spot gilt at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. Hosted by NPPC since 1987, World Pork Expo is the world’s largest pork industry-specific trade show in the world. It brings together pork producers and other industry professionals from around the world for three days of education, innovation and networking
Vernie Jones Jr.
Vernie “Gene” Jones, Jr. , of Bethany, IL, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019, at 10:38 p.m., at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 5, 2019, at First General Baptist Church, Decatur.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Burial will be in Boiling Springs Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Memorials may be made to First General Baptist Church or New Life Pregnancy Center.
Vernie was born March 7, 1941, in Marion County, Illinois, the youngest of nine children born to Vernie and Ada (Wooley) Jones. He married Paula (Merritt) on May 29, 1963. They were happily married until her passing on June 25, 2001. He was blessed to marry the second great love of his life – Alice (Calhoun) on May 15, 2004.
Above all, he loved God and others. He served faithfully at the First General Baptist Church in Decatur for 55 years. After retiring from Caterpillar, he filled his days creating in his woodshop.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernie and Ada; wife, Paula; siblings, Teddy Jones, Violet Spencer, Mary Alice Tockstein, Jewel Chandler, and Bill Jones; and step-daughter, Teri Calhoun.
He is survived by his wife, Alice (Calhoun) Jones; sisters, Beaulah Prosise, Leota Fury, and Freda Jennings; children, Joanna (Tom) Price, James (Kona), and Jerry (LaWanda); and step-children, Rick Calhoun, Monte Calhoun, Donna Gerber, and Leann (Randy) Tolan.
Together, he and Alice share 21 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.
Ruby N. Lowry
Ruby N. Lowry, age 93 of Sullivan, IL passed away at 12:48 PM, Sunday, June 30, 2019 at Mason Point in Sullivan, IL.
A funeral service in her honor will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938; Pastor Ron Dickinson will officiate and Reverend Michael Smith will assist. A committal service will immediately follow at Branchside Cemetery in Gays, IL. The visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service at the funeral home.
Ruby was born on March 28, 1926 in Jasper County, IL the daughter of the late Lummis E. and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Diel) Wallace. She married Gerald E. Lowry on June 14, 1950 in Mattoon, I; he survives. Other survivors include four sons; Ronald K. Lowry and wife Sharon of Sullivan, IL, Dennis E. Lowry and wife Mary Ruth of Delavan, IL, Larry L. Lowry and wife Patricia of Lerna, IL, James A. Lowry and wife Texanna of Charleston, IL; ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Russell H. Wallace and wife Loretta of Charleston, IL; three sisters, Vera M. Hetzer of Newton, IL, Luella Wells of Effingham, IL, and Norma J. Grisamore of Mattoon, IL. She is preceded in death by one brother, three sisters, and one grandson, Dylan Lowry.
Ruby was a member of Mattoon First United Methodist Church, member of Champion Sunday School Class, and Sunday school teacher at Gays First United Methodist Church. Throughout the years, Ruby enjoyed tending to her garden, mowing the yard, and canning food. She was a wonderful cook who took immense pride in her home. Ruby was committed to her family; always putting others needs before her own. She was kind, generous, selfless and loving woman who made a memorable impression on many and will truly be missed.
Memorials in Ruby’s honor may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or Mattoon First United Methodist Church, 1601 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938.
Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to share a memory or light a virtual candle in her honor.
Veda Kay Chambers
Veda Kay Chambers, 73, of Lovington, passed away at 12:50 a.m. Tuesday June 25, 2019 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Celebration of Life services will be 4:00 p.m. Friday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Rodney Houser officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Lovington First Church of God or the Lovington Revitalization Coalition. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Kay was born March 24, 1946 in Sullivan the daughter of Richard Donald and Fanny Pearl Selock Chambers. She graduated from Lakeland College Nursing School and was a retired LPN for the Illinois Masonic Home in Sullivan. After her retirement she did in home care for the elderly. Kay was a member of the Lovington First Church of God and served as an deaconess for the church, was the treasurer for the Lovington Revitalization Coalition, was a member of the Lovington American Legion Womens Auxiliary and she volunteered extensively in the Lovington Community.
Surviving are her son Paul Chambers of Lovington; daughter Linda Grogg of Angolia, Indiana; brothers John Andrew Baker of Avilla, Indiana, Scott Baker of Garrett, Indiana; sisters Rebecca Kiles of Charleston, South Carolina, Angela Kochert of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Sheren Bryan of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Rickarda Lynn Mosser of Lovingtonand grandchildren Kelly David Ordway, Shane Allen Ordway and Veronica Chambers.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
•June 26, 2019•
The Bethany Village Board approved an additional Class E liquor license at the regular June meeting.
That allows for the sale of beer, wine and spirits by the drink for consumption on the premises (bar license). The total count for Class E licenses is two, allowing the village to approve a previous request from the Bethany American Legion. Read More
File photo
Cool rides are in store for Sullivan kids when Conner Family Amusements opens the Fourth of July Celebration from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7 (1:00 - 5:00 p.m.).
•June 26, 2019•
A century of Sullivan fireworks is celebrated during the July 3-7 Fourth of July celebration.
American Legion Post 68 continues its 100 year tradition with Central States Fireworks of Athens unloading $17,000 in fireworks into the July 4th sky above Wyman Park in Sullivan on July 4.
That is the finale to a celebration that begins with the arrival of Conner Amusements carnival from Beardstown on July 3.
At high noon July 4th the celebration parade kicks off thanks to coordination by Justin “Bubba” Farris and his crew of Legion, Sons of American Legion and Auxiliary volunteers. Terry Warren will prepare lunch for parade participants (more than 350 were served last year).
At 2 p.m. the watermelon eating contest, sack races and turtle races occur. Read More
•June 26, 2019•
By Ileana Saveley
Social Security District Manager in Decatur, IL
July 4th brings family and friends together, as well as neighbors, to celebrate that we’re all part of a community. Everyone pitches in, combining their resources — great food, music, and displays — to lift our spirits.
Social Security has been helping people maintain their independence for over 80 years. In that time, we’ve made it even easier for you to access the programs and benefits you might need. Today, applying online is a fast way to get those crucial benefits.
Here are some of the benefits you can apply for: Read More
•June 26, 2019•
Sullivan Police Department announced plans for July Fourth traffic enforcement with a focus on impaired and unbuckled drivers.
The safety campaign will run from June 17 through July 8 to encompass three summer weekends leading up to and after Independence Day.
“We’re asking all of our residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day safely,” said Chief Andrew Pistorius. “It’s simple: If you’re driving, don’t drink or use drugs. Our officers will be out in full force to keep impaired drivers off the road.”
Sullivan Police Department will join the Illinois State Police and more than 160 local police and sheriff’s departments for the increased statewide enforcement effort. Read More
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, July 1 - Chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes w/gravy, Italian green beans, dinner roll, pineapple chunks
Tuesday, July 2 - Breakfast casserole, applesauce, fruit juice, cinnamon roll, cranberries
Wednesday, July 3 - Ham salad, creamy broccoli soup, gelatin w/fruit, assorted crackers, peaches
Thursday, July 4 - Closed
Friday, July 5 - Pork tenderloin, potato casserole, mixed vegetables, Texas toast, pears
Adrenoleukodystrophy added as the 48th disorder
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is rolling out today a test for adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) for all newborn babies statewide. ALD is a rare hereditary disorder that affects the brain, nervous system, and adrenal gland. It affects approximately 1 in 20,000 births.
“Babies born with adrenoleukodystrophy have normal brains at birth. However, progression of the disorder without treatment can be fatal,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “By adding ALD to the Illinois newborn screening panel, every baby born in Illinois will be tested for ALD. Babies who test positive for this disorder can then receive therapies during the early stage of the disease.” Read More