Photo furnished
Best of OVHS Class
Kailynn Bobbett and Bella Benning were recognized on Saturday at the Best of the Class Event. WCIA 3 has recognized area high school seniors through this unique community project since 1983. This long running program honors students who have achieved academic excellence by featuring them in a series of television announcements. Bobbett and Benning are co-valedictorians at Okaw Valley High School.
Roy Bauman
Roy B. Bauman, 96, of Sullivan, passed away 11:13 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2019, at Aspen Creek of Sullivan.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, with Military Rites by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Roy was born May 10, 1923, in Warrensburg, the son of Russell P. and Bertha (Culp) Bauman. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII and became a Meteorologist for the Army. He married Vivian M. Pate on April 2, 1955 in Decatur; she preceded him in death on December 26, 2003. Roy was a retired farmer and he worked at PPG for thirty years; he enjoyed gardening, hosting family get togethers and spending time with his grandchildren. He also loved ballroom dancing. Roy was a member of the First Christian Church in Sullivan.
He is survived by his sons, Michael Scott (Beth Ryherd) Bauman of Shelbyville, and Larry Phillip (Corina) Bauman of St. Peters, MO; daughters, Teresa Diane (Steven) Betzler of Sullivan and Tamara Denise (Mark Bragg) Lentz of Charleston. He is also survived by three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother one sister and one grandson.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Evalyn Shasteen
Evalyn Joyce Shasteen, 93, of Sullivan, passed away 8:59 a.m. Sunday, May 26, 2019, at Odd Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon.
Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. No visitation will be held. McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, is in care of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Vine Street Christian Church; 249 S. Vine St. Arthur, IL 61911
Joyce was born July 5, 1925, the daughter of Thomas Artie and Janie Miranda (Pasco) Graven. She married Raymond J. Shasteen on February 21, 1948 in Sullivan; he preceded her in death on December 4, 1978. She was a past Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star. Joyce was a member of the Vine Street Christian Church in Arthur, she enjoyed golfing, playing cards, making ceramics and traveling to Florida for the winter. She was also an Activities Director at the IL Masonic Home.
Joyce is survived by her daughters, Jana (John) Kinney of Eureka and Jill Shasteen of Sullivan; sister, Jean Landers of Sullivan; granddaughter, Miranda Kinney of Eureka.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and three sisters.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Cathy Ann Kastning
Cathy Ann Kastning, 57, of Sullivan, passed away 4:42 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019 at the Faith Lutheran Church, Sullivan. A luncheon will be held after the services, and the family requests those who come to bring a dish. Memorials may be made in care of the family; P.O. Box 315, Sullivan, IL 61951. McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, is in care of the arrangements.
Cathy was born November 13, 1961 in Decatur; she was the daughter of Carroll and Marcia (Churchman) Koch. She married Willard J. Kastning on April 18, 1998 in Woodstock. She was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan. She enjoyed baking and shopping. Cathy’s grandchildren were the light of her life and she loved them very much.
Cathy is survived by her husband, Willard of Sullivan; son, Jimmy (Sandra) Bostic of McHenry; daughter, Mindy (Neil) Matheson of Sullivan; grandchildren, Kaylie, Ellie and Caroline Bostic and Olivia Matheson; sister, Linda (Derek) Bushong of Argenta.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Celia Dickens
Celia Dickens, 99, of Sullivan passed away at 8:07 p.m. Tuesday May 21, 2019 in Aspen Creek Assisted Living, Sullivan.
Celebration of Life services will be 4:00 p.m. Wednesday June 12, 2019 in the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ, Sullivan with Vanessa Patient and Brigham Hagerman officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services at the church. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ or to the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.
Celia was born November 24, 1919 in Waverly the daughter of Ira Lawrence ‘Bill’ and Anna Dora Magill Sears. She had worked at the Nifty Frock Shop when she was fourteen years old and then later worked as a bookkeeper for Community Industries, worked for Lucy Ellen Candy and then a seamstress for Felicity Fashions in Sullivan. She was a member of the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ and was an active member of their choir for over fifty years. She enjoyed playing the piano and had also given piano lessons for many years. Celia enjoyed the outdoors, birds, taking care of flowers and helped multiple generations with school leaf collections. Celia married R. Alan Dickens on November 24, 1951 and he preceded her in death on April 17, 2013.
Surviving are her cousins Melody Moore, Carole Moore, Mary Lou (Jim) Poland and Doug (Brenda) Moore; sisters-in-law Joan Dickens and Mary Lou Dickens; brothers-in-law Evan (Dixie) Dickens and Mark (Ann) Dickens all of Sullivan and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother Dr. Adrian Sears.
Photo by R.R. Best
Okaw Valley pitcher Camden Coleman got the win over Central A&M last Wednesday to set up OV baseball’s sixth straight regional title appearance.
•May 22, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The chances of the Okaw Valley baseball team winning its second straight regional title did not look good in the Class 1A Moweaqua (Central A&M) Regional against Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division foe Decatur LSA Saturday.
The Timberwolves had already lost to LSA twice this season (2-1 and 10-4) and fell behind 3-0 in the top of the first inning.
OV was able to cut the lead to 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the first inning and another run in the third inning.
Decatur LSA extended its lead 4-2 with a run in the fifth inning.
Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, a second consecutive regional title and fourth OV regional title in six years looked out of reach.
But a 3-run comeback rally, capped off with Hank Yowell doubling in two runs, gave OV a 6-5 lead heading into the seventh inning.
Tyson Montgomery came in and closed out the game in a one-two-three scoreless seventh inning for another Timberwolves’ regional championship win.
Eli Hagerman got the win by relieving starting pitcher Dalton McGill in the first inning. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
SMS State Bound
Sullivan Middle School Track and Field team members Cassidy Short and Brent Bushue competed in the IESA state meet in East Peoria last weekend. Short competed in the long jump and Bushue in the pole vault. Pictured with the state qualifiers are coaches Jim Palmer, Cindy Yoder, Angie Westjohn and head coach Don Typer. Short finished 17th and Bushue 19th.
•May 22, 2019•
The Findlay Firemans Association Golf outing is June 29 at the Eagle Creek Golf Course in Findlay.
Shot gun start is at 8:00 a.m. sharp.
Pauly’s BBQ of Arthur is serving lunch which is included in the package. Registration continues until June 1. Email the Findlay Firemans Asscociation at findlayfireasscociation@gmail.com
•May 22, 2019•
Sullivan senior Esther Miller competed in the IHSA Class 1A State Track and Field Meet at Eastern Illinois University last Thursday.
Miller placed 10th in the 400-meter dash with a personal best of 1:01.12 in the prelims Thursday.
She missed qualifying for finals by .08 seconds.
Miller also finished 16th in the triple with a jump of 35 feet 4.75 inches. Read More
Photo by Darian Hays
Sparrows Silver
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors and more gathered on a sunny Saturday in Lovington to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sparrows Unlimited, Inc. Saturday was filled with sunshine and kids playing on the inflatable playground. By Sunday afternoon storms and wind blew through the village, taking hundred year old trees down and limiting access to Route 133. A combined volunteer effort led to a four hour storm clean up May 19.