Judy Wilson
Judith Anne Wilson, 78, of Hutton Township, Illinois, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2019. Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 in Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. The funeral service was held Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial followed in Hurricane Cemetery south of Charleston. Read More
Martin Elzy
Austin, Texas resident Martin Elzy passed away on June 2, 2019 due to ALS. Martin was born June 27, 1947 in Decatur, Illinois to Ruby Irene Elzy and Junior Dale Elzy of Sullivan. Martin grew up among many beloved relatives and attended Sullivan High School where he played several sports, joined the student government, and sang for weddings.
At Eastern Illinois University Martin completed his 1968 Bachelors in Education and 1969 Masters in History, earning EIU’s 2006 Outstanding Graduate Alumnus Award. Martin spent one year teaching high school world history in Franklin, Ohio, before earning his 1975 Doctorate in History at Miami University of Ohio. Read More
•June 12, 2019•
Representative Elizabeth Houser of Sullivan has earned a position on the insurance group’s distinguished All American team.
Houser is among a select group of top Country Financial agency managers and financial representatives who qualified for the award. Country Financial has more than 2,000 agency managers and financial representatives in 17 states. Houser ended 2018 ranked #121.
Houser, along with her assistant Jorjia Clements, serve their customers from their office at 1102 W Jackson St. in Sullivan. The office phone number is 217-728-2591.
Photo submitted
Cornwell Receives Pin
Graduating nurses at Lake Land College received their pins recently during the annual pinning ceremony at the college. Macy Cornwell of Sullivan (right) received the award for Clinical Excellence. Cassandra Porter, nursing instructor, presented the award.
•June 12, 2019•
Okaw Valley CUSD #302 inducted Robert Disney Jr., Bethany HS Class of 1994, onto the Alumni Wall of Fame
To be nominated the individual must have been a graduate of Bethany, Findlay, or Okaw Valley. Nominations were based on an individual’s contribution to society and community, the betterment of mankind or occupational/endeavor recognition.
Nominee Disney is retired from the United States Air force (1996-2017). He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security, and a Master’s Degree in Cyber Security.
His military decorations include the following: Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Naval Achievement Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, and Humanitarian Medal.
Currently Disney lives in Colorado, speaks for the military and has made films for the military.
Disney was recognized at the 2019 Okaw Valley Commencement. He joins 2015 inductee Mike Cohan, 2016 inductee Ryan Fitzgerald, 2017 inductee Sam Scott, and 2018 inductee Dan Flannell.
Bill Alwerdt
Dr. William E. ‘Bill’ Alwerdt, 87, of Sullivan passed away at 12:20 a.m. Sunday June 9, 2019 in Arbor Rose of Arcola surrounded by his family.
Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday. Public Masonic Rites will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More
Barbara Wilson
Barbara Wilson, 80, of Sullivan, passed away at 12:56 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2019 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. A prayer service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Read More
•June 12, 2019•
Vacation Bible school is at Southern Baptist Church in Sullivan from 6-8:30 p.m. July 21-25.
“Family Night” with prizes follows VBS at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 25.
VBS has something for every age group five years through sixth grade (grade just finished).
For questions or for those who need a ride on the van call 217-728-8471 or 217-232-8880 or come to 615 E. Jackson St. in Sullivan.
Interested persons may pre-register on line at www.sullivansbc.org
Kay Foster
Kay Ann Foster, 66, of Sullivan, passed away at 2:10 p.m. Thursday June 6, 2019 in her residence.
Private family graveside services will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Arrangements are by Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan.
Kay was born October 4, 1952 in Decatur, a daughter of Vernon and Beverly Moore Perrine. She had worked for several social service agencies over the years. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Buddy Holly’s glasses greeted guests.
You’ll Laugh, Cry and Swoon
•June 12, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
February 3, 1959 was a tragic day for rock-n-roll in America. A plane carrying Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens crashed in a snowstorm just outside Clear Lake, Iowa where they had performed at the Surf Ballroom.
It was the end of both their Winter Dance Party Tour, the age of innocence and, for some, the day the music died.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of that historic concert the Little Theatre has brought in the Rave-Ons, a phenomenally talented group, to recreate that last Surf Ballroom concert – this time in celebration of “The Night the Music Lived.”
And live it does! For two hours you will be transported back to the 50s and the music of many steamy sock hops as those of my era danced their hearts out to “Peggy Sue”, “Oh Donna”, “Chantilly Lace”, “Rave On” and 27 more memorable hits on this fantastic program.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll swoon, clap and sing along while Todd Meredith as Buddy Holly opens Act One with “Rock Around With Ollie Vee”, “Ready Teddy”, “Not Fade Away” and several other hits. Close your eyes, and it really is Buddy Holly, so perfect and nuanced is Meredith’s performance. Read More