Category Archives: Obituaries

Remembering Who We Are…….51

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Aux Kas and Wampuses

•March 26, 2025•

by Janet Roney

What is the oldest word in use today? It’s heard all over the world. It originated in an oasis in the Taklamaken desert in western China. While you think about that, here’s another old word… wampus.    

My father savored using old words. His vocabulary would have given a linguist hours of pleasure deciphering its origins. One of his words was wampus. Do you know what a wampus is?    

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Obituaries 3-26-2025: Cody Gentry

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Cody Gentry

Cody Leland Gentry, of Monticello, Ill., died March 19 at home. He was 61. 

Survivors include his wife, Karen; six sisters, Melinda O’brero, Jody Davis (Grant), Joanna Sensabaugh (Roger), Lora Suter (Don), Stacy Kelly and Shonna Smith (Edward); one brother, Andrew (Ashley); 11 nieces and five nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew. 

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Obituaries 3-19-2025: Mae Ryherd

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Mae Ryherd

“Well done, good and faithful servant!  ...  Enter into the joy of your master.”    Matthew 25:23

Mae E. Ryherd was welcomed by Jesus into heaven on March 15, 2025, at the age of 85. Mae was born June 10, 1939, in St. Peter, IL, to Martin and Marie (nee Opfer) Hollman. After High School graduation she moved to Decatur, IL, to work as a secretary. It was there that she met her husband R. Duane Ryherd, of Sullivan, IL, and they were married June 29th, 1958. Mae and Duane have lived in Champaign, IL. for over 60 years. Their marriage of over 66 years was blessed by four children, ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Mae and Duane were members of Friendship Lutheran Church of Joy in Champaign, IL.  

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