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Category Archives: Obituaries

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Obituaries 3-12-2014

News Progress Posted on March 12, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

BriscoeGenevaGeneva Briscoe

Geneva Mae Butt Briscoe, 83, of Decatur, formerly of Bethany, passed away early Tuesday morning March 11, 2014 in Eastern Star Home surround by her family.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Bethany.

Geneva was born Nov. 1, 1930 in Dunn, the only daughter of 10 children, to John Dale and Lillie Mae Powell Butt. She drove a school bus for the Decatur school district for more than 30 years.

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Obituaries 3-5-2014

News Progress Posted on March 5, 2014 by webmasterMarch 5, 2014

Reta LeCrone

Reta R. LeCrone, 67, of Kirksville passed away at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 25, 2014 in her home in Kirksville.

Graveside services and burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday March 8 in Camfield Cemetery in rural Sullivan.

Reta was born July 20, 1946 in Sullivan, a daughter of Clyde and Laura Yarnell Ray. She married Larry M. LeCrone Dec. 29, 1970 in Jacksonville, N.C., and he preceded her in death June 24, 2000.

Reta is survived by her sons Frank (Christine) LeCrone of Plainsfield, Ind., Rob (Julie) LeCrone of Windsor and Charley (Amanda) LeCrone of Parker, Colo.; brother Tony Ray of Sullivan and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one sister.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

 

SchmidtAngelaAngela Schmidt

Angela RuthAnne England Schmidt, 48, of Sullivan passed away at 4:20 p.m. Monday March 3, 2014 in her home in Sullivan.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Burial in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan will be at a later date. Angela was born July 3, 1965 in Mattoon, the daughter of Harold L. England and Donna F. Crowe Kingery.

Angela is survived by her mother Donna (stepfather Weldon) Kingery of Sullivan; sons Derrick A. Ledbetter of Findlay and Darin T. Ledbetter of West York; daughter Jessica K. Schmidt of Robinson; brother Jeff H. (Belinda) England of Bethany; nephews Zak England of Bethany and Cole England of Bethany and three grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father Harold England, maternal grandparents Hue T. and Ruth Crowe and paternal grandparents Harold and Edith England.

Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

 

YoungerGwenGwen Younger

Gwendolyn Ora “Gwen” Younger, 96, of Bethany passed away at 1:35 a.m. Sunday March 2, 2014 in Moweaqua Nursing Home.

Celebration of Life services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with the Rev. Marge Overlot officiating assisted by Pastor Tracy Steiman. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany.

Gwen was born Oct. 15, 1917 in Moweaqua, a daughter of Clyde and Bertha Keilman Taylor. She graduated from Bethany High School and attended Illinois State University one year. She was a member of Bethany First Christian Church where she also served as church organist for many years. She had been a 4-H leader, CYF sponsor, had served as Worthy Matron for the Eastern Star, past president of Marrowbone Township Library Board, helped establish the Rolling Prairie Library System in Bethany and was a member of Moultrie County Republican Women. She married Lloyd “Junior” Younger Feb. 20, 1937 in the home of her parents in Moweaqua, and he preceded her in death Dec. 26, 2011.

Gwen was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a talented seamstress and made quilts for her children and grandchildren plus crocheting and knitting sweaters and caps. She enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, ready novels and having fun with the “Golden Girls”, but most of all, attending to the activities of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She showed us daily the meaning of unselfishness, caring, love and laughter with her kind and loving heart, and she will forever live in our memory.

Surviving are her daughters Cleo Emmajean (Lloyd) Rucker of Bethany, Rita Ann Singleton of Fairway, Kan. and Margery Cherie (Danny) Coleman of Bethany; grandchildren Tom (Angie) Rucker and Lisa Bone of Bethany, Martha (Christian) Mann and Lori (Brian) Hawn of Kansas, Rita Florey of Sullivan, Matt (Lori) Coleman of Minnesota, Barry (Lynn) Coleman of Iowa and Brian (Barb) Coleman of Cary; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four nieces and two nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, twin brother, sister and great-granddaughter Haley.

Memorials are suggested to Bethany First Christian Church, Marrowbone Library Township Building Fund or Alzheimer’s Research.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Moweaqua Nursing Home for all of their care and concern.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

 

FlagForWebsiteClarence Harvey

A service to celebrate the life of Clarence “Bill” W. Harvey, 84, of Decatur was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Mt. Zion. Burial with full military honors was in Barnett Cemetery.

He died at 8:50 p.m. Monday Feb. 24, 2014 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Harvey was born April 29, 1929 in Valley City, N.D., a son of Jennings and Mabel White Harvey. He served in the U.S. Army Airborne Division and was a retired operator with A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company. He married Gena G. Nihiser Nov. 1, 1962, and she survives.

Also surviving are his children Tammy Beck and Virginia Reynolds, both of Decatur, Tracy Lofland of Indianapolis, Ind., Donna Reed of Lovington, Joanna Fletcher of Oakley, Patricia Perry of Cottoner, Ark., and Carl Harvey of Rochelle; brother Floyd Harvey of Detroit, Mich.; 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sons, seven brothers, eight sisters, one grandson and one great-grandson.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

 

Barbara Qualls

Barbara Jean Qualls, 77, of Decatur died at 10:35 p.m. Saturday March 1, 2014 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home in Decatur. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery.

She was born July 11, 1936 in Decatur, a daughter of Clarence Phillip and Margaret Louise Walley Albert. She and her husband owned Art’s Dairylane for 10 years, and she was employed with Taylor-Acorn Pharmacy, retiring after 27 years. She was a member of Cornerstone Life. She married Arthur Qualls July 25, 1954, and he preceded her in death Nov. 21, 2004.

Surviving are her children Toni Ellison, Kathryn Lin and Vicky Nelson, all of Decatur, Patti McKinney of Forsyth and Bart Qualls of Sullivan; brother Phillip Albert of Decatur; sisters Beverly Spitzer of Decatur and Carol Durbin of Cerro Gordo; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one grandson and one granddaughter.

Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Life.

Posted in Obituaries

Obituaries 2-26-2014

News Progress Posted on February 26, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

Glen Kidwell

FlagForWebsiteGlen Oliver Kidwell, 92, of Belvidere passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 in his home. Graveside services will be held at a later date.

Glen was born in Hand County, S.D. Sept. 10, 1921, a son of G.O. “Ollie” and Marie Dazey Kidwell. He graduated from Sullivan High School in 1940 and was in the United States Coast Guard for five years. Glen spent most of his working life training and driving harness horses.

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Obituaries 2-19-2014

News Progress Posted on February 19, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

BraggIdaIda May Bragg

Ida May Bragg, 88, of Sullivan passed away at 3:30 a.m. Sunday Feb. 16, 2014 in her daughter’s home in Pekin.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan with visitation one hour before the services. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.

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Obituaries 2-12-14

News Progress Posted on February 12, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

RobertBeckBob Beck

A memorial service for Robert “Rob” or “Bob” Allen Beck, 68, of Georgetown was held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Bethel Baptist Church in Georgetown. A graveside service was held at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Maple Grove Cemetery in Milford with Pastor Gerald McPhillips officiating the services.

He passed away at 8:14 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 4, 2014 in Gowin Parc in Paris, Ill.

Bob was born Dec. 3, 1945 in Decatur, the only child of Junior and Bertha Webb Beck of Sullivan. Bob was called Rob or Robbie to all his family and many friends. He married Karen Martin July 16, 1966 in Mattoon, and she survives.

Also surviving are daughter Toni (Scott) Griesheimer of San Angelo, Tex.; sons Michael (Laurel) Beck of Danville and Brad (Amy) Beck of Ridge Farm; grandchildren Koty and Kaylee Griesheimer of San Angelo, Daizey Beck of Ridge Farm and Justin (Jessica) Cooper of Danville; uncle Robert Patient of Sullivan; mother-in-law Dorothy Martin of Georgetown and many cousins.

Bob was preceded in death by his father in 1982 and his mother in 2002, both sets of grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

Bob was a mechanic all his life and would work on anything from motorcycles to semi trailers and retired from McLane Midwest in 2007. Bob loved spending time with his kids and grandkids and was always ready to go see the grandkids wherever they lived. He was a Jeff Gordon NASCAR fan and went to Bristol, Mich. and Indianapolis to see live races. He could be found sitting in front of the TV watching the race every week. He was proud of his home and yard and worked to keep it in tip-top shape. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Georgetown and formerly a member of First Baptist Church in Sullivan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bob’s name to AFTD Association in Radnor, Penn. (Radnor Station Bldg 2 Suite 320, 29 King of Prussia Rd, Radnor, PA 19087), Gowin Parc of Paris (705 Kenton St., Paris, IL 61944), Bethel Baptist Church in Georgetown (501 S. Main St., Georgetown, IL 61846) and First Baptist Church in Sullivan (215 E. Harrison St., Sullivan, IL 61951).

Arrangements by Knapp Funeral Home in Milford.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.

 

ButlerGloriaGloria Butler

Gloria Marie Butler, 87, of Bethany passed away at 12:30 p.m. Sunday Feb. 9, 2014 in McKinley Court in Decatur.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany with visitation one hour before the services. Burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany.

Gloria was born May 22, 1926 in Pekin, the daughter of William Edgar Berion and Alta Marie Simmons Hagan. She married John Francis Butler Sept. 21, 1946 in Long View, and he preceded her in death April 2, 2006. Gloria and her husband Francis Butler owned and operated Butler Plumbing and Heating from 1970 to 1990.

She is survived by her daughter Sharon DeVall of Bethany; grandchildren Shellie (Lee) Avery, Todd (Amy West and Jeremie (Melissa) DeVall; seven great-grandchildren and special friend Richard “Dick” Brown of Bethany.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John Francis and daughter Teresa in 1963.

Memorials may be made to the Bethany Fire and Ambulance Department.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

 

PatsyJankePatsy Janke

Funeral services for Patsy Irene Janke, 70, of Sullivan, formerly of Shelbyville, were held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Shelbyville with the Rev. Kevin Ray officiating. Burial was in Glenwood Cemetery in Shelbyville.

She passed away at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 5, 2014 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care Center in Coles County with family at her bedside.

Patsy was born June 15, 1943 in Shelby County, the daughter of Leland Addison and Mildred L. Gaddis Green.

She married Lehman Davis in 1961, and he passed away in 1974. She married Ora Janke in 1991, and he passed away in 2010.

Patsy was a graduate of Findlay High School with the class of 1961 and attended Sparks Business College in Shelbyville. Patsy was employed for many years with Shelby County Community Services in Shelbyville.

Surviving are children Richard W. (Jeri) Davis of Sullivan, R. Dale (Lora) Davis of Sullivan and Ronald L. (Brandy) Davis of Shelbyville; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brothers Richard C. (Vicki) Green of Herrick and Larry W. Green of Herrick.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Lehman Davis and Ora Janke, sister-in-law Dotti Green and aunts Evelyn Rauch and Ruth Cochran.

Memorials may be made in Patsy’s memory to the activity fund of Shelby County Services.

Online condolences to wwwlockartgreenfuneralhome.com

 

FlagForWebsitePhilip Proctor, Jr.

Philip Proctor, Jr., 70, of Lovington went to join God Feb. 6, 2014. A celebration of life with military rites will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Lovington American Legion Post #429.

He was born April 16, 1943 in Utica, N.Y., the son of Philip, Sr. and Jane Proctor.

Philip was a Navy veteran serving from 1961-1964 aboard the USS Cony. Philip’s greatest love was the American Legion for which he served several positions in Penn. and Ill. He was a life member of American Legion Post #429 in Lovington.

He is survived by his wife Tina; son Philip (Lisa) Proctor; daughter Yvette (Leo) Turns; stepsons Jonathan Burks, Kenneth Benjamin, Jr., Daniel Benjamin and special child Lorilee DeClerck; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Memorials to the family for final resting expenses are suggested.

 

SmithTroyTroy Smith

Funeral services for Troy Derrell Smith, 70, of Lovington were held at 11 a.m. Saturday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Burial was in Keller Cemetery in Lovington.

He passed away at 11:34 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 5, 2014 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur surrounded by his family.

Troy was born June 23, 1943 in Decatur, a son of Troy and Rutha Mae Anderson Smith. He married Barbara Sue Colclasure March 1, 1963 in Sullivan. He was retired from Traxler Trucking Company in La Place.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Sue Smith; daughters Laura (Robert) Scott of Sullivan and Kim (Tom) Fleming of Lovington; brother Mike (Melody) Smith of Bethany; sisters Judy (Ronnie) Pritts of Bethany and Susan (Joe) Marshall of Mt. Zion; grandchildren Johnathan Scott, Emily Scott and Colin Franklin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Austin Reid Franklin.

The family wishes to thank the St. Mary’s Hospital staff on the fourth floor and ICU for their care and compassion.

Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

 

Lewis Schlabach

Services for Lewis F. Schlabach, 83, of Sullivan were held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Willard Schlabach residence in rural Sullivan. Burial was in Gingerich Cemetery in Sullivan.

He died Friday Feb 7, 2014. He was a farmer and a member of Old Order Amish Faith.

Surviving are his wife Mattie; sons Glen Dale Schlabach of Arthur and Williard Laverne Schlabach of Sullivan; daughters Mary Katherine Schlabach of Sullivan, Linda Kay Herschberger of Arthur and Nancy Arlene Gingerich of Tuscola; brothers Willard Schlabach of Ava, Daniel Schlabach of Atwood, Eli Schlabach and Harley Schlabach, both of Arthur; sisters Abbie Beachy of Newaygo, Mich., Sadie Plank of Arcola and Annie Ellen Otto and Fannie Marie Schlabach, both of Arthur; stepbrother John Henry Yoder of Middlebury, Ind.; 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one sister.

Posted in Obituaries

Obituaries 2-5-2014

News Progress Posted on February 5, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

FultzSharonSharon Fultz

Funeral services for Sharon A. Miller Fultz, 66, of Arcola were held at 10 a.m. Friday in Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola. Pastor Dave Dolan and Pastor Vince Rohn officiated. Burial was in Arcola Cemetery.

She passed away at 12:28 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014 in her residence.

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Obituaries 1-29-2014

News Progress Posted on January 29, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

BaugherDickDick Baugher

Richard Franklin “Dick” Baugher, 75, of rural Windsor passed away at 6:55 p.m. Tuesday Jan. 21, 2014 in the comfort of his home with loved ones by his side.

Dick was born Oct. 31, 1938 in Mattoon, a son of Frank and Francis Weaver Baugher. Dick married Susan Hanfland Dec. 12, 1970 in Effingham, and they enjoyed 43 years together.

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Obituaries -1-22-2014

News Progress Posted on January 22, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

MillerJuneJune Miller

June Irene Miller, 91, of Sullivan passed away at 6:02 p.m. Monday Jan. 20, 2014 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be one hour before the services in McMullin-Young Funeral Home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.

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Obituaries 1-15-2014

News Progress Posted on January 15, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

Lota Fisher

Celebration of Life services for Lota D. Fisher, 76, of Alton, formerly of Sullivan, were held at noon Saturday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Myers Cemetery in Herrick.

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Obituaries 1-8-2014

News Progress Posted on January 8, 2014 by webmasterMarch 29, 2014

BatmanPaulinePauline Batman

Pauline Batman, 93, of Decatur passed away at 3:05 p.m. Friday Jan. 3, 2014 in Fair Havens Christian Home in Decatur.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation is 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.

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Spring concert



News Progress


Photo by R.R. Best

On Tuesday, April 28th, under the direction of Dr. Ian Kinkley, Band Director, the Sullivan Band Program presented its symphonious Spring Band concert, titled “Evening Escapes,” which showcased the magnificent and diverse talents of the Sullivan 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands, combined with the Sullivan High School Band and Jazz Band. 


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