Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Roy Righter

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Roy Righter

Roy E. Righter, 91, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:49 a.m. Friday, August 25, 2023 in Carriage Crossings, Arcola.

Celebration of Life services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Rodney Houser officiating. Burial will be in the Jonathan Creek Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Lovington Church of God. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Righter was born on October 13, 1931 in Sullivan, Illinois, the son of Emery and Fern Ashbrook Righter. Roy graduated from Sullivan High School and Illinois State University with a bachelors degree in chemistry. Early in his career he was a spiney lobster fisherman in the Florida Keys and later farmed in Moultrie County spanning three decades. He was a member of the Lovington Church of God and a U. S. Army veteran serving in the Chemical Corps during the Korean Conflict. Roy was a member of the Illinois Tractor Pulling Association with his Lil’ Duece Coupe. Roy married Betty Hahn on February 5, 1956 at Dwight, Illinois.
Survivors include his wife Betty of Sullivan; sons Edwin (Cheryl) Righter and Mark (Amber) Righter, both of Sullivan; grandchildren Jared (Melissa) Righter of Naperville, Kelsey Righter of Texas, Hannah Righter and Hayden Righter both of Sullivan; four great grandchildren; brothers Kenneth (Rita) Righter of Mattoon, John (Mary) Righter of Troy, Montana; sisters Lois Hamilton and Helen Landrus both of Trilla.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Recent Obituaries: John Patrick Toohill

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John Toohill

John Patrick Toohill, 59, of Sullivan passed away at 9:18 a,m, Thursday August 24, 2023 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday August 29, 2023 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan with military honors by the Sullivan American Legion Post # 68. Memorials are suggested to St Jude Children’s Hospital, the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library or the Sullivan Schools Library. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
John was born October 14, 1963 in Fairbury the son of Edward P. and Frances K. Bowman Toohill. He was retired from the U. S. Army Reserves and had served active duty in Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. He has been working at MasterBrand Cabinets in Arthur. John married Debra Case on December 28, 1991 in Chatsworth.
Surviving are his wife Deb, daughters Jessica Wortham of Piper City and Meggie (Ryan) Whitten of Sullivan; sons Patrick Toohill of Sullivan, Lucas Toohill of Sullivan and Robert J. Toohill of Champaign; father Edward P. Toohill of Cissna Park; brothers Ed (Lucille) Toohill of Missouri, Steve (Elise) Toohill of Iowa,; sisters Kathy Stephens of Piper City, Sarah (Gene) Wallrich of Collum and Teri (Mark) Runyon of Fairbury; eleven grandchildren, one great grandson and two great granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Recent Obituaries: Ronald G. ‘Ron’ Coy

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Ronald G. ‘Ron’ Coy
Ronald G. ‘Ron’ Coy, 69, of Sullivan, passed away with his family by his side at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 10, 2023 at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Kathy Prideaux officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Monday evening. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Fire and Ambulance Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Coy was born on November 22, 1953 at Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Charles and Donna Ragen Coy. Ron was a bricklayer for 30 years and then worked for the Illinois Dept. of Transportation for 22 years. Ron was a former volunteer with the Sullivan Fire Protection District. He enjoyed playing softball, camping, cooking and helping Terry Warren Catering. He was an avid fan of his children and grandchildren’s sporting events, he hardly ever missed a game. He enjoyed mowing and helping Chris with his mowing business. Ron loved to travel and go on cruises with Angie. He married Angela Lindley on March 24, 1973 in Sullivan.
Survivors include his wife Angela; children Misha (Kris) Hutchings of O’Fallon, Missouri, Chris Coy of Sullivan and Brooke (Greg) Garrison of St. Charles, Missouri; grandchildren Konner Hutchings, Kyrstin Coy, Paiten Coy, Kensley Garrison and Jersey Garrison; sisters Rhonda Creek of Neoga and Carla Coy of Sullivan and a brother Tim (Kim) Coy of Sullivan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Kathy Glover.

 

Recent Obituaries: Billy Joe Robbins

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Billy Joe Robbins

Billy Joe Robbins, 87, of Bethany, passed away 7:41 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Monday, March 27, 2023, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Monday at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Oak Grove Baptist Church, rural Bethany.Billy was born February 10, 1936, in Pine Knot, KY, the son of Jesse and Elsie (Anderson) Robbins. He married Arletta McDaniel on August 10, 1954, in Owensboro, KY; she survives. He was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church in rural Bethany. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with his grandchildren and riding bicycles.

Billy is survived by his wife, Arletta of Bethany; son, Larry Robbins of Allenville; daughters, Glenda Rigg of Mt. Zion and Cheryl (Mike) Kidwell of Bethany; grandchildren, Michelle (Greg) Owczarzak, Todd (Kristi) Rigg, Nathan (Sara) Robbins, Quinn (Jeremy) Richardson, Laniesa (James) Robbins, Daniel (Lauren) Kidwell, Derick (Kaylee) Robbins, Travis (Deniel) Robbins and Taylor Robbins; brothers, James, Eugene; half-brothers, Steve, Gary (Joan) and Karl (Barbara); step-brother, Kenny (Ruby) Butt; step-sisters, Doris Prater and Betty Clevenger. He is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Billy Joe Robbins, Jr., 6 brothers and 2 sisters.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice for their wonderful care of Billy.

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

Recent Obituaries: Dorothy Ellen McComas

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Dorothy Ellen McComas

Dorothy Ellen McComas passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at the age of 95 while residing at Lakewood Senior Living in Boiling Springs, South Carolina.

Dorothy was born June 9,1927 in Caldwell, IL to the late Carl and Mary (Lee) Fleischauer. She is a graduate of Lovington Township High School, Class of 1945, Lovington, IL. Her life took her to Kansas City, Ks where she met Charles Dale McComas Piper, Kansas.
She and Dale wed in May of 1947 and made their home on the farming in Edwardsville and then Piper, Ks. Together they had and raised four children, Albert, Samuel, Charles and Robert. During Dale’s illness and subsequent death, Dorothy entered the life of retail. Upon her retirement, she returned to Lovington, IL to attend to the care of her parents. Following their death, she moved to Boiling Springs, SC to live with her son Samuel and his wife Marsha. In 2018 Dorothy entered Lakewood Senior Living, LLC in Boiling Springs where she resided until her death.
She is survived by her sisters Edna, Decatur, Il; Regina, Belton, Tx and her children, Albert (Al)of Piper, KS: Samuel (Sam) of Boiling Springs, SC; Charles (Chuck) of Seffner, FL and Robert (Rob) of Grand Prairie, TX and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at Lakewood Senior Living March 15, 2023 at 2 PM. Burial services will be held in Lovington, IL at a later date.

Recent Obituaries: Delano Yeakel

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Delano Yeakel
Delano Yeakel, 73, of Arthur, IL passed away at 1:49P.M. on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL.Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at the Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 E. Illinois St. in Arthur, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at the Arthur United Methodist Church. Rev. Jill Bunker will officiate. A funeral luncheon will be served at the church prior to the burial.  Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery in rural Sullivan, IL. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.Delano was born on August 26, 1949 in Decatur, IL, a son of Joseph Milton and Marilyn Elane (Selock) Yeakel.  He married Martha K. Stock on July 12, 1969 in Arthur, IL.He is survived by his wife Marty; two children, Jason Yeakel and his wife Tiffany of Arthur, IL, and Kyra Beth Yeakel of Cadott, WI; six grandchildren, Kaylee and Addison of Arthur, and Shane, Izzy, Taylor, and Kassie of Cadott; an honorary grandson, Jake Thomas (Kory); his mother, Marilyn Yeakel of Sullivan, IL; one brother, Duane Yeakel and his wife Linda of Decatur, IL; a  niece, Stacy Bice and her husband Chad of Goshen, IN, and a nephew, Zachery Yeakel and his wife Marissa and great niece, Amelia and soon to be great-nephew, Brian of Peoria; one sister-in-law, Sally (Stock) McCarthy and her husband Don and their son Matthew, all of Arthur. Niece Leslie Yeakel and great-nephews Bryson and Brandon.Delano was preceded in death by his father, and a brother-in-law, Kent Stock.Delano graduated from Sullivan High School in 1967. Delano enjoyed bowling for many years and he and Marty bowled on a doubles team for many years on Sunday nights. The couple also spent many nights playing cards with friends Edward and Connie Lane and others. Delano was a Knights fan and spent many years as statistician for the Arthur Knights football team.He retired as a supervisor from Agri-Fab of Sullivan, IL in 2012 with 35 years of service.He was a member of the Arthur United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees. He was also a member of the Arthur Masonic Lodge 825 A.F and A.M.Delano was very involved with Arthur Boy Scouts, Troop 74, and he served as a Roundtable Commissioner for Boy Scouts of America, Prairielands Council.Delano really enjoyed the game of golf. He enjoyed playing golf with his golfing buddies at Timberlake Golf Course in Sullivan, IL and Eagle Creek Golf Course in Findlay, IL. He had the elusive hole in one twice in his lifetime. Not only did he love playing golf, but he also enjoyed hunting golf balls and had accumulated hundreds if not thousands of golf balls with his golfing buddy Joe IkemireDelano also enjoyed working in his yard, working on cars or just about anything else that needed worked on.  He was “handyman” and the go-to person if you needed to get something done.  It didn’t matter if it was around home, at church, or if someone just needed a hand with something, you could always count on Delano to get the job done.
Memorials may be made to the Arthur United Methodist Church or the Arthur Boy Scouts, Troop 74.

Recent Obituaries: T. G. Redfern

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T. G. Redfern

T. G. Redfern, 54, of Lovington passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023 in Wisconsin.

Celebration of Life services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Mel Workman officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Saturday.  Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Redfern was born June 3, 1968 at Decatur, Illinois, the son of Theron E. and Cheryl Davis Redfern. T. G. farmed with Dawson Farms for 35 years with 25 of those years being the farm manager. He also had done custom baling with his father. T. G. was a member of the Lovington American Legion and the Illinois Farm Bureau. T. G. married Dawn Ferguson on March 21, 2009 at Lovington.
Survivors include his wife Dawn; children McKenzie (Javon) Brown of Lovington and Janette (Collin) Budd of Decatur; mother Cheryl Redfern of Lovington; sisters Trisha (Mark) VonLanken of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Kelly Bolt (Fiancé Bob Alexander) of Clinton; numerous nieces and nephews; his tractor and combine buddy Maddox Reedy and his fur baby Mr. Cooper.
He was preceded in death by his father and brother David.

T. G. had a close relationship with all of the Dawson Farms family. For T.G. the summertime was for spending time boating on Lake Shelbyville. In the wintertime was snowmobiling in Wisconsin. T. G. was a natural born leader but especially experienced when it came to planning outings with family and friends. Anyone could always depend on T.G. to help them with anything they would need. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Recent Obituaries: Donald Sanders

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Donald Sanders
Donald G. Sanders, 90, of Sullivan, passed away 2:08 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 30, 2023, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorial services will be held 6:00 p.m. Monday, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Military Rites will be held at McMullin-Young Funeral Home at 4:30 p.m. Monday, performed by the Bethany American Legion Post #507. Burial will be held at a later date in Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to Prairie Heart Institute: Dr. Kola 1800 E Lakeshore Drive, Decatur, IL 62521

Donald was born on October 29, 1932, in Lincoln; the son of Lowell and Edith (Bosley) Sanders. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He married Esther Callahan on December 22, 1951; she preceded him in death on May 4, 1985. He later married Maurene Munch Netherton in June of 1986; she survives. Donald retired from Commercial Lovelace as a truck driver. He was a member of the Lovington Church of God. He enjoyed fishing and boating. Donald loved playing the harmonica, music, spending time with his grandchildren and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Maurene of Sullivan; son, Donald L. Sanders of Wilton Manor, FL; daughters, Diana Calhoun of Bethany and Cheryl (Randy) Florey of Jonesboro, AR; step-sons, Mark Munch of Bethany and Michael Munch of Sullivan; step-daughter, Sandy (Joe) Harchous of Allenville; brothers, Thomas (Laurie) Sanders of Deville, LA, and Steve (Rose) Sanders of Pineville, LA; sister, Carol (Larry) Sowers of Jewitt. Donald is also survived by 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Esther, 3 brothers and 1 sister.

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

Recent Obituaries: Velda LaVerne Betzler

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Velda LaVerne Betzler

Velda LaVerne Betzler, 91, of Sullivan, passed away 12:20 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at the Sullivan Church of God. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Velda was born on January 28, 1931, Rucker, MO; the daughter of Elmer Lou and Gertrude (Meeks) Colley. She married Darrell Betzler on June 1, 1953, in Clark, MO; he survives. Velda was a member of the Sullivan Church of God for 65 years.

She is survived by her husband, Darrell Betzler of Sullivan; sons, Steven Kent (Teresa) Betzler of Sullivan and Roger Darrell (fiancé Michelle) Betzler of Sullivan; daughter, Rose Renee (Jim) Palmer of Sullivan. Velda is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, several brothers and sisters.

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

Recent Obituaries: Sara Rutledge

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Sara Rutledge

Sara D. Rutledge, 78, of Sullivan, passed away 12:35 a.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2023, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the New Life Church in Sullivan or to the donor’s choice.

Sara was born on December 24, 1944, in Glasgow, KY; the daughter of William B. and Willion Dean (Powell) Hurt. Sara married George W. Rutledge on September 21, 2012, in Decatur; he preceded her in death on January 19, 2022.  Sara graduated from Vidal Sassoon Academy in London, England. She was a hair stylist and owner of Sara’s Brush N Dry. Sara was a member of the New Life Church in Sullivan.

She is survived by her son, Todd (Jackie) Maxedon of Sullivan; grandson, Cody (Maddie) Maxedon of Ft. Myer, FL; great-granddaughter, Mila Maxedon; niece, Anita (Tom) Key of Sullivan; special sister-in-law, Diana Hilliard of Sullivan; step-sons, Darryl Rutledge of Joliet and Jeffrey Rutledge of Charleston; step-daughters, Georgina Y. Rutledge of Romeoville and Venetia E. Rutledge of Joliet. Sara is also survived by her step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

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