Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Robert Floyd Abbott

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Robert Floyd Abbott

Robert Floyd Abbott, 77, of Sullivan, passed away 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at his home in Sullivan.
Memorial services will be held 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, with Military Rites following the memorial service by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Wednesday evening at the funeral home in Sullivan. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the service. Burial will be at a later date in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Robert was born on March 25, 1944, in Mattoon; the son of L. G. and Lulu (Gullion) Abbott. Robert attended Sullivan Schools. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Robert married Mary Elizabeth Musson on December 20, 2003, in Mattoon; she survives. He was a member of the Grant Street Church of Christ in Sullivan. Robert worked for the Illinois Central Railroad as an inspector and he was a ASC Certified Mechanic. He loved NASCAR, was an avid Jeff Gordon fan and had a huge Jeff Gordon memorabilia collection. Robert built his own Drag Car and loved drag racing, he also loved country music and came from a musical family and he played the bass guitar.
He is survived by his wife, Mary of Sullivan; son, Robert Glen Abbott of Michigan; daughter, Melinda Dawn Abbott of Mattoon; step-daughter, Lila Drennan of Tennessee; siblings, Merlyn Abbott of Mattoon, Eva Closson of Flora and Glenda Webster of Mattoon. He is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, aunts and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Albert Lloyd Abbott; brothers, Roger, Bill and Clark; step-daughter, Shari Caine.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: “Jay” Lane

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“Jay” Lane
JH “Jay” Lane passed away peacefully at 7:22 a.m. Sunday, December 12, 2021, at his home in Lovington with family members at his side. He was 85 years old.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at Keller Cemetery, Lovington. The family requests face masks to be worn and to practice social distancing for the graveside services. Memorials may be made to the Lovington Ambulance Service. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Jay was born April 16, 1936, to James Delbert and Lois (Linville) Lane in Scottsville, KY. He and the former Lovina Kirkwood were married February 1st, 1956 and they were blessed with three daughters, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jay was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and father-in-law and a devoted family man who enjoyed nothing more than the time he spent with his girls and their children.
He owned Lane Siding and Seamless Gutters for many years. Jay loved vacationing with his family in their motorhome and he also logged countless hours and miles being a “baton Dad” as each of his daughters were competition baton twirlers. He could always be found in the stands proudly holding trophies and medals as they were awarded. When not traveling to baton contests or working, you could often find Jay with his charcoal grill. He could grill almost anything, but his specialty was his golden “Lake Shelbyville Chicken.” Jay also loved to fish and did so every opportunity he could, but his family always came first.
Jay is survived by his wife Lovina; daughters, Diane Gore of Lovington, Beverly (Mike) Dillow of Jackson, MO, Pamela (Charles) Allen of Mims, FL; grandson, Heath Meece of Mims, FL; granddaughter, Angela Gore and great-grandson, Logan Emel both of Lovington; sister, Carolyn (Oliver) Walker of Sullivan and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three older brothers, Roger, Aubrey and Willie.

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

Recent Obituaries: Richard W. ‘Dick’ Sowers

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Richard W. ‘Dick’ Sowers

Richard W. ‘Dick’ Sowers, 91, of Bethany, passed away at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at Aspen Creek in Sullivan with his family by his side.

A Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2021 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Chip Sanders officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Following the service military rites will be conducted by the Bethany American Legion.  Burial will be at a later date in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church or the Bethany American Legion. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Sowers was born on January 10, 1930 at Greenup, Illinois, the son of Hobert and Bertha Hutson Sowers.  Dick worked for and retired from the Village of Bethany. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bethany, the Bethany American Legion and was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Dick was a woodcarver, loved camping, fishing and playing cards. He proudly served in the U. S. Army during the Korean conflict and had participated in the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. and that trip meant a lot to him.
Dick married Wanda Tipsword on August 21, 1954 at Toledo, Illinois and she survives. Also surviving are his children Steve Sowers (Melody) of Bethany and Nancy Mueller (Gene) of Bethany; six grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter and a sister Pat Hayden-Titus of Greenup.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Pete, Kenny, Jim, Randy and Bill and one sister Betty.

The Sowers family would like to extend a special thanks to the Aspen Creek Staff for the wonderful care given to Dick during his stay there.

Recent Obituaries: Peggy Shipman

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Peggy Shipman

Peggy Shipman, 87, of Harrison, Arkansas, formally of Sullivan and Lovington, went to her heavenly home on Monday, December 6, 2021 at North Arkansas Regional Hospital in Harrison.

A Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Mike Fender officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Peggy was born on February 23, 1934 in Moultrie County, Illinois, the daughter of Earl and Nettie (Slover) Freese, who preceded her in death. Peggy graduated from Sullivan High School in 1952. She married the love of her life, Larry Shipman on September 19, 1957. They were married for 62 wonderful years and their life was full of adventure and fun. They were always together, spent winters in Texas, and enjoyed time with family and friends. Larry preceded her in death on July 23, 2019.

Peggy is survived by her daughter and son in-law, Debbie (Shipman) and Kevin Olinger of Wisconsin, her sister Nancy (Freese) Hostetler of Pennsylvania, niece Tammy (Hostetler) Royer of Pennsylvania, and a host of dear friends and family.

Recent Obituaries: Glen Ray

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Glen Ray
Glen Ray, 68, of Sullivan, passed away at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday November 23, 2021 in Carle Hospital in Urbana.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday December 1, 2021 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Steve Meyer officiating.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.  Memorials are suggested to the Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance or to the Lakeside Baptist Church in Sullivan.  The family kindly suggests masks and social distancing for the visitation and services.
Glen was born January 2, 1953 in Decatur the son of Henry M. and Alberta May Harl Ray.
He had worked at Firestone in Decatur, Kaiser Chemical in Sullivan, Trailmobile in Mattoon, Illinois Department of Transportation at the Sullivan Shed from 1984 to 2009 and he worked for Earl Walker Company in Sullivan.  Glen had also helped farmers Eric Shuman and Mike Bone. Glen was a member of the Lakeside Baptist Church.  He was a avid outdoorsman.  He loved fishing, hunting, trapping, camping in Southern Illinois and going to Wyoming.  He loved to prank people and visit at Faststop for coffee with his friends Bob Emel and Cheryl Coddington and go fishing at the river with Terry Lane.  He was an avid CUBS fan.  Glen was a great father and grandfather.  He married Jane Funk on July 13, 1985 in Sullivan.
Surviving are his wife Jane of Sullivan; children Heath Ray of Sullivan, Jeremy (Autumn) Ray of Sullivan, Patricia (Mike) Carter of Charleston, Chad (Brandi) Vail of Champaign and Mark (Sarah) Vail of Mattoon; grandchildren Grace Ray, Matthew Ray, Joe Carter, Abby Carter, Elexa Vail, McKinzie Ray, Logan Ray and Briannae Saunders.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mark Ray, sister Becky Emel and half-sister Matina Wiggins.

Recent Obituaries: Sharon Lee Houser

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Sharon Lee Houser
Sharon Lee Houser, 79, of Sullivan, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 9:19 p.m. Thursday, October 28, 2021, at her home in Sullivan, surrounded by her family.

 Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan, Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Illinois PAWs; 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951

Sharon was born August 26, 1942, in Champaign; the daughter of Clifford C. and Pearl (Bruder) Reynolds. She married Leroy W. Houser on March 29, 1969, in Urbana; he preceded her in death on August 6, 2007. Sharon worked at General Electric as a Quality Assurance Manager for 35 years. She loved her pets, watching the birds and sitting by her pond. Sharon also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and watching their sports games.

She is survived by her sons, Donald Wayne “Butch” (Melisa) Bennett, Jr. of Villa Grove and Michael F. (Mindy) Houser of Mattoon; daughters, Paula Ann (John Daily) Marlow of Sullivan, Kelly L. (Kevin) Conour of Lovington and Lisa K. Todd of Sullivan; sister, Dorothy Fitzsimmons of Villa Grove; grandchildren, Chris Bennett, Jeremy Bennett, Jaimie Moore, Mindia Clodfelder, Stacy Hill, Shelly Moore, Leroy “Jacob” Todd, Tyler Todd, Bradlee Todd, Fletcher Houser and Esme Houser. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 brother, 4 sisters, son-in-law, Leslie Todd, granddaughter, Taleana and great-grandson, Dakota.

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

Recent Obituaries: Donald Leon Briscoe

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Donald Leon Briscoe
Donald Leon Briscoe, 86, of Sullivan, passed away 3:06 p.m. Sunday, October 17, 2021, at his home in Sullivan.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home in Sullivan. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville. Memorials may be made to the Lymphoma Foundation.

Leon was born on March 21, 1935, in Sullivan; the son of Durward Edward and Maurine Eloise (Wheeler) Briscoe. He married Daisy F. Mathis on October 20, 1961, in Sullivan; she survives. Leon enjoyed being with his family and loved his John Deere tractor.

He is survived by his wife, Daisy Briscoe of Sullivan; son, Rodney Leon (Lora) Briscoe of West Frankfort; daughter, Michelle A. (Brian) Elzy of Bethpage, TN; grandchildren, Brett and Chris Elzy, Bethany and Justin Briscoe; great-grandchildren, Carson and Kathryn Elzy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

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

Recent Obituaries: Gerald “Jerry” Rohman

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Gerald “Jerry” Rohman
Gerald Edward “Jerry” Rohman, 76, of Sullivan, passed away 8:37 a.m. Monday, October 18, 2021, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, for friends and family to Celebrate the Life of Gerald. No service will be held. Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation: kidney.org.
Jerry was born August 14, 1945, in Spring Valley; the son of Harold G. and Marcella (Murphy) Rohman. He married Janet Chappel on October 18, 2002, in Sullivan; she survives. He was a member of the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Jerry was an avid fisherman who enjoyed traveling to Door County Wisconsin and fishing in Lake Shelbyville. He also loved cats.
He is survived by his wife, Janet of Sullivan; son, David (Terri) Rohman of Greenbrier, TN; daughters, Sara (Chris) Johnson of Greenbrier, TN; brother, Richard (Mary) Rohman of Yazoo City, MS; sister, Karen (Ken) Douglas of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Casey, Andrea and Allison.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

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

Recent Obituaries: Marilyn Robinson

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Marilyn Robinson
Marilyn Louise Robinson, 80, of Sullivan, passed away 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Mason Point, Sullivan.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service, Saturday at the funeral home in Sullivan. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Beacon or to the Church of Christ in Sullivan.
Marilyn was born on February 9, 1941, in Shelbyville; the daughter of John Cecil and Ina Marie (Gaither) Gaddis. She married Lemual Nelson Robinson on October 26, 1957, in Shelbyville; he preceded her in death on December 4, 1980. She loved to work at the Moultrie County Beacon for many years and was the owner of the Donut Shop. Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her family, camping, traveling and loved animals, especially her bird Charley.
She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda (Larry) Richardson of Princeton, IN, and Kelly (special friend, Korey Snodgrass) Robinson of Atwood; grandchildren, Jessica (Cam) White of Princeton, IN, and Jacob (Jessica) Wilderman of Danville; great-grandchildren, Jaya Wilderman of Princeton, IN, Cruz Apodaca of Princeton, IN, Ayla White of Princeton, IN, and Zander Wilderman of Vincennes, IN; sister, Pauline (Ellis) Craig of Windsor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Gregg, 1 brother and 4 sisters.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Janet Wasson

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Janet Wasson

Janet L. Wasson, 60, of Louisville passed away peacefully at 2:43 a.m. Monday, October 4, 2021, at her home in Louisville.
She was born on October 1, 1961, in Champaign, Illinois, the daughter of Robert and Karen (Baugher) Rauch of Sullivan, Illinois. Janet worked at Quad Graphics, Effingham, as a machine operator. She enjoyed to travel, camping, outdoor activities, and loved humming birds. Janet loved her daughters very much and cared deeply for Nancy. She loved Bible Study and going to different restaurants.
She is survived by her partner, Nancy Frazier; 2 daughters, Martha Bales of Monticello, and Michelle Wasson of Mattoon; step children, Theresa Flota of Paducah, KY and Joshua Frazier of Louisville; her parents, Robert and Karen Rauch of Sullivan; sister Diana Ballinger of Neoga; brother Brian Rauch of Windsor; special friend, Tasha Dziesinski of Effingham; Mother-in-law Virginia Glover of Louisville. She is also survived by her special fur baby Max.
Janet was preceded in death father – in -law, Jack Glover.
Funeral services honoring the life of Janet will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the McGriff & Triplett Funeral Home in Louisville with Joe Smith and Ronnie Frazier officiating, burial will follow at Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville. Visitation will be held on Friday at the funeral home where friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Crossroads Cancer Center or Clay County Hospice. Due to health concerns related to COVID-19, it is recommended that you please wear a mask and practice social distancing. To sign the guestbook online or share a memory please visit www.mcgriffandtriplettfh.com.
Janet wanted everyone to dress casually and would like them to wear purple for Pancreatic Cancer. This would be greatly appreciated.