Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Jean Cruit

News Progress Posted on by

Jean Cruit

Jean Cruit, 92, of Sullivan, formerly from Dalton City, passed away at 1:10 a.m. Friday in Aspen Creek, Sullivan.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Gail Allen officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany.  Memorials are suggested to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church or to Aspen Creek. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Masks are suggested for the visitation and funeral.
Jean was born February 10, 1929 in Decatur, the daughter of Franklin and Gladys Cantrell Parris. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Moultrie County Republican Women. She married Byron Smith ‘Smitty’ Cruit on July 2, 1949 in Decatur and he preceded her in death on September 15, 2008.
Surviving are her children Byron Smith Cruit, Jr. (Susan) of Augusta, Georgia, Calvin Deon Cruit (Peggy) of Sullivan and Gay Lee Thomas (Jack) of Dalton City; grandchildren Stanley Cruit, Shelly (Dave) Smith, Byron Thomas, Dustin Thomas, Eric Thomas, Tyler (Laney) Cruit and Leah (Terry) Akers; six great grandchildren; two step great grandchildren and a step great great grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and a brother.

Recent Obituaries: Peter Van Hook

News Progress Posted on by

Peter Van Hook

Peter Van Hook, 88, of Sullivan, passed away at 8:34 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Courtyard Estates, Sullivan.

Celebration of Life services will be 9:00 a.m. Sunday at the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ, rural Sullivan with Vanessa Patient and Brigham Hagerman officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the church. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Van Hook was born on March 26, 1933 at Sullivan, Illinois, the son of Donald and Elinore Hagerman Van Hook. Peter was a salesman for many years and later in life worked for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at Eagle Creek. He enjoyed photography, especially of the area around his home on the Columbia River, and many other interests such as landscaping, gardening, bar-b-queing and, as a young man, mountaineering. He was a member of the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ. Peter married Aimee Sue Persons on December 30, 1958 at Portland, Oregon and she preceded him in death on April 2, 2014.
Survivors include his daughter Kirsten (Martin) Conley of Cape Coral, Florida; grandson Daniel Conley; nieces Emily (Nathan) Beagle of Sullivan and Shelley Mork of Las Vegas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sara Moore and brother Stanley Van Hook.

Recent Obituaries: James Lawrence Scheer

News Progress Posted on by

James Lawrence Scheer

James Lawrence Scheer, 71, of Sullivan, passed away 11:00 p.m. Monday, September 13, 2021, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday, September 18, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, September 19, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan, with Military Rites by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Memorials may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church:  RR 32 South Sullivan, IL 61951
James was born December 27, 1949; the son of Lawrence and Lucille (Schnake) Scheer of St. Peter. He was a graduate of LaGrove High School in Farina and Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel. He was drafted into the U. S. Army serving in Vietnam and later stationed in Germany working in military intelligence. His work took him to many countries across Europe. James especially enjoyed traveling through Switzerland and the Alps. After being discharged, he continued working for Interstate Producers Livestock Association in Fairfield and Greenfield before being offered the job as manager at the Sullivan branch market. After the market closed, he worked for Hydro Gear before retiring. He married Linda M. Mann on October 21, 1972, in Fairfield. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and spent winters in Florida. While growing up he worked in the family business, Schnake Grain which was later sold to ADM.
He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan, and had previously served as Sunday school teacher, treasurer and trustee.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Scheer of Sullivan; daughters, Stacey (Shane) Calvert of Paris and Shannon (Jason) Cobb of Mattoon; granddaughters, Mya Cobb, Jada Cobb, Kimber Calvert; grandson, J.R. Calvert; sisters, Sandra (David) Radden of O’Fallon, Beverly Lungwitz of Belleville; nieces and nephews and his aunt, Ruth Schnake of Effingham.
James was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Savannah Cobb and brother-in-law, Ray Lungwitz.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Janet ‘Jan’ Coslow

News Progress Posted on by

Janet ‘Jan’ Coslow

Janet S. ‘Jan’ Coslow, 80, of Sullivan, passed away at 11:41 p.m. Wednesday September 8, 2021 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care Center.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday September 14, 2021 at the Southern Baptist Church, Sullivan with Pastor Don Lusk officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in the Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials are suggested to the Southern Baptist Church, the Sullivan Fire and Ambulance Service or to the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. The family kindly requests that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing for the visitation and funeral.
Jan was born March 27, 1941 in Norris City the daughter of James W. And Wilma L. Austin Pool  She moved with her family to Sullivan in 1952. She attended Jonathan Creek and Sullivan High School, then moved to Toleda and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1958. She worked as a bookkeeper at Neal Oil Company (Neal Tire) in Toledo, Bertsche and Berry Insurance in Pontiac, Tom West Chevrolet and Alexander Lumber in Sullivan. Jan was a member of the Southern Baptist Church. She was a charter and active member of the Sullivan Womens Civic Club, serving as an officer for several years. Jan was in charge of the SHS Homecoming Chili Supper for many years. She was an RSVP member, volunteering at the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Jan also had several part-time jobs, such as the Dairy Queen, Ham and Egg Restaurant, Sharon’s Family Restaurant, The Spot, TNT Pizzeria and Warren Catering all in Sullivan.
Jan married Charles Stewart in 1961 and he preceded her in death in 1973. She then married David Coslow in 1976 and he preceded her in death in 2002. She and David spent several winters in Florida, where she worked at The Barn Restaurant in Orange Lake.
Surviving are her nieces Crystal Sparkes of Mattoon and Leann Weber of Tower Hill; nephews Kurt Sparks of Lerna, Darren (Debbie) Pool and Jason (Lorie) Pool of Sullivan; twelve great nieces and nephews.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, brother Jim Pool and sisters Joy Spelman, Gail Craycroft and Nancy Smith.

Recent Obituaries: Ricarda ‘Rickie’ Mosser

News Progress Posted on by

Ricarda ‘Rickie’ Mosser

Ricarda ‘Rickie’ Mosser, 62, of Lovington, passed away at 11;37 a.m. Monday, September 6, 2021 at her home.

Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 10th at the Greenhill Cemetery with Pastor Rodney Houser officiating. Memorials are suggested to Friendship Hill, Lovington. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mrs. Mosser was born on September 17, 1958 in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of Richard Allen and Mary June Baucom Chambers. Rickie worked as a dietician at Friendship Hill in rural Lovington. She married Barry Wayne Mosser at Sullivan and he preceded her in death on February 21, 2008.
Survivors include her son Larry Wayne Mosser of Bethany; grandson J. B. Lynn Mosser of Bethany; sister Sheren (Duane) Bryan of Ft. Scott, Kansas; nephews Paul (Tamara) Chambers of Lovington, Kevin French of Louisville, Kentucky, Donald (Lora) Comer of Decatur; nieces Vonnie (Doug) Lee of Sullivan, Shannon (Ron) Durbin of Arcadia, Kansas and Linda (Greg) Grogg of Hudson, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a sister Veda Kay Chambers.

Recent Obituaries: Gregory Dean Brown

News Progress Posted on by
Gregory Dean Brown
Gregory Dean Brown, 58, of Bethany passed away on September 7, 2021, as a result of an automobile accident in Rural Bethany.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2021 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service, Friday at the funeral home in Bethany. The family request casual attire.
Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105.
Greg was born June 2, 1963, in Champaign; the son of Howard E. and Lila L. (Scott) Brown. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his mother, Lila Brown of Bethany; son, Bill Brown of Sullivan; brother, Doug (Joan) Brown of Bethany. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father and 1 brother, Scott Brown.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Dora “Alice” Hicks

News Progress Posted on by
Dora “Alice” Hicks
Dora “Alice” Hicks, 94, Petersburg, formerly from Windsor, passed away 4:30 a.m. Thursday, September 2, 2021, at the Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Petersburg, IL.

Graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, September 5, 2021, for family and friends at Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan, IL. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home, is in care of the arrangements.

Alice was born July 19, 1927, in Moultrie County, the daughter of Fred and Merle (Fleming) Baker. She married Edward Everett Buxton in 1947; he preceded her in death in 1973. She later married William Robert Hicks in 1980 in Decatur; he preceded her in death on December 16, 2020. She enjoyed gardening and flowers.

Alice is survived by her sons Philliph Roy (Iris) Buxton of Petersburg, IL and Larry Kent (Cindy) Buxton of Sullivan, IL; stepdaughter, Connie (Gary) Lipe of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren and great grandchildren; one brother Virgil (Berniece) Baker of Mattoon and sister, Janiece Cox of Dallas, Tx.
Preceding her in death was her first husband Edward Everett Buxton and second husband William R Hicks, her parents; brothers:  Harold, Dwight, Wayne and Kenneth.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Linda G. Boomer

News Progress Posted on by

Linda G. Boomer, 54, of Bethany, passed away 11:20 a.m. Thursday, September 2, 2021, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

 Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Burial will be in the Macon County Memorial Park, Decatur. Memorials may be made in care of the family.

Linda was born March 28, 1966, in Decatur; the daughter of Patrick F. Boomer and Ruth (Pearce) Boomer. She was a member of the Maranatha Faith Family Church in Lovington and was a devoted prayer warrior. She enjoyed crocheting baby blankets with wool. Linda loved cats.
She is survived by her father, Patrick (Judy) Boomer of Bethany; brother, Brian (Jacquelyn) Boomer of Bethany. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews.
Linda was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Boomer.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Terry Brown

News Progress Posted on by

Terry Brown

Terry L. Brown, 78, of Mattoon, passed away at 7:09 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2021, in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.
Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon with Pastor Mark Bjornbak officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice or to the family. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Brown was born December 9, 1942, in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Berlin Virgil and Kathleen Norma Henton Brown. Terry retired as a machine adjuster at the G. E. Plant in Mattoon. Terry believed in God and had attended the Christian Church. He was a member of the Model Airplane Club in Mattoon. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Terry married Jacque Lane on July 11, 1992, in Sullivan and she survives.
Other survivors include his stepchildren Shelton (Robin) Hogue of Springfield, Missouri and Tina (Andy) Thoele of Teutopolis; grandchildren Tori Clark, Addison Thoele and Benjamin Thoele and a sister Sharon Brown of Charleston.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses, care partners and Dr. LaMonto on second floor east at Sarah Bush Hospital.

Recent Obituaries: Delbert Dean Shipman

News Progress Posted on by
Delbert Dean Shipman
Delbert Dean Shipman, 85, of Sullivan passed away 9:05 a.m. Friday, August 27, 2021, in his home.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan.
Dean was born August 28, 1935, in rural Sullivan, the son of Delbert Dale and Edith L. (Elam) Shipman. He was a retired auto mechanic. Dean enjoyed hunting, fishing and trap shooting. He was the Illinois State Trap Shooting Champion in 1962 and 1963. Dean loved to dance.
He is survived by his son Ron Shipman of Oak Ridge, Mo; and Dean’s partner for over 20 years Eileen Harrington.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

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