Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Henry Edward Clark, Sr.

News Progress Posted on by

Henry Edward Clark, Sr.

Henry Edward Clark, Sr., 80, of Bethany, passed away, 11:11 a.m. Sunday, August 21, 2021, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Memorial graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany, with Military Rites by the Bethany American Legion Post #507. Memorials may be made in care of the family. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Henry was born October 30, 1940, in Warrensburg, the son of Lewis and Catherine Lucinda (Wall) Clark. He married Connie Ann Miller on January 9, 1966, in Moultrie County; she preceded him in death on November 14, 2011. Henry served in the United States Airforce. He was a truck driver for 50 years and also worked for H.O. Dick Trucking in Bethany. Henry enjoyed being on the lake and fishing.
He is survived by his son, Robert Clark of Decatur; daughters, Marsha (Randy) Sims of Bethany and Tina Clark of Bethany; brother, Roy (Debbie) Clark of Tower Hill; sisters, Hazel Burnett of Holiday, TN, and Irene Baker of Tower Hill; grandchildren, Kristen, Sara, Chad, Chris, Andrew, Elizabeth, Corey, Dylan, Sarah and Marissa. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren.
Henry was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, Ed; 2 brothers and 4 sisters.

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

Recent Obituaries: Josephine Agnes Trummel

News Progress Posted on by

Josephine Agnes Trummel

Josephine Agnes Trummel, 98, of Lovington passed away 6:10 a.m. Sunday, August 15, 2021, at Fair Havens Senior Living, Decatur.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Wednesday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Lovington.
Agnes was born November 10, 1922, in New Douglas; the daughter of Albert P. and Amy I. (Floyd) Heim. She married Norm L. Trummel on September 18, 1941, in Decatur; he preceded her in death on October 5, 2009. Agnes and Norm farmed in Sanner Chapel then moved to Lovington in 1944. She was a devoted farmer’s wife, mother, grandmother and worked as a nurse for Decatur Memorial Hospital for 23 years. She was a member of the Home Bureau in her early years of marriage and a 4H Leader. Agnes was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Gideons International, the First Christian Church in Lovington where she served as a Deacon, Elder, Sunday School teacher and taught Vacation Bible School and she was a Chi Rho Leader for 8 years. She spent her years serving the Lord through her garden, flowers and cooking.
She is survived by her daughter, Marjorie (Frank) Castelli of Decatur; sister, Helen Seuss of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren, Angela (Nick) Hughes, Jeff (Kristy) Castelli, Cindy (Scott) Meyer, Laura Castelli and Shari (Brian) Burke; great-grandchildren, Luke, Sarah, Matt, Victoria, Emily, Joanie, David, Cody, Justin, Cassie, Hannah, Hailey, Chris, Matt, Ashley and Samantha. Agnes is also survived by 20 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Richard Trummel; daughter, Joyce Hopping; grandson, Mike Castelli; great-granddaughter, Rachel Wood; great-great-granddaughter, Alaina Jarnagin; brother, Albert Heim; sister, Etta Jorgenson.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Fair Havens Senior Living for their loving and wonderful care and to Transition Hospice, especially Dani and Brandi, for their care in helping Agnes have a wonderful transition to her final resting place with the Lord.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Joan Dickens

News Progress Posted on by

Joan Dickens, 94, of Sullivan, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Saturday August 7, 2021.
Celebration of Life services will be 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ with Vanessa Patient and Brigham Hagerman officiating. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.
Joan was born February 9, 1927, in Sullivan the daughter of Jesse W. and Blanche Hagerman Dickens. Joan attended Sullivan Schools. She was a lifetime member of the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ and sang in their choir. She had been a seamstress and supervisor for Felicity Fashions and then later retired from The Depot in Sullivan. Joan also made masks during the COVID pandemic to donate to local hospitals. She was an avid cat lover and had many as her pets. Joan was active in athletics with a special interest in tennis and she enjoyed promoting and teaching tennis to young people. She received the Volunteer of the Year Award on November 16, 2014, from Midsouth Illinois Tennis. She enjoyed traveling and went on many trips with family, friends and church groups. Her friends enjoyed receiving her homemade brittle and caramels at Christmas time, and her family will miss her apple and pumpkin pies.
Surviving are her brothers Evan (Dixie) Dickens and Mark (Ann) Dickens of Sullivan, several nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews and a great great niece and a great great nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Alan (Celia) Dickens, Steve (Mary Lou) Dickens, Norman Dickens and niece Jesse Dickens.

Recent Obituaries: Vivian McElvain

News Progress Posted on by

Vivian McElvain

Vivian Elaine McElvain left this Earth to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 10:40 a.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, she was 93.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 9, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Monday, at the funeral home in Sullivan, the family requests casual attire. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be held at a later date in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to Moultrie County Illinois Paws; 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951
Elaine was born on April 25, 1928, on a farm South of Divernon, IL, the daughter of John and Nona (Stevens) Curby. She grew up in Pawnee, the youngest of 8 children. She married Dennis Dale McElvain on September 12, 1950, in Pawnee; he preceded her in death on December 2, 2003. Elaine and her husband built and operated “Mac’s Motel” in Atwood, IL, for many years. She also drove a school bus and was Garrett Township Clerk. Elaine was a member of New Life Church, Sullivan American Legion Post #68 and the Daughters of American Revolution. Elaine was an avid golfer and fisherwoman.
Elaine is survived by her son, David Alan McElvain of Sullivan; grandchildren, Erin Reedy of Sullivan and Brian (Melissa) Reedy of Tolono; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Camryn and Adam Reedy of Tolono.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and daughter Connie Reedy.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Barbara Vail

News Progress Posted on by

Barbara Vail

Barbara Ann Vail, 60, of Sullivan, passed away 7:04 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 2, 2021, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will be held at a later date in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Allenville Christian Church; 201 S Allen St, Allenville IL 61951 or to the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity; 401 S. Hamilton St, Sullivan, IL 61951.
Barb was born June 5, 1961, in Goshen, IN, the daughter of Orin Harold Pedigo and Beverly Joan (Colclasure) Stain. She married Robert L. Vail on December 4, 1999, in Windsor; he survives. Barb was a member of the Allenville Christian Church. She was an active member at the Sullivan VFW Post 6410 and a Board Member for the Habitat for Humanity. She was an avid Indianapolis Colts Fan. Barb loved her family and friends very much.
She is survived by her mother, Beverly Joan (Bill) Stain of Pana; husband, Robert Vail of Sullivan; daughter, Carrie Jo Parks of Boise, ID; step-sons, Matthew (Shelby) Vail of Charleston, Chad (Brandi) Vail of Urbana, Mark (Sarah) Vail of Mattoon and Jonathan (Amber) Vail of Missouri; brother, Charles (Patricia) Pedigo of Zephyrhills, FL; grandchildren, Wyatt John Buxton of Decatur and Elexa Vail of Mattoon.
She was preceded in death by her father and son, John L. Parks.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Marilyn Book

News Progress Posted on by

Marilyn Book

Marilyn Book, 76, of Sullivan, passed away at 10:39 a.m. Thursday July 29, 2021, in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Rev. Mark Bjornbak officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 6-8 p.m.  Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan followed by a lunch at the Sullivan First Baptist Church.  Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan First Baptist Church.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Marilyn was born February 18, 1945, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the daughter of Rev. Fred and Lillian Schmidt.  She then moved to Turtle Lake, North Dakota in 1945, then to Madison, South Dakota in 1950, then to Victor, Iowa in 1957 and attended nursing school at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  She then moved to Sullivan in 1963.  Marilyn was a very active member and pianist of the Sullivan First Baptist Church.
Marilyn married Roy Book on August 4, 1990.  They lived in Lovington and Sullivan and enjoyed a lifetime with their immediate and extended families.
Surviving are her husband Roy of Sullivan; sister Judy (Gary) Marco of Edwardsville; brother David Schmidt of Grayslake; the Book family; stepdaughters Sharon (Fred) Jones and Diana (Tim) Wilson of Decatur; eight step grandchildren and eight step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother.

Recent Obituaries: Cory Lee Davis

News Progress Posted on by

Cory Lee Davis

Cory Lee Davis of Mountlake Terrace, Washington, formally of Sullivan, Illinois passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2021.
Celebration of Life services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday July 27, 2021 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. Memorials are suggested to Ronald McDonald House, Oak Lawn, Illinois or to Moultrie County PAWS. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Although only 27 at the time of his death, Cory affected many lives. Cory loved so many and he was loved by so many more. Just one encounter with him and you would remember him for life.
Family and friends describe him as caring, a big dreamer and that he always had a smile.
At a very early age Cory adopted the Dallas Cowboys as his team. If obsessive devotion to a team translated into winning stats, his devotion may have been the reason the Cowboys have so many championships.
Cory was a huge Mamba fan and followed Kobe Bryant closely, on and off the court. He said Kobe was a role model for himself and other men of color.
Cory trained and worked as a welder and it was a trade he dearly loved. He also had a passion for the outdoors and loved all there was to do on the beach to the snow covered mountains around Seattle. He loved to share this passion with his wife, their dog, many friends and family.
Cory was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia on April 18, 1994. He was a loving husband, son, grandson, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife, KayLynn Davis of Mountlake Terrace, Washington; mother Joanane Mack of Mattoon, Illinois; brother Demetrious Mack of Charleston, Illinois; sister Hailey Mack of Norfolk, Virginia; maternal grandparents Gary and Jackie Johnson of Sullivan, Illinois; uncles Garry & Mike Johnson and Dwayne Pyle all of Sullivan, Illinois; paternal grandparents Kadeem Shabazz of Virginia and Kandy A. Bradley of Florida; aunts Kendra Spizey, Kiana Shabazz, Ailiyah Shabazz, and Ashlie Saunders; uncles Keith Brumsey, Jr. Hazeem Moore, Justin Bradley and a host of great aunts and great uncles; father and mother-in- law Pat and Kelly Cooper of Sullivan, Illinois; brothers and sisters-in-law Lance and Krystal Cooper of Sigonella, Sicily; Grant Cooper of Sullivan, Illinois; aunts and uncles Gary and Vickie Bickers of Moriah, Illinois, Ken and Shelly Bryan of Wichita Falls, Texas, Kevin and Nicola Newbold of Holwell, Texas, Mark & Terry Vaglaini; grandpa Jess Newbold of Robinson, Illinois grandmother Moira Cooper of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a host of nieces and nephews.
Cory was preceded in death by his father James D. Brumsey

Recent Obituaries: Virginia Gillenwater

News Progress Posted on by

Virginia Gillenwater

Virginia Swango Gillenwater, 85, of Forsyth, formerly of Mattoon and Sullivan, Illinois, passed away Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Hickory Point Christian Village.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 12, 2021 at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. The family will receive visitors at Sullivan First Christian Church following the interment. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Virginia was born July 1, 1936 in Mattoon, the daughter of James A. and Dorothy Moore Swango. A 1954 graduate of Mattoon High School, she was employed by Dr. Donald Butler, Dr. William Alwerdt, and the Illinois Masonic Home. A very talented seamstress, she was sought out by many people in the Sullivan area. Virginia also enjoyed sewing for her grandchildren who affectionately referred to her as, “Amaw”. She was an active member of the First Christian Church in both Sullivan and Mattoon, Kiwanis, Relay for Life, and Eastern Star. She married Wayne Gillenwater in Reno, Nevada on October 23, 1981 and he preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandra (Joe) Ryherd-Niemeyer of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Julie (Oliver) Dold of Decatur, Illinois, and son, Bill (Connie) Ryherd of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois: seven grandchildren, Drew (Jen) Niemeyer of Chicago, Illinois, Katherine (Brittney Flowers) Niemeyer of Sherwood, Arkansas, Elizabeth (Tyler) Hudgens of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Anna (Kyle) Talley of Dallas, Texas, Blake (Lisa) Doss of Maroa, Illinois, and David and Caleb Ryherd, both of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois: great-grandchildren Brady and Drake Doss and Virginia Grace and George Hudgens, and three step-great grandchildren. A third great-grandchild will arrive in September. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Ethel Swango Sexson.
The family would like to thank the administration and staff of Hickory Point Christian Village for taking such good care of our mother, In lieu of flowers: Sullivan Fire Department or the donor’s choice.

Recent Obituaries: LuAnn Richardson

News Progress Posted on by

LuAnn Richardson

LuAnn Richardson, 64, of Arthur, IL passed away at 5:38 P.M. on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Heath Center in Mattoon.
Celebration of LuAnn’s life will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, July 9, 2021, at Penn Station in Arthur. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
LuAnn was born on September 14, 1956 in Decatur. She was a daughter of Maxie and Joan Anita (Vaughn) Warf. She married Mark Richardson in 2011 in Charleston, IL.
Survivors include her husband, Mark; two daughters, Lisa and Kerrie both of Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK; her father, Max Warf of Arthur, two siblings, Teresa Miller and her husband Ken of Sullivan, and Steve Warf and his wife Gwyn of Arthur, nieces and nephews, Stephany Barnes of Sullivan, Doniella Warf-Snyder and her boyfriend Allan Middendorf of Columbia, IL, Christopher Warf of Arthur, Drew Miller and his wife Heather of Sullivan and Morgan Schum and her husband Jason of Sullivan, a very special friend, Cheryl Godden of Mattoon, and a close family friend, Wayne Pedigo and his wife Julie of Cave City, KY.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Joanie Warf.
LuAnn worked at the Powers School in Sullivan, as a custodian, for several years and later she managed the Citgo-Gasland gas station in Arthur for several years.
She was a big University of Kentucky fan and a Fighting Illini fan.
She enjoyed fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Recent Obituaries: Linda Armer

News Progress Posted on by
Linda Armer
Linda S. Armer, 75, of Sullivan passed away at 2:49 p.m. Saturday July 3, 2021 in Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Bob Vail officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetry, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Linda was born November 3, 1945 in Decatur the daughter of George J. Hughes, Jr. and Violet R. Fulk. She had worked at Brach Candy Company in Sullivan. She married Benton C. Armer on May 3, 1961 in Sullivan.
Surviving are her husband Benton of Sullivan; daughter Rhonda (Keith) Newberry of Sullivan; sister Shirley Fultz of Sullivan, grandchildren Samantha (Adrian) Tello of Georgia, Ryan (Breanna) Newberry of Sullivan and Nick Newberry of Sullivan and great grandchildren Keegan Newberry, Leah Newberry and Jackson Newberry.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sons Frank and Rick, brother Tom Hughes and sister Judy Armer.