Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Linda Armer

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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.

Recent Obituaries: Lyle Baumgartner

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Lyle Baumgartner

Frederick Lyle Baumgartner, 72, died Tuesday June 29, 2021 at his home near Bruce.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Reed Funeral Home with Seth Myers officiating. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday. Memorials are suggested to the Highway Church of Christ or the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Lyle was born January 8, 1949 in Decatur, the second son of William Newton and Rella Joy (Frederick) Baumgartner. Lyle married Judith Louise Blaisdell in Charleston on October 16, 1971. She preceded him in death on July 5, 2011. He was also preceded by his parents.
He is survived by a daughter, Keena (Brody) Finney of Newman; a son, Wes (Denise) Baumgartner of Sullivan; a brother, Ken of Sullivan; three granddaughters, Applee Baumgartner, Vivian Baumgartner, and Jessie Baumgartner, all of Sullivan; a grandson, Jack Baumgartner, of Sullivan, a nephew, Wade (Jennifer) Baumgartner of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and a brother-in-law, Hap Blaisdell of Palm Springs, California.
In 1971 Lyle received a Bachelor of Science degree in from the University of Illinois. He had only one job his entire life: operating and eventually co-owning the family business, Ken-O-Kaw Farms. He was a member of the Highway Church of Christ for many years and served first as a deacon and then as an elder.

Recent Obituaries: Duane Beckett

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Duane Beckett

Duane Allen Beckett, 67, of Sullivan, IL passed away on, Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in his residence.

A service to celebrate Duane’s life will be held at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Macon County Honor Guard and the US Army Honors Team. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at dawson-wikoff.com.
Duane was born January 19, 1954, in Macon, IL the son of George Charles and Mercedes Beckett. He proudly served in the US Army and was a Vietnam War veteran. He retired as a letter carrier from the US Postal Service having carried in Decatur, Sullivan, Windsor, and Shelbyville, IL. He married Janice (Morlan) Lane on April 17, 2015. Duane enjoyed hunting, fishing, working with tools in his pole barn, operating his Massey-Ferguson tractor, and playing with his grandchildren.
Surviving is his wife Janice of Sullivan; sons: Ricky Allen and Timmy Charlie; step-children: Kimberly Medaris (Tim) of Decatur and Travis Lane (Stacey) of Long Creek; brother: Darrell Beckett (Carolyn) of Beaumont, TX;  sister-in-law: Liz Beckett of Macon; twelve grandchildren: Kiley Lane, Taylor Alexander, Colton Lane, Isabella Medaris, Corbin Lane, Scarlet Medaris, and Lincoln Medaris.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents and his brother: Phil.

Recent Obituaries: Everett Eugene Elzy

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Everett Eugene Elzy

Everett Eugene Elzy was born in Ripley County, Missouri to Delmar O. and Minnie Elzy on March 6th, 1932. He was the third of eight children. The family then moved to Illinois, where Everett grew up in Moultrie County, Illinois. Everett graduated from Sullivan High School in Sullivan, Illinois in 1951. After graduating from High School, he joined the Army and was then discharged in 1954.

On May 22nd, 1955, Everett married Doris Jean Oath out of Sullivan, Illinois. They had three sons Steven, Gary and Daniel.

Everett retired from Quantum Chemical Corporation in Tuscola, Illinois after 37 years of service. Everett was also a lifelong follower of Jesus Christ and served in the local church all his life. Everett and Doris moved to Cañon City, Colorado in 1995 where they served as therapeutic foster parents for over 85 children.

Everett’s hobbies included gardening, fishing, hunting, raising dogs and horses. In 2010 Everett and Doris moved back to Oregon County, Missouri to retire.

Everett is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Ralph and Dean, and his grand-daughter Rebekah. Everett is survived by his wife, Doris, sons, Steven and wife Patti, Gary and grandson, Evan, grand-daughter Bethany, great-grandsons Damian and Malaki, son, Daniel, his wife Kristine, grandson Jacob and his wife Victoria and grandson Samuel.

A memorial service will be 2:00 pm Friday, June 25, 2021, at the Riverton Baptist Church, Riverton MO. Arrangements under the direction of the Clary Funeral Home, Alton, MO.

Recent Obituaries: Linda A. Wiley

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Linda A. Wiley

Linda A. Wiley, 76, of Bethany passed away 10:49 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Mason Point, Sullivan.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service, Tuesday 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 in Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Bethany. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Linda was born February 16, 1945, in Bethany; the daughter of Alven E. and Anna (Thomas) Lillico. She married Jerry L. Wiley on September 6, 1967 in Moultrie County; he preceded her in death on January 30, 1993. Linda was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church, rural Bethany. She was a registered nurse and received her Oncology Certification. Linda enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda M. Mosser of Bethany; grandchildren, Joshua Betts of Bethany, Adrienne Betts of Charleston, J.B. Mosser of Bethany and Mason Betts of Charleston; great-grandchildren, Roman Betts, Korbin Betts and Amiyah Pope.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 sisters and 1 brother.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Dale McKinney

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Dale McKinney

Dale McKinney, 79, of Bethany, passed away 1:15 a.m. Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Memorial graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery with Pastor Bob Vail officiating. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. McKinney was born October 1, 1941 in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Marvin and Bonnie Hood McKinney. Dale was a farmer and former member of the Bethany Elevator Board and Bethany Fire Department. Dale enjoyed watching boxing and NASCAR racing and enjoyed spending winters in Tucson, Arizona. Dale attended the Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was a U. S. Army veteran. Dale married Karen Funk on May 21, 1977 at Mattoon, Illinois.
Survivors include his wife Karen of Bethany; his child in Florida; sister Sandy Friesner of Decatur and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Recent Obituaries: James Harshman

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James Harshman

James Bruce Harshman, 70, of Sullivan went home to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, after a courageous nine year battle with Wegener's disease.  Through it all, Bruce remained ever gracious and selfless, never once complaining or putting himself above others.

 

Celebration of Life services will be held at 3 PM, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ in Sullivan, IL with pastors Vanessa Patient and Brigham Hagerman officiating.  Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation. Arrangements by Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

 

Bruce was born February 26, 1951 in Decatur, IL to Samuel R. Harshman and Margaret (Roberts) Harshman.  Bruce graduated from Sullivan High School in 1969 and attended Millikin University before marrying his high school sweetheart, Lazan (Poland) on December 12, 1970.

 

Bruce was the owner/operator of Precision Tool & Die in Mt. Zion, Illinois.  He retired in 2012, but remained active pursuing his hobbies of fishing and sport shooting.  More than anything, Bruce enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandson.

 

Surviving is his wife, Lazan of Sullivan; daughter Carrie Perry of Sullivan; son John Harshman of Bethany; grandson Samuel Perry of Sullivan and brother Jerome Harshman of Sullivan.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Scott Harshman and his beloved cat Spooky.

Recent Obituaries: Shirley Jeanean Chaney

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Shirley Jeanean Chaney

Shirley Jeanean Chaney, 85, of Mattoon, formerly of Allenville, passed away at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 2021 in Palm Terrace, Mattoon.

Celebration of Life services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Bob Vail officiating. Burial will be in French Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Memorials are suggested to French Cemetery or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Miss Cheney was born May 15, 1936 in Allenville, the daughter of Logan and Carrie Spaugh Chaney. Shirley had worked at CCAR in Charleston.
Survivors include her niece Carol Lawson of Windsor; sister-in-law Dorothy Chaney of Allenville and numerous other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded death by her parents, three brothers and five sisters.

Recent Obituaries: Ellen Bernius

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Ellen Bernius

Ellen L. Bernius, 49, of Windsor, passed away at 11:02 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Tim Henderson officiating.  Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m Sunday afternoon.  Memorials are suggested to Moultrie County PAWS.  Online condolences may be made to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Ellen was born November 12, 1971 in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of Gary Winskill and Chung Cha “Ann” Rohman.  She was the owner and operator of The Flower Pot Floral & Boutique in Sullivan.  Ellen married Mike Bernius on July 5, 1991 at the Eagle Creek Resort, rural Findlay and he survives.
Also surviving are her Fur Babies Bodie, Panda, Peanut, Reina, Little Mama, Ellie Mae and Axle; mother Ann Rohman of Sullivan; father and mother Gary and Eve Winskill of Paris, Illinois; brother Bob (Dawn) Winskill of Shelbyville; mother-in-law Lynda Marlow of Sullivan; nieces, Lacey Foil of Shelbyville, Madison Winskill of Arthur, Kayla Hodge of Arthur and Nora Bernius of Sullivan; nephews Mitchell Bernius of Norman, Oklahoma, Mason Bernius of Sullivan, Tyler Winskill of Decatur and Maverick Tinnon of Arthur; God Children Nevaeh Cline of Dallas Texas and Mike’elle Marshall of Decatur.

She was preceded in death by her sister Corrina and her paternal and maternal grandparents.

Recent Obituaries: John Booker

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John Booker
John D. Booker, 86, of Lovington passed away 9:59 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at his home in Lovington.
Graveside services will be held 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Keller Cemetery, Lovington. McMullin-Young Funeral Home, is in care of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Experimental Aircraft Association.
John was born September 10, 1934, in Sullivan; the son of Virgil and Stella May (Hughes) Booker. He married Joyce A. (Harlin) Morgan on September 8, 1978 in Sullivan; she preceded him in death on October 1, 2010. John served in the United States Navy. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Lovington VFW. He was an aircraft enthusiast and enjoyed wood working and car restoration. John taught his grandchildren how to repair and work on vehicles. He was a Boy Scout Leader in Lovington for many years. John lived a full life and loved, mostly, every minute of it.
He is survived by his children, Vicki Binder of Sullivan, Eric (Mary Jo) Booker of Pine River, WI, and Dan (Jenny) Booker of Beaver Dam, WI; step-daughter, Rhonda (Bill) Schiller of Zion; brother, Roger (Pat) Booker of Oklahoma City, OK. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 1 brother and 1 sister.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com