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CONSOLIDATED ELECTION RESULTS FOR 4/1/2025
Results will be updated as they come in.

Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

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Recent Obituaries: Cory Lee Davis

News Progress Posted on July 26, 2021 by webmasterJuly 26, 2021

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Virginia Gillenwater

News Progress Posted on July 12, 2021 by webmasterJuly 12, 2021

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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: LuAnn Richardson

News Progress Posted on July 7, 2021 by webmasterJuly 7, 2021

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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Linda Armer

News Progress Posted on July 5, 2021 by webmasterJuly 5, 2021
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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Lyle Baumgartner

News Progress Posted on June 30, 2021 by webmasterJune 30, 2021

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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Duane Beckett

News Progress Posted on June 25, 2021 by webmasterJune 25, 2021

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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Everett Eugene Elzy

News Progress Posted on June 24, 2021 by webmasterJune 24, 2021

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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Linda A. Wiley

News Progress Posted on May 28, 2021 by webmasterMay 28, 2021

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
Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Dale McKinney

News Progress Posted on May 24, 2021 by webmasterMay 24, 2021

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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: James Harshman

News Progress Posted on May 24, 2021 by webmasterMay 24, 2021

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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

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Easter Donation



News Progress


The Kirby Foods meat department delivered hams to the Moultrie County Food Pantry on Wednesday the 16th, thanks to a generous anonymous donation. The hams will provide a nice Easter dinner.


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