Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Raymond “Red” Reynolds

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Raymond “Red” Reynolds

Raymond H. “Red” Reynolds, 89, of Kirksville, stepped into the presence of his Savior 3:31 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. 
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will take place in the Moultrie County Memorial Park, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to Community Home Care: 107 E Jefferson, Sullivan, IL 61951 or to the Sullivan Senior Center.
Red was born March 10, 1935; the son of Robert G. and Bertha (Brown) Reynolds. He married Ann L. Woodworth on June 1, 1963, in Bethany; she survives. Red was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church. He ran a welding and repair shop for over 60 years. Red enjoyed spending time with his family and a multitude of friends
Red is survived by his wife, Ann of Kirksville; son, Micky (Lisa) Reynolds of Sweetwater, TN; grandchildren, Savanna (Josh) Eckel of Sweetwater, TN, Ross (Hali) Reynolds of Niota, TN, and Mykala Reynolds of Lenoir City, TN; sister, Shirley (Jake) Frederick of Mattoon. He is also survived by 3 great-grandchildren.
Red was preceded in death by his parents, 1 son Harold, 2 brothers and 1 sister.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Ronald James Fortner

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Ronald James Fortner

Ronald James Fortner, 85, of Tower Hill, formerly of Sullivan, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his home in Shelbyville, surrounded by his loved ones.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Southern Baptist Church in Sullivan, with Pastor Don Lusk officiating. The family requests casual attire. Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Beacon.

Ronald and Donald were born November 19, 1939, to Archie and Luella (Ramseyer) Fortner of Decatur. They later moved to Kirksville where Ron graduated from Sullivan High School in the Class of 1958. He married Sondra Hunter in 1959 in Sullivan. Ron was a mechanic at a few places before going to work at Caterpillar in Decatur. They had 3 children, Jim, Lori and Debbie. They moved to Tower Hill in 1974 where they raised their family for 50 years. He was a mechanic part time, teaching his son to work on cars. Ron retired from Caterpillar after 30 years. He and Sandy worked for the Corp. of Engineers as gate attendants at campgrounds on Lake Shelbyville. He loved camping, fishing, family and mushroom hunting. They also volunteered for the disaster relief crew at their church; Sullivan Southern Baptist Church. They became winter Texans until his health stopped them from going. They traveled and enjoyed life visiting 48 of the 50 States. Ron had a great life, helped anyone and everyone loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy; daughter, Lori Steers of Shelbyville, Debbie Lape and friend Kent of Pana; daughter-in-law, Haydie Fortner and friend Ryan of Tower Hill; grandchildren, Erika Oktayana and friend John of Shelbyville, Amber Erwin of Boody, Brett Smith and friend Holley of Indianapolis, IN, Sara Kirkpatrick and friend Brad of Mattoon, Sadie Fortner of Shelbyville, Braxton Lape of Mattoon, Xander Strohl of Shelbyville, and Andrea Fortner and friend Chase of Tower Hill; great-grandchildren, Reyna, Ronnie, Elliote Grace, Sawyer Ann, Evelyn, Teddy, Carson, Brantlee and Charlotte; sister, Janet Becker of Moweaqua; very special friends, Randy Smith and Jimmy Strohl.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers 1 being his twin brother, his son James Fortner, son-in-law Gene Steers and great-grandson Owen Sims.

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

Recent Obituaries: Scott Long

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Scott J. Long, 66, of Sullivan, IL, died February 8, 2025, in his home.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 15, 2025, in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua. A visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in Westside Cemetery, Moweaqua. Memorials may be made to Moultrie County Paws.
Scott was born on June 4, 1958, in Decatur, IL, the son of Paul J. and Mabel (Foreman) Long. He married Vicky Collins on December 30, 2009.  She survives.
Scott was affiliated with the Catholic Church. He was formerly employed with Bodine Electric and Hazelriggs Auto of Decatur, and spent many hours dredging Lake Decatur. Scott enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing and boating.
Surviving is his wife, Vicky; daughters: Jenny Price of Mt. Zion, IL and Nicole (Jonathan) Stevenson of Naples, FL; five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Preceding him in death are his parents and sisters, Linda Cole and Debra Davidson.
Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua, has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com

Recent Obituaries: Mary Grooms

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Mary Grooms, 102, of Sullivan, died at 10:25 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2025 at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon.
Mary was born June 25, 1922 in Humboldt, the daughter of Oliver and Bessie Seeley Starwalt. She married John W. “Jack” Grooms in Humboldt on June 7, 1941; he preceded her in death on May 11, 2001.
Survivors include her daughter, Mary Ann Sphar of Phoenix, AZ; son, John R. (Debbie) Grooms of Sullivan; grandchildren, Leigh Anne Sphar of Phoenix, AZ; Angie (Steven) Avila of Mesa, Arizona; Kristen (Brad) Hubble of Leroy, IL; Nick (Dr. Heidi) Grooms of Sullivan; Tyson (Kasey) Grooms of Sullivan; great grandchildren, Haegan Baumann and Brooklyn Sphar; Kailey, Brayden, and Brock Hubble; Gabby, Grace, and Jack Grooms; Tucker and Kiley Grooms.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; brothers, Willard and Rex Starwalt; sisters, Esther Clark, Mona Von Behren, Opal Borror, Charlene Young, Hettie Reece, and Alice Speck.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 7, 2025 at the Humboldt Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust Street, Arcola.
Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Sports Boosters or American Heart Association.
Online condolences to the family may be shared at www.hilligosssshraderfh.com

Recent Obituaries: Jane Ramsey

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Jane Ramsey

Jane Ramsey, 82, of Sullivan, passed away at 10:50 a.m. Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in care of the family.Jane was born on May 3, 1942, in Tower Hill; the daughter of Hiram and Lona (Harlow) Bland. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, friends and her cats. Jane enjoyed sewing, the outdoors and gardening. She is survived by her sons, Carl Wayne Ramsey of Sullivan and William Langley of Pana; daughter, Katrina (Tary) Guynn of Sullivan. Jane is also survived by 9 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl “Butch” Ramsey, 9 brothers, 8 sisters, 2 sons, 1 daughter and 1 grandson.Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Sheri DeAnn Williams

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Sheri DeAnn Williams, 57, of Dover, Tennessee passed away at 4:30 p.m. Sunday December 15, 2024 in the Murray-Calloway County Hospital in Murray, Kentucky surrounded by her family.
Celebration of Life services will be at 12 Noon Saturday December 21, 2024 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Sheri was born April 22, 1967 in Decatur, the daughter of David and Connie Miller Smith. She married the love of her life, Robert ‘Rob’ Williams on May 17, 1986 in Decatur. Sheri had been a bus driver for public schools for over twenty-five years.
Surviving are her husband Rob Williams of Dover, Tennessee; daughter Tiffany Williams of Decatur; son Scott (Kyleigh) Williams of Decatur; mother Connie Smith of Sullivan; brothers Bryan (Dana) Smith of Kankakee and Tighe (Donna) Smith of Buchanan, Tennessee and grandchildren Brianna, Brilee, S. J., Jameson and Ryder.  Being a Grammy was one of the greatest treasures of her life.
She was preceded in death by her father David Smith and granddaughter Addilynn Williams.

Recent Obituaries:Joyce Ellen Shellabarger

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Joyce Ellen Shellabarger

Joyce Ellen Shellabarger, 85, of Sullivan, passed away 8:41 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2024, at her home with her loved ones by her side.Memorial services will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday, December 16, 2024, at the Sullivan First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Cunningham Children’s Home: 1301 N. Cunningham Ave, Urbana, IL 61802 or to the Sullivan United Women in Faith. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.Joyce was born on January 8, 1939, in Urbana; the daughter of Stanton and Catherine (Buntain) Bonwell. She married Richard Shellabarger on June 17, 1962 in Champaign; he preceded her in death on February 10, 2018. Joyce was a member of the Sullivan First United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Moultrie County 4H for many years. She was a Cub Scout leader and merit badge counselor. Joyce was a Sullivan Junior High teacher, a Sullivan girls basketball coach and an assistant track coach. She loved sewing, baking and traveling with her husband Richard. Joyce loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.She is survived by her children, Sherry Shellabarger of Georgetown, TX, Sondie (Eric) Epley of San Antonio, TX, Samantha Berner of Sullivan, Stan (Dutes) Shellabarger of Chicago, Susan (Wyatt) Hicks of Charlotte, NC, and Seth (Amy) Shellabarger of St. Louis, MO. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 1 brother.Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Dan J. Sentel

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Dan J. Sentel

Dan J. Sentel, 55, of Sullivan, passed away at 11:30 p.m. Friday November 22, 2024 in his residence.Celebration of Life services will be 11 :00 a.m. Tuesday November 26, 2024 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in the Camfield Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Police Department Equipment Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.Dan was born August 9, 1969 in Decatur, the son of Frank J. and Lois Valentine Sentel. He was  a service technician for Sloan Implement and originally Schilling Brothers John Deere in Mattoon. Dan was a member of the Windsor Christian Church. Dan dedicated his life to John Deere and farming. He married Denise Naab on August 1, 1992 in Windsor.Surviving are his wife Denise of Sullivan, son Wyatt Sentel of Sullivan; brother David Sentel of Sullivan; mother-in-law Rosetta Naab of Sullivan, a nephew and three nieces and their families.He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law Roger Naab.

Recent Obituaries: Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers

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Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers

Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers, 87, of Gays, passed away 10:56 a.m. Monday, September 2, 2024, at his home in Gays.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 6, 2024, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in French Cemetery, rural Allenville. Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County PAWs: 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951
Bob was born on April 2, 1937, in Bethany; the son of William Robert and Margie (Buckley) Childers. He married Barbara N. Nichols on June 5, 1959, in Charleston. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and working on cars. He loved all music, but he especially enjoyed Elvis and Johnny Cash.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Steve Childers of Mattoon; daughter, Sheila (Lyle Schoonover) Childers; brothers, Rick Childers of Allenville and Jeff Baker of Michigan; sister, Linda (Gilbert) Burns of Mt. Morris, MI, and Cherie Polk of Windsor; grandchildren, Michael Childers, Greg Childers, Heidi Childers and Alex Carter; sister-in-law, Betty Crites of Mattoon. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Alan Lynn, sister, Eula and brother, Randy.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Edwin R. Righter

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Edwin R. Righter

Edwin R. Righter, 67, of Sullivan passed away at 3:43 a.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2024 in the Reed Funeral Home with Doug Fultz officiating. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Solid Rock Chapel in Sullivan. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Righter was born on February 17, 1957 in Morris, Illinois, the son of Roy and Betty (Hahn) Righter. Edwin had worked as the maintenance supervisor at the Sullivan School District, he then retired from the City of Sullivan as the Electric Plant Manager and also worked at Wiley Brothers Farms. Edwin attended the Solid Rock Chapel in Sullivan and had been past president of the Christian County Tractor Pulling Association. He married Cheryl Johnson on September 6, 1981 in Arthur, Illinois.
Survivors include his wife Cheryl; children Jared (Melissa) Righter of Naperville, Illinois and Kelsey Righter of Texas; grandchildren Ella Righter, Inara Welty, Callum Welty and Isabel Elliott; mother Betty Righter of Sullivan and a brother Mark (Amber) Righter of Sullivan.
He was preceded in death by his father.