Crystal R. Harl, 65, of Sullivan, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in Sullivan.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, the family request casual attire. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services, Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to The Life Center: PO Box 11, Sullivan, IL 61951

Crystal was born on November 14, 1959, in Mattoon; the daughter of Lewis F. and Pauline (England) Harl. Crystal worked in the kitchen at the Masonic Home for twenty years. She was a member of the New Life Church. Crystal was an avid country music fan, and she took multiple bus trips to see county music stars, with one to Nashville Fan Fair where she got to meet her favorite country music artist Marty Stuart! Crystal also got to meet Travis Tritt and many other artists on her country adventures. She loved spending time with her friends, family and her sister’s Yorkies.

Crystal is survived by her sister, Penny (John) Fultz of Bethany.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother and 1 half-brother. 

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

Leslie ‘Ray’ Cottrell, 85, of Mattoon, passed away at 6:43 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in his home.

Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026 in the St. Isidore Cemetery, rural Bethany conducted by Fr. Rafal Pyrchla. Military honors will be conducted by the Bethany American Legion Post #507. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Ray was born May 12, 1940 in Granite City, Illinois, the son of Glover Rex and Nancy Marie Stroud Cottrell. He retired from Northfork-Western Railroad as a railroad engineer. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Ray married Diane C. Wachter on October 20, 1962 in Granite City, Illinois.

Survivors include his wife Diane; son Greg (Cindy) Cottrell of Bethany and Laurie (Scott) Glenn-Upton of Farmer City, Illinois; grandchildren Shelby (Steven) Rogers of Lake City, Illinois, Cody Cottrell and significant other Jessica Iberg of Decatur, Ashley (Bill) Chapman of Macon, Illinois, Katie Glenn of Bloomington, Illinois Summer Glenn of Chicago, Miles Upton of Urbana, Illinois, Austin (Amanda) Upton of St. Joseph, Illinois and Justin (Julian) Upton of Philo; great grandchildren Carman Chapman, Mason Green, River Upton, Steven Rogers, Samuel Rogers and baby Rogers due in June and a brother Kenneth Cottrell of southern Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters.

Bruce E. Condill, 82, of Arthur, IL, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday morning, December 21, 2025. Born in Elgin, IL on June 23, 1943, Bruce grew up in nearby Barrington, IL, where he cultivated his love of nature and adventure roaming Barrington’s neighborhoods with his brothers and friends. He was a 1961 graduate of Barrington Consolidated High School and a 1965 graduate of Culver-Stockton College, where he studied biology, entomology, and history and met the love of his life, Mary Beth McDonald of Arthur, IL. He was an All-Conference selection in basketball in 1963, 1964 and 1965 and also an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American. He joined the Peace Corps in 1966 and served three years in Uganda, where he helped establish the Ibanda Secondary School for boys, teaching multiple subjects, coaching basketball and track, and helping build many of the facilities at the school. He made lifelong friends in the Peace Corps, coming back with stories to tell his family for years to come, including harrowing tales of climbing some of the highest peaks in the Ruwenzori Mountains.

He married Mary Beth on December 30, 1967, in Arthur, IL. Their first year of marriage was spent in East Africa, forging a lifelong partnership and connection that was obvious to all who spent time with them. Their time together in Africa carried over into their home on the farm, sharing a worldview of the wonders of nature and humanity. After returning from Africa, he taught science at Urbana Middle School for one semester, at which point he had the opportunity to try his hand at farming. Learning from his father-in-law Charles McDonald and other family and community members, he ended up tending the land for the next 50 years. He and Mary Beth raised three sons on the farm and hosted an endless series of visits from friends, family, and acquaintances, helping to connect all of them to the land. He was very active in the community and served as a basketball coach in Arthur at the middle and high school levels for many years. In 1976, he played a large role in establishing what became the Arthur Cheese Festival. As a member of Vine Street Christian Church, he served as Elder, Sunday School teacher, Board moderator, choir member, and a Children’s Story teller (one of the best), for over 50 years. He was also a longtime chairman and member of the board of the Arthur Home.

In 1989, he and Mary Beth founded The Great Pumpkin Patch, which was successful beyond his wildest dreams and continues as a community staple today. Bruce was very proud of the Patch and loved giving the red-carpet treatment to visitors on his trusty golf cart each fall. He was an award-winning member of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, board member of the Kaskaskia Watershed Association, and Vice Chair of the Upper Kaskaskia Ecosystem Partnership. Bruce also served on the board of The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan for many years, and he and Mary Beth attended every show, some of them more than once. He was a fixture at local sporting events, not only following his sons’ and grandchildren’s games, but many, many others. By some estimates, Bruce watched over 7,000 basketball games over the course of his life. Bruce loved music and was a proud member of the Coles County Barbershop Chorus for over 10 years. This group, as he said, was an unexpected opportunity to make a whole new set of friends later in life. He especially loved church hymns, and always became emotional at the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus at Christmastime.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Buck and Fern Condill of Barrington, IL, along with two brothers, Bill and Charles, both of Elgin. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Beth, son Kit and daughter-in-law Emily of Champaign, son Mac and daughter-in-law Ginny of Arthur, and son Buck and daughter-in-law Shana of Whittier, North Carolina. He is also survived by grandchildren Benjamin, Charley, Kai, Ayla, Mackenzie, Norah, Coewn, and Phoebe, his brother Jim, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. He loved family history and family reunions, and took great pride in passing on family stories to the next generation. Bruce had a unique connection to nature and the land. He loved collecting insects and observing nature all around him, which he passed along to his children and grandchildren. The wonder of the Earth and the spiritual connection he felt as a steward of the land was very important to him. The farm became his place to care for, and he wanted to share it with all he knew, and those he didn’t know yet. The Great Pumpkin Patch was an extension of his community-minded mission and his servant-centered heart. In his final weeks, he was able to connect with friends and family all around the world, and he felt truly lucky to be able to feel his family and friends' love during his last days at the farm. His signature greeting to the kids he encountered was the ol’ rubber arm handshake, and the delight he got from the smiles of those kids was the essence of Bruce: spread love, have fun, and be connected to humanity.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025 at the Vine Street Christian Church, 249 South Vine St., Arthur, IL. A Memorial service will follow starting at 12:00 p.m., Noon, on Friday at the church. Rev. Alex Hack will officiate. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vine Street Christian Church or The Little Theater on the Square.

Eric Michael Gabbard, 36, of Sullivan, peacefully passed away at 7:15 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2025 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2025 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Mackville Cemetery in Atwood. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Eric was born October 12, 1989 in Decatur, the son of Michael Gabbard and Debra Creek. He was a woodworker for Monarch Manufacturing in Sullivan. Eric graduated from Oakland High School

Eric’s hobbies and passions included spending as much time as he could with his kids and his dogs. Eric had a huge heart of gold that loved deeply, and everybody that knew him well, felt the love he gave. That favor was returned by many, as he was greatly loved by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed and his presence will be remembered forever.

Surviving are his lifetime partner Haylee Polk of Sullivan; children Giselle Randall, Tristyn Gabbard, Saveah Gabbard and Ari Gabbard, all of Sullivan; mother Debra (Tony) Creek of Sullivan; father Michael Gabbard of Arthur; grandmother Darlene Phillips of Atwood; grandfather Robert Gabbard of Camargo; brothers Steven Hutchcraft (Sarah Chain) of Peoria, Chris Creek (Devanne Lawson) of Charleston, Ethan (Amy) Gilbert of Sullivan; sisters Samantha Gabbard of Arthur, Anglea Gilbert of Portage, Indiana and Jessica (Cory) Gibson of Tuscola.

Eric was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, paternal grandfather, uncle Bill and cousin Darcy.

Billie Jean (Hutchinson) Lawyer, 63, passed away unexpectedly, leaving her family and all who loved her deeply heartbroken but forever grateful for the love she so freely gave. Born on March 2, 1962, Billie lived a life defined by kindness, generosity, and an unwavering devotion to caring for others.

On July 26, 1985, she married the love of her life, Bill Lawyer, and together they shared nearly 41 years of partnership, devotion, and family. Billie cherished her role as a wife, mother, and “Grandma Billie” more than anything. Her family was her world.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; her daughter, Whitney (Dustin) Cole, and grandchildren Isla, Brooks, and Knox; and her son, Blayne (Danielle) and grandchildren Harper and Hudson. She also leaves behind her beloved dogs, Bear and Jaxx, who she spoiled endlessly—especially with treats—and who brought her daily joy. They were her boys.  

Billie had a heart of gold that overflowed with love. She found joy in making others happy—whether creating treat bags for trick-or-treaters, putting together thoughtful gifts for the EIU women’s golf team, or showering her children and grandchildren with surprises big and small. She loved giving, celebrating, and finding little ways to brighten someone’s day.

She treasured her yearly beach trips to Florida with her sister, Abbie, a tradition filled with sunshine, laughter, and the simple happiness of being together.

A visitation will be held for friends and loved ones from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Toys for Tots in Billie’s memory. The holiday season was something she looked forward to every year. She loved Christmas and sharing joy with children during the holiday season was something she loved deeply. We would love to continue that tradition in a meaningful way to honor her generous spirit through donating toys for children in need. Through this, we hope to carry forward the love and kindness our sweet, Grandma Billie, shared so freely.

Billie’s life was a beautiful reflection of gratitude, generosity, and heart. Her love will continue to guide and bless her family forever. We will miss her more than words can say.