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March 17, 2026 Election Results

Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

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Recent Obituaries: Colleen Brewer

News Progress Posted on May 26, 2026 by webmasterMay 26, 2026

Colleen Brewer

Colleen Brewer, age 69, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, at DMH, with her loving sister and brother-in-law by her side.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Todd’s Point Cemetery, rural Findlay. Memorials may be made to Moultrie County PAWS: 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951.     

She was born on October 5, 1956, in Decatur, to William and Betty Brewer. Colleen is now reunited with her parents, William and Betty, embraced once again in their love—a reunion long awaited, bringing her eternal peace.

She is survived by her siblings: Michael (Margie) Brewer of Bethany, Gene (Linda) Brewer of Nebraska, Charles (Cheri) Brewer of Bethany, David Brewer of Bethany, and Chris (Brian) Richardson of Bethany; as well as her aunt, Nancy Freeman of Georgia. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews, along with great-nieces and great-nephews who will remember her in their own special ways.

Colleen was known for her strength and her straightforward nature. She lived life on her own terms, with a spirit that was independent and unwavering. She devoted many years of her life to caring for her parents, a role she carried out with quiet dedication and steadfast commitment. Though she may not have always expressed warmth in traditional ways, she loved her family deeply and consistently in her own way.

Her beloved fur babies, Miracle and Brat, will miss her dearly.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at DMH for their compassionate care and support during this time.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Gary Wayne Newberry

News Progress Posted on May 15, 2026 by webmasterMay 15, 2026

Gary Wayne Newberry

Gary Wayne Newberry, 66, of Lovington, passed away 7:10 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the Lovington First Church of God. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Gary was born on July 22, 1959, in Decatur; the son of Glenn E. and Joan R. (Randol) Newberry. He was an impressive artist and enjoyed doing art projects for many people. Gary loved collecting rocks and especially loved collecting arrow heads.

Gary is survived by his father, Glenn E. Newberry of Lovington; brothers, Keith (Rhonda) Newberry of Sullivan and Vernon Newberry of Lovington; nephews, Ryan Newberry and Nick Newberry; great-niece and great-nephews, Keegan, Leah and Jackson Newberry.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Joan.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Brian Porter

News Progress Posted on May 11, 2026 by webmasterMay 11, 2026

Brian Porter

Brian K. Porter, 55, of Sullivan, passed away 6:35 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital, Mattoon.

Graveside services will be held 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Richland Cemetery, Boyleston, IL. Memorials may be made to the Sarah Bush Cancer Center in Mattoon. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Brian was born on January 9, 1971, in Fairfield; the son of James and Betty (Allison) Porter. He attended the Solid Rock Chapel in Sullivan. Brian was an avid sports fan with the Dallas Cowboys as his favorite football team, the St. Louis Cardinals as his favorite baseball team and #77 “The Hurricane” Carson Hocevar as his favorite NASCAR driver. Brian also enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. He loved spending time with his family, with his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews being his whole world. He was their biggest supporter and biggest fan.

Brian is survived by his sister, Teresa (Mark) Thrasher of Sullivan; nieces and nephews, Kristen (Phil) Mosser of Decatur, Leah (Waylon) James of Mattoon, Jacob (Jerica) Thrasher of Sullivan and Marissa (Chris) Davis of Sullivan. He is also survived by 8 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Robert “Robbie” Porter.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Gene Dolan

News Progress Posted on April 23, 2026 by webmasterApril 23, 2026

Gene Dolan, 82, of Sullivan, passed away 5:42 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home. Burial will be held in French Cemetery, Allenville, with Military Rites by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Memorials may be made to the Sullivan American Legion Post #68.

Gene was born September 18, 1943, in Decatur; the son of Paul James and Mary B. (Rochat) Dolan. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Gene married Arletta Walker on February 28, 1965, in Gays; she survives. He was a member of the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. 

From humble beginnings, Gene grew up on the family farm in rural Moultrie County, where he developed an early love for agriculture. Under the guidance of his father and uncles, he learned the values of hard work, discipline, and dedication that would shape the course of his life. In high school, he further cultivated his passion through his involvement in FFA, laying the groundwork for a lifelong career in farming.

Gene went on to become a respected and accomplished livestock farmer, known for his strong work ethic and commitment to providing for his family. His dedication to the land and to his animals was evident in all he did, and he took great pride in the life he built through years of perseverance and care. In his younger years, Gene enjoyed hunting and fishing, finding both adventure and peace in the outdoors. He was well known for his fun-loving spirit and, as many would fondly say, his “ornery” personality—qualities that endeared him to friends and family alike. Above all else, Gene’s greatest joy was his family, whom he loved deeply and wholeheartedly.

Gene is survived by his wife, Arletta Dolan of Sullivan; daughter, Paula (Tim) Coffer of Sullivan; grandchildren, Gareth Coffer and Anyssa Coffer both of Sullivan; brother, Lynn (Sarah) Dolan of Normal. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Irene Fleming

News Progress Posted on April 17, 2026 by webmasterApril 17, 2026


Irene Fleming, 96, of Lovington, passed away at 8:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Heritage Woods of Sullivan.

Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday April 18, 2026 in Keller Cemetery, Lovington with Pastor Lee Legg officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Lovington Ambulance Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Irene was born August 29, 1929 in Lovington, the daughter of George William and Iva Crowe Troxell. She retired in 1991from the Moultrie County Circuit Clerk’s Office where she had worked for 28 years. Irene married William G. ‘Bill’ Fleming on November 25, 1950 and he preceded her in death on July 21, 1998.

Surviving is her son Steve (Jayme) Fleming of Lovington; grandson Aaron (Jessica) Fleming of Monticello; great granddaughter Claire Fleming; brother-in-law Don Wilson of Mt. Prospect and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Marcia and sister Liz Smith.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Karen Coe

News Progress Posted on February 26, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 26, 2026

Karen Coe

Karen D. Coe, 70, of Sullivan, passed away Monday, February 23, 2026 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2026 in the Reed Funeral Home with Jeannie Ruppert officiating. Burial will be in the Bolin Cemetery, rural Sullivan. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the New Life Pregnancy Center, 1698 E. Pershing Rd, Decatur, Illinois 62526. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Karen was born May 28, 1955 in Versailles, Kentucky, the daughter of Charles and Juanita Mae Nixon Hill. She had been a homemaker, school teacher and helped her husband David in their ministry. Karen married David L. Coe on January 9, 1976 in Sullivan and he preceded her in death on September 27, 2020.

Survivors include her children Michael (Beth) Coe of Sullivan, James (Stephanie) Coe of Granite City, Sarah Coe of Sullivan and Ruth (Anthony) Taylor of Sullivan; grandchildren Jonathan (Nicole) Coe, Keegan Coe, Zachery Coe, Ethen Coe, Jazzlynn Coe, Tristan Davis, Alyssa Taylor, Hannah Taylor, Michael (Bridget) Will, Justin (Jocelynne) Will and Nicholas Will; greatgrandchildren Emma, Piper, Arya and Knox; sister Debbie (John) Allen of Jefferson City, Missouri and a brother Charles Richard Hill of Ruther Glen, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two grandchildren.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Owen L. Tull

News Progress Posted on February 25, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 25, 2026

Owen L. Tull

Owen L. Tull, 89, of Sullivan, passed away 5:56 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, at French Cemetery, Allenville. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Owen was born on September 23, 1936; the son of Bart and Marie (Sampson) Tull. He married Elma L. Budd on April 9, 1965; she survives. Owen loved spending time with his family and especially with his grandchildren.

Owen is survived by his wife, Elma Tull of Sullivan; sons, Darren (Stacey) Tull of Sullivan, Jason Tull of Charleston and Kurtis (Melanie) Tull of Findlay. He is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Owen was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Anthony (Tony) Adams

News Progress Posted on February 24, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 24, 2026

Anthony (Tony) Adams

Anthony (Tony) D. Adams, 79, of Bethany, passed away February 23, 2026 in his home.

Celebration of Life services will be 12:00 Noon Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Brett Hinrichs officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the Bethany American Legion Post #507 will be in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m until service time on Saturday. Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 2055 South Franklin Street Road, Decatur, Illinois 62521. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Born to Charles and Dorothy Adams of Decatur on August 1, 1946. Tony is a Decorated Marine Corp Vietnam Veteran who served from 1966-1968. He was a member of the Bethany American Legion Post #507. He retired from Caterpillar after 30 years. In his retirement he served the Mid-Illinois Red Cross for over a decade. Tony had the biggest heart and would help anyone in need. He loved his family fiercely, always had a smile on his face and a joke up his sleeve. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He leaves behind a sister, Lynn Thomas of Michigan, brother Larry Adams of Decatur, sister in-laws Nancy Scribner of Decatur, Carolyn “Joy” Lourash and husband Karry of Decatur, and Lela Ayers of Indiana. Tony also leaves behind a son, Robert Fandel of Bethany, a daughter Ellen Adams of Indiana, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, with a fifth on the way as well as several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Dotty.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents and love of his life Elizabeth A. Adams along with great granddaughter Delanie.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Donna Jean Cochran

News Progress Posted on February 23, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 23, 2026

Donna Jean Cochran

Donna Jean Cochran, 87, of Lovington, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at The Loft in Decatur.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Lovington. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington.

Donna was born on November 4, 1938, in Decatur; the daughter of Merle and Helen (Barnes) Phillips. She married Gerald E. Cochran on September 6, 1959, in Lovington; he preceded her in death on January 10, 2010. Donna enjoyed crocheting, sewing and gardening. She loved spending time with her family.

Donna is survived by her sons, Kenneth Cochran of Lovington, Daniel Cochran of Titusville, FL, and Robert Cochran of New Athens; sister, Sandra Fielden of Mt. Pulaski.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 1 son, Walter Andrew.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Pastor Jack P. Adwell

News Progress Posted on February 19, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 20, 2026

Pastor Jack P. Adwell

Jack P. Adwell, 76, of Decatur, passed away at 7:28 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Shelbyville Manor Memory Care.

Celebration of Life services will be at Noon Monday, February 23, 2026, in the Life Foursquare Church in Decatur. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until Noon. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026, in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Life Foursquare Church in Decatur, the Alzheimer’s Association or to Shelbyville Manor Memory Care. Online condolence may be sent to reedfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.

Jack was born April 18, 1949, in Monmouth, Illinois, the son of James G. and Dorothy E. Chapman Adwell. Jack graduated from Monmouth Public Schools in 1967. He attended Mt. Vernon Bible College in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He received his master's degree from the University of Illinois in May of 2008. The first church Jack pastored was in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He later served at Moline Gospel Temple as a youth pastor. He also served at Bloomington Foursquare Church in Bloomington, Illinois, Decatur Foursquare Church, Life Foursquare Church and Silver Creek Foursquare Church in Douglas, Arizona.

Jack worked for many years at the Good News Bear Camp. His dedication and love for the kids was the ‘bigger than life’ Veggie Tales room he created. All the graphic design, booklets, the sound system he set up, and all the time he taught, blessed the Lord and touched many lives, both campers and staff. Kids loved him and wanted to hang out with him all the time.

Jack was a gifted teacher, both divinity and computer technology. He started teaching at Richland Community College in 1999. In 2011 Jack was named Outstanding Faculty Member and was named Business and Technology Division Dean in January 2012. Jack retired in 2016 and was named Professor Emeritus in 2024.

Jack married Rebecca Farris Hall on July 3, 2004 in Bethany.

Surviving are his wife Rebecca of Decatur; children Kris (Jeff) Klinger of Reno, Nevada, James (Mira) Adwell of Fairfax Station, Virginia, bonus children Julie (Tom) Courson of Dalton City, Jennifer (D.J.) Linville of Veedersburg, Indiana; step-brother Bob (Carol) Parrish of Manito; sisters Joan Marlow of Monmouth and Betty Thompson of Peoria; brother and sisters-in-law Punch and Cheryl Martin and Diane and Brent Phillips of Bethany; mother-in-law Norma Farris of Bethany, and grandchildren Brooke Klinger, Chase Klinger,  Kaia Adwell and Quinn Adwell. Bonus grandchildren Hope Linville, Holly Linville, Peyton Courson, and Parker Courson,.

He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law Billy Farris.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

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Sullivan celebrates America’s 250th



News Progress


Photo by R.R. Best

The annual Fourth of July parade kicked off a fun filled day of celebration hosted by the Sullivan American Legion Saturday.  Wyman Park was the next destination for the always entertaining watermelon eating contest, turtle races and sack races. At dusk, an amazing fireworks display capped off the festivities. More photos can be found on page 12.


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