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March 17, 2026 Election Results

Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

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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

Recent Obituaries: William E. ‘Bill’ Drury

News Progress Posted on February 16, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 17, 2026

William E. ‘Bill’ Drury, 84, of Sullivan, passed away at 7:20 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday February 17, 2026, in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan, with Pastor Bob Vail officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion General Baptist Cemetery, Sullivan, with military rites conducted by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Bill was born September 13, 1941 in Charleston, the son of Lewis ‘Ez’ and Alleen ‘Shorty’ (Best) Drury. Bill had been a carpenter and worked out of the Local # 347 Union in Champaign. He was a U. S. Air Force veteran. Bill was Past Commander of the Sullivan American Legion Post # 68. He married Donna Houston on December 14, 1996 in Sullivan.  

Surviving are his wife Donna of Sullivan; sons Rob (Lori) Jones of Tremont and Mike (Jayde) Jones of Hammond; brothers Rick (Janice) Drury of Georgia and Dave (Sue) Drury of Indiana; sisters Norma Stanberry of Arcola and Mary Harding of Charleston; thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Mark Jones, brothers John Drury and Paul ‘Dude’ Drury and a sister Donna Dyer.

Posted in Obituaries, Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Phyllis J. Mocabee

News Progress Posted on February 12, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 12, 2026

Phyllis J. Mocabee, 93, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026 in the Sullivan Healthcare and Senior Living Center.

Celebration of Life services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday February 15, 2026, in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Dave Dolan officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials are suggested to the Lovington Christian Church, the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan or to the Sullivan Senior Center. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Phyllis was born March 19, 1932, in Lovington, the daughter of Charles F. and Celia O. Call Mocabee. She worked at the Illinois Masonic Home in Sullivan for six months before going to work as a machine operator for Borg-Warner in Decatur for thirty-six years. She then retired after ten years as a CRC 1 for the Department of Correction facility in Decatur. Phyllis was a member of the Lovington Christian Church. She was a lifelong conservative of Moultrie County and long-standing member of the Moultrie County Republican Women’s Club. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.

Surviving are her son Mike McDaniel of Sullivan; grandson Brock McDaniel of Hilton Head, South Carolina and special friend Pauline Rowles of Sullivan.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.

Mike and Brock would like to thank the staff at Sullivan Health Care and Senior Living Center for their great care.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Janette McReynolds

News Progress Posted on February 11, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 11, 2026

Janette Kay (Beals) McReynolds, 81, of Bethany, passed away 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Heritage Woods of Sullivan.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church: 219 S. Lincoln St. Bethany, IL, 61914 or to Heritage Woods of Sullivan Activity Fund.

Jan was born on February 2, 1945, in Coles County; the daughter of Hubert Vanus and Zola Grace (Thomas) England. Adopted by George F. and Kathryn (Thomas) Beals. She married Walter Dean McReynolds on May 24, 1969, in Charleston; he preceded her in death on September 21, 2024.

She graduated from Sullivan High and went on to graduate with a teaching degree and Masters of Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Illinois University. She loved teaching in the area schools and was a member of the Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was a church camp director and past president of the CPWM, traveling across the United States, Colombia, Japan and China.

Jan is survived by her children, Adam (Leslie) McReynolds of Trilla, Alisha McReynolds of Castro Valley, CA, and Aaron (Candace) McReynolds of Sullivan; grandchildren, Holly McReynolds of Charleston, Avery McReynolds of Oakland, CA, and Burton McReynolds of Sullivan; brother, Duane Beals of Decatur; twin sister, Joan (David) Richardson of Yuma, AZ. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters, Mary Jane, Nola Mae and Clara Mae; brothers, Duane V., Gene Calvin, Darrell Hubert, Dale and Dean.

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

Posted in Obituaries, Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Betty Born

News Progress Posted on February 5, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 5, 2026

Betty Born

Betty J. Born, 99, of Lovington, passed away 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Bridle Brook Assisted Living & Memory Care Community in Mahomet.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 10, 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. Memorials may be made to Lovington First Christian Church.

Betty was born on October 1, 1926, in Lovington; the daughter of Glen and Mary (Snyder) Gladville. She married William Delton Born on February 24, 1946, in the Lovington First Christian Church; he preceded her in death on August 29, 1978. Betty worked for many years as a secretary for the Lovington Schools. She was a member of the Lovington First Christian Church. Betty enjoyed reading, watching the Wheel of Fortune and traveling. She loved spending time with her family and was known for her “Flying 20s” as she always wanted to pay for their sweet treats, and the $20 bills would fly out of her purse as she went to pay.

Betty is survived by her children, W. Stan (Linda) Born of Mahomet and Lori (John) Nale of Panama City Beach, FL; sister, Kay (Jim) Gilbert of Brentwood, CA; grandchildren, Ashley (Jon) Hentrich of Albany, NY, Angela (Matt) Peckham of Chicago and Bri (Jamie) Grubbs of Charleston. She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Johnna L. Howard

News Progress Posted on February 2, 2026 by webmasterFebruary 2, 2026

Johnna L. Howard, 73, of Sullivan, passed away at 11:13 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026 in Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at the Sullivan Southern Baptist Church with Pastor Don Lusk officiating. Burial will be in the Beals Cemetery, Trilla, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Hope Lodge, 4207 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri 63108 or the Sullivan Southern Baptist Church.

Johnna was born on December 14, 1952 in Mattoon, Illinois, the daughter of John W. and Charlotte Stortzum Claxon. She had been a Physical Therapy Assistant at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon. She was a member of the Sullivan Southern Baptist Church where she was Director of Women’s Missionary Group as well as many other church committees, member of the Southern Baptist Church Disaster Relief Team. She enjoyed hiking, camping and reading books, especially the Bible. Johnna married Terry Howard on July 14, 1978 in Mattoon.

Survivors include her husband Terry; sons Travis (Nicole) Howard of Mattoon and Troy (Diane) Howard of San Diego, California; grandchildren Landon, Ava, Ciara, Gabe, Candence and Caleb Howard; sisters Peggy Edwards of Rantoul and Billijean Powell of Mattoon; step sister Tina (Wayne) Giourard of Richland, Georgia; step brother Jeff Bickel of Arthur; half sister Beth Claxon of Colorado and half brother Jim Claxon of Mattoon and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step father Charles Bickel, sister Vicki McGuffey and half sisters Megan Claxon and Katy Robinson.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Crystal R. Harl

News Progress Posted on January 30, 2026 by webmasterJanuary 30, 2026

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Janet Crandall

News Progress Posted on January 29, 2026 by webmasterJanuary 29, 2026

Janet Wise Crandall, 96, of Cerro Gordo, IL, passed away peacefully at 6:30 a.m. on January 27, 2026, at Heritage Woods, Sullivan, IL. Born on January 21, 1930, in Decatur, IL, Janet was the beloved daughter of Ralph and Gladys Wise.

Janet married Keith Crandall on June 2, 1949, beginning a beautiful partnership that lasted until his passing on May 13, 1993. Together, they built a loving home filled with warmth and laughter.

Janet was a devoted mother to her son, Lester Crandall, and daughters Linda (Larry) McCoy, Dianne (Bill) Petersen, Seema (Shahob) Imam, and Karen (Gail) Allen; as well as a devoted grandmother to 37 grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. and a celebration of life service at 11:30 a.m.; both at the Cerro Gordo United Methodist Church (104 E. Carter St, Cerro Gordo, IL). A graveside service will follow immediately afterwards at the Cerro Gordo Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.

Posted in Obituaries, Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Leslie ‘Ray’ Cottrell

News Progress Posted on January 22, 2026 by webmasterJanuary 22, 2026

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.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

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Poppies to honor those who gave all



News Progress


On Friday, May 22nd, Ruth Keown, Vice-President of the Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit 68, greeted the public at the entrance to the local Post Office, distributing Memorial Poppies. Each year, millions of Americans wear these Memorial Poppies in memory of American service members who lost their lives in war while serving their country, and to assist those Veterans who are now hospitalized or in rehabilitation, suffering from wounds and illnesses. Memorial Day poppies distributed by the American Legion symbolize the ultimate sacrifice made by service members and are a tribute to those who lost their lives in war. Wearing the poppy is a way to honor the fallen and ensure their bravery is never forgotten.


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