Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Leslie Banks

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Arthur resident Lesley (Otto) Banks died April 17, 2021, in the presence of loving family.  She was born in Decatur, Illinois, on October 30, 1964.

She was immensely proud of her daughter, Aerielle Brianne (Banks) Wood and son-in-law, John-Tyler Wood of Troy, Illinois.  She is also survived by her sister, Julie A. Michl of Arthur, one nephew, David James Michl of Arthur, Uncle David Neil Lewis of Terre Haute, Aunt Charlene Gorby in San Antonio, Texas, cousin Vickie L. Henry and her family, Claire, Lucy, and George Humphrey of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and cousins Steve Hoffner, Mike Hoffner, Jil Gorby and Cindy Streiby.

Banks was preceded in death by her parents, David E. Otto and Marjorie Ann Lewis Otto, Aunts Patricia Kay Lewis, and Patricia Hoffner, Uncles George Leatherman and Jack Gorby and her grandparents.

Banks graduated from Arthur High School in 1982 and from Illinois State University in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education and Political Science. Banks taught high school English and Journalism for 34 years in Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. She retired from Sullivan High School in 2019. Her passion for being an educator was clear and she cared deeply for each student she had the opportunity of teaching, even the ones who gave her a few extra grey hairs. She was especially proud when her students won national awards for their yearbooks and newspapers.

In her honor, she encourages everyone to revisit her favorite books, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman, and King Lear; read a real newspaper; or contemplate the teachings of Thoreau.

Memorials are requested to the Arthur Southern Baptist Church, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society.    

A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Shrader Funeral Home in Arthur, Illinois, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM with a celebration of life service starting at 3:00 PM. Interment will immediately follow at the Arthur Cemetery.

Those attending the services are asked to bring their favorite memory to share with the family, especially her students.

Due to recent Covid 19 restrictions, face masks and social distancing are required. 

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com

Recent Obituaries: Lonnie Bly

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Lonnie Bly

Lonnie Dale Bly, 50, of Shelbyville, IL passed away at 6:48 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2021 in HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital, Shelbyville, IL.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – noon, Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Shelbyville Jr. Wrestling Program. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.
Lonnie was born on June 19, 1970 in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Bob Hoover and Judith Darlene Wheeler. He attended Shelbyville High and was a member of the Class of 1988. Lonnie enjoyed repairing and building things, and worked as a carpenter and handyman.
Lonnie is survived by his sons, Cody Bly (Madyson) of Shelbyville, IL and Dalton Bly of Bethany, IL; daughters, Gatlynn Williams (Isaiah) of Shelbyville, IL, and Savannah Gibbons (Travis Palmer) of Sullivan, IL; father, Ralph Bly of Shelbyville, IL; brothers, Nathan Bly (Krissy) of Shelbyville, IN, Adam Bly of Shelbyville, IL, Derrick Bly (Daphney) of Shelbyville, IL, and Levi Hoover of Cowden, IL; sister, Becky Hoover of Cowden, IL; grandchildren, Hudson, Paisley, Everett, Talula, Silas, and Maylee; niece, Mayleigh; and special friend Nicki Haney.
He was preceded in death by mother, Judith Darlene Wheeler; grandmother, Lois Jean (Wheat) Wheeler; and grandfather, James Leo Wheeler. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com

Recent Obituaries: Ryan Hess

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Ryan Hess
Ryan Shane Hess, 35, of Sullivan, passed away, 5:39 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2021, at his home in Sullivan.
Memorial services will be held 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Memorials may be made to Moultrie County Illinois PAWS: 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951
Ryan was born July 29, 1985, in Decatur, the son of James Steven Hess and Rhonda (Coy) Creek. He loved going to Bonnaroo and spending time with his family and friends. Ryan was a strong advocate for Equal Rights. He enjoyed attending Nursing School and was two months from graduating as a Registered Nurse, he truly had a passion for caring for those who were in need. Ryan loved his dog Bella dearly.
He is survived by his father, Jim Hess of Sullivan; mother, Rhonda Creek of Toledo; brother, Travis Hess of Cerro Gordo; sister, Erica (John) Czeckanski of Mt. Zion; nieces and nephews, Hailee Shick, Tyler (Alaina) Shick, Dylan Hess, Ashton Sides and Layne Hess; great-nieces, Blakleigh and Lyla. He is also survived by his dog Bella, who Ryan loved like his own child.
Ryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, step-father, Richard Creek and uncle, Chuck Hess.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Harold Phelps

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Harold Phelps

Harold E. Phelps, 82, of Lovington, IL, passed away at his residence at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

A celebration of Harold’s life will be held at the First Church of God Family Life Center at 101 N. Washington in Lovington at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, 2021. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Keller Cemetery with military rites by the Lovington American Legion Post 429. Assisting with the arrangements is Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Pastor Larry Traxler will be officiating.

Harold was born November 11, 1938, in Lovington, IL. He was the son of Delmar and Mary (Woolridge) Phelps. Harold married Mary Jo (Davis) on February 28, 1958. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Tim (Terry) of North Aurora, IL, and Troy (Christie) of Martinsville, IN, grandchildren Marc (Noel) Phelps, Matthew (Mackenzie) Phelps, Kyle (Courtney) Phelps, Kelsey (Jason) Bjork, Jacob (Sady) Cranfill, and Hayley (Chase) Angrick. He also leaves 10 great grandchildren: Chatham, Fisher, Porter, Cooper, Liam, Brock, Blake, Mackenzie, Carter and Ryker. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Delmar, Jr., Donald, and Jerry.

Harold worked at Progress Industries in Arthur, IL; at Bridgestone Firestone in Decatur, and at Sam’s Club in Decatur. Harold served in the Army National Guard for many years. Harold loved sports. For over 40 years he enjoyed refereeing high school basketball and football games. He also umpired baseball for Decatur’s Park District for 10 years.

Harold was an active member of the LaPlace Church of the Brethren, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

The family requests that memorials be made to the LaPlace Church of the Brethren and the Lovington First Church of God.

Recent Obituaries: Lawrence Manley

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Lawrence Manley
Lawrence Wayne Manley, 80, of Windsor, passed away, 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield.
Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Cochran Grove Cemetery, rural Windsor. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Wayne was born October 2, 1940, in Vandalia, the son of Lawrence Edward and Joyce (Hoover) Manley. He married Merna I. McEndollar on May 20, 1960, in Brownstown; she survives. He served in the United States Navy. Wayne was a NASCAR fan and he, himself raced stock cars. Trapshooting was a big part of his life and he traveled to many states participating. Wayne had the ability to be able to fix anything.
He is survived by his wife, Merna Manley of Windsor; son, Ron Manley of Windsor; daughters, Lisa (John) Mowry of Gays and Susie (Rick) Smith of St. Joseph; brothers, Roy (Sarah) Manley of Ramsey and Kenneth (Joann) Manley of Clinton; grandchildren, Michael Mowry of Sullivan, Erin (Travis) Trimble of Sullivan, Delaine Florey of St. Louis, MO, and Carson Florey of St. Joseph.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, James Edward (infant) and Charles Dale Manley.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Shirley Pawson

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Shirley Pawson

Shirley Pawson, 89, of Sullivan, passed away at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, February 28, 2021 in her daughter’s residence surrounded by her loving family.
Celebration of Life services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Fender officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery, rural Sullivan. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Memorials are suggested to the FUMC Honduras Mission Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
She was born Shirley Hanks on July 5, 1931 in Hindsboro, IL. Shirley was the widow of Robert L. Westbrook of Decatur and Clarence Phillip Pawson of Delavan.
Survivors include her son Robert ‘Art’ Westbrook (Lori Olson) of Delavan, IL, grandson Shane Westbrook (Heather) and their children Kyi, Jaxton, Egan, Ryker and Beckham, granddaughter Karli Westbrook; son William ‘Bill’ Pawson (Peggy) of Marquette Heights, IL, grandson Josh Pawson (Andrea) and their children Ethan, Samuel and Addison, granddaughter Billie Jo Jordan and her children Dillon and Brianna; daughter Nancy (Mike) Craig of Sullivan, grandson Phillip Craig (Jessica) and their children Cooper and Ellison, granddaughter Abby Russell (Nathan) and granddaughter Natalie Free (Nick).
Shirley was a woman of deep faith in God and had a great love for her family and friends. She spent may happy years on the family farm in Delavan being a farm wife. Later she became a CNA and was passionate about taking care of seniors. Her beautiful voice and musical talent was sought by many for all occasions
She was preceded in death by both husbands, one brother and one sister.

Recent Obituaries: Hyllis Rhoades

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Hyllis Rhoades

Hyllis F. Rhoades, 96, of Springfield, formerly of Sullivan, passed away 11:30 p.m. Wednesday February 17, 2021 in Heritage Health, Springfield.
Celebration of Life services will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Sullivan First United Methodist Church with Pastor Mike Fender officiating assisted by Adam McReynolds. Visitation will be from noon until service time at the church. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Bethany.
Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan First United Methodist Church Kitchen Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.
Hyllis was born October 5, 1924 in Dunn, the daughter of Walter Henry and Martha Clora Butts Daum. Hyllis, and her husband Virgil, founded and operated the Y-Drive Inn, located in Sullivan, from 1948 to 1965. She had a later career working in food service at the Illinois Masonic Home, until her retirement. Hyllis was a tireless servant for God, devoting herself to the mission of the United Methodist Church. As a long-standing member of the First United Methodist Church of Sullivan, she was a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and worked tirelessly in its kitchen, serving meals. As an active member of the United Methodist Women, she served as conference President and Treasurer. In addition to serving her church, she was also a Girl Scout Leader and involved with 4H. Hyllis was also a gifted and talented seamstress. For several years, she owned a fabric shop.
Hyllis married Virgil O. Rhoades on August 25, 1946 in Findlay at her parent’s home. Virgil preceded her in death on March 26, 1982.
Surviving are her daughters Dereatha ‘Dede’ Pratt of Springfield, Kay Schillo of Clarksville, Tennessee, Merry Rhoades of Glen Carbon and Amy Taylor of Springfield; grandchildren Jason Rachunok, Kristin Wicker Auterson, Tara Rachunok Szopinski, Brean Rhoades Schafer and Collin Taylor and eight great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, twin daughters Karen Rhoades and Sharon Wicker and two grandsons, Travis James Rachunok and Owen Michael Taylor.

Recent Obituaries: Peggy Harlin

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Peggy Harlin

Peggy Joan Harlin, 84, of Sullivan, passed away, 4:32 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Tuesday at the funeral home. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Camfield Cemetery, Rural Sullivan.
Peggy was born April 21, 1936, in Sullivan; the daughter of James William and Jane Elmyra (Webb) Colclasure. She married Ronnie Lee Harlin on April 25, 1959; he preceded her in death on February 19, 2021. Peggy enjoyed the outdoors, reading, and the computer card games solitaire and FreeCell. She loved her grandchildren and playing Skip-Bo with her family.
She is survived by her son, James (Yvonne) Harlin of Sullivan; daughter, Sandi Williams of Decatur; grandchildren, Jennifer (Ben) Tipsword of Sullivan, Heather Williams of Peoria and Tiffany (Zachary) Senger of Taylorville; great-grandchildren, Gannon and Elyse Tipsword.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 brother, Charles Richard Colclasure and 1 step-brother, Donald Colclasure.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Ronnie Lee Harlin

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Ronnie Lee Harlin

Ronnie Lee Harlin, 79, of Sullivan, passed away, 2:38 a.m. Friday, February 19, 2021, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Tuesday at the funeral home. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Camfield Cemetery, Rural Sullivan.
Ronnie was born March 8, 1941, Red Boiling Springs, TN; the son of Harvey O’Dell and Mavis Maybell (Patterson) Harlin. He married Peggy Joan Colclasure on April 25, 1959; she survives. Ronnie enjoyed the outdoors, coon hunting, showing coon dogs, horseback riding and his numerous coffee groups. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy of Sullivan; son, James (Yvonne) Harlin of Sullivan; daughter, Sandi Williams of Decatur; brother, Jerry (Cheryl) Harlin of Cooks Mills; sister, Ella Jean Pleasant of Sullivan; grandchildren, Jennifer (Ben) Tipsword of Sullivan, Heather Williams of Peoria and Tiffany (Zachary) Senger of Taylorville; great-grandchildren, Gannon and Elyse Tipsword.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister, Joyce Booker; 2 brothers, Rex Harlin and Randell Harlin.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: David Bratton

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David Bratton

David Wayne Bratton, 70, of Sullivan, passed away, 9:50 p.m. Thursday, February 18, 2021, at his Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 22, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Monday at the funeral home. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan, with Military Rites by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Methodist Church Honduras Mission Group.
David was born July 16, 1950, in Shelbyville; the son of Fred William and Bertha H. (Milby) Bratton. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. David married Janet I. Van Horn on January 11, 1987, in Shelbyville; she survives. David spent most of his work career at Brach’s Candy Factory in Sullivan, but he lived to play his music on the week-ends. He had mastered the “bent note” style of Floyd Cramer. The last several years he has used his God given gift to play in Church for the Glory of God. He collected records and loved old Westerns.
He is survived by his wife, Janet of Sullivan; son, Mark Bratton of Sullivan; step-son, Brian (Amy) Duzan of Tulsa, OK; step-daughter, Shannon (Jeff) Moon of Sullivan. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren.
David was preceded in death by his parents.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com