Eugene Morgan

Eugene L. “Gene” Morgan, 49, of Garrett, formerly of Lovington, passed away suddenly on Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2020 at his residence.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2020 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL with Rev. Ron Emel officiating. Burial will follow in the Cartwright Cemetery, rural Tuscola, IL.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2020 at the funeral home.
Gene was born on May 8, 1971 in Tuscola, the son of William L. and Peggy Jo Wetherholt Morgan. He married Brenda Kay Butt on December 14, 2002. She survives.
Also surviving are his parents of Garrett, sister: Meridith (Forrest) McDaniel of Lovington, nieces and nephews: Paige, Dalton, Kaylee, Kyle McDaniel, Alec (Jaelynn) and their children: Harper and Hendrix, several aunts and uncles and extended family members.
Gene formerly worked at Masterbrand Cabinet’s in Arthur and most recently was serving as the caregiver for his parents. He loved Christmas, collecting eagles and working in his yard most of all.
Memorials are suggested to a veteran’s organization of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com

Jimmie Kite

Jimmie J. “Jim” Kite, 73, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
A private family graveside service will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2020 in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Extended family and friends are invited to pay their respects by parking along one of Jim’s walking routes, over the dam and through Forest Park, from 1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, as the procession passes through en route to the private family burial. Please park in permitted parking spots along the route and turn your headlights on to show your support to the family. Memorials may be given to the General Dacey Trail in care of the funeral home. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.
Jim was born on November 14, 1946, in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Vera May (Grove) and Charles Worsley “Joe” Kite. He attended and graduated from Sullivan High School in the Class of 1964. Following high school, Jim went to work for Community Industries in Sullivan, IL. Jim then entered the United States Army, serving in Germany during the Vietnam War. He returned to work in Sullivan in 1968 and retired from Agri-Fab in 2008. He married Aveleah Ann Doty on June 7, 1969 and she preceded him in death on February 10, 2008. Jim enjoyed playing chess, working puzzles, walking around the park and lake, bike riding, fishing, gardening and anything outdoors.
Jim is survived by his sons, Mark Kite (Ashley) of Shelbyville, IL, and Brent Kite (Sarah) of Mattoon, IL; daughters, Sarah Edwards of Westervelt, IL, Rachel Kite of Charleston, IL, and Dani Frey of Shelbyville, IL; 11 grandchildren, Samuel Kite, Brandon, Katelynn, Hannah & Timothy Edwards, Dakota, Dominick, and Brooklynn Hensley, Kambrie Kite, and Skyler and Haiven Rohr ; 3 great-grandchildren, Braydon Edwards, Octavia “Tavi” Kite, and Grace Rohr.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Aveleah.
A special thank you to the staff at Sarah Bush and the Shelby County Health Department for the love and care they showed during this difficult time.
Send condolences online at www.howeandyockey.com

William McLaughlin

William Dean "Bill" McLaughlin, 64, of Centralia passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at his home in Centralia. He was born on August 11, 1955 the son of Dr. Dean and Thelma (Bierman) McLaughlin in Sullivan, IL.

Survivors include his loving siblings, David McLaughlin and wife Janet of Maryville, MO, Jean Kim and husband David of Carmel Valley, CA, Susan Selock and husband Dan of Goreville, IL, John McLaughlin of Centralia, Elizabeth Ann McLaughlin of Centralia; step-mother, Mary McLaughlin of Sullivan, IL; brother-in-law, Ted Dzierzynski of Astoria, NY; step-sisters, Cathy Norman, and Shawna Tatarchuk; step-brother, Brian Wakeland; and many nieces, and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by both his parents; and sister, Phyllis Dzierzynski.

Bill was a 1973 graduate of Sullivan High School and continued his education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He was a member of, and served as elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Centralia. He had a passion and a true gift for cooking, always using fresh ingredients. He was famous for his mouthwatering, homemade apple pies, clam chowder, chocolate chip cookies, and homemade rolls. He had a green thumb and grew amazing gardens that allowed him to create delicious dishes, and can flavorful vegetables for future use. Bill was no stranger to a game of bridge, attending bridge club for many years. He enjoyed traveling but was always at the ready to come home to help his family if ever they were in need. Bill was a devoted son, living on the family farm in order to be close to care for his mother. Family was of great importance to Bill and he was considered the family historian as he could trace the family back many generatio
ns. Bill's dedication to family, and kindness to all will not be forgotten.

Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia is honored to be assisting the family of Bill McLaughlin with arrangements. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 16, 2020 at the First Presbyterian Church in Centralia. Interment will follow at Hillcrest memorial Park in rural Sandoval. A visitation time will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church on Monday. Memorials may be made in Bill's honor to First Presbyterian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories of Bill may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home's Facebook page.

Janet Young

Janet Mae (McMullin) Young, 80, of Sullivan, passed away 2:12 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in her home surrounded by her family.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2020, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2020, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Sullivan First United Methodist Church or to Moultrie County Illinois PAWs.
Janet was born April 10, 1939, in Decatur; the daughter of Leonard W. and Olive F. (Dixon) McMullin. She married Donald W. Young on November 8, 1958, in Sullivan; he survives. Janet was a Co-Owner of McMullin-Young Funeral Homes. She was a member of the Sullivan First United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. Janet loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and spending time with her family. She was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and U of I Basketball team. Janet loved family nights where we would eat and play games.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years Donald W. Young; son, Mack (Joleena) Young of Sullivan; daughters, Cathy (Tim) Floyd of Sullivan and Kim (Bob) Freeman of Sullivan; grandchildren, Melinda Turney, Andrew (Shannon) Elder, Trisha (Kalub) Ard, Alex (Tiffanie) Young, Shelby Freeman, Braedan Young and Breanna Barrix-Austin; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Kahlil, Alayna and Willow; brother-in-law, Robert (Adiline) Young; nephew, Rob (Michelle) Young of Sullivan; several other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Ann; brother, Jimmy; great-grandson, Jordan; great-granddaughter, Emmie.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Thomas Houser

Thomas M. ‘Tommy’ Houser, 52, passed away 6:37 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Celebration of Life services will be at 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the Sullivan First United Methodist Church with Vanessa Patient and Brigham Hagerman officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. There will be a law enforcement only walk through at 4:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Law Enforcement Scholarship in honor of Tommy Houser at the Sullivan First Community Bank. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Tom was born March 3, 1967 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Thomas R. and Nona Bodine Houser. Tom married Elizabeth Myers on June 18, 1988 in Decatur, Illinois. He was a member of the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church, F.O.P. Lodge #41, Teamsters Local 700, the Moultrie County Dive Team and had been a Moultrie County Dare Officer.

Tom’s career spanned more than 31 years of dedicated Law Enforcement service to the citizens of Illinois, starting with the Sullivan Police Department, then with the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department and retired from the Illinois State Police on October 1, 2019. Upon graduating from Cadet Class 100, Tom was assigned to District 10 Patrol. In 2002 Tom transferred to Zone 5 Investigations where he served in the capacity of the Methamphetamine Response Team. In 2007 Tom became a Hostage Negotiator for the Illinois State Police. In 2009 he took command of the East Central Illinois Task Force (ECITF). In 2015 he became the Zone 5 Lieutenant and transitioned with the Department to the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) where he proudly remained for the duration of his career. Through his career, he was awarded a Life Saving Award, a Department Commendation, multiple Letters of Appreciation and a Certificate of Recognition. Tom’s hard work and knowledge did not go unnoticed and earned his promotion to Sergeant in 2006, Master Sergeant in 2009, and Lieutenant in 2018. In 2015 he served as the Chief of Staff for Colonel Jill Rizzs. Tom supervised General Criminal Investigations, the East Central Illinois Task Force and the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group. Throughout these years, he consistently performed his duties to the highest standards and personally epitomized the tenets of Integrity, Service, and Pride.

Survivors include his wife Elizabeth, sons Kyler T. Houser and Kedrick H. Houser and his fiancé Keeley Benning all of Sullivan; mother Nona Houser of Decatur; father-in-law James Myers (Helen) of Dundee, Florida; brother Richard L. (Justi) Houser of Decatur; sister Michele (Chris) Brownlow of Decatur; step-brother James (Karen) Hancock of Fairfax, Virginia; niece Raeshel (Stephen) Duncan of Decatur; nephews Dominick (Tabatha) Braden, Austin Cory (Robin) and Dalton Brownlow, all of Decatur; great niece Layne Cory and a great niece expected in June; great nephews Cannon and Talon Bradon, special aunt Maggie Myers, several other beloved aunts and uncles and our friends that are family and our LEO families.

He was preceded in death by his father Thomas R. Houser; mother-in-law Nancy Myers and his maternal and paternal grandparents.