Sara Baker

Sara L. Baker, 60, of Sullivan, passed away at 5:47 p.m. Tuesday in Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Dave Dolan officiating. Visitation will be from 10 -11 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Arborcrest Memorial Park, Effingham. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. The family request that masks be worn and everyone practice social distancing for the visitation and funeral.

Sarah was born May 25, 1960 in Vandalia, the daughter of Leonard and Virginia Antrim Mack.

She was a member of the New Life Tabernacle in Sullivan and was a licensed cosmotologist and had also worked for the Sullivan Senior Center and had been a DJ for Cromwell Broadcasting in Mattoon. She married Larry Baker on February 14, 1987 in Normal.

To her family and friends, she has left her legacy of holding faith, family and friends as the most important ingredients of a life well lived. She rested knowing that they would keep the faith and care for each other.

Surviving are her husband Larry of Sullivan, daughter Brianna (Phil) Stoneburg of Mt. Zion; sons Jeremy Baker of Mattoon and K. R. Baker of Oakley eight grandchildren and a grandson.

Sara’s life well-lived included a very extended family that embraced and loved her. Her grandmother and her namesake, Rosalie Sarah Antrim, and her grandfather Alonzo Maloy Antrim, as well as aunts and uncles from bother her mother’s family and father’s family have preceded her in death. She is also survived by aunts Joan Lynch, who she lovingly called "Aunt Mom" and Betty Toops; as well as uncles Richard Antrim and Lee Antrim. Sara was also loved by her many cousins who have survived her, especially Cathy Hawks who was Sara’s kidney donor.

Linda Taylor

Linda K. Taylor, 75, of Bethany, passed away at 6:46 a.m. Friday August 14, 2020 at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur.
Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany with Pastor Ron Otto officiating. Visitation will be from 10 - 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family atreedfuneralhome.net. Please wear a face mask and observe social distancing at the visitation.
Linda was born February 28, 1945 in Springfield, the daughter of Joseph Parker, Jr and Beulah Elmore Parker. She had been a registered nurse for Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois in Decatur. Linda married William Taylor on June 21, 1969 in Assumption.
Surviving are her husband William of Bethany; daughter Jennifer (Paul) Bone of Clinton; son Todd Taylor of Orlando, Florida; brother Joseph D. (Lynn) Parker of Pawnee; grandchildren Camillia (Bryce) Hunsley of Manito, Brittney (Zach) Horrell of Kahoka, Missouri, Allison Bone of Clinton and Quentin Bone of Clinton and great granddaughter Eliza Hunsley.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter Hope Bone.

Wandalee Rankin

Wandalee (Wanda L.) Latch Rankin of Mattoon died around 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Mattoon Rehabilitation and Health Care. Wanda was born September 30, 1926 in rural Shelby County, Illinois to Artie D. and Mabel (Williams) Latch. She married Donald E. Rankin on February 21, 1946 at the rural Windsor residence of Reverend Ira Blythe. Don preceded her in death on December 29, 2014.
Wanda helped Don manage their farming operation near Sexson Corner until their retirement in 1985. She was the Ash Grove “Avon lady” for many years. In addition, she was a talented seamstress, gardener, crafter, and cook, as well as a very loving mother and grandmother. Cherishing the memories of her love are her four children David (Cheryl) Rankin of Mattoon, Carolyn (George) Ledbetter of Sullivan, Steven (Susie) Rankin of Decatur, and Beverly (Lee) Williams of Ohio. Wanda also leaves twelve grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. One great-grandchild and two great-great-grandchildren preceded her in death.
A celebration of Wanda’s life will be held on Tuesday July 7, 2020 at Lovins-Lockart Funeral Home in Windsor at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at the same location from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please dress casually. The family understands that some may be keeping to themselves at this time. Condolences may be shared through the funeral home’s website at https://www.lockartgreenfuneralhome.com/ or to any of the children individually.
Wanda was a life-long member of the Ash Grove Christian Church. The family requests that those who wish to make memorial donations in her honor do so to the church or to the Activity Fund at Mattoon Rehabilitation and Health Care where Wanda was very lovingly cared for the last several years.

Roxie Davis

Lovington- Roxie LaVerne Davis, 100, of Lovington, passed away at 8:02 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2020, at her home in Lovington.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at the Lovington First Christian Church. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Tuesday at the church. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Friends Creek Cemetery, Argenta.
LaVerne was born March 20, 1920 in Clinton; the daughter of Richard and Carrie (Smith) Cheatham. She married James Robert Davis on March 2, 1940, in St. Louis; he preceded her in death on November 29, 1977. She was a member of the Lovington First Christian Church and the Women’s Widow Club in Lovington.
LaVerne was an incredibly strong and caring woman who brought joy to every gathering with her laughter and wit. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an avid gardener and made beautiful flowerbeds wherever she lived. LaVerne enjoyed collecting glassware. She was a wonderful cook and generous with her delicious pies. She loved the Lord and her family.
LaVerne is survived by her daughter, SuzAnne Parrott of Lovington; sons, John Davis of Lovington and Gary (Carla) Davis of Herrick; grandchildren, Cameron (Beth) Parrott, Terry Parrott, Jim (Felicia) Parrott, Robert (Shayla) Parrott, Monica (Brandon) Ashley, Gretchen Davis, Joshua (Quinn) Davis, Ben (Jennifer) Davis, Brianna Brodbeck, Justin (Avegail) Davis, Jill (Javier) Navarro and Thomas James “T.J.” Davis. She is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren and 1 brother, Harold (Joshie) Cheatham of Melbourne, FL.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 3 brothers, 3 sisters, 1 grandchild and 2 great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Raymond Emel

Raymond “Kent” Emel, 79, of Sullivan, passed away 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 9th, 2020, at Mason Point, Sullivan.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 15, 2020, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, with Military Rites following the service by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Monday at the funeral home. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Sullivan Senior Center, Moultrie County Illinois PAWs, Sullivan VFW or to the Sullivan American Legion Post #68.
Kent was born February 7, 1941 in Sullivan, the son of Bill Emel and Dorothy (Matheson) Craig. He served in the United States Air Force. Kent married Sharon Craig on September 26, 1964 in Sullivan; she survives. He attended the Oak Grove Baptist Church in rural Bethany. Kent was the owner of Ham’n Egg Restaurant and Sharon’s Family Restaurant. He also worked at Caterpillar for 31 years. He was well known for his fried catfish, poppy seed dressing and biscuits and gravy. He was a VFW Quartermaster. His favorite days were spent in his jon boat on the Tennessee River, in Kentucky, with a fishing pole in his hand. He enjoyed tinkering in the garage, spending time with his family and visiting his daughter and her family in Arizona.
He was the man that could fix anything, a dedicated husband, father and grandfather and a true American Veteran. Kent had the deepest love and respect for his family and Country; and he will be missed more than words can say.
Kent is survived by his mother, Dorothy Craig of Sullivan; wife, Sharon Emel of Sullivan; daughter, Becky (Renie) Fawson of Kingman, AZ; brothers, Roger (Ann) Emel of Bethany, Ron (Linda) Emel of Bethany, Dick (Barb) Emel of Bethany, Bob Emel of Sullivan and J.R. (Catherine) Craig of Sullivan; sisters, Anne (Charlie) Tegarden of Kingman, AZ, and Cindy (Joe) Taber of Sullivan; grandchildren, Zane Fawson and Valen (Brennan) Cassidy of Kingman, AZ; great-grandchildren, Payton, Carter and Kentleigh Cassidy.
Kent was preceded in death by his father; special nephew, Chad Loy; and aunt, Pat Burcham.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com