Michael E. Booker

Michael E. Booker, 67, of Sullivan, IL, formerly of New Port Richey Fl, passed away Thursday, March 22nd, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center surrounded by his loving family. 

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. The family request casual attire. Memorials may be made to the Monticello Railroad Museum.

Mike was born March 7th, 1951, the oldest son of Virgil E. and Carlin Jo (Manship) Booker. He was a member of the Sullivan High School class of 1969. He was a proud alumni of Lake Land College, Western Illinois University, and Sangamon State. He was a member of the Governor Board of Elections, chairman of the Moultrie County Democratic Association, Surface Navy Association, and West Pasco County Model Railroading Association. He was a candidate for the 102nd House of Representatives. He enjoyed fishing and model railroading, photography, WWII reenacting, and keeping everyone up to date on the weather. He was a staunch fan of the Fighting Illini Football, the Green Bay Packers and the Cards. He cherished time with his family, especially his grandchildren. 
One of his favorite jobs was working with his cherished friend, Doug, in his landscaping business. 

Mike is survived by his daughter, Jamie Lynn Booker and friend, Clayton Pforr, of Sullivan, son, John Booker and wife Brittany, of Pekin, Ill, and grandchildren Brooklyn, Roman, Memphis, Mason, Lukas, and Emily, and best buddies Rick and Jeri Davis. 

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brother Joey Lynn, and his beloved Aunt Mable. After 40 years, he finally can hot rod with his little brother.

Mike's family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of SBLHC, especially Dr. Curtis Green, and nurses Hannah and Drew for their compassionate care to our family and Mike.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Gladys D. Courtright

Gladys D. Courtright, 95, of Sullivan passed away 12:23 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2018, Mason Point, Sullivan.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made donor’s choice.

Gladys was born February 7, 1923, in Falls of Rough, KY, the daughter of Henry and Bessie (Dunn) Harl. She married Edgar D. Courtright on November 6, 1946, in Decatur; he preceded her in death on February 20, 2012. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sullivan. She loved playing Bingo, enjoyed dancing and music, loved visiting with her friends and family and her favorite saying was “See you down the road somewhere.”

She is survived by her sons, Ed (Rose) Courtright, Jr. of Sullivan and Jan (Betty Lewis) Courtright of Shelbyville; sister, Daisey Hill of Pana. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 son Jerry L. Wiseley, 4 brothers and 6 sisters.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Beverly M. Alwerdt

Beverly M. Alwerdt, 84, of Arthur, passed away 10:50 a.m. Saturday March 3, 2018 in the Arthur Home.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating.  Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Wednesday.  Memorials are suggested to the Moultrie County Food Pantry or the Sullivan First Christian Church.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Mrs. Alwerdt was born May 2, 1933 in Sullivan, IL, the daughter of Samuel B. and Gladys Francis Whitchurch. Bev was a homemaker, member of the Sullivan First Christian Church, had been a member of the Sullivan Women’s Civic Club and the Sullivan Country Club Women’s Golf League.  She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, collecting shells on the beach and golfing with her friends.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family especially watching her grandchildren grow up.   Bev married William ‘Bill’ Alwerdt, DDS on March 15, 1952 in Sullivan and he survives.

Also surviving are her children Janet (Darrel) Gingerich of Arthur and Leslie (Jim) Mossman of Sullivan; grandchildren Lindsey (J.P.) Young, Megan (Bret) Starkey, Tyler Mossman, Seth Gingerich and Lucas Mossman; great-grandchildren Hudson and Duncan Young; sister Nancy Davis of Wichita Falls, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Francis Whitchurch and sister Esther Krows.

Sam Kidwell

Sam Kidwell, 80, of Sullivan passed away at 8:20 a.m. Thursday February 15, 2018 in the Arthur Home.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Chaplain Mark Maxey officiating. Visitation will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Moultrie County Memorial Park Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to Muscular Dystrophy Association or to the Moultrie County Relay for Life. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. The family suggests casual attire.

Sam was born May 29, 1937 in Kirksville the son of Ralph and Ida Bea Blackwell Kidwell. He had worked at the Brown Shoe Company in Sullivan until it closed and then was a truck driver and retired driving for Barney Ozier. He married Linda Isaacs on November 22, 1969 in Sullivan and she preceded him in death on June 29, 1985.

Surviving are his daughters Teresa (Paul) Fleshner, Carla Kidwell and honorary daughter Chris Schumacher all of Sullivan; sons Mike (Cheryl) Kidwell of Bethany, Richard Kidwell of St. Louis, Missouri, Gary (Dara) Kidwell of Tuscola; brothers Ralph (Evelyn) Kidwell, Jr. of Sullivan, Richard (Donna) Kidwell of Tuscola, eleven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and three great-greatgrandchildren and his dog Duke.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Linda; brother Jerry Kidwell; sister Betty Younker

Paul Richard Shellabarger

Paul Richard Shellabarger (Shelly), passed away peacefully February 10, 2018 with his family by his side after a lengthy battle with cancer. Married for fifty-five years to his wife Joyce Shellabarger, Ritchie was an Air Force Veteran and a very active member of his community. A lifetime member of the American Legion, most will remember him lining up the 4th of July parade, running the watermelon contest and sack races. He also spent a lot of time at the grill with Stanley Guin and Joe Shaw. Along with volunteering within the legion post he was a Boy Scout leader (of Boy Scout Troop 39), little league coach, and Prairie Frontiersman. Many acts of kindness were quietly done behind the scenes without any recognition, which is how he liked it. Ritchie was a loving husband, proud father, father-in-law, and even a prouder grandfather. He was loyal, honest, and his handshake was his word.

He is survived by his wife Joyce Shellabarger their six children; Sherry (Jay Lloyd) Shellabarger, Sondie (Eric) Epley, Samantha (Mike) Berner, Stan (Dutes Miller), Susan (Wyatt) Hicks, Seth (Amy) Shellabarger, and twelve grandchildren Paige, Philip, Ethan, Emily, Evan, Benjamin, Brooke, Addison, Emery, Oliver, Gabriel, and Matthew.

In lieu of flower, memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Sullivan, Cunningham Home Foundation of Champaign, and The Moultrie County Food Pantry.

A memorial service will be held on Monday February 12, 2018 from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan, Illinois.