Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Jane Ramsey

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Jane Ramsey

Jane Ramsey, 82, of Sullivan, passed away at 10:50 a.m. Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in care of the family.Jane was born on May 3, 1942, in Tower Hill; the daughter of Hiram and Lona (Harlow) Bland. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, friends and her cats. Jane enjoyed sewing, the outdoors and gardening. She is survived by her sons, Carl Wayne Ramsey of Sullivan and William Langley of Pana; daughter, Katrina (Tary) Guynn of Sullivan. Jane is also survived by 9 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl “Butch” Ramsey, 9 brothers, 8 sisters, 2 sons, 1 daughter and 1 grandson.Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Sheri DeAnn Williams

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Sheri DeAnn Williams, 57, of Dover, Tennessee passed away at 4:30 p.m. Sunday December 15, 2024 in the Murray-Calloway County Hospital in Murray, Kentucky surrounded by her family.
Celebration of Life services will be at 12 Noon Saturday December 21, 2024 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Sheri was born April 22, 1967 in Decatur, the daughter of David and Connie Miller Smith. She married the love of her life, Robert ‘Rob’ Williams on May 17, 1986 in Decatur. Sheri had been a bus driver for public schools for over twenty-five years.
Surviving are her husband Rob Williams of Dover, Tennessee; daughter Tiffany Williams of Decatur; son Scott (Kyleigh) Williams of Decatur; mother Connie Smith of Sullivan; brothers Bryan (Dana) Smith of Kankakee and Tighe (Donna) Smith of Buchanan, Tennessee and grandchildren Brianna, Brilee, S. J., Jameson and Ryder.  Being a Grammy was one of the greatest treasures of her life.
She was preceded in death by her father David Smith and granddaughter Addilynn Williams.

Recent Obituaries:Joyce Ellen Shellabarger

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Joyce Ellen Shellabarger

Joyce Ellen Shellabarger, 85, of Sullivan, passed away 8:41 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2024, at her home with her loved ones by her side.Memorial services will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday, December 16, 2024, at the Sullivan First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Cunningham Children’s Home: 1301 N. Cunningham Ave, Urbana, IL 61802 or to the Sullivan United Women in Faith. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.Joyce was born on January 8, 1939, in Urbana; the daughter of Stanton and Catherine (Buntain) Bonwell. She married Richard Shellabarger on June 17, 1962 in Champaign; he preceded her in death on February 10, 2018. Joyce was a member of the Sullivan First United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Moultrie County 4H for many years. She was a Cub Scout leader and merit badge counselor. Joyce was a Sullivan Junior High teacher, a Sullivan girls basketball coach and an assistant track coach. She loved sewing, baking and traveling with her husband Richard. Joyce loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.She is survived by her children, Sherry Shellabarger of Georgetown, TX, Sondie (Eric) Epley of San Antonio, TX, Samantha Berner of Sullivan, Stan (Dutes) Shellabarger of Chicago, Susan (Wyatt) Hicks of Charlotte, NC, and Seth (Amy) Shellabarger of St. Louis, MO. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 1 brother.Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Dan J. Sentel

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Dan J. Sentel

Dan J. Sentel, 55, of Sullivan, passed away at 11:30 p.m. Friday November 22, 2024 in his residence.Celebration of Life services will be 11 :00 a.m. Tuesday November 26, 2024 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in the Camfield Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Police Department Equipment Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.Dan was born August 9, 1969 in Decatur, the son of Frank J. and Lois Valentine Sentel. He was  a service technician for Sloan Implement and originally Schilling Brothers John Deere in Mattoon. Dan was a member of the Windsor Christian Church. Dan dedicated his life to John Deere and farming. He married Denise Naab on August 1, 1992 in Windsor.Surviving are his wife Denise of Sullivan, son Wyatt Sentel of Sullivan; brother David Sentel of Sullivan; mother-in-law Rosetta Naab of Sullivan, a nephew and three nieces and their families.He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law Roger Naab.

Recent Obituaries: Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers

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Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers

Robert Arthur “Bob” Childers, 87, of Gays, passed away 10:56 a.m. Monday, September 2, 2024, at his home in Gays.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 6, 2024, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in French Cemetery, rural Allenville. Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County PAWs: 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951
Bob was born on April 2, 1937, in Bethany; the son of William Robert and Margie (Buckley) Childers. He married Barbara N. Nichols on June 5, 1959, in Charleston. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and working on cars. He loved all music, but he especially enjoyed Elvis and Johnny Cash.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Steve Childers of Mattoon; daughter, Sheila (Lyle Schoonover) Childers; brothers, Rick Childers of Allenville and Jeff Baker of Michigan; sister, Linda (Gilbert) Burns of Mt. Morris, MI, and Cherie Polk of Windsor; grandchildren, Michael Childers, Greg Childers, Heidi Childers and Alex Carter; sister-in-law, Betty Crites of Mattoon. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Alan Lynn, sister, Eula and brother, Randy.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Edwin R. Righter

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Edwin R. Righter

Edwin R. Righter, 67, of Sullivan passed away at 3:43 a.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2024 in the Reed Funeral Home with Doug Fultz officiating. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Solid Rock Chapel in Sullivan. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Righter was born on February 17, 1957 in Morris, Illinois, the son of Roy and Betty (Hahn) Righter. Edwin had worked as the maintenance supervisor at the Sullivan School District, he then retired from the City of Sullivan as the Electric Plant Manager and also worked at Wiley Brothers Farms. Edwin attended the Solid Rock Chapel in Sullivan and had been past president of the Christian County Tractor Pulling Association. He married Cheryl Johnson on September 6, 1981 in Arthur, Illinois.
Survivors include his wife Cheryl; children Jared (Melissa) Righter of Naperville, Illinois and Kelsey Righter of Texas; grandchildren Ella Righter, Inara Welty, Callum Welty and Isabel Elliott; mother Betty Righter of Sullivan and a brother Mark (Amber) Righter of Sullivan.
He was preceded in death by his father.

Recent Obituaries: Byron F. Abrams

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Byron F. Abrams

Byron F. Abrams, 87, of Sullivan, passed away at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday August 6, 2024 in the Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday August 24, 2024 in the Sullivan Highway Church of Christ with Wayne Miller and Robert Hemingway officiating. Memorials are requested to the Sullivan Highway Church of Christ. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.
Byron was born January 16, 1937 in Sullivan Township the son of Homer Edmon and Edith Lillian Sager Abrams. He had been a truck driver for Bekins Transport. Byron was a member of the Sullivan Highway Church of Christ. He was an avid photographer, ham radio operator and was a published author. He married Susan Perry on December 26, 1958 in Sullivan.
Surviving are his wife Susan of Sullivan; daughter Paula (David) Evans of  Lovington; son Kevin Abrams (Frances Smith) of Rantoul; sister Barbara (Tom) Dean of Sullivan; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Charles H. Abrams.

Recent Obituaries: Sharon K. Sibigtroth

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Sharon K. Sibigtroth

Sharon K. Sibigtroth, 74, of Sullivan, passed away at 1:39 a.m. Thursday, August 15, 2024 at St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at the Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ, rural Sullivan with Vanessa Patient and Brigham Hagerman officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mrs. Sibigtroth was born on July 17, 1950 at Bloomington, Illinois, the daughter of William and Vera (Lee) Lishka. Sharon was a nurse and a member of the Elim Springs Church of Christ and the American Nursing Association. She married Daniel Sibigtroth on September 1, 1973 at LaSalle, Illinois and he preceded her in death on September 7, 2005.
Grams as she was affectionaly called by her grandchildren is survived by her children Andrea Sibigtroth-Harshman and her husband Daniel Harshman of Sullivan and Joseph Sibigtroth and his wife Jennifer of Granville, Illinois; grandchildren Ulrich Harshman, Frederick Harshman and Michelle Cox; great grandson Christopher Kaufman; brothers Bobby Lishka of Parma, Ohio and William (Carol) Lishka of Bloomington; sisters Joyce Helen (Cecil) Harris of Highland, Illinois, Darlina (Dillard) Wright of Antioch, Tennessee and Lorina (Scott) Purdum of Wickliffe, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother William Medley and sisters Mary Margaret Poston, Sherry Duley and Nancy Searl.

Recent Obituaries: Jim ‘Sonny’ Andrews

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Jim ‘Sonny’ Andrews, 86, of Decatur, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 5:25 a.m. Thursday, August 15, 2024 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 18, 2024 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Scott Hall officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Faith Baptist Church Snuggies For The Soul program. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Andrews was born July 8, 1938 in Thomasville, Missouri, the son of Edward Leslie and Mary Louise (Fisher) Andrews. Jim retired from Caterpillar in Decatur after 35 years and was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Decatur. He married Sue Shoemaker on August 28, 1959 in Tuscola, Illinois and she survives.
Also surviving are his children Tanya (George) Bone of Bethany and Mike (Cindy) Andrews of Seneca, South Carolina; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren and a brother Gordon Andrews of West Plains, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and one brother.
Jim loved the Lord, his wife of 65 years, his family, helping others and fishing. He will be missed by all that knew him. But we know we will see him again someday in heaven.

Recent Obituaries: Barbara A. Piper

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Barbara A. Piper

Barbara A. Piper, 77, of Sullivan, passed away at 5:38 p.m. Wednesday August 7, 2024 in her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Lovington Church of God with Pastor Rodney Houser and Pastor Jerry Graham officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Weekend Food Pac Program or to a charity of the donors choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Barbara was born February 15, 1947 in Tracy, Kentucky the daughter of James Ralph and Viola Annice Russell Remick. She had been a licensed day care provider and was a bus driver for the Sullivan Schools. Barbara was a member of the Lovington Church of God. She married Don Piper on December 23, 1995 in Sullivan.
Surviving are her husband Don of Sullivan, children Paul (Angie) Isaacs of Auburn, J. Mark (Angelique) Isaacs of Sullivan, Shari (Chris) Bennett of Mattoon, Penny (Jim) Yuille of Missouri, Crystal (Brian) Critchelow of Sullivan, Denise Willson of Sullivan, Jennifer (Jack) Cohan of Sullivan; fifteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son John Isaacs; and daughter-in-law Renee Isaacs; granddaughter Jamie and great granddaughter Haley.