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CONSOLIDATED ELECTION RESULTS FOR 4/1/2025
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Category Archives: Recent Obituaries

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Recent Obituaries: William ‘Bill’ Rauch

News Progress Posted on July 11, 2022 by webmasterJuly 11, 2022

William ‘Bill’ Rauch

William ‘Bill’ Rauch, 90, of Sullivan, passed away at 12:26 p.m. Thursday July 7, 2022 in Shelbyville Manor.

Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Windsor Cemetery with Mike Craig officiating. There will not be any visitation. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Bill was born May 26, 1932 in Sullivan the son of Frank H. and Daisy Jeffers Rauch. He retired from Caterpillar in Decatur. He was a bus driver for the Sullivan School District and the Moultrie County Beacon. Bill enjoyed playing bingo, going to the races, playing the slots and playing cards with his friends. His greatest love was his family, saying they made him “the richest man in the world!” He was a member of the Sullivan American Legion Post # 68. Bill married Evelyn Gaddis on December 30, 1951 in Sullivan and she preceded him in death on December 26, 2006.
Surviving are his children Mary Lee Lambdin, Mary Lou Miller, Brenda (Pat) Seeley , Ken (Susan) Rauch, Tim (Stephanie) Rauch all of Sullivan and Teri Jo (Hal) Sippel of Cabery; sister Sharon (Dale) Jones of Lovington; brother Robert (Karen) Rauch of Sullivan and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Evelyn, sister Betty and grandson Kenny Lambdin, son-in-law Mike Miller and beloved dog Mister.

He will be forever loved and missed by all who knew him.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Doris Ann Bartanen

News Progress Posted on July 5, 2022 by webmasterJuly 5, 2022
Doris Ann Bartanen
Doris Ann Bartanen, loving wife of Ronald Dale Bartanen, went home to be with the Lord on July 1, 2022.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service, Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Highway Church of Christ in Sullivan.
She was born on January 4, 1936 to Thomas and Lillian Gordon of Sycamore Landing, Tennessee. She often spoke fondly of the Hollow where she was born, her gentle southern accent pronouncing it as "the holler" where she spent her formative years near the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch. Her father was a sharecropper who died at the hands of a drunk driver before she was born, leaving her mother with four young mouths to feed in a log cabin. Her mother then married her deceased husband's brother, L.C. Gordon, and had two more daughters and a son. Doris and her three older siblings picked cotton to help with the sharecropping duties. Mamie Gordon and Mamie Curtis and her many cousins pitched in to help garden and raise the large family.
Doris was preceded in death by most of her family, her sisters: Gladys Hale of Jackson, TN, Ollie Mae Brown of Humboldt, TN, Louise Llewellyn of Morris, IL, and two brothers - one who died as an infant and the other - Junior Gordon - who died as a young man. Her remaining sister, Martha Gordon, resides in Collinsville, Illinois.
She attended high school in Gadsden, Tennessee. Highlights of her school years included being named the salutatorian and Strawberry Queen of her school. A portrait of Doris, crowned as Strawberry Queen, graced the family home for several years.

Young women were often counseled in their last year of high school to find themselves a preacher to take good care of them and "out of those hollows." She soon met Ronald Bartanen, a young minister who was a Bible Student attending Freed Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee, when he came to speak at Cox's Chapel, the little country church that Doris attended.

Doris graduated in May of 1954, and married Ronald on June 1, 1954. They welcomed a son, Richard Paul, the following year on July 27, 1955, and a daughter, Beth Ann, four years later on September 23, 1959. Ron and Doris had the privilege of celebrating their 68th wedding anniversary this past June.

While she was active in the ministry as a minister’s wife and Sunday School teacher, her primary focus and joy was that of being a mother.

Their lives together in the ministry took them far from the hills of Tennessee, from congregations throughout the Midwest to upper Michigan. While she often longed for those hills, she worked diligently to help her husband build up the Lord's church and remained faithfully by his side while he continued to preach to a small congregation in Arthur, Illinois while they were both in their 80s.  Doris was her husband's biggest supporter of his artwork, helping him pick out frames and attending art shows where he won many awards.

Doris is survived by her loving husband Ronald Bartanen and their two children Rick (Crystal) Bartanen of Pace, Florida and Beth (Mike) Cooper of Great Falls Montana and their five granddaughters; Jami (Mark) Johnson, Atwood, Illinois, Katrina Bartanen, Monticello, Illinois, Sarah Weeks, Fairbury, Illinois, Kaitlin (Edwin) Torres, Helena, Montana and Kristen (Jake) Johnson, Bozeman, Montana; ten great-grandchildren; Carissa and Aaron Williams, Rianne and Clayton Ayers, Benjamin, Kayla, Sophia and Ethan Johnson, and Carder and Sadie Weeks.

The family was blessed to all spend Easter together with their grandma Doris. As they stood in a circle holding hands Doris was able to join in the singing of Amazing Grace. We concluded with the words "Will the circle be unbroken by and by Lord in the sky."

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Sandra June Dolan

News Progress Posted on June 27, 2022 by webmasterJune 27, 2022

Sandra June Dolan

Sandra June Dolan, 83 of Arthur, IL passed away at 8:36 PM on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the Vine Street Christian Church, in Arthur, IL. Pastor Bob Silvanik will officiate. Burial will be in the Arthur Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the church. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Sandra was born on June 7, 1939 in Sullivan, IL. She was a daughter of Carl Layton and Myrtle (Ames) Dolan.
Survivors include one brother, James Terry Dolan and his wife Nancy of Catlin, IL, two nephews, Charley Dolan of Catlin, IL and Michael Dolan of Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ralph Ames Dolan.
Sandra was a 1957 graduate of Sullivan High School. After high school she earned her master’s degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University.
Sandra retired from the Arthur School District after 39 years, where she taught 4th, 5th and 6th grade science and math, she also coached grade school and junior high, basketball and track. After she retired, she owned Sando’s in Arthur for 21 years and she also worked at The Great Pumpkin Patch for several years.
Sandra was a member of the Vine Street Christian Church, where she also taught Sunday School. She was a member of the CWF, Christian Women’s Fellowship at the Vine Street Cristian Church, and a member of the BPW, a professional women’s club in Arthur, and a member of the Psi Iota Xi sorority and the Zeta Omicron sorority.
Sandra was an avid fan of the Arthur Knights, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears.  She loved teaching, sewing, gardening, helping others, caring for animals and sports.
Memorials may be made to the Vine Street Christian Church.
Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Elizabeth Hubbert

News Progress Posted on June 24, 2022 by webmasterJune 24, 2022
Elizabeth Hubbert
Elizabeth Colleen Hubbert, 59, of Sullivan, passed away 12:16 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital, Mattoon.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2022 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, with a Prayer Service held at 4:30 p.m. Monday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at the St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to St. Columcille Catholic Church of Sullivan.

Elizabeth was born on April 14, 1963, in Decatur; the daughter of Richard and Joyce (Woolen) Welsh. She was the Deputy Supervisor of Moultrie County Assessments. Elizabeth was a member of the St. Columcille Catholic Church.

She is survived by her son, Michael Hubbert of Sullivan; daughters, Sarah Hubbert of Sullivan and Christina (Ian) Naslund of Elmwood; granddaughter, Evelyn Davis; sisters, Patricia (Dr. James) Mauck of Elkhart, IN, and Victoria (Steve) Ludwig of Ocala, FL.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 1 brother, Timothy Welsh.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Marjorie (Hamblin) Sheridan

News Progress Posted on June 21, 2022 by webmasterJune 21, 2022

Marjorie (Hamblin) Sheridan

Marjorie Joan (Hamblin) Sheridan was reunited with her beloved Charlie and all her loved ones in the light of Jesus on June 16, 2022. She bid farewell to her daughters, Cynthia (Robert) O’Connor and Patricia McCray, her three treasured grandchildren, Jeffrey McCray (Kelley), Laura Boillot (Paul), and Michael O’Connor, and her great grandchildren, Reece Charles McCray, Elowyn Boillot, and Baby McCray due in November.

Born March 28, 1923 at the family farm in Sullivan, Illinois to Edward Hamblin and Lena (Monroe) Hamblin, she was later joined by brother Donald (Kathleen), now deceased. From the rural one room school, she went on to high school in Sullivan, then to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, graduating in Education with minors in Speech and Drama in 1944. It was there that she met the love of her life, Charles Henry Sheridan, and they married on September 23, 1945.
As a Navy wife, she had to find work in San Francisco where Charlie’s ship was based and was employed by American Airlines until they moved to Flint, Michigan in 1947. While raising their daughters, she taught Creative Dramatics K-6 for Mott Foundation, created parent workshops for P.T.A. and directed Ross Learning Center in Grand Blanc, tutoring area students. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter BX, raising money for women furthering their education, and a ‘Flint Spark’ hospitality volunteer at Bishop Airport until her early 90’s, receiving their ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award in 1998.
Together with Charlie, she actively participated in many community organizations, serving as a deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church Flint, supporting Young Life Genesee County, Flint Kiwanis, General Motors Institute Faculty Wives, and directing productions at Flint Community Players and First Presbyterian Church.
The family would like to express loving thanks to all the wonderful friends, neighbors and caregivers who helped Margie into her 100th year without Charlie. Marjorie’s life will be celebrated at a service of thanksgiving and joy at First Presbyterian Church, 746 S. Saginaw St., Flint, Michigan 48502 on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 with Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Novak officiating. Visitation begins at 10am with the service at 11am. The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be found on First Presbyterian Church Flint's YouTube channel at youtube.com/fpcflive. There will be refreshments immediately following the service. Marjorie will be laid to rest with Charlie on July 25, 2022 at 1:30pm at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, Michigan 48442. Friends and family who wish to honor her memory may choose to send a gift to First Presbyterian Church Flint, Young Life of Genesee County, 5083 Miller Road, Suite C, Flint, Michigan 48507 or the Michigan P.E.O. Fund.
Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Ella “Rosie” Antle

News Progress Posted on June 20, 2022 by webmasterJune 20, 2022
Ella "Rosie" Antle
Ella Rosetta "Rosie" Antle, 82, of Mattoon, IL passed away at 5:17 P.M. on Friday, June 17, 2022, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 22, 2022, at Penn Station in Arthur, IL. Pastor Bill Livesay and Pastor Darrell Helmuth will officiate. Burial will be in Resthaven in Mattoon, IL. Visitation will be held from Noon to 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Penn Station. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Rosie was born on April 22, 1940. She was a daughter of Lloyd and Wilda Louise “Billie” (Henry) Rogers. She married William Lee “Bill” Shadow on December 22, 1956, in Mattoon, IL. He passed away on February 7, 1998. She later married C.M. Antle on August 18, 2018, in Arthur, IL.
Rosie is survived by three children, Angela Shadow and Craig Shadow both of Sullivan, IL and Darci Shadow of Allenville, IL; four grandchildren, Joshua Crowe of Sullivan, IL, Amber Rosetta Henderson and her husband Curt of Mattoon, IL, Carly Ferguson and her husband Dustin of Raleigh, NC, and Lindsay Eller and her husband Alex of Mattoon, IL; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Charlene “Cis” Lawrence, and one brother, Randy Rogers both of Mattoon, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd, and Billie Rogers, two husbands Bill Shadow and C.M. Antle, one sister, Joan Smith and an infant brother, Charles Rogers.
Rosie attended Lakeland Church of Christ in Mattoon, IL and had been a member of the Arthur Cowboy Church.
Rosie enjoyed anything outdoors; camping, fishing; “critters” of all kinds, she would feed bunnies, squirrels, and birds especially her “hummers,” she also loved visits with her “granddogs.”  She enjoyed Country Music and dancing at Penn Station in Arthur, IL. She was a great cook; she made the best noodles. She sewed clothes, making flannel pajamas and Halloween costumes for her kids and grandkids. She was a doting grandmother who passed on her love of the outdoors and some of her hobbies to her grandkids.
Memorials may be made to Penn Station in Arthur or the Lakeland Church of Christ.
Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Darlene Burgess

News Progress Posted on June 6, 2022 by webmasterJune 6, 2022

Darlene Burgess

Darlene R. Burgess, 87, of Sullivan, passed away at 8:45 a.m. Saturday June 4, 2022 in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield.

Celebration of Life services will be 12:00 noon. Tuesday June 7, 2022 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Don Lusk officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Tuesday. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Darlene was born July 15, 1934 in Moultrie County, the daughter of Delmar and Minnie Kidwell Elzy. She had retired in 1992 from GE in Mattoon. She was a member of the Sullivan Church of God. Darlene married Cecil R. Burgess on October 17, 1953 in Sullivan and he preceded her in death on November 26, 2016.
Surviving are her daughters Shirley (Bill) Lindley, Linda (Richard) Probus and Susie Burgess all of Sullivan; daughter in law Heide Burgess; brothers Kenneth Elzy of Texas, Gale (Charlene) Elzy of Sullivan and Marshall (Kathy) Elzy of Sullivan; sister Inna Pickel of Sullivan; four grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers, a sister, son Ron and Grandson Richie Probus.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Rcent Obituaries: Brady Phillips

News Progress Posted on May 9, 2022 by webmasterMay 9, 2022

Brady Phillips

Brady T. Phillips, 30, of Tuscola, IL, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2022 at his residence.
There will be a visitation on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 from 4-6 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL.
Brady was born January 4, 1992 in Mattoon, IL, the son of Liz Phillips and Brad Phillips. Survivors include his parents, sisters: Clarisa Phillips and Emmalee Phillips, and other extended family members and friends.
Preceded in death by grandfathers: Floyd Stutzman and Ron Phillips.
Brady served his country as a US Army Sergeant. He worked as a forklift driver at Syngenta. Brady loved going fishing and spending time with his friends. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Please come share memories and stories.
In lieu of flowers, funeral expense donations are greatly appreciated. Monetary donations can be made through Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Brady Phillips

News Progress Posted on May 9, 2022 by webmasterMay 9, 2022

Brady Phillips

Brady T. Phillips, 30, of Tuscola, IL, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2022 at his residence.
There will be a visitation on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 from 4-6 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL.
Brady was born January 4, 1992 in Mattoon, IL, the son of Liz Phillips and Brad Phillips. Survivors include his parents, sisters: Clarisa Phillips and Emmalee Phillips, and other extended family members and friends.
Preceded in death by grandfathers: Floyd Stutzman and Ron Phillips.
Brady served his country as a US Army Sergeant. He worked as a forklift driver at Syngenta. Brady loved going fishing and spending time with his friends. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Please come share memories and stories.
In lieu of flowers, funeral expense donations are greatly appreciated. Monetary donations can be made through Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Roger Wilhelm

News Progress Posted on April 27, 2022 by webmasterApril 27, 2022
Roger Wilhelm
Roger K. Wilhelm, 73, of Sullivan, passed away 9:18 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2022, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.

Roger was born July 20, 1948, in Decatur; the son of Ray and Wilma M. (Crane) Wilhelm. He graduated from Sullivan High School in the Class of 1966 and then went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University. Roger was a retired truck driver. He attended the Zion Hill United Methodist Church, Mattoon. Roger enjoyed going to family gatherings.

He is survived by brother, Brad Crane Wilhelm of Redmon; sister, Cherryl (Gery) Conlin of Arthur. Roger is also survived by five nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Posted in Recent Obituaries

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Easter Donation



News Progress


The Kirby Foods meat department delivered hams to the Moultrie County Food Pantry on Wednesday the 16th, thanks to a generous anonymous donation. The hams will provide a nice Easter dinner.


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