Recent Obituaries: Dennis ‘Denny’ Ferguson
Dennis ‘Denny’ Ferguson
Dennis M. ‘Denny’ Ferguson, 76 of Bethany, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025 in his home.
Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Tom Hoskins officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the Bethany American Legion Post #507 will be in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Memorials are suggested to the Moultrie - Douglas 4-H or the Bethany Peace Meal. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Denny was born on January 26, 1949 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Warren G. and Luzetta J. Gaston Ferguson. Denny graduated from Bethany High School in the class of 1967. He took agricultural courses through Lake Land College. He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1969. Denny was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer his entire life in the Bethany area. He spent a lot of hours on the road hauling livestock for Two Mile Commission company. He was a member of the Lincolnland Carriage Club and the Illinois Draft Horse and Mule Association.
Denny showed mules along side of his father which became a family highlight for his kids and grandchildren. He appreciated a good team of mules. He raised, handled and showed several grand champion mules in state and county fairs. He also judged several state and county mule shows over the years. He enjoyed driving mules in parades and taking rides throughout the countryside.
He looked forward in going to the livestock sales at Shelbyville Sale Barn and Two Mile Commission each week. It was a highlight to eat at the Bethany Diner visiting the guys at the liar’s table. He also enjoyed spending time with his high school friends eating lunch out monthly.
Survivors include his children Michael ‘Mick” Ferguson of Findlay, Dawn Redfern of Bethany and Alison Freeland of Hot Springs, Arkansas; grandchildren Janette (Canon) West of Japan and Garrett Ferguson of Bethany; brother in law Dean Craig of Sullivan and a niece and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Janet and a son-in-law T.G. Redfern.
Obituaries 4-30-2025: Nichole Scott

Nichole Scott
Nichole Moran Scott, 58, of Bement, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 8:37 a.m., Thursday, April 24, 2025, at her residence.
Read MoreObituaries 4-30-2025: Michael Schowalter

Michael Schowalter
Michael W. Schowalter, 62, of Bethany, passed away at 10:47 p.m. Monday April 21, 2025 in his residence.
Read MoreObituaries 4-30-2025: Harold Renfro

Harold Renfro
Harold E. Renfro, 91 of Lovington, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife and son at 2:28 AM Friday, April 25, 2025, at Eastview Terrace, Sullivan.
Services to celebrate Harold’s life were held Monday, April 28, 2025, at the First Church of God in Lovington. Interment was in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the First Church of God in Lovington.
Read MoreObituaries 4-30-2025: Bruce Krile

Bruce Krile
Bruce L. Krile, 69, of Strasburg, IL, passed away on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL, with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg, IL. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Strasburg, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Strasburg Fire Department, Grace Lutheran Church, Strasburg Lions Club, Sullivan AMBUCS, or the family in care of Justin Krile.
Read MoreRecent Obituaries: Wayne M. Brown
Wayne M. Brown, 87, of Lovington, passed away 7:10 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 2, 2025, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Wayne was born October 23, 1937; the son of Homer and Tressie (Dunning) Brown. He served in the National Guard. Wayne married Rosemary Lee Rainey on April 8, 1971, in Lovington; she survives. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, traveling and dancing all over the world with his wife. Wayne was a good cook and many people enjoyed his Fish Frys.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemary of Lovington; sons, Eric (Lisa) Brown of Dalton, GA, and Tony Brown of Lovington; daughters, Tina (Jeff) Stovall of Charleston and Terri (John) Hilgers of Arizona; sisters, Betty Bolsen of Sullivan and Renae Lothman of Arkansas; grandchildren, Tony (Stephani) Brown, Nick Brown, Dakota Ostler and Madison (Jordan) Chamberlain; great-grandchildren, Quinn Brown, Rowan Brown and Evan Chamberlain.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters Geneva Cross and Ruth Childress.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Recent Obituaries: Harold E. Renfro
Harold E. Renfro
Harold E. Renfro, 91 of Lovington, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife and son at 2:28 AM Friday, April 25, 2025, at Eastview Terrace, Sullivan.
Services to celebrate Harold’s life will be held at 11 am Monday, April 28, 2025, at the First Church of God in Lovington. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. Interment will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the First Church of God in Lovington.
Harold was born on March 11, 1934, in St. Louis, MO, a son of Earnest W. and Vera E. (Atkinson) Renfro. He was a retired supervisor for Caterpillar. Harold was an active dedicated member of the First Church of God where he served s a Deacon. He also took great pride in maintaining and scheduling the church’s community building that he helped build. Harold was always busy, ready to drive a group to dinner, going boating, mushrooms hunting and he loved to garden. He also had many rental properties and grew very close to the families he took care of. Harold also served on the Village Board for several years. Harold married Donette A. Grabow on July 3, 1954, in Hillsboro. They celebrate 60 years of marriage before she passed away on January 25, 2015.
Surviving are sons Skip and his wife Debbie Renfro, Bob and his wife Marylisa Renfro, daughter Bev and her husband Scott Connelly, and daughter-in-law Diane Renfro all of Lovington, brother John (Jane) Renfro of Lovington, sister- Vicki (David) Stadge of Delaware, OH, and brother Hiram (Rose) Renfro of Donnellson, brother in law Walter and his wife Mary Grabow of Normal, 8 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Harold was greeted in Heaven by Jesus, his beloved wife Donette and his son, Gerald “Jerry” Renfro, his parents, brother, Robert “Bob” Renfro and sister, Lydia Collins.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Obituaries 4-23-2025: Donald “Dean” Puyear

Donald “Dean” Puyear
Donald “Dean” Puyear, 86, of Hudson, winter resident of Englewood, FL, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025 at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital.
Read MoreObituaries 4-23-2025: Pat Desmond

Pat Desmond
Pat Desmond, 82, of Mattoon, passed away at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 2025 in her residence with her family by her side.
Read MoreObituaries 4-23-2025: Bettye Dawson

Bettye Dawson
Bettye Katherine Dawson, 100, of Ankeny, IA, formerly of Lovington, Decatur and Tuscola, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025, Rock Creek Senior Living, Ankeny, IA.
Visitation was held Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Graveside services were held Saturday, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Lovington.
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