News Progress

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

John Sharp

John William Sharp, 88, passed away on June 9th, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, IL. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan, with Military Rites by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Please wear a face mask and practice social distancing for the services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Central Christian Church in Seymour, IN.

If you asked a hundred people who John William Sharp was, they’d all give you a different story. He was a husband. A father. An avid Cardinal baseball fan. A lover of sports and Illini Basketball. A grandfather. A professional Fisherman. The tallest man in the world. A leader. But, no matter what version of the story you’d hear, it seemed as though he was all of the above.

John was born February 17th 1932 in Bruce, IL. to his parents Charles and Leola (Waite) Sharp. From a young age, John was involved in many activities and was a very active in the community. He could often be found playing basketball and baseball and with competitive, yet kind hearted determination. He graduated from Sullivan high school and was a Veteran of the United States Air Force. He was married to, Carolyn Shedelbower King on November 6th, 1971 in Tolono, IL.

He worked as a sales manager for Midway Supplies in Seymour, IN, while also taking on many leadership roles in different communities. John coached many little league and travelling teams in Tolono, IL and Seymour, IN. and played a major role in creating the Village of Tolono’s park district. He had a God-given ability to communicate with everyone, young and old. He also served as the Commander and Vice Commander of the American Legion. John donated many hours to service projects and charities including the Christmas Miracle Project and President and past President of the Sertoma (SERvice to mankind) in Seymour, IN.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Sharp and his children, Tammy Beaird (Ron Beaird), Timothy Sharp (Adrian Kok), Tracy Wilson (James Wilson) and Trudy Godsell (Michael Godsell) along with his step children Robbie King (Julie Zike) and Connie Downey and Lisa King. John was the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Leola Sharp.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com