News Progress

Denny Hutchings

Denny Hutchings, 73, of Sullivan, passed away 6:38 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2019 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church with Pastors Paul McGhghy and Glenn Strohschein officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Ambucs or the Moultrie County Relay for Life or the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Mr. Hutchings was born October 31, 1945 in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Edward C. and Velma Wetzel Hutchings. Denny had been a Sullivan High School counselor for 30 years. He was a member of the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church where he was a church elder, member of the Sullivan Ambucs and Big Hat Club and was Ambuc of the Year in 2018, member of the Sullivan Country Club, involved with Sullivan SPARK, sang with the Prairie Winds, member of the Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association, was Mr. Redskin in 2014 and was a Friend of Basketball for the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for outstanding acheivement in Illinois basketball. Denny married Mary Stevens on March 5, 1967 in Mattoon and she survives.

Also surviving are his sons Kris (Misha) Hutchings of O’Fallon, MO and Nathan (Jen) Hutchings of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren Alex Hutchings, George Hutchings and Konner Hutchings; step-mother Audrey Hutchings of Mattoon; brother Gary (Pat) Hutchings of Mattoon and a sister Donna Kelley of Mattoon.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gene Montgomery

CHARLESTON, IL – Gene Montgomery, age 84 of Charleston, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL. The Funeral Service honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 with Pastor Ray Finney officiating. Burial will follow at Mound Cemetery, Charleston, IL. It is requested that donations in his honor be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105. Gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Gene was born on April 30, 1934 in Bone Gap, Illinois to the late Robert W. and Mary (Garrison) Montgomery. He married Sylvia Braden on January 7, 1955 in Charleston, and they just celebrated 64 wonderful years of marriage. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Sylvia Montgomery of Charleston, IL; their children, Vickie (Tom) Austin of Camargo, IL, Jane (Chuck) Bell of Greenup, IL, Teresa (Ken) Montgomery of Charleston, IL, Robert Gene Montgomery, Jr. (Amanda) of Sullivan, IL, and Tim (Kristi) Montgomery of Sullivan, IL; 11 grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; sister, Patsy (Don) Johnson of San Bernardino, CA; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Montgomery of Ocala, FL. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded by two brothers, Ben and Jess Montgomery; and his beloved dog, Bandit.

His love of horses led him to begin his career as a horse trainer and driver, racing in California, New York, Florida, and Maine just to name a few. He transitioned to become one of the sports premier starters and race official for over 40 years. He started races in Chicago, numerous state and county fairs, including the sport’s biggest event The Hambletonian. He was inducted into the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association Hall of Fame in 2013.

Later in life he enjoyed camping, going to festivals, and shopping while riding his scooter, sometimes a little too dangerously. He cherished holidays and attending parties with his wife Sylvia and family. Gene followed U of I athletics, but his greatest joy was attending his grandchildren’s sporting events as their biggest fan

Gene had a courageous fight with cancer and was cared for until the end by his wife Sylvia and his entire family. Gene always had a smile on his face, was a good friend to many, and a great family man, and he will be missed dearly.

Gene’s memorial website is available at www.adamsfuneralchapel.com.