News Progress

Edna McFarland

Edna Mae McFarland, age 95 of Mattoon, IL passed away at 10:20 P.M., Sunday November 4, 2018 at Odd-Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon, IL.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at 12:00 P.M., Friday, November 9, 2018 at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL; Pastor Dan Haifley will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Rest Haven Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted at the cemetery by Mattoon VFW Post 4325. The visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service begins at the funeral home.

Edna was born December 9.1922 in Gravel Switch, KY the daughter of the late Sydney and Geneva (Roller) Phillips. She married Warren Garrett McFarland on June 7, 1945 in Norfolk, VA; he proceeded in her death in 1992. She is survived by her two children; son David McFarland of Carlinville, IL, daughter Shirley Stepanovic and husband Darryl of Mattoon, IL; six grandchildren, Jamie Korando of Costa Mesa , CA, Dana Clark of Long Beach, CA, Lance McFarland of St. Louis, MO, Lacy Glenn of Nokomis, IL, Jourdin McFarland of Carlinville, IL, Jade McFarland of Carlinville, IL; and eight great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by son Dennis McFarland, six brothers, and one sister.

Edna honorably served our country during WWII in the Navy, where she met her loving husband, Warren. She enjoyed traveling, camping, and reading. Edna loved NASCAR, music, and dancing. She survived cancer and was pillar of strength within her family. Edna’s children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. Her legacy will live on through them.

Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.

Evelyn Schwartz

Evelyn "Jeanette" Schwartz, 95, of Bethany, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, surrounded by her family, who sang "Jesus Loves Me" as she went to reunite with other loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday November 6, 2018, at Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan, IL. Burial will be in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany.
Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.reedfuneralhome.net

Jeanette was born on November 4, 1922 at Todd’s Point, IL, the daughter of Ray Pritts and Alta Zona (Powell) Pritts. She attended Bethany schools, beginning in the one room schoolhouse at West Hudson. She married Roger Dean Schwartz on August 3, 1939, and he preceded her in death on August 26, 1962. In addition to caring for Roger, who was an invalid, she lived her life as an extraordinary example raising seven children, teaching them the importance of honor, integrity, and love of God, country, and especially family. She and all the children were members of the First Christian Church of Bethany.

She then went to nursing school and was the top graduate in her Licensed Practical Nursing class. She immediately began a remarkable career lasting 25 years at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, where she specialized on the psychiatric ward. Known affectionately as "Schwartzie" by staff and patients alike, she gained a reputation among her co-workers and doctors of being able to help the complicated and complex treatment and healing of any patient with her professionally firm but understanding personality. This included especially uncooperative patients that even the police and security could not handle.

Jeanette is survived by thankful and devoted daughters Janet (Alex) Shealy, Kay (Ted) Atkinson, Louanne Banks, and Shirley (Lowell) Ford, all of Bethany, and Zona (Jerry) Speasl of Pleasanton, CA, and son John (Marsha) Schwartz of League City, TX. She was the cherished and highly revered "Granny" to 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. All of us feel deeply blessed to be part of her family.