Erin Loethscher
Erin Danielle Loethscher, 32, of Champaign died at 3:15 p.m. Monday, July 30, 2018, in Sullivan.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 11 in the First Church of God Family Life Center in Lovington. Read More
Obituaries: Donald Finch
Donald Finch
Mr. Finch was born in Decatur, IL on March 31, 1932. He passed away peacefully at his home in Converse, TX on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.
Donald served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Sasebo, Japan. He also served aboard the flagship, USS Mt. McKinley as a Teletype Seaman (TESN). In May 1956 near the Martial Islands in the South Pacific, Don and his shipmates participated in the first Hydrogen bomb test to be witnessed by dignitaries and journalists from the deck of the Mt. McKinley.
His greatest loves in life were God, country, family and carpentry. He was faithful to each.
Don was the youngest son of Neal Owen and Ruby Fern Finch. Those preceding him in death were both parents, his sister Virginia Harrison and five brothers; Eugene, his twin Dale, Robert, Neal Jr., and Paul Harry, all of whom were past Decatur residents. His beloved daughter, Amanda McClung, also completed her heavenly journey several years ago.
Mr. Finch is survived by his wife, Carolyn (Dowdell) Finch, his son Tad Finch of Anderson IN and daughter, Tara Martinez of Converse TX, as well as six grandchildren; Michael Finch, Madison Finch, Caleb McClung, Jonathan McClung, Benjamin McClung and Noah Martinez. Don and Carolyn were also named honorary grandparents to Miriam McClung and Eva McClung. Also surviving are many neices, nephews and extended family members.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 4th at Reed Funeral Home, 1112 South Hamilton Street, Sullivan IL 61951. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by procession to Penn Township Cemetery near Prairie Home, IL in rural Shelby County for interment. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Recent Obituaries: Tammy J. Wilson
Tammy J. Wilson
Tammy J. Wilson, 59, of Sullivan passed away at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday August 1, 2018 in Mason Point, Sullivan.
Private graveside services will be Saturday August 4, 2018 in the Camfield Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Tammy was born May 18, 1959 in Kirksville the daughter of John Adkins and Patsy Bruce She had cleaned homes for many people and also had operated a child care center in her home.
Surviving are daughters Rachel (Jamie) Cavazos of Sullivan, Stephanie (Tyler) Poland of Mattoon; grandchildren Alex Cavazos and Warren Poland.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Obituaries 8-1-2018: Ronald Lane
Ronald Lane
Ronald Gail Lane, 76, of Indianapolis, Ind. died at 11:02 a.m. Thursday, July 19, 2018 in Life’s Journey in Indianapolis.
He was born June 15, 1942 in the family home near Sullivan, a son of Orris and Helen Lane.
Ronald was educated in the Sullivan schools where he was an outstanding athlete. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he had been an air traffic controller and recently was self-employed. He was a member of First Christian Church in Sullivan. Read More
Obituaries 8-1-2018: Cathy England
Cathy England
Catherine “Cathy” Susan King England, 58, of Sullivan passed peacefully at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, July 29 in her home surrounded by her loved ones.
Services will be at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan with visitation 5-8 p.m. today (Wednesday, August 1) and funeral services 11 a.m. Thursday, August 2. Inurnment will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Casual attire is requested. Read More
Obituaries 8-1-2018: Linda Grose
Linda Grose
Linda J. Grose, 78, of Sullivan passed away at 8:45 a.m. Monday July 30, 2018 in her residence.
Celebration of Life services will be noon Friday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Charliam Renner officiaiting. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon Friday. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.
Linda was born March 23, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Oliver and Earlene Walker Brindley. She married Michael S. Grose June 17, 1960 in St. Louis, Missouri, and he preceded her in death December 25, 2016. She had been a teacher at El Paso Elementary School and later served as a substitute teacher for El Paso Elementary School, had an in home day care center while raising a family and then became a teacher for Sullivan Preschool and eventually being their director. Read More
Obituaries 8-1-2018: Gretchen Morrison
Gretchen Morrison
Gretchen Diane Bailey Morrison passed away peacefully in her home in Louisville, Ky. on July 15, 2018.
She was born on May 12, 1944. A native of Lovington, Gretchen graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in education. An avid learner, she went on to earn multiple masters’ degrees as well as her Ph.D. Gretchen possessed many unique talents including needlepointing, knitting, sewing, cooking, decorating, antiquing, and gardening. She loved sharing her creations with others to bring them joy. Having raised her family on a farm, animals were always an integral part of her life. In her later years, in lieu of farm animals she had cats whom she showered with attention. Her beloved feline companions Bensyn and Greysyn have relocated to Springfield, Illinois with family where they will continue to be cherished. Read More
Obituaries 8-1-2018: Shelia Lee
Shelia Lee
Shelia Rene White Lee, 60, of Sullivan passed away at 12:18 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2018 in Saint Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.
A memorial visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, August 18 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan.
Shelia was born August 2, 1957 in Decatur, the sixth and youngest child of Benton Robert White and Dorothy Marie Bridges. Shelia lived in the central Illinois area her entire life. She was always there for her family, taking care of her parents for many years. She loved working on family history and enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and doing other crafts in her spare time. Read More
Recent Obituaries: Catherine England
Catherine England
Catherine “Cathy” Susan (King) England, 58, of Sullivan, IL, passed peacefully at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, July 29th in her home surrounded by her loved ones.
Services will be at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan, with a visitation on Wednesday, August 1st from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and funeral services on Thursday, August 2nd at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Casual attire is requested. Memorials can be made to Beacon Bright Start, a program that she enjoyed taking her grandson to.
Cathy was born May 15th, 1960, in Mattoon, IL to Ralph “Bud” King, Jr. and Fern (Lutz) King. She graduated in 1978 from Lovington High School where she was fortunate enough to meet her lifelong best friend and partner in crime Pat (Hendrix) Miller. She moved to Sullivan where she became everyone’s favorite waitress, bartender, and manager at Jibby’s Restaurant. She ran an in-home daycare where all of her babysitting kids became part of her family and still are. She spent 14 years at her dream job at Sullivan High School running the cafeteria. There she was a person both staff and students could go to when they needed a laugh, smile, or just someone to talk to.
Her greatest joy in life was her family. She married her soulmate David England on June 6th, 1992. Their years together were spent attending sporting events, concerts, spoiling their four Yorkies (Bernie, Isabel, Axle, and Toby), spending time with their kids, but mostly just being together. She was so proud of her three kids and loved telling everyone all about them. She spent the last two years living her dream of being a grandma.
Cathy is survived by her husband, David England of Sullivan; daughters, Heather (Brett) Samonds of Illiopolis and Jennifer (Alicia) Starr of Sullivan; son, Grant England of Sullivan; grandchildren, Layla and Davey; mother-in-law, Judy England of Sullivan; brothers-in-law, Kevin (Shelly) England of Houston, TX and Jon (Renee) England of Sullivan; and many friends she considered family.
She was proceeded in death by her mother, father, sister, Sharon Cobble, brother, Rodney King, father-in-law, Sonny England and two nieces.
Cathy will be remembered by many for her smile that could light up a room, and for giving the best mom hugs.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Obituarie 7-25-2018: Lena Gillenwater
Lena Gillenwater
Lena Ann (Botts) Gillenwater, 96, formerly of Lovington, passed away in Imboden Creek Nursing Home in Decatur Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 6:27 p.m. with family at bedside.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, July 20 at Strode Funeral Home in Tompkinsville, Kentucky with the burial following in Harlan Crossroads Cemetery.
She was born May 26, 1922 in Monroe County, Ky. to the late William Earlie and Pearliza Smith Botts. Read More