News Progress

Lena Ann (Botts) Gillenwater

Lena Ann (Botts) Gillenwater, 96, formerly of Lovington, Illinois, passed away in Imboden Creek Nursing Home in Decatur, Illinois, on Tuesday, July 18, 2018 at 6:27 pm with family at bedside.

She was born on May 22, 1922 in Monroe County, KY to the late William Earlie and Pearliza (Smith) Botts. She married Don Mitchell Gillenwater on September 3, 1946, and they had five children. She attended the Lovington United Methodist Church. She loved spending time with her family, and never met a stranger! Her favorite past times were playing the guitar, singing, listening to music, and dancing!

She is survived by son, Mervin Gillenwater (Pat) of Effingham, IL; daughters, Marjorie Broutin (Richard) of Lovington, IL, Marcella Shinneman (Dave) of Cedar Park, Texas, Marcia Gregory (Everett) of San Antonio, Texas, Michelle St. Pierre (Todd) of Cerro Gordo, Illinois; eleven grandchildren, Richard E. Broutin, Margo Hess, Matt Gillenwater (Susan), Cheri Beasley (Mike), Ryan Jent (Sonya), Dustin Gregory, Jordan Gregory, Gabrien Gregory, Jessica St. Pierre, Hannah Sawyer (Josh), Josie St. Pierre, seven great-grandchildren Sheldon Gee (Cortney), AJ Gee, Megan Wold (Jake), Amanda Benz, Dylan Benz, Max Gillenwater, Owen Gillenwater, three great-great granddaughters, Sophia Carter, Presleigh Jent, Zoey Wold, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, special friend William Little, brothers, Cecil Botts and Kenneth Botts, sister, Vernie Botts, and many special sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 11:00 am at Strode Funeral Home in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, with burial to follow in Harlan Crossroads Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am – 11:00 am Friday, at Strode Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to Imboden Creek Living Center, Decatur, IL.

James Matthews

James Elliott ‘Jim’ Matthews, 82, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:00 a.m. Friday June 29, 2018 in his residence.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday in St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan with Fr. John Titus, Celebrant. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday with Prayer Service at 4:00 p.m. in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Rite of Committal and Burial will be in the Arthur Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Columcille Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus or to Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Jim was born September 22, 1935 in Glen Dean, Kentucky, the son of Elliott Z. and Sylvania M. Berry Matthews. He married Ruth C. Taylor on June 12, 1954 in Decatur. Jim retired from the Illinois Masonic Home as the Laundry Manager. He was a member of St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan and the Knights of Columbus.
Surviving are his wife Ruth of Sullivan; children Patty Cazel of Cadwell, Rick (Janine) Matthews of Sullivan, Scott (Bonnie) Matthews of Decatur, Jean (Steve) Hazel of Decatur, Joan (Joe) Matheson of Sullivan, Julie (Terry) Cox of Moweaqua; brother Charles (Carol) Matthews of Springfield; sisters Loretta Mercer Matthews of St. Petersburg, Tennessee, Laurita (Rollin) Goodrich of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Carolyn (Dave) Laudenback of Alton, Darlene (Jim) Biggs of Elburn; 20 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
Jim was always a very happy and pleasant person to be around, always wise and caring. He loved to go fishing and especially enjoyed watching his children catch fish. One of his greatest joys was spending time in his garden and making various wind driven toys for his kids and grand kids. He would get very excited about any St. Louis Cardinals Game whether at the stadium or at home with Mom. Jim devoted the last years of his life spending quality time with his wife of 64 years.
His greatest accomplishments are loving his family of six children and their families whom he cherished greatly.
Jim wanted to express his gratitude toward the Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, especially Dr. Caceres and Ellen Zindel.