News Progress

Luella K. Hughes, 76, of Sullivan, passed away at 10:46 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in the Willow Breeze Hospice House, Mattoon, Illinois.

Celebration of Life services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Vail officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from Noon to service time. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Ambulance Service or the Sullivan Weekend Food Pac Program. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Luella was born October 5, 1948 in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of Robert ‘Bob’ and Joan Matheson Hughes. She retired from the Mt. Zion K-Mart after 25 years. Luella was a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), participated in the Sullivan Pencil Pal Program for 2nd graders for over 20 years, was a member of the Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary and the Sullivan VFW Auxiliary and enjoyed league bowling at Sullivan and Decatur.

Survivors include her sister Barbara Hughes of Mattoon; brothers Bill Hughes and Jim (Katrina) Hughes, all of Sullivan; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Arthur Hughes.

Benjamin Franklin Harris, 90, of Bethany went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 6:43 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Shelbyville Manor, Shelbyville, after living with Alzheimer’s Dementia for several years with courage and resilience.

A celebration of life service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, with Rev. Douglas Harris officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Following the service, burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Benjamin was born August 25, 1934, in Detroit, MI, the son of Elbert and Annella (Baldwin) Harris. He was a graduate of Benton High School, Benton, and Central Bible College, Springfield, MO. Benjamin served in the United States National Guard.

Ben was an Assemblies of God pastor and was recently recognized for 50 years of ordained ministry. He pastored churches across Illinois including Ottawa, Bunker Hill, Vandalia, Olive Branch, Bethany and Paris. He also filled many pulpits in various churches in his later years.

On May 25, 1963, he married Sandra Hollister in Decatur, she survives. Also surviving are their children, Terry (Jodi) Harris of Altamont, Lisa (John) Fett of Tennessee, and Ron (Lori) Harris of Pennsylvania; also, seven grandchildren, Steffen Harris, Kirstie Burry, Kaela Cuzzone, John-Michael Fett, Chris Harris, Mike Harris, and Zachary Harris, and ten great-grandchildren.

Ben has three living siblings, sisters, Evelyn (Charles) Bayless and Roselyn Wingo; brother, Michael (Sharon) Harris. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, William, Robert, Joanne and Wendell.

Ben enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, bowling, and fast-pitch softball. He and Sandra traveled to 46 of the 50 states. Ben also went on Mission trips to Honduras and Denmark.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com