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March 17, 2026 Election Results

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Recent Obituaries: Barbara Smith

News Progress Posted on June 11, 2025 by webmasterJune 11, 2025

Barbara Sue Smith, 80, of Lovington, passed away 5:37 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at her home. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services Monday, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the Lovington Volunteer Ambulance Service or to Moultrie County PAWs: 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951

Sue was born December 12, 1944, in Iola; the daughter of Wilson Leroy and Dolly Opal (Ramsey) Colclasure. She married Troy Derrell Smith on March 1, 1963, in Sullivan; he preceded her in death on February 5, 2014. Sue retired from Agri-Fab after working there for 25 years. She enjoyed reading books, garage sales, Koi Ponds and going out with her metal detector. Sue loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Robert) Scott of Sullivan and Kimberly (Thomas) Fleming of Lovington; brother, Arthur Leroy (Sonny) Colclasure of Allenville; sisters, Zelma Reynolds of Allenville, Ellen (Roger) Hunter of Sullivan, Stella Harlin of Allenville and Kathy Carey of Mattoon. Sue was also survived by 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 brother and 1 grandson.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Obituaries 6-11-2025: Michael Welch

News Progress Posted on June 11, 2025 by webmasterJune 11, 2025

Michael Welch

Michael B. Welch, 64, of  Lake Whales, Florida passed away at 2:55 p.m. Saturday June 7, 2025 in the Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida.

Arrangements are incomplete at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.

Posted in Obituaries

Obituaries 6-11-2025: James Myers

News Progress Posted on June 11, 2025 by webmasterJune 11, 2025

James Myers

James L. Myers, 87, of Dundee, Florida passed away at 9:11 a.m. Friday June 6, 2025 in Winter Haven Hospital, Winter Haven, Florida.

Arrangements are incomplete at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.

Posted in Obituaries

Obituaries 6-11-2025: Violet Lillico

News Progress Posted on June 11, 2025 by webmasterJune 11, 2025

Violet Lillico

Violet M. Lillico, 88, of Bethany, passed away 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Sullivan Healthcare and Senior Living.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services Thursday, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Rural Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Bethany Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry: 312 West South Water Street, Bethany, IL 61914

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Obituaries 6-4-2025: Barbara Johnson

News Progress Posted on June 4, 2025 by webmasterJune 4, 2025

Barbara J. Johnson

Barbara J. Johnson, 93, of Bethany, passed away 12:02 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Arthur Home in Arthur. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Wednesday, at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will take place in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Mt. Zion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Food Bank or to the Sullivan High School Football Program.

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Obituaries 6-4-2025: Ramona Lesley-Hertlein

News Progress Posted on June 4, 2025 by webmasterJune 4, 2025

Ramona Lesley-Hertlein

Ramona L. Lesley-Hertlein, 96, of Sullivan, passed away at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday May 27, 2025 in the Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

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Celebration of Life services were held Monday June 2, 2025 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Rob Roy officiating. Burial took place in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Bethany United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Ramona was born December 2, 1928 in Shawneetown, the daughter of Gordon and Beulah Hatcher Ozee. She had worked at the Bethany Grocery Store, Peters Market in Decatur, Svendsen Florist in Decatur and the Sullivan Senior Center. Ramona married Robert ‘Bob’ Lesley on September 13, 1947 and he preceded her in death on April 17, 1977. She then married Eugene ‘Gene’ Hertlein on May 10, 2011 in Bethany and he preceded her in death on April 23, 2014.

Surviving are her daughters Helen (George) Levi of Effingham, Patti (Rieck) Kendall of Sullivan and Brenda Kirk of Sullivan; sister Doris Murphy of Shelbyville, brothers Roger Ozee of Shelbyville and Larry (Judi) Ozee of Arcola; grandchildren Lori (John) Thomas, Jennifer Levi, Alison Yoder, Kari (Troy) Rogers, Katy (Bryan) Fogerson, Adam, (Leann) Lesley, Michael (Marci) Kirk, Alyssa Kirk and Erin (Tim) Fricke; twelve great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, five brothers and a sister.

Posted in Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Barbara Johnson

News Progress Posted on June 2, 2025 by webmasterJune 2, 2025

Barbara J. Johnson, 93, of Bethany, passed away 12:02 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Arthur Home in Arthur. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Wednesday, at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will take place in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Mt. Zion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Food Bank or to the Sullivan High School Football Program.

Barb was born September 11, 1931, in Newman; the daughter of Frances Marion “Pat” and Leone (Trulock) Fonner. She married Donald A. Johnson on May 11, 1952, in Dalton City; he preceded her in death on March 30, 2005. Barb accomplished one of her goals in life when she graduated from Lake Land College in 1974 with her LPN degree. She was one of the first EMTs in Bethany. Barb was a member of the Dalton City Christian Church. Her next love in life was watching football. Barb always enjoyed going to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events where she would passionately cheer them on.

She is survived by her daughters, Bonnie Bell of Hammond and Sue (Dave) Price of Atwood. Barbara is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 4 brothers and 1 sister.

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

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Ramona L. Lesley-Hertlein

News Progress Posted on May 28, 2025 by webmasterMay 28, 2025

Ramona L. Lesley-Hertlein, 96, of Sullivan, passed away at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday May 27, 2025 in the Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Celebration of Life services will be at 12 p.m.  Monday June 2, 2025 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Rob Roy officiating.  Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until service time.  Burial will be in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany.  Memorials are suggested to the Bethany United Methodist Church.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Ramona was born December 2, 1928 in Shawneetown, the daughter of Gordon and Beulah Hatcher Ozee. She had worked at the Bethany Grocery Store, Peters Market in Decatur, Svendsen Florist in Decatur and the Sullivan Senior Center  Ramona married Robert ‘Bob’ Lesley on September 13, 1947 and he preceded her in death on April 17, 1977.  She then married Eugene ‘Gene’ Hertlein on May 10, 2011 in Bethany and he preceded her in death on April 23, 2014.
Surviving are her daughters Helen (George) Levi of Effingham, Patti (Rieck) Kendall of Sullivan and Brenda Kirk of Sullivan; sister Doris Murphy of Shelbyville, brothers Roger Ozee of Shelbyville and Larry (Judi) Ozee of Arcola; grandchildren Lori (John) Thomas, Jennifer Levi, Alison Yoder, Kari (Troy) Rogers, Katy (Bryan) Fogerson, Adam, (Leann) Lesley, Michael (Marci) Kirk, Alyssa Kirk and Erin (Tim) Fricke; twelve great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, five brothers and a sister.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Obituaries 5-28-2025: Marilyn Elzy

News Progress Posted on May 28, 2025 by webmasterMay 28, 2025

Marilyn Elzy

Marilyn R. Elzy, 91, of Sullivan, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Monday May 26, 2025 in Shelbyville Manor.

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Obituaries 5-21-2025: Sabrina McCaughan

News Progress Posted on May 21, 2025 by webmasterMay 21, 2025

Sabrina McCaughan

Sabrina Johnson McCaughan, age 64, of Humboldt, passed away unexpectedly into the arms of Jesus on May 9, 2025 at her residence. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” II Corinthians 5:8

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Helmeth receives Amtryke



News Progress


River Helmeth received an Amtryke from the Sullivan AMBUCS at their fundraising cookout last Saturday, May 9th, in the Kirby Foods parking lot. River rode her new Amtryke for the first time like a pro as her mom Stephanie, looked on. With a big smile and look of determination, River showed everyone how well she could ride.


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