Rev. James Helton
Rev. James R. Helton, 80, of Sullivan, passed away at 9:29 p.m. Friday May 9, 2025 in Memorial Medical Center, Springfield.
Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday May 15, 2025 in the New Life Church, Sullivan with Pastor Dave Dolan officiating. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the college fund for Gracee Helton. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
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Henry “Ted” Atkinson
Henry Theodore “Ted” Atkinson, of Bethany, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, at his home. He was 85.
Graveside services will be at 12 noon on Friday May 16, 2025, in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany with military rites conducted by the Bethany American Legion Post # 507. There will not be a visitation. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.
Read More•May 7, 2025•
by DM Williamee
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower, known for its speed and bright, glowing trails, is an annual event, and the meteor shower is caused by debris from Halley’s Comet. It is visible each year from approximately April 19th through May 28th. The peak activity typically occurs on or around May 5th through 8th, with the shower offering good visibility, especially in the predawn hours. While the most vivid viewing will be in the Southern Hemisphere, it can be viewed globally.
Unlike most major annual meteor showers, there is no sharp “peak” for this shower, but rather a broad maximum with good rates (number of meteors to view) that lasts for approximately one week and is centered on or around May 5th. The Eta Aquarids meteor shower can produce up to 60 meteors per hour in the Southern Hemisphere, and in the Northern Hemisphere (including the Sullivan area), the rate is typically lower, ranging from 10 to 30 meteors per hour.
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Dennis Ferguson
Dennis M. ‘Denny’ Ferguson, 76 of Bethany, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025 in his home.
Celebration of Life services were held Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Tom Hoskins officiating. Burial with military rites were conducted by the Bethany American Legion Post #507 in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Moultrie - Douglas 4-H or the Bethany Peace Meal. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
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Wayne Brown
Wayne M. Brown, 87, of Lovington, passed away 7:10 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Graveside services were held Friday, May 2, 2025, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Read MoreDennis ‘Denny’ Ferguson
Dennis M. ‘Denny’ Ferguson, 76 of Bethany, passed away at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025 in his home.
Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Tom Hoskins officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the Bethany American Legion Post #507 will be in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Memorials are suggested to the Moultrie - Douglas 4-H or the Bethany Peace Meal. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Denny was born on January 26, 1949 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Warren G. and Luzetta J. Gaston Ferguson. Denny graduated from Bethany High School in the class of 1967. He took agricultural courses through Lake Land College. He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1969. Denny was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer his entire life in the Bethany area. He spent a lot of hours on the road hauling livestock for Two Mile Commission company. He was a member of the Lincolnland Carriage Club and the Illinois Draft Horse and Mule Association.
Denny showed mules along side of his father which became a family highlight for his kids and grandchildren. He appreciated a good team of mules. He raised, handled and showed several grand champion mules in state and county fairs. He also judged several state and county mule shows over the years. He enjoyed driving mules in parades and taking rides throughout the countryside.
He looked forward in going to the livestock sales at Shelbyville Sale Barn and Two Mile Commission each week. It was a highlight to eat at the Bethany Diner visiting the guys at the liar’s table. He also enjoyed spending time with his high school friends eating lunch out monthly.
Survivors include his children Michael ‘Mick” Ferguson of Findlay, Dawn Redfern of Bethany and Alison Freeland of Hot Springs, Arkansas; grandchildren Janette (Canon) West of Japan and Garrett Ferguson of Bethany; brother in law Dean Craig of Sullivan and a niece and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Janet and a son-in-law T.G. Redfern.
Nichole Scott
Nichole Moran Scott, 58, of Bement, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 8:37 a.m., Thursday, April 24, 2025, at her residence.
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Michael Schowalter
Michael W. Schowalter, 62, of Bethany, passed away at 10:47 p.m. Monday April 21, 2025 in his residence.
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Harold Renfro
Harold E. Renfro, 91 of Lovington, went to be with the Lord and his beloved wife and son at 2:28 AM Friday, April 25, 2025, at Eastview Terrace, Sullivan.
Services to celebrate Harold’s life were held Monday, April 28, 2025, at the First Church of God in Lovington. Interment was in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the First Church of God in Lovington.
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Bruce Krile
Bruce L. Krile, 69, of Strasburg, IL, passed away on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL, with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg, IL. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Strasburg, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Strasburg Fire Department, Grace Lutheran Church, Strasburg Lions Club, Sullivan AMBUCS, or the family in care of Justin Krile.
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