News Progress

Alice K. ‘Kathy’ Mitchell, 78, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:04 a.m. Friday June 13, 2025 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday June 17, 2025 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Don Lusk officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to St Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.  

Kathy was born August 3,1946 in Sullivan, the daughter of Helen McDonald. She had operated a beauty shop in Sullivan for many years and later was an IT Manager for First Ag Consulting in Roswell, Georgia. Her greatest joy was raising her family. Kathy was a member of the Sullivan Southern Baptist Church and had formerly been a member of the Sullivan Baptist Church. She married Arnold Dean Mitchell on January 6, 1967 in Sullivan and he preceded her in death on May 22, 2021.

Surviving are her sons Brandon Parrish (Lynn) Mitchell of Cumming, Georgia, Jason Heath (Shawna) Mitchell of Great Falls, Montana and Erik Dean (Tara) Mitchell of Forsyth; special brother Michael Watt of New Lenox; special sister Virginia Risley of Sullivan; grandchildren Kyle, Erik, Regan, Lynsey, Ally, Peyton, Maci, Hayden and Hallie.

She was preceded in death by her parents and special sisters Carolyn Shackles and Sharon Dinger.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Erika Piper and her special staff at Heritage Woods for their unconditional love and care of their mother.

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

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