News Progress

Jo Ellen Seaman

Jo Ellen Seaman, 66, of Arthur, died at 4:48 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2015 in Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Monday in Arthur United Methodist Church with the Reverends Bruce Weiman and Leroy Allison officiating.  Private interment will be at a later date. Shrader Funeral Home, 431 S. Vine Street in Arthur is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jo Ellen was born February 17, 1949 to Ralph Richard “Bud” and Ellen Jane Hendrickson Seaman.  She was the oldest of five siblings.  Jo attended school in Arthur and furthered her college education at Illinois State, obtaining her Masters in Education.  She began her career in 1971 teaching agriculture in Goodridge, Minnesota, followed by Spring Grove, Minnesota.  She was the first female to teach agriculture in the state of Minnesota.  In 1980 she moved back to her hometown of Arthur and continued teaching.  She taught ag and math in both Arthur and Atwood. Read More

Ivan Sparling

Ivan H. “Ike” Sparling, 83, of Decatur died at 4:21 a.m. Saturday Oct. 24, 2015 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Hillside Bethel Tabernacle, 3575 Greenhill Road in Decatur with the Rev. Don Horath officiating. Visitation will be at the church 6-8 p.m. today (Wednesday). Burial with military rites will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Tanzyus-Logan Funeral Service and Care is in charge of arrangements. Read More

Carol Gifford 

Graveside services for Carol Elizabeth Gifford, 57, of Decatur were held at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Riverton. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur handled arrangements.

She died at 6:45 a.m. Thursday Oct. 15, 2015 in her home. Read More

Tom Greenawalt

Tom A. Greenawalt, 77, of Decatur died Oct. 17, 2015 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. No services are planned. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur assisted the family. Read More

•October 21, 2015•

A Bible recital entitled Bringing the Word to Life will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24 in First Christian Church in Lovington.

The Rev. R.J. Ray of the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church will recite the epistles of I & II Peter. Read More