Obituaries 9-16-2015: Ray Shain

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Shain, Rae 001Ray Shain

Funeral services for Opha “Ray” Shain, 67, of Sullivan were held at 1 p.m. Saturday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.

He passed away at 9:15 p.m. Monday, September 7, 2015 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Coles County.

Ray was born March 15, 1948 in Decatur, a son of Henry Walter and Arvilla Fern Wickiser Shain. He married Earletta Marie Lane July 6, 1973 in Sullivan, and she preceded him in death October 6, 2010. Ray was the chief water plant operator for the city of Sullivan and retired after 33 years. He was a member of the NHRA, NRA, EPA Quarters Hundred Club, Ramblin Misfits Car Club in Decatur, Upholstery Union and the Illinois Foster Parents Association. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan. He was an avid car guy and enjoyed drag racing.  Read More

Obituaries 9-16-2015: Julia Howard

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howardJulia Howard

Funeral Mass Celebrating the life of Julia “Judy” Ann Howard, 76, of Decatur was held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday September 10, 2015 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Rick Welton, Celebrant. Burial was in Mt. Zion Township Cemetery. Tanzyus-Logan Funeral Service and Care was in charge of the arrangements.

She died at 5:41 p.m. Sunday, September 6, 2015, in the Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Julia was born March 27, 1939, in Decatur, a daughter of Victor and Katherine Funk Walters. She graduated from Parkland College with a veterinarian tech degree and worked for several veterinarians throughout her life. She enjoyed many hobbies such as decorating cakes, sewing and showing dogs. She was quite creative in designing flower gardens. She loved her family and her dogs and attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Julia married Kenneth Merlin Howard of Dalton City December 28, 1958, and he preceded her in death in 1996. Read More

Obituaries 9-16-2015: Rosie London

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London, Rosie 001Rosie London

Graveside services for Roselee “Rosie” Briscoe London, 75, of Sullivan were held at 2 p.m. Friday in Liberty Cemetery in Sullivan. McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan handled arrangements.

She passed away at 5:18 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2015 in Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Rosie was born April 30, 1940, the daughter of Durward and Maureen Wheeler Briscoe. She married Wayne London February 13, 2013 in Arthur. She was a member of the Little Flock Baptist Church in rural Moweaqua. Read More

Obituaries 9-9-2015: Ernie Simmons

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FlagForWebsiteErnie Simmons

Celebration of Life services for Ernest “Ernie” Simmons, 89, of Mishawaka, Ind., formerly of Decatur and Sullivan, were held at 6 p.m. Saturday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Masonic rites were conducted by Stephen Decatur Lodge #979 AF & AM. Graveside services were at 11 a.m. Monday in Camp Butler Cemetry in Springfield with military rites by Sangamon County Intervets. Read More

Obituaries 9-9-2015: Jill England

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England, JillJill England

Funeral services for Jill T. England, 53, of Rochester, formerly of Sullivan, were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Bethany. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2015, in the Ansar Temple in Springfield.

She passed away at 8:54 a.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015, in her home in Rochester after living a good, fun life and losing it to cancer.    Read More

Obituaries 9-9-2015: Ruth Neal Cooper

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Cooper PhotoRuth Neal Cooper

Ruth Neal Cooper, our beautiful 100-year-old matriarch, of Broken Arrow, Okla., formerly of Windsor, was welcomed into the arms of the Father on September 1, 2015.

Born May 29, 1915, Ruth was the only daughter born to her beloved parents, Gertrude Fleming Neal and Charles Butler Neal, in their home in rural Windsor.  She joined big brothers Bruce Munson, and Rush and Ralph Neal.

Ruth was raised in Windsor where she graduated from high school and attended Eastern Illinois College where she met her lifelong sweetheart, Carl Burton Cooper.   Read More

Obituaries 9-2-2015: Jeff Hale

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Jeff haleJeff Hale

Jeff Lynn Hale, 56, of Charleston began his new life and departed from this one Sunday Aug. 30, 2015 in his home.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in Krabel Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service beginning at 5 p.m.

Jeff was born Feb. 26, 1959 in Tuscola to Roger and Loretta Mulvaney Hale. He was a graduate of Oakland High School and worked as a warehouse supervisor with Littlefuse for many years. He enjoyed watching sports, auto racing and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Read More

Obituaries 9-2-2015: Joseph Veach

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Veach, JoeJoseph Veach

Joseph Glenn Veach, 42, of rural Lerna passed away in his home Sunday Aug. 30, 2015 in the comforting and loving presence of his family.

Visitation for family and friends will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday in Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Graveside services honoring and celebrating his life will be at 11 a.m. Friday n Mound Cemetery in Charleston with Pastors Doug Staley and Ray Blair officiating.  Read More