Aux Kas and Wampuses
•March 26, 2025•
by Janet Roney
What is the oldest word in use today? It’s heard all over the world. It originated in an oasis in the Taklamaken desert in western China. While you think about that, here’s another old word… wampus.
My father savored using old words. His vocabulary would have given a linguist hours of pleasure deciphering its origins. One of his words was wampus. Do you know what a wampus is?
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Jacqueline Grace
Jacqueline Thomas Grace, 94, of Sullivan, formerly of Decatur, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, in the Arthur Home.
Read MoreCody Gentry
Cody Leland Gentry, of Monticello, Ill., died March 19 at home. He was 61.
Survivors include his wife, Karen; six sisters, Melinda O’brero, Jody Davis (Grant), Joanna Sensabaugh (Roger), Lora Suter (Don), Stacy Kelly and Shonna Smith (Edward); one brother, Andrew (Ashley); 11 nieces and five nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew.
Read MoreJacqueline Thomas Grace
Jacqueline Thomas Grace, 94 of Sullivan, formerly of Decatur, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, in the Arthur Home.
Services to celebrate Jacqueline’s life will be held at 11 am Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. Memorial are suggested to the donor’s choice.
Jacqueline was born on July 11, 1930, in Decatur, the daughter of Herschel “Jack” and Ruth (Kerns) Sattley. Jacqueline married Charles “Loren” Thomas on November 20, 1948. He passed away in 1982. She later married Jerald Eugene Grace on May 2, 1987. He passed away in 2002. Jacqueline owned Sattley’s Office Machines for many years. She went on to work in housewares at True Value and later at the Sun ‘N Fun Swim Club. She was a former member of Cresthaven Country Club and Sun ‘N Fun Swim Club.
Surviving are her children: Cheryl Rich of Sullivan, and Jack (Cindy) Thomas of Decatur, grandchildren: Steven (Shannon) Phillips and Shannon (Kevin) McGregor, Lindsey Thomas, Shaun (Savana) Thomas, Amanda (John) Pizarek and Eric (Katrina) Robinson. Great grandchildren: Kylee Phillips, Jake Thomas, Avery Robinson and Landyn Robinson.
Jacqueline was greeted in Heaven by her parents, husbands, infant brother and son-in-law Bill Rich.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com. Jacqueline Thomas Grace, 94 of Sullivan, formerly of Decatur, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, in the Arthur Home.
Services to celebrate Jacqueline’s life will be held at 11 am Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. Memorial are suggested to the donor’s choice.
Jacqueline was born on July 11, 1930, in Decatur, the daughter of Herschel “Jack” and Ruth (Kerns) Sattley. Jacqueline married Charles “Loren” Thomas on November 20, 1948. He passed away in 1982. She later married Jerald Eugene Grace on May 2, 1987. He passed away in 2002. Jacqueline owned Sattley’s Office Machines for many years. She went on to work in housewares at True Value and later at the Sun ‘N Fun Swim Club. She was a former member of Cresthaven Country Club and Sun ‘N Fun Swim Club.
Surviving are her children: Cheryl Rich of Sullivan, and Jack (Cindy) Thomas of Decatur, grandchildren: Steven (Shannon) Phillips and Shannon (Kevin) McGregor, Lindsey Thomas, Shaun (Savana) Thomas, Amanda (John) Pizarek and Eric (Katrina) Robinson. Great grandchildren: Kylee Phillips, Jake Thomas, Avery Robinson and Landyn Robinson.
Jacqueline was greeted in Heaven by her parents, husbands, infant brother and son-in-law Bill Rich.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Mae Ryherd
“Well done, good and faithful servant! ... Enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:23
Mae E. Ryherd was welcomed by Jesus into heaven on March 15, 2025, at the age of 85. Mae was born June 10, 1939, in St. Peter, IL, to Martin and Marie (nee Opfer) Hollman. After High School graduation she moved to Decatur, IL, to work as a secretary. It was there that she met her husband R. Duane Ryherd, of Sullivan, IL, and they were married June 29th, 1958. Mae and Duane have lived in Champaign, IL. for over 60 years. Their marriage of over 66 years was blessed by four children, ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Mae and Duane were members of Friendship Lutheran Church of Joy in Champaign, IL.
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Lynnette Hermann
Lynnette Hermann, 80, of Sullivan, passed away at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in her home surrounded by family.
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William Hagen
William A. ‘Bill’ Hagen, 72, of Sullivan, passed away at 2:05 a.m. Thursday, March 13, 2025 in Willow Breeze Hospice House, Mattoon.
Read MoreLynnette Hermann
Lynnette Hermann, 80, of Sullivan, passed away at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in her home surrounded by family.
Visitation will be Monday, March 17, 2025 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Reed Funeral Home Sullivan, IL. followed by a Celebration of Life from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Sullivan VFW (1132 Illinois Rt. 32 South). Casual attire is requested. Graveside services will be Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, IL.
Lynnette was born on October 31, 1944 in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of Roy McLaughlin and Helen ‘Jerry’ Lewis. Lynnette married Ronald H. Hermann on October 2, 1965 in Decatur, Illinois. She was an LPN, a wholesale manager for Emel’s Bait Shop in rural Sullivan and was also a licensed realtor/broker and owner of Hermann Construction Company. She was a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Illinois Realtors Association, the Central Illinois Board of Realtors and the Decatur Landlord Association.
Lynn loved to travel and socialize, she loved drives in her Corvette around the lake, watching home improvement and cooking shows, she enjoyed supporting her grandchildren during their extracurricular activities, and enjoyed taking drives around her property in her golf cart.
Survivors include her husband, Ronald; sons Douglas Hermann (Missy Mines) of Decatur, IL and Michael Hermann (Kimberly) of Warrensburg, IL ; daughter in law Mindy Hermann of Lusby, Maryland; grandchildren Christoper Hermann, Alexus Mines, Caleb Hermann, Orion Brown, Delaney Hermann, Haley Hermann, and several nieces and nephews, as well as her favorite companion Morgan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Robert Hermann, grandson Austin Hermann, sister Victoria Devereaux and brothers Jack Lewis and Jeff Lewis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Moultrie County PAWS, 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Nellie Stevens
Nellie (Spencer) Stevens, of Decatur, IL, went to her heavenly home on March 9, 2025. Her firm belief in Jesus Christ as her personal savior, led her to a life of committed discipleship, sharing her faith with all who knew her.
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Jodi Phelps
Jodi K. Phelps, 55, of Sullivan, passed away at 4:43 p.m. Wednesday February 26, 2025 surrounded by her family.
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