Recent Obituaries: Kevin Mark Yates

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Kevin Mark Yates, 71, of Sullivan passed away 6:25 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, at his home.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Kevin was born April 3, 1955, in Peoria; the son of James W. and Ruth M. (Sampson) Yates. He worked in the labs of Mars/Kal Kan as a chemist helping to research and create new products. Kevin was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed antique cars. He was a fan of Western movies and the music of Seals & Crofts. Kevin was a big history buff and took part in Civil War and World War II reenactments. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and took great joy in his nieces and nephews.

Kevin is survived by his sister, Marsha (David) Webb of Macon; sister-in-law, Patricia Yates of Washington, IL; nieces and nephews, Ryan (Karyn) Yates of Washington, IL, Adam Yates of Eureka, Donhavan (Amy) Webb of Niantic, Tyler (Austin) Webb of Decatur, Miranda (Brent) Cox of Trophy Club, TX, and Derek (Alexis) Conger of Washington, IL. He is also survived by several great-nieces, great-nephews. 1 great-great-niece and 1 great-great-nephew.

Kevin was proceeded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Michael K. Yates and his faithful fur baby, Andy.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Obituaries: Carolyn McFarland

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Carolyn I. McFarland, 88, of Sullivan, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Fred Hauck officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Carolyn was born July 12, 1938, in Creve Coeur, Illinois, the daughter of Eugene M. and Virdie Swisher Gorrell. She was the secretary for the Sullivan Little Theater on the Square and the Moultrie County Counseling Center. Carolyn was a member of the Sullivan First Church of God and enjoyed the Monday evening Monicals Ladies Group. She married Vernon F. ‘Mac’ McFarland on September 28, 1957, in Newton and he preceded her in death on October 24, 2002.

Surviving is her sons Jeffrey (Julia) McFarland of Maryville and Rick (Janet) McFarland of Sullivan; daughter Michele McFarland of Sullivan; sister-in-laws Marna Gorrell of Morton and Lois Gorrell of Peoria; 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon F., son Vernon, three brothers and two sisters. 

Recent Obituaries: Roger O. Waggoner

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Roger O. Waggoner, 84, of Decatur, passed away at 6:16 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2026 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2026 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Bethany. Memorial are suggested to the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Roger was born January 18, 1942 in Sullivan, the son of Ray and Edna Helen Heiland Waggoner. He had been an electrician for A. E Staley in Decatur. Roger attended GT Church in Decatur. He married Esther D. Patrick on April 14, 1962 in Mattoon and she preceded him in death on November 11, 2007.  

Surviving are his daughters Kimberly Sue (Joe) Carnahan of Decatur, Maryann (Brent) Carter of Florida and Tracy Cook of Sullivan; son Roger A. Waggoner of Decatur; granddaughter Brooke Elizabeth Kidwell and sisters Judy (Terry) Lane and Cathy Waggoner of Sullivan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and brother Ron Waggoner.