All Obituaries

Willie Wooten, 74, of Mayfield, KY, formerly of Panama and Raymond, passed away at 1:07 a.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020 at his residence. Willie was born May 29, 1946 in Hyden, KY, the son of Willie and Ella (Stidham) Wooten.  He married Marie Eaker, and she preceded him in death.  Willie then married Rita Fern (Cruthis) Blades on June 1, 1995 in Nashville, TN, and they have enjoyed over 25 years of marriage. Willie worked as a machinist for Brake Parts for over 37 years until...

Carl James Manuel, 81, of Stonington, passed away at 9:57 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2020 at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Jim was born December 19, 1938 in Taylorville, IL, the son of Carl Oscar and Dorothy (Hunt) Manuel.  He married Luwauna German on July 11, 1987 in Taylorville. Jim graduated from Taylorville High School in 1956, and went on to work as a belt repairman for the Peabody #10 mine for 40 years.  He then worked an additional 2 years for the mine in Sparta. ...

Minor Earl Dishon, 79, of Neoga, formerly of Stonington, passed away at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Minor was born and raised in rural Stonington, the son of Leslie and Leila (Schoning) Dishon.  He graduated from Stonington High School in 1958, and five years later he proudly joined the United States Army, and served for two years.  From 1963 until 1976 he was married to Sharon Watson, the mother his four daughters, and they...

LeAnne Fraley Dempsey, 67, of Taylorville, passed away at 3:45 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at Decatur Memorial Hospital. LeAnne was born April 23, 1953 in Springfield, the daughter of Varel L. and Yvonne (Gardner) Fraley.  She graduated from Taylorville High School in 1971. She was a cheerleader throughout high school and in college while attending Western Illinois University.  She went on to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale receiving a degree in court...

Melvin Charles Wempen, Sr. 95, of Morrisonville, passed away at 5:20 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at Taylorville Skilled Nursing and Rehab. Melvin was born January 1, 1925 in Raymond, the son of Henry and Meta (Pehle) Wempen.  He graduated from high school in Raymond, and proudly served our country in the United States Army from March of 1945 until his honorable discharge in November of 1946.  Melvin served one year in Japan during World War II. When he returned home, he...

Shirley Ann Robertson, 63, of Taylorville, passed into eternity at 6:29 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. Shirley was born December 1, 1956 in Aberdeen, MS, the daughter of M.C. and Martha Lee (Randle) Robertson.  She married Desi Tatum in Chicago, and he preceded her in death. Shirley was strong and independent, and everyone always knew what was on her mind.  She loved singing and dancing, and having a good time.  Shirley loved life, and...

Philip Ray Cearlock, 65, of Hillsboro, formerly of Taylorville, passed away at 7:14 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Philip was born November 27, 1954 in Taylorville, the son of Eugene F. and Twila Mae (Greer) Cearlock.  He graduated from Taylorville High School, and went on to work for May Township for over 25 years.  Philip enjoyed leatherwork in his free time. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Harold...

Maureen (Mahan) Curry received the final star in her heavenly crown and gained her angel wings on Thursday, August 6, 2020, having shed her temporary physical body afflicted by Covid-19 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Maureen was born July 11, 1961 in Taylorville, the daughter of Wayne and Dolores (Turvey) Mahan. She married Gregory J. Curry on June 27, 1992, and he preceded her in death on March 7, 2010. Maureen put her heart and soul and lots of love into everything she did....

Robert Ray Montgomery, 86, of Morrisonville, passed away at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2020 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Ray was born September 9, 1933 in Decatur, the son of Robert Guy and Grace Mae (Van Houten) Montgomery.  He married Phyllis Mae Hancock on September 9, 1952 at the First Baptist Church in Morrisonville, and she preceded him in death on January 24, 1993.  Ray then married Jean (McKinnie) Kraner on October 2, 1993 at the First...

James “Keith” Morgan, 68, of Taylorville, passed away at 8:05 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at his residence. Keith was born February 5, 1952 in Vandalia, the son of Charles Herbert and Betty Mae (Lockart) Morgan.  He married Diane Crowder on December 5, 1971 in Taylorville. Keith proudly served our country in the United States Army during Vietnam.  After his honorable discharge, he worked for Ziegler Coal Company until his retirement.  He then worked for...